Handgun hunting

[Salty]

Do any of you folks hunt deer with a handgun? I think it's more challenging than bowhunting, especially if you use a black powder handgun.

[.300Savage]

I don't, but would like to try it. What do you think the smallest caliber handgun that should be used to hunt deer is? I'm just talking about shots no more than 15 yards. I have a 380 auto that I take with me deer hunting during rifle season to "finish the deer off" if I have to. I haven't had to yet, but I have had deer walk no more than 5 yards from me and have been tempted to shoot it with the 380. It was just too easy, shooting it with my .300 Savage.

Rocco

[Flintlock54]

A Ruger Old Army will work at 15 yards. With 35 grains of 3F, a "wonder wad" and a .457 round ball, no finishing shot needed.

Depending on shot placement you should be able to take a deer out to 7 yards with your .380; after all Eskimo's take Polar bears with a .22, they just stand a little closer than I would prefer.

A mountain man is a man of honor and upright stature. He helps others in the journey through life.

[Salty]

I personally think a 357 is the minimum. I prefer 44's & out of 3 deer killed with a 44, only one was a bad experience. I hit the shoulder & the bullet deflected on a 170lb 10 point. He could not run, but I couldn't get close enough for a "Jimmy Hoffa". Ended up chasing him all afternoon, but finally got several lethal hits. By then he was going on pure will power. I was wishing for a rifle after about 3 hours of cat & mouse. I shot that deer at less than 25 yards the first shot & had a world of faith it was going to be a one shot kill, but misjudged the angle.

I killed one at about 3 yards with a 44 bp revolver. He went about 60 yards.

Several years ago, the KY dept of F&W, had a requirement whereas the handgun was required to generate 500 pounds of energy. I still think that's a good yardstick. Any of the ammo pamplets will tell you the engery, but you can figure it:

Velocity squared, divided by 450420, times bullet weight in grains.

[Salty]

Knowing Flintlock54, he could probably get one with a switch. Us less patient folks need a bigger stick.

[Big58cal]

I just got a S&W .44 mag last year for Christmas. It's got an 8 3/8" barrel and a 2x Leupold scope on it. The first day that I was shooting it, I was grouping about 6" at 100 yds. I can't WAIT until deer season!!!!!<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

The place that I gun hunt is a natural funnel. The longest shot I've had in 4 years at the place was about 40 yds.

Federal came out with a new hunting load last year. It's a 300 gr. lead bullet. Doesn't look that great to me. It's got some pretty good knock-down power at long range though. A buddy of mine that does a LOT of hunting with a pistol told me to use Hydro-shock bullets. He said that he's used about all of them and has settled on the Hydro-shocks each time. What do you guys think?

[taggedout]

I had a Thompson Contender .35 Rem. W/Packmeyer grip and for grip & Buriss 4x scope talk about a sweet set up.
I could hit a milk jug at 100 yard, every shot. Took a buck at about 80yds and two does less than 40yds each and then traded the thing for a brand new off the shelf Hoyt Pro-Vantage. That bow is long gone and I sure do miss that pistol, it was a blast to shoot.

Grummybear

[Multidigits]

Big58--That Federal load is a good choice for a factory load. The bullet is a hard cast lead that will not deform badly at high velocities that the mag will deliver. It is designed to make two holes, and should do that easily on a deer at 50 yards. The idea is that the bullet is already twice as big as say a .243 so expansion is not nessasary, but you do need two holes on a hunting load for better blood trails. It should be a dandy hunting load.

[Big58cal]

Thanks Multi!

This will be the first year with a handgun and don't know what would be best. I've always been of the opinion that the bigger the load/cal./bullet, the better. I've gotten lazy and don't like to trail the things any more! The bigger the hole(s), the better! It can turn a marginal shot into a lethal shot!

[Multidigits]

In that case, you'll want to save up and buy a .454 in the Taraus or Ruger. Pretty awesome, especially with handloads. But it might be a little to big for deer size game, although you can load down ith .45 Colt ammo.

[Big58cal]

I eventually want to get a .454, but right now, I'll have to "make due" with the .44!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

If this is going to turn out like I think it is, handguning may just replace the bow as my favorite sport. I've been there, done that with a bow. Now I'm bored with it. I need something else!

Next thing, it will probably turn into blackpowder pistols! Just can't get away from that cloud of smoke!!!

[crowebird]

To me, a .357 is the smallest caliber I'd use while deer hunting. I think we owe it to the deer to use a caliber that will definately get the job done. I've just about gone strictly handgun when gun season comes in. I have two T/C Contender frames with barrels in 45-70 and .357 Maximum and one Encore frame with barrels in .308 and 22-250. The only reason for the .357 Maximum is that I got a great deal on that barrel. Its definately a hot caliber, but I don't do much reloading and factory ammo for it is kind of pricey. I'm currently looking for a .445 supermag barrel for a Contender but they are very hard to find. Last year I hunted with the Ruger SRH in the .480 and took a doe at 35 yards. I used the factory load that Hornady came out with, 325gr hp at 1350fps. She did not take another step. I really liked the .480, but, they need to come out with some different loads for it. I also squirrel hunt with a handgun. I have a Ruger Competition Target with a red-dot scope on it. Its had a trigger job and I put a set of Valquarsten grips on it. I love it but the bushytails hate it. I won't say that handgunning is as exiting as bowhunting, but its darn close. This year T/C is offering a black-powder barrel for the Encore pistol and I just may be in the market if I can talk the wife into it.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>



Edited by - crowebird on 08/01/2002 12:36:42 AM

[thunderstorm]

Crowebird,
Which contender barrel would you recommend for deer 50 yards and under?

[crowebird]

With shots at 50 yards or under there are plenty of different calibers offered in the Contender that would be more than adequate. Some that come to mind are the 30-30, .35 Rem, and the .44mag would do just fine. Thunderstorm, are you just getting into single-shot pistols? If you've been into them for awhile, you may already have a barrel that will do the job. If you are just now getting into them, get out your billfold, there is always another barrel that you just gotta have. Trust me on that one, I've been shooting Contenders/Encores for about 7 years and I've got a list of barrels about a mile long that I'd like to have. Their addictive!! If you're not too far from Lexington, National Gun Day is this weekend and there is usually several used barrels worth the money there. One table to check out is The Hunter's Den. They are T/C dealers and always have a quite a bit of used barrels.

[thunderstorm]

Crowebird,
Thanks. I have a .22 barrel and a .410/.45 Long coit barrel. Just thinking about trying something new. What kind of recoil does the 30/30 or .35 have?

[Salty]

I haven't tried a 35 Rem, but have seen great results with the 30/30. Recoil is not bad. The 30/30 really shines if you reload. With a 110gr HP coming out about 2400FPS it makes a 200 yard varmit gun off sandbags. For deer I'd stay with 125 or heavier and factory ammo is available everywhere usually in 150 or 170 gr. Although some better stocked gun shops will have 125 on their shelves.

I've shot probably 80% of the calibers available in a Contender, and you can load some to be a bit uncomfortable after a few shots, but factory loads are not bad. I'd pick the 30/30 for a first choice or only choice,it easily outshines the 30 & 357 Herretts.

The Contenders have had a following for about 30 + years, they must be doing something right.

Salty

[crowebird]

I agree Salty, they are certainly doing something right. Actually what they did close to 30 years ago, was to turn handgunning upside down and I'm sooooo glad they did. As for your situation Thunderstorm, I'm guessing that your 410/45 barrel is smoothbore. I've not had any experience with that barrel. If it is rifled and you reload, there are some hot-loads for .45 long Colt that would do the job just fine and you would not have to spend the money on a new barrel. If you're just looking for a reason to buy another barrel and I had to choose, I'd go with the 30-30 for the simple reason of the availability of ammo. The .35 Rem is more potent, but, not every Ma and Pa store will carry ammo for it. As for recoil in the 30-30, I'd compare it to a 44mag revolver. Its not bad, but you will know when the hammer hits home. Oh by the way, do you plan on going to Lex to the gunshow? If so, I'll see ya there. I'll be hanging around the Hunter's Den trying to beat them out of something. I know it won't happen, but its a good thought.

[Boss Gobbler]

Like Bigcal I ended up with a 44 this year. It shoots great if I would have known a handgun would shoot that well I would have tried it long ago.

[Albinobuck]

hey 300savage you right you should not have to finish it off..not with that kind of fire power.. man thats a canon... but I have to say I love shooting my 300 win mag lol

[shogan]

Great now I have to add my colt 45 in the list of things to hunt with. They need to create a hand gun season so I can have another reason to go out.

"Well honey it's hand gun season and it only comes 1 week a year"