horsemen61
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What Handgun for hunting deer?
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xphunter
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horsemen61
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xphunter
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I am always happy to enable
bernie
Member
My first was a target of opportunity with a .45 ACP 1911. I now use a .41 Magnum Stainless Bisley Blackhawk. It will drop a whitetail very effectively. The last two years I have hunted with it quite a bit, but only gotten one opportunity. It worked well on that one opportunity.
robhof
Member
My proven deer killer 3030 14" bull barrel, has taken more deer than any other of my guns. I've taken deer from 20 yds to 135 yds with mostly bang flop, only had to track one and it only went 10 yds!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I have the .50cal percussion version and it's an excellent shooter.
horsemen61
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someguy2800
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If you want to be able to make longer shots I would definitely go with a scoped specialty pistol. This one is a 13” 357 maximum. I recently sold that barrel and ordered an 8” 44 mag.
I also recently got this magnum research lone eagle in 35 Remington which I intend to be my new primary hunting handgun. The contender is a fantastic shooter but it always felt unwieldy to me shooting it from field positions just because they are so weight forward and long. That’s 4 shots at 100 yards on that plate.
I also recently got this magnum research lone eagle in 35 Remington which I intend to be my new primary hunting handgun. The contender is a fantastic shooter but it always felt unwieldy to me shooting it from field positions just because they are so weight forward and long. That’s 4 shots at 100 yards on that plate.
someguy2800
Member
One more piece of advice, I’ve found a 2x scope to be the best for me for hunting. The field of view is tiny in a handgun scope.
xphunter
Member
A center-grip specialty pistol has better balance than a rear grip for sure.
IF, I am using a pistol scope on a center-grip or a rear grip specialty pistol, I go with a 2-6 to 2-8 LER scope that either as a turret that is easy to run MOA, or has a good ballistic reticle, or both.
With my specialty pistols, I want to be able to shoot further ( this may not be a issue/interest for most).
With a good muzzle brake, I run rifle scopes most of the time, and I have better glass, better turrets, better reticle options, with much better FOV.
IF, I am using a pistol scope on a center-grip or a rear grip specialty pistol, I go with a 2-6 to 2-8 LER scope that either as a turret that is easy to run MOA, or has a good ballistic reticle, or both.
With my specialty pistols, I want to be able to shoot further ( this may not be a issue/interest for most).
With a good muzzle brake, I run rifle scopes most of the time, and I have better glass, better turrets, better reticle options, with much better FOV.
Big44mag
Member
44 Auto Mag with 20.8gr of H110 and a Sierra 240gr HP slug.
Anchorite
Member
Cool!
Big44mag
Member
Thank you.
Hoping to use one of my 357 Auto Mags next year, still working on load development.
someguy2800
Member
That automag is gorgeous
Big44mag
Member
Much appreciated.
My biggest issue is trying to figure out which one to get blood on.
xphunter
Member
Pick one, and then work your way through the rest of them as you get more tags
citizenconn
Member
I've shot 6.5 Grendels long range quite a bit. At 1000 yard they have (well) under 500 ft lbs of energy left, so your shot better be very well placed.
bangswitch
Member
Agreed; I would not attempt taking an animal at that range, I only shoot steel plates and paper now, but as you say, a well placed shot could take one, it has just enough energy. Maybe 800yds. would be the better range limit for a game animal that size.
Obturation
Member
If I were going for whitetail with something I have on hand, it'd be this 10" freedom arms revolver. Shoots straight and hits pretty hard.
Smaug
Member
I've only gone deer hunting once, with my 7.5" Ruger Redhawk in 44 Mag. I would not carry that again, and here's why.
That frigid morning, I only saw one deer. She was about 40 yards away. I slowly cocked the hammer: *click-click* The doe looked up and 1 second later was gone.
I wouldn't feel safe leaving it cocked and it makes too much noise to cock. I'd want something that could be cocked & locked with a very quiet safety.
I don't know where you live, but here in Wisconsin, a 100 yard shot on deer is rare, unless you're set up across a cornfield. More common would be 10-40 yards.
That frigid morning, I only saw one deer. She was about 40 yards away. I slowly cocked the hammer: *click-click* The doe looked up and 1 second later was gone.
I wouldn't feel safe leaving it cocked and it makes too much noise to cock. I'd want something that could be cocked & locked with a very quiet safety.
I don't know where you live, but here in Wisconsin, a 100 yard shot on deer is rare, unless you're set up across a cornfield. More common would be 10-40 yards.
When deer hunting from a stand with my SA revolvers, I pull the hammer back to full cock, and slip a short piece of rubber hose between the hammer and the frame. The hammer cannot fall and strike the firing pin with the hose in place, and it is a simple matter to remove just before taking a shot.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Same here on the range. Unless hunting over clear cut - which I like to avoid - it's under 20yds mostly. I haven't had a problem with the RSBH or RBH scaring off deer but they're two-screw Rugers so not as loud as "Peacemaker" Colt knock-offs or the RRH/RSRH. What I'd like to happen more often is what happened exactly once, several seasons back: I cock the hammer and the Buck looks up but turned 90-degrees from me. Perfect neck shot with a 240gr. Sierra.
Smaug
Member
That's pretty smart; wish I'd thought of it.
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