|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
View Poll Results: Minimum pistol caliber for deer | |||
9mm Luger | 4 | 6.15% | |
.40 S&W | 1 | 1.54% | |
10mm Auto | 9 | 13.85% | |
.45 ACP | 4 | 6.15% | |
.357 Mag | 42 | 64.62% | |
.41 Mag | 4 | 6.15% | |
.44 Mag | 1 | 1.54% | |
Voters: 65. You may not vote on this poll |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
January 12, 2010, 08:26 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 18, 2008
Location: Sheppard AFB, TX
Posts: 568
|
Minumum pistol caliber for deer...
I've read a few different accounts of people taking deer with less than magnum calibers, say, the .40 S&W. I personally wouldnt do it with anything less than a full-stoked 10mm, but lets see what the OP has to say...
|
January 12, 2010, 08:32 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 3, 2008
Posts: 2,109
|
357 Magnum
However, if I can get reasonably close the 9mm will do the trick with one head shot. |
January 12, 2010, 10:04 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 26, 2006
Posts: 1,102
|
Where's the .327 Magnum?
__________________
.44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible. |
January 12, 2010, 10:08 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 18, 2008
Location: Sheppard AFB, TX
Posts: 568
|
After I made the poll, I thought about it, but only afterwards. Since it is such a new cartridge, it completely escaped my mind. If the moderators would be kind enough, perhaps they could include it, but I dont know if the polls are set in stone or can be modified...
|
January 12, 2010, 10:23 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2009
Location: Helena, AL
Posts: 4,423
|
32s and 35s were designed for people. Game rounds start with the 41Mag. A 210SP @ 1300 can hit the vitals from any angle. Suggesting head shots with an open sighted handgun is, in my opinion, not responsible. I watched a deer Sunday for 45 minutes at 60 yards. I put the scope on him and wouldn't consider a head shot because his head was never still.
|
January 12, 2010, 11:49 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: December 20, 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 21
|
I started to vote .357 but went with .40 S&W since it's the legal minimum for deer here in OK. All these rounds would work within 20-50 yards. Just depends on your skill and local regulations.
|
January 13, 2010, 12:37 AM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 11, 2008
Posts: 13
|
How big are the deer? Are white-tails are not created equal. Our does in central Texas average about 70 pounds dressed. I've used the .357 successfully on 5 of them.
Would I use this revolver on a 170 lb (dressed weight) buck? Probably not. |
January 13, 2010, 12:39 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 8, 2008
Location: 8B ID
Posts: 1,753
|
I would comforatable with a .357 Mag or 10mm. I know people have filled their tags 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 Auto, but for me, I would want something with a bit more energy behind it.
__________________
The answer to 1984 is 1776 |
January 13, 2010, 03:52 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2008
Location: gulf of mexico
Posts: 2,716
|
i killed a good sized doe with .40S&W at 40yd.
but that was out of my beretta storm, and in the head. ohio states the "minimum" caliber is .357mag, but doesnt state how to "measure against it, IE: ft/lb energy, or bullet diameter? many states require a certain amount of energy at a certain range to be legal to hunt with.
__________________
There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time." |
January 13, 2010, 08:21 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 8, 2009
Location: davison, michigan
Posts: 665
|
I voted for the 357 but. I personally hunt with a 44 mag S&W. My neighbor took his first deer with his 357 mag S&W. He maid a marginal shot. Broke both shoulders but got no vitals. He got the deer but, sort of lucky finding it as there was little blood. 357 is minimum for me but, I prefer to put a bit more wap on them with the 44.
__________________
Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you. |
January 13, 2010, 08:23 PM | #11 |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: June 25, 2008
Location: Austin, CO
Posts: 19,578
|
10mm is more than capable. As is 125gr and up 357sig and any load from 357mag and up.
__________________
Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley |
January 13, 2010, 09:29 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 18, 2008
Location: Sheppard AFB, TX
Posts: 568
|
From what I have read, the 10mm in most loadings will 'outshine' the .357 Mag in most aspects, in regards to energy produced. I am not talking about the FBI loadings, but the 'full head of steam' offerings from most major ammunition manufacturers.
.357 Mag in a 180 gr loading: 686 ft-lbs 10mm Auto in a 180 gr offering: 728 ft-lbs A little over 40 ft-lbs difference may not be that noticeable to either you or the deer, but its still a difference nonetheless. Both loads can be stoked to higher speeds, and the .357 Mag does have a more abundant selection, but maybe its because I am partial to the 10mm that I made it my minimum choice. Also, on another note, if I was to use something in a pistol or revolver format, I would keep my shots within 25 yards, with 50 yards being the absolute maximum, but this is because I know my limitations. Some of you are a helluva lot better shots than I, and will admit it freely, especially when it comes to pistols. But power does not compensate for poor shooting skills... BG |
January 14, 2010, 10:14 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 11, 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 348
|
I killed a 135 or so pound buck last year, at about 10 yards with my 1911 in 45 ACP. The situation called for a pistol, I was in thick brush and had trailed the buck over 3/4 mile after he had been hit by another hunter in the lower hind leg near the hoof. Little blood to follow, he wasn't mortally wounded and I wanted to make sure I killed him before he suffered a potentially slow death in the upcoming winter. There was no room to swing my rifle in the brush and I knew any chance would come at close range so I slung the rifle and waded in with the .45. I hit him with a double tap as he bolted right to left through a window in the brush about 10 yards away. Two rounds, one went through the liver and passed completely through, the other entered the rib cage at the last rib and lodged in the off shoulder after destroying the lungs. Deer went about ten yards and dropped dead.
I was more than impressed with the performance of the cartridge, a Federal 230 grain Hydrashok, one of which I recovered. In skilled hands and the right conditions a 9mm will kill deer, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
__________________
Earth First! We can hunt the other planets later. |
January 14, 2010, 12:48 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 29, 2006
Location: Carencro, LA
Posts: 335
|
While I carry a back up pistol (DanWesson in .45acp), I wouldn't consider it a "go to" while out hunting...except like in a situation described by the poster above. If I'm going to go strictly handgun hunting, then 10mm/.357mag or better. If given the choice, I would choose this order:
1) .454Cas 2) .44Mag 3) .45LC 4) .41Mag 5) 10mm 6) .357Mag In this off season, I will be getting a different back up pistol (it'll be one of the top 3 I just listed)...that way if I HAVE to go to the pistol, I have a little more confidence in it's abilities.
__________________
Mike Russell |
January 14, 2010, 01:34 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 25, 2008
Location: In the valley above the plain
Posts: 13,423
|
What species of deer?
For Florida Coastal Whitetails - I view a .380 Auto as sufficient. 'Bama Whitetails - 10mm Auto. Muleys.... it gets a little more complicated. The 10mm would be acceptable, but I would prefer .357 Mag coming out of a 5"+ barrel. Quote:
__________________
Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe. Last edited by FrankenMauser; January 14, 2010 at 01:44 PM. |
|
January 14, 2010, 03:04 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2008
Location: gulf of mexico
Posts: 2,716
|
thats where bullet choice becomes so important. a good wfn hardcast will have plenty of penetration, and still leave a good wound channel.
__________________
There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time." |
Tags |
deer hunting , handgun hunting |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|