Revolver for Hunting

[Ohen Cepel]

I think I would go with the .44 in a Ruger Bisley Hunter if you want to be able to scope it without much additional hassle/expense. Can always shoot lighter loads or 44SPC if you like but you have plenty of power for deer if you want more.

Freedom Arms makes some VERY nice revolvers if you want to spend more and have what I think is the best made now.

 

[35 Whelen]

And frankly I don't understand the challenge involved in sitting in a stand and taking a 100 yard shot with a scoped rifle. After all, this is a discussion about hunting revolvers.

Handguns are infinitely more challenging to hunt with successfully, and thereby way more satisfying when you connect. And, loaded properly, they are terminally effective on even the largest game. Puts a lot more fun into hunting. JMHO.

I think it depends. I hunt first and foremost for meat and until I'm comfortable with the amount of meat in my freezer, I use the most expedient method. After that, the handguns come out. The challenge aspect is a very slippery slope. Some handgunners might think optics take all the challenge out of using a handgun. Others might think any thing but stalking on foot isn't challenging, and on and on it goes.

If I really want a challenge, I'll shoot shotgun hulls off my 25 yd. target stand.

35W

 

[MaxP]

I think it depends. I hunt first and foremost for meat and until I'm comfortable with the amount of meat in my freezer, I use the most expedient method. After that, the handguns come out. If I want a challenge, I'll shoot shotgun hulls off my 25 yd. target stand.

35W

I too hunt for meat but that doesn't preclude me from using a handgun. I pretty much hunt with handguns exclusively nowadays -- might as well enjoy the challenge of the task at hand even when "meat hunting." But, that's just me.

 

[doctorjohn]

I've had good luck with my Ruger Super Redhawk, 7.5" bbl, in 44 Magnum. It is fitted with a Leupold 4X scope. The revolver has cuts for the rings. Mine came with the Ruger rings.

I've killed several deer at 100 yards with this revolver. At that distance, the revolver has to be rested on something in order to make a good shot. The shortest kill was unsupported two-hand hold at 40 yds.

Unless something has changed, the cylinders on the Redhawk and Super Redhawk are slightly longer than those on the Blackhawks and the S & W revolvers. This comes in handy if you hand load and want to go with a heavy bullet with a longer COAL than most commercial fodder.

All of the deer I've killed with the SRH have been with blunt-nose cast bullets. They work. Typically, they pass straight through with little expansion, but the shock wave created by the blunt nose is significant. One shot will do it.

The Ruger is built like a tank. I've been pleased with mine.

 

[Mn Fats]

MaxP said he doesn't understand the challenge in shooting a deer with a scoped rifle. Hunting for the "challenge" aspect has never been my m.o. I hold an archery merit badge from my youth but that doesn't mean I'll take my recurve out to "challenge" myself. I believe in putting the animal down ASAP with the best tool for the job.

 

[MaxP]

I believe in putting the animal down ASAP with the best tool for the job.

And so do I. I don't think it wise to impose one's limitations on others. Placement is always king, irrespective of the type of firearm being pressed into service. Yes, handguns require more dedication to the craft than a rifle. That is one aspect that I enjoy. I admit I like challenges. If you somehow think your .30-30 is a more effective tool, I would argue that your experience may be limited with a handgun. The only advantage a long gun has is range, but I don't typically snipe game, I like to get close, thereby rendering that "advantage" null and void.

So, are you selling me on the idea that you strictly hunt for meat and don't derive any pleasure in the process? Is hunting merely a chore?

So let's take one step back. Do you hunt with a handgun? Besides the one whitetail you took because your .30-30 malfunctioned, have you willingly and purposefully gone afield on the hunt with only a handgun? If not, why weigh in? The OP was asking for advice of revolvers for hunting.

Not trying to be combative, just attempting to get a better idea from where you have formed your opinions.

 

[Mn Fats]

"I don't think it is wise to impose one's limitations on others." Very well put Max. I guess I was being biased as most my shots are distance shots in corn/bean fields with a .300 wm. Brush shots with 30-30. My neighbors are strictly bow hunters for "challenge" reasons and every year they're on my property tracking a poorly placed shot. I guess I was hearing the "challenging" part of the conversation more than the practical part. My bad, I'm new to this.

 

[MaxP]

"I don't think it is wise to impose one's limitations on others." Very well put Max. I guess I was being biased as most my shots are distance shots in corn/bean fields with a .300 wm. Brush shots with 30-30. My neighbors are strictly bow hunters for "challenge" reasons and every year they're on my property tracking a poorly placed shot. I guess I was hearing the "challenging" part of the conversation more than the practical part. My bad, I'm new to this.

It's all good, Mn Fats, I think we probably share the same views on this topic. If one hunts enough, they will eventually lose an animal. When it happens repeatedly, there is a problem. I understand what you are saying. This is why I practice as much as I do as I feel it is my duty, my responsibility to be the best that I can behind the trigger as I owe that to the animals I am hunting. Unfortunately there are those who take a very nonchalant attitude towards hunting. We are duty bound in my eyes to make as quick and clean a kill as possible.

 

[Mn Fats]

Once again, well put. I suppose I "weighed in" because of the whole "challenge" aspect that comes with everything under a rifle. Like I said, I'm new to all this and appreciate your input.

 

[22-rimfire]

Most of my shots hunting for deer are under 100 yds and most 60 yds or less in the woods. These are practical handgun ranges for deer. Hunting with a handgun brings back the challenge. If there was no challenge, I probably wouldn't consider hunting at this point as I mostly could care less about "meat in the freezer" since my wife pretty much refuses to use venison. I give the meat away.

 

[Mn Fats]

22 rimfire- I truly do hunt for meat in the freezer. If had no need for the meat, I wouldn't hunt.

 

[Mn Fats]

But I understand. My wife leaves the house when I cook venison.

 

[35 Whelen]

22 rimfire- I truly do hunt for meat in the freezer. If had no need for the meat, I wouldn't hunt.

I'm pretty much here too. When I say I "hunt for meat", that's exactly what I mean. Venison isn't just a novelty or something we eat on occasion at this domicile, it's our staple where red meat is concerned and has been for almost 20 years. We very literally our raised 4 kids on it. It's just the wife and I and it takes a bare minimum of 2 mature bucks to get us through the year. I always have a handgun with me when hunting, but when season is winding down and we're not where we need to be with meat, the challenge becomes far less important.

35W

 

[Varminterror]

I started out hunting with handguns as a kid. I've done my share of hunting over stubble or beans, but have never struggled to fill my freezer with a handgun, even back when we were allowed to take up to 9 deer per year.

It's all about perspective - some folks experience colors them with a paradigm where the rifle is always the primary, and a handgun is an unnecessary afterthought, something fun to try, or something they carry but only intend to use as a backup or in select circumstances. For others, the handgun is considered superior to the rifle in its particular application, and hunting with a rifle can start to feel lacking of class, and almost like cheating the game. Where particular hunters fall on that spectrum depends on their environment and their experience.

I've absolutely never felt like I wouldn't have meat if I only owned a handgun and not a rifle, and I have never taken more or better quality animals in a given season just by virtue of a longer barrel.

 

[gotboostvr]

I hunt with both pistols and rifles. My longest shot in the past 5 years has been 60 yards.

Those shots are all easier with a rifle, but I'd still have meat in my freezer if I only had a pistol.

I use handguns almost exclusively while I'm a driver as they're much handier tromping through thick brush and brambles. I'll use rifles while standing mostly but not exclusively.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only handgun hunting I've done is with a Ruger Single-Six in .22LR. It's a good squirrel gun since its very accurate. (5.5" barrel)

 

[Hookeye]

I bowhunt, with a recurve..........so a handgun for me is a rifle

 

[Hookeye]

For me, a short bbl lessens the range due to sights...........my 4" 629 was a 50 yard max rig for me.
6" I could go to 100.
Had an 8 3/8"...........too long for hip carry. Annoyed me. Did blast a deer with it at 75 yards. Icy treestand, forgot safety belt............was 25 ft up in the tree.
Seated, had to turn to make the shot. One hand holding the fork , one handed the gun.
That made the shot go high, figured that out when it happened. Adjusted and put the next one through both shoulders.
I do not shoot with gloves, think they offer an intermediate sliding surface..........so either one must shoot with them always, or never.
Did pop an 8 pt that didn't stop when I wanted him to..................150 yards.
9.5" SRH w screamin' 200's. Little hole in and out.
Killing them aint the problem.
Finding what you killed might be.
More red on the ground is a good thing.
Now that I'm older, wiser (and eyeballs suck).............I wouldn't shoot at a deer iron sights with a 44 mag past 100.
Specialty pistol with optics.............whatever the cartridge limit is.
I would have smoked a deer with my TC to 150 and not even worried about it............but arthritis made me sell the .35 rem.
Just a little more than I can handle. No pain, just numbed my hand up, 10 shots.............hand was funky for a couple hrs after (even with Grippers).
No after effect.............but that 2 hr buzz was annoying and maybe a hint, so decided to avoid it.

 

[Hookeye]

I grew up shooting chucks with a couple of old model Rugers.
Squirrel hunted with some decent .22 autos.
Popped my first handgun deer with a old model .44 mag.
Have had 4 old models...............darn good looking guns.
Last one was mint, took to the range..............and sold it.
Much rather have a Smith 629.
To each his own.
Of the Ruger SA's...............I absolutely detest the Bisleys. The square back trigger guard of the SBH looks best, and feels fine. I never get bonked (but I shoot 265's and under).
Don't understand those who do get bit with standard 240 stuff and that frame.
Don't much care for the flattop .44 mags. Keith loads in it were pretty nasty. Gun would torque on me. Pops called me a sissy then he shot it............and he shots tons of .44 mag in his brass framed SBH old model.
He agreed.................that flattop sucked.

 

[Hookeye]

I sold one of my NM SBH's to a coworker, he loves it.
He absolutely hated my 629 4"................said it hit him on the thumb knuckle.
Dunno what grip he had, but it didn't work for the 629 w reg wood grips.
Everybody is different...........can be adaptable to some point. Some refuse to, and that's fine too.
If you can hit with it, that's all that matters. Some stuff does seem to work better/easier in that.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Get a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley model, 5 1/2" barrel in either .44 Mag or .45 Colt. In that revolver, the .45 Colt can be loaded to about the same level as the .44 Mag.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

But I understand. My wife leaves the house when I cook venison.

That's all it takes to get your wife out of the house? You lucky dog.

Seriously, it would be a lie if I said I "needed" the meat. If you added up lease dues, electric bill on the camp, food and beer every weekend, corn and rice bran, stand building and maintenance and gas to and from camp, I probably spend 5x - 10x more on deer than I do on beef. I probably spend $2500 - $3000 this season between all that and I killed an average 8 pt and 3 does. That's over $600 per deer. So I don't need it per se. I enjoy being in the woods in nature and I love the camaraderie after the hunt is over, cooking fresh backstraps and having a cold adult beverage around the campfire with people that I like. There is nothing better in my opinion that sitting in a tree on a cold morning and listening to the woods come alive around me. It is therapy at its finest.

As for the handgun hunting, I plan next season for the first time, to dedicate a stand to archery/handgun only. I will set it up where any possible shots will be within range and for the first time will go into the woods armed only with my Ruger Blackhawk.
I understand that it is an entirely different ballgame and requires more dedication and patience. With a scoped .30-06 you can store it in the closet all year, take it out the weekend before season and make sure you're scope is on, and go kill deer reliably. Not many folks can do that with a handgun. So I will enjoy the aspect of load workup and hours of practice.

Only 10 more months to go. I can't wait.

 

[Dog Soldier]

I have never hunted cows in a corral ? All of my hunting has been on native species in their natural habitat. That said, it would require an effective cartridge to down a large beef.
My choice in hunting handguns is the .45 Win Mag and the .44 Mag.

 

[22-rimfire]

.....I enjoy being in the woods in nature and I love the camaraderie after the hunt is over, cooking fresh backstraps and having a cold adult beverage around the campfire with people that I like. There is nothing better in my opinion that sitting in a tree on a cold morning and listening to the woods come alive around me. It is therapy at its finest.

As for the handgun hunting, I plan next season for the first time, to dedicate a stand to archery/handgun only. I will set it up where any possible shots will be within range and for the first time will go into the woods armed only with my Ruger Blackhawk.
I understand that it is an entirely different ballgame and requires more dedication and patience. With a scoped .30-06 you can store it in the closet all year, take it out the weekend before season and make sure you're scope is on, and go kill deer reliably. Not many folks can do that with a handgun. So I will enjoy the aspect of load workup and hours of practice.

Only 10 more months to go. I can't wait.

Time passes quickly and you'll need to probably spend time practicing with that Blackhawk. I have one in 41 mag. Using the handgun as a primary is the only way to go. It forces you to think a little differently and there is a bigger thrill with a successful hunt. You accomplished something that many can't or won't do. Yes to the scoped -06.... I did essentially the same thing with a 270 as I really don't want to just blast away at the range for the hell of it. That serves little purpose for me. That is behind me however. It's handgun or nothin'.

 

[200Apples]

Got me some books from Amazon and their 2-day shipping...

These Ruger Blackhawks are all chambered in .4 - from top to bottom are two 5-1/2" New Model Flat Top .44 Specials (for target and defense). For hunting, a 7-1/2" Old Model Super (those were all .44 Mags) and a 4-5/8" Old Model in .41 Mag