First hunt with a handgun - looking for advice

[Shrendic]

Good afternoon.

This Saturday, I'll be going on my first deer hunt in Central Indiana (Rush County) using a handgun (Taurus .357 magnum, open sights, loaded with Remington 180 gr. SJHP) and am looking for any advice any veterans have to offer.

Thanks in advance,

Shrendic

[Rifleman1776]

Practice, practice, practice. Know where your pistol will put your shot.

[PTS1]

Don't take any shot you wouldn't take with a bow and you will be fine.

[Daryl]

What PTS1 said. It's good advice.

Daryl

[Pahoo]

Don't take any shot you wouldn't take with a bow and you will be fine.

Good advice and guessing or hoping you might have at least a 6" barrel. If so, you may be tempted to use a tree as a rest. Keep in mind that you will get a bit of fire, from your cylinder gap. Even with a pair of gloves, you will get a good burn. Let's just say that there are things that I have learned, the hard way..


Be Safe !!!

[.284]

Take some shooting sticks. That will help steady your shot quite a bit.

[Art Eatman]

My rule of thumb is that my range is limited by the distance at which I can reliably and regularly hit the end of a beer can.

[mete]

The vital area is about 10" dia.Can you consistantly hit it under field conditions at up to 50 yds ? metallic silhouette matches are great practice .A beer can too from the bench . Learn your limits .I just got a 230 lb deer at at least 40 yds with my 44 mag .I'm comfortable up to 50 yds . 44 mag is better than 357 also.Practice !!

[shortwave]

If your going to be wearing gloves while you hunt, practice shooting in gloves. If I'm pistol hunting in cold weather, I like the fingerless gloves with the mitten that folds back over the top of hand.

Also when your practicing, assuming your going to be shooting your deer in the single action mode, you don't want that click sound when cocking your revolver and your deer bolting into the next county. Practice cocking your pistol with the trigger pulled. After hammer is all the way back, hold it back and slowly release the trigger.

[GeauxTide]

Listen to Art.

[03Shadowbob]

I wouldn't use my Blackhawk 6.5" 357 until I could reliably hit a beer can at 20 yards or so. The farthest I'd shoot in the area I was hunting was about that distance. In October I shot a big doe with a Hornady SJHP (forgot grain but I think 158gr) and I wish I would have used a Buffalo Bore 180 gr hardcast or somehting similar.
We searched for quite a while and didn't find her giving into my buddies ribbing me that I missed. 3 days later a friend finds her no more than 50 yards from where we ended looking which is about 600-700 yards from the stand. Went through one shoulder, through the a couple opposite ribs and didn't get through the skin.
By then it was too late to harvest and even though I am kicking myself for not continuing to look and believing I may have missed, I want to blame it on the round to make myself feel better.

[publius]

I agree with others, treat it as a bow. Art, I've tried your method but my ability to hit a beer can gets worse and worse the longer I practice.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Like Rifleman1776 said,,,,,,Practice, practice, practice.

Take your time if you can, and keep your cool when you get that shot.

I just started shooting a Taurus 454 Casull and have been very lucky so far this season killing three hogs in three shots at about 30 yards.

(And dont forget to post a pic of your kill)

[shortwave]

This Saturday, I'll be going on my first...

...am looking for any advice...

Practice,practice,practice...

IMO , if you're going this Saturday, your practicing should be done. You should already know your limitations with your handgun. If not, postpone your hunt till you do. If you have, then don't shoot beyond your limits when that "monster buck" is out 60yds. and your limitations are say 40.