Hunting with handguns?

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timmerk

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Hi all,

I admit I am a newbie, and never hunted before, BUT - is it really true that people hunt with handguns?

My gut feeling finds this wrong and inhumane. Or I'm a missing something here? I admit I know nothing. :) I don't want to cause a big argument - I'm just really trying to find out about this. Do you hunt with a handgun? Why or why not?

Thanks!
 
Handgun hunting...

Is something that a number of us do, each for our own reasons. In my own case the handgun is a tool of my trade. I always strove for a high level of proficiency with it, I always loved to hunt, so handgun hunting was a natural extension of those things.

Oftentimes it has to do with seeking a higher challenge, and enjoying the unique sense of satisfaction that comes from making the committments that insure success. I hunt with conventional revolvers, and your range is much shorter than with most conventional rifles. It requires a big dose of self-discipline to watch a nice buck walk by, 50 yards outside your self-imposed range limits.

If you want to debate "wrong" and/or "inhumane", a better subject might be partial-birth abortion. Handgun hunting is neither, when it's done properly. A heavy .44 Magnum handgun load produces roughly as much usable power as many rifles of the late 1800's. If you're really interested in finding out more, plenty of information is available. My experiences are insignificant compared to many, but they are available for your review at:

http://www.sixgunner.com/archive/guests/handgunning_for_deer.htm

Take care-
 
Inhumane ? Ethical hunting like some of the religious rules for killing animals say that if you kill an animal for food you have the responsibility to do it as quickly and painlessly as possible. That means that you pick a suitable cartridge (44mag is fine for deer) and take shots within a distance that is within the limits of the cartridge and your skills. A 22 pistol hunting for squirrels is a challenge, but it's a suitable cartridge. The 44mag is suitable for deer.
 
*sniff*.......*sniff*.......whats thats smell??? :scrutiny:

Taken several deer with a handgun......all clean kills.
 
Hunting is hunting is hunting. The particular tool is nothing more than some combination of utility and skill.

Spear, bow, knife, rifle, pistol or shotgun: They'll all work, depending on circumstance and the skill of the user.

As far as hunting deer with a pistol, it is well established as to some minimum power level insofar as a clean, ethical kill. Commonly, power levels such as the .357 Magnum or larger are pretty much taken for granted via years of experience as being appropriate. The level of skill of the user commonly calls for limiting oneself to ranges of 50 yards or less.

Ain't that simple?

:), Art
 
Ah, ok. All interesting reads - I had never thought about chalanging yourself by having to be close, etc. I guess it's not inhumane if it a clean kill - I was just picturing some guy shooting a buck with a 9mm a few times, letting it suffer.

Thanks all for the responses!
 
Geeezz...If the thought of hunting with a handgun is wrong or inhumane then I quess me hunting with a longbow and wooden arrow must be beyond inhumane???

Ron
 
I don't officially "hunt" with a handgun, not as my primary weapon anyway. I always take a big-game rated handgun with me though.

I hunt with a number of handgun hunters and they are all amazing shots, they take their craft very seriously. These guys will use everything from 44 mags (suped-up to thor-like loads) to single shot wlidcats that have no relation whatsoever to the original headstamp on the brass...

"Yeah sure it started OUT as a 248 Ackley iproved, then I took it over to Bob at the Skunkworks, had the shoulder cut back a 2 milimeters, reamed out the chamber and bored it out to .311. Now its the only 30 caliber pistol that pushes a 123 gr bullet at 3000 fps.. I'm thinking the Encore action could handle 3500.. but i might just chop down a sako to make that..."

These guys know the drift, and drop of every load at every distance. These guys can probably predict how many squares of toilet tissue needed on a given day, factoring in diet and the availability of variables like peanut butter or cheese.

These guys are scary.

has nothing to do with their handguns.

:D
 
The skill levels and gear of some of these guys are incredible. One gunzine article showed a Thompson Contender-like pistol chambered for a .30 wildcat of some sort. The guy was getting inside of 1/2 MOA at 400 yards, and NOT FROM A BENCHREST!

Art
 
Back before I had my boys (and had plenty of time) I rarely rabbit or squirrel hunted with anything except a Ruger Mk II .22 LR handgun. I have also killed a nice buck with a 7 yard broadside shot with 1911 in .45 ACP. It must have been inhumane because it ran 40 yards before it gave up the ghost.
 
I have an absolutly deadly Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casul. Has a great little 4x scope, 11 inch barrel, MagnaBrake and holds 6 rounds of heavy nastyness. When I first got it I really considered selling it right away because it was quite painfull to shoot. After I had the brake installed and have spent many hours shooting, Im much more satisfied with it and my ability to handle it and shoot well with it.

Im at the point now with it that I feel confident in my skill level out to 100 yards. I set my limit at ~100 yards because I can shoot an 8 inch group at the range at 150 yards and a 6 inch group at 100 yards which is satifactory for mid-sized game. This level of skill coupled with the power and ability of the .454 catridge are enough to make me certain that I can be reasonably effective in the field with it.

Ive had it in the field with me 2 times now as my primary weapon. I havent had a chance to get a shot off yet. Though, I dont expect to be disapointed when I get the chance...

Good luck,

Dieslei
 
I'll be handgun hunting when the season opens Saturday, and it won't be with a 9mm. How's about a SW 500 Magnum with 370 grain handloads?:D
 
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