Hand gun hunting question.
For up close, responsible handgun DEER hunting what would you recommend as a minimum caliber and barrel length.
Excluding semi autos would you care to suggest a hand gun by brand and model?
Sako Fan
Excluding semi autos would you care to suggest a hand gun by brand and model?
Sako Fan
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I've used my Super Blackhawk .44mag w/10.5" bbl. on a few hunts.
Haven't got a shot at a deer yet,but have gotten a hog with it at about 50 yds.The long barrel is a bit combersome while movin' around,but once in the blind or sittin' the longer sight radius will help w/accuracy.
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
Use something whose caliber begins with a .4.
I have three one shot kills with a Ruger .44 Mag with 7 1/2" barrel and one with a S&W .44 mag with a 3 " barrel(special run of Model 29). I was not actually hunting when I shot the 3". I was tracking a deer for one of our hunters and the three incher was my only weapon. It shot completely thru him with a hard cast bullet and light load of Unique(9 grs). He stood up to run and the impact knocked him in the creek he was standing beside. I would not hesitate to shoot one with a .45 LC however.
I limit my shots to under 25 yards.
Keep Your Powder Dry0 -
Here in Wisconsin, I've killed deer with a 357, 44 mag and 45Colt, but I have a farm that is covered with deer and the average shot is well under 50 yards. 0 -
I really like my XP-100's, especially in the 284 Winchester, but you have to have them made up. Combine the caliber with a 140gr BT and you have a solid reliable deer pistol. One in a 7BR will work well enough for deer sized critters at a reasonable range.
I also like the TC Contender in a 14" 30/30, and thats probably the best deer caliber in a 14"TC, unless you have it reamed to a 30/30 Ackley Improved.
My 14" 257JDJ, and my 14" 375 JDJ Contenders are also great for deer but you need to handload for them.
Some states have a minimun barrel length and caliber for deer hunting that you may have to go buy. Some like Ohio even limit you to a straight wall case.
Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.0 -
I agree with mrbruce. The state you hunt in may limit you in caliber and barren length. Here in Ohio it is a min 5" long barrel and 30 cal or larger/straight wall cartriges only. Ohio considers any "necked" cartriges to be rifle rounds even if being shot from a short barreled firearm. 0 -
my 6" 686 has 3 deer to it ,
Ruger Super Blackhawk 10 1/2" 1 deer
Ruger Redhawk 45lc 7 1/2" 1 deer
I would have to say the 44 or 45 is better but the 357 will work just fine , you just have to be a little more carefull with bullet placement when useing the smaller cals,.
Joel Black if you ever need any help thinning those deer down , let me know , I'm not that far away ( Sparta area)0 -
In the hands of this rank amateur, a S&W Performance Center special edition Model 629 .44 Rem. Mag, 7.5 inch bbl. dropped a deer with ONE SHOT through the heart at about 30 yards. My first and only kill with that gun. My first and only DEER with any gun. [;)]
I would think that thing about the caliber starting with a FOUR is real sound, IMHO.0 -
.41 mag or hot 10mm is minumum in most states (i.e., Colorado mandates 550 FPE @ 50 yds.) but a .44 would be a better choice. I personally use a Desert Eagle Mk XIX in .50 AE with a Burris 1.5-4x32mm and I would be confident taking a 200 yard shot at a deer (100 for elk), provided that I had a good rest. My recommendation to someone who does not want an autoloader (or is unwilling to drop $1400 on an Eagle) would be a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 casull. Gun runs about $650 and the round is the third most powerful handgun cartridge available, next to the .500 S&W and .460 XVR. .50 AE is number 4 on that list. Any handgun round that has a muzzle energy in excess of 1000 FPE is acceptable for big game. Here are a few muzzle energy figures (rough averages with stout loads)
.500 S&W.........2,600 FPE
.460 XVR.........2,350 FPE
.454 Casull........1850 FPE
.440 Cor-Bon.....1800 FPE.....*basically obsolete
.50 AE..............1650 FPE
.480 Ruger.........1340 FPE
.45 Win Mag......1230 FPE
.44 Rem Mag......1040 FPE
.41 Rem Mag.......800 FPE
10mm Auto.........750 FPE.....*only a few loads will produce these ballistics for 10mm, see Powerstrike ammo, Buffalo Bore, etc.
It's easy to spot liberals-they are the ones who have no assets to protect and need every handout they can get. They have forbeyed themselves ascendence to a productive lifestyle.0 -
You've gotten plenty dope on calibers, and 44 mag is common enough to find when away from home. The question is now more of what gun. I consider the SA revolver the hunting gun. The Ruger Super Blackhawks are good strong guns, economical, and in the 7.5" + bbls, they do a good job. I do reload, and have some sweet rounds that the Super Blackhawk thrives on at longer ranges. However, I too keep the range as short as I can, to be more responsible, and in the brush where I hunt 50 yds is common.
Enjoy
If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.0 -
If a single shot is not a problem take a look at a Thompson Center Encore pistol. There are plenty of caliber options for any kind of hunting you could be interested in. http://www.tcarms.com/encpistol/index.php 0
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