Handgun Hunting... What do you use? - Page 2

Saltydog235 · August 20, 2012, 12:32 PM

Smith and Wesson 657 Special Hunter in .41mag from the Custom Shop. 210grn XTP.

LSnSC · August 20, 2012, 06:39 PM

41 mag Ruger Bisley Hunter topped with an Ultra Dot

lwb · August 20, 2012, 07:07 PM

I agree bigger is better when deer hunting with a handgun,I also believe a 357 is very capable of taking nice deer just pick your shot.I have used a ruger 357 blackhawk for years ,shots were always 50 yrds. or less and I never had a problem.

GeauxTide · August 20, 2012, 07:58 PM

Precipitating - Ruger SS SBH 44Mag or Ruger SS Bisley 45LC
Sunny - Ruger Bisley 41Mag or Ruger Bisley 44Spl

41 and 44 are topped with RemingtonSP and the 45 with 275 Hard Cast.

rantingredneck · August 20, 2012, 08:42 PM

Currently: Ruger Blackhawk 5.5" .45 Colt. 260 gr WFN hardcast over 20.1 gr. Hodgdon Lil' Gun.

Have used .357 and .454 Casull in the past out id a GP100, Blackhawk, and Super Redhawk

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

G.T. Smith · August 20, 2012, 09:34 PM

Around this part of the country, the average shot taken on white tail deer, is 30 yards. I can get much closer. I have not taken a deer with this gun because I was not comfortable with the shots I have had.

I am comfortable at 30 yards if the deer is turned just right. I use 158 grain Hornady XTP JHP's.
I like the .357 round and I love that gun. 65-4 4"

Have a good one,
gordon

Legionnaire · August 21, 2012, 12:13 PM

Mostly I use a .44 mag Redhawk topped wth a 2X Leupold.
Been thinking about using a .44 Super Blackhawk with open sights.
Have been known to hunt with a scoped Encore in .243 or .308.

plateshooter · August 22, 2012, 06:48 AM

If I can get out this year, I will be using my Glock 20 10mm with an extended barrel (5.15") to make it legal here in Ohio. 180 grain JHP and a personal limit of 30 yard shot or less. I am a meat hunter and looking for a nice 125lb ish doe for the freezer.

.284 · August 22, 2012, 10:16 AM

I use a S&W 629 Classic 44 mag. I run hand loaded Sierra 210 gr JHC with 26 grs. of W296. I likey!!!

http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...0&d=1302055983

cornbush · August 22, 2012, 01:22 PM

Plain old Smith 29-3 44 mag 6 inch

Yankee Doodle · August 22, 2012, 01:52 PM

In the rare times I put my .58 muzzle loader aside, I use a T/C Encore in .454 for brush hunting, or the same frame with a .308 Win. barrel for shooting across the fields. Either one works just fine.

akguy1985 · August 23, 2012, 02:28 AM

I've used a .357 mag in the past.

ky hunter · September 3, 2012, 08:29 AM

I used a 44mag red hawk open sites kept shots 100yrds and under worked well.Then got a good deal on a 270win SS 15'' barrel for my ENCORE toped it with bushnell 3200 2/7 power now my range is out to 400 yards have bagged deer from 30 - 220 yards with it. Using 130gr hand loads
you need a good rest to shoot long range.If you use a hand gun to hunt with only take a hand gun in the field with you.

gbran · September 5, 2012, 09:28 PM

SRH, 454 Casull, Burris 2x, 300gr Hornady XTPs.

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22-rimfire · September 5, 2012, 11:39 PM

Started out with a 6" Colt Python and later decided I preferred to increase the margin of error with caliber effectiveness with a 41 mag revolver. I still use that 8 4/8" M57 (41 mag) for deer hunting if I want to use irons. I have a SRH in 480 with 2x Leupold as my dominant deer handgun now.

Jack O'Conner · September 6, 2012, 05:29 AM

I've had very good luck with my 357MAG revolver by Taurus. But I hunt close and wait for a good shot. This cow elk was shot at approx 50 feet.

Jack

kingrider · September 6, 2012, 03:01 PM

I have two that I like.Smith .44 mag Classic with 6 1/2" barrel and 2x Leupold.Other is Contender in .357 max--easier to shoot--just need to stay away from the shoulder.

Deja vu · September 7, 2012, 11:04 PM

the 357 magnum is capable. I have killed a few deer at close range with the 357 magnum revolver.

I have actually killed lots of deer with the 357 magnum, but in a carbine.

That said if I had a choice early on I would of gone with a 41 or 44 magnum. While I feel the 357 mag is capable I still fill there are better options.

LOLBELL · September 9, 2012, 09:26 PM

For a couple of years I used a SBH Hunter in 44 mag. Last year I used a SBH Hunter in 41 mag. Over the summer I have aquired yet another SBH Hunter in 45 Colt. This year I'll use it. I have a Bushnell 2x7 scope that I can move between the 3 revolvers leaving the rings on the scope. Ruger has a great system there. After I move the scope I can rezero with 1 shot. I like a heavy boolit moving about 800 - 900 fps. Limit shots to about 50 yrds.

paknheat · September 10, 2012, 03:45 AM

Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull for me.

pdogkilr · September 10, 2012, 06:20 PM

I have an old three screw Super Blackhawk (bought new in 1970) that hunted well until my eyes got old. I put a scope on the Python and use it now. Just understand the range limitations.

bird_dog · September 11, 2012, 07:38 AM

I mostly use my Taurus M-44 in .44mag (NOT the Raging Bull) with a 6.5 barrell, topped with an Aimpoint Red Dot. In the last 5 years, I've killed 4 deer with it between 10 and 60 yards.

The load I use is a relatively light load of 240gr jacketed soft point, pushed by 10.9 grains of Unique. It's a very comfortable load, easy on the hands, and had no trouble putting a 200 pound buck down at 55 yards, breaking his shoulder with a single shot that ALMOST exited the opposite side. I've also killed one deer, a small doe, at 75 with my Ruger SRH, also in .44 mag, also using the load described above.

During shotgun season (all that's legal in northwestern NY), I've switched to either using my muzzleloader, or the handgun, but I much prefer the handgun. I don't feel it's limited me at all. It's all in the practice.

I'll post some photos later when I get home.

Keg · September 11, 2012, 08:20 AM

S&W 629 4 in. barrel..44 mag....This is my constant companion..whether I have a long gun or not....
Also..45 auto..Randall combat model....44 mag Ruger Bisley 4 5/8 barrel....
S&W 357 model 681..4 in barrel....

chewie146 · September 12, 2012, 10:25 AM

Well, you didn't specify species in the original post. I use a Ruger MK II, 50th anniversary for squirrel, rabbit, grouse, etc. I had a ruger single six that I used for a long time as well. For larger game, I have yet to connect, but I bought a contender in .357 in hopes of maybe calling in some coyotes and maybe an unlucky kitty this year.

August 20, 2012, 07:58 PM	#29
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Depends on the weather Precipitating - Ruger SS SBH 44Mag or Ruger SS Bisley 45LC Sunny - Ruger Bisley 41Mag or Ruger Bisley 44Spl 41 and 44 are topped with RemingtonSP and the 45 with 275 Hard Cast.

August 20, 2012, 09:34 PM	#31
G.T. Smith Member Join Date: May 4, 2012 Location: Missouri Ozarks (South central) Posts: 22	depends on the area Around this part of the country, the average shot taken on white tail deer, is 30 yards. I can get much closer. I have not taken a deer with this gun because I was not comfortable with the shots I have had. I am comfortable at 30 yards if the deer is turned just right. I use 158 grain Hornady XTP JHP's. I like the .357 round and I love that gun. 65-4 4" Have a good one, gordon

August 22, 2012, 06:48 AM	#33
plateshooter Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 522	If I can get out this year, I will be using my Glock 20 10mm with an extended barrel (5.15") to make it legal here in Ohio. 180 grain JHP and a personal limit of 30 yard shot or less. I am a meat hunter and looking for a nice 125lb ish doe for the freezer. __________________ Make a hole

August 22, 2012, 10:16 AM	#34
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	Say hello to my little friend. I use a S&W 629 Classic 44 mag. I run hand loaded Sierra 210 gr JHC with 26 grs. of W296. I likey!!! http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...0&d=1302055983 __________________ 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.

August 22, 2012, 01:22 PM	#35
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	Plain old Smith 29-3 44 mag 6 inch __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

August 20, 2012, 12:32 PM	#26
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Smith and Wesson 657 Special Hunter in .41mag from the Custom Shop. 210grn XTP.

August 20, 2012, 06:39 PM	#27
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	41 mag Ruger Bisley Hunter topped with an Ultra Dot

August 20, 2012, 07:07 PM	#28
lwb Member Join Date: May 21, 2012 Location: Kokomo In. Posts: 18	I agree bigger is better when deer hunting with a handgun,I also believe a 357 is very capable of taking nice deer just pick your shot.I have used a ruger 357 blackhawk for years ,shots were always 50 yrds. or less and I never had a problem.

August 20, 2012, 08:42 PM	#30
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Currently: Ruger Blackhawk 5.5" .45 Colt. 260 gr WFN hardcast over 20.1 gr. Hodgdon Lil' Gun. Have used .357 and .454 Casull in the past out id a GP100, Blackhawk, and Super Redhawk Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

August 21, 2012, 12:13 PM	#32
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	Mostly I use a .44 mag Redhawk topped wth a 2X Leupold. Been thinking about using a .44 Super Blackhawk with open sights. Have been known to hunt with a scoped Encore in .243 or .308.

August 22, 2012, 01:52 PM	#36
Yankee Doodle Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 619	In the rare times I put my .58 muzzle loader aside, I use a T/C Encore in .454 for brush hunting, or the same frame with a .308 Win. barrel for shooting across the fields. Either one works just fine.

August 23, 2012, 02:28 AM	#37
akguy1985 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2012 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 179	I've used a .357 mag in the past. __________________ Marksman of the mezzanine

September 3, 2012, 08:29 AM	#38
ky hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2010 Posts: 132	I used a 44mag red hawk open sites kept shots 100yrds and under worked well.Then got a good deal on a 270win SS 15'' barrel for my ENCORE toped it with bushnell 3200 2/7 power now my range is out to 400 yards have bagged deer from 30 - 220 yards with it. Using 130gr hand loads you need a good rest to shoot long range.If you use a hand gun to hunt with only take a hand gun in the field with you.

September 5, 2012, 09:28 PM	#39
gbran Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Middle California Posts: 364	SRH, 454 Casull, Burris 2x, 300gr Hornady XTPs. [IMG][/IMG]

September 5, 2012, 11:39 PM	#40
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Started out with a 6" Colt Python and later decided I preferred to increase the margin of error with caliber effectiveness with a 41 mag revolver. I still use that 8 4/8" M57 (41 mag) for deer hunting if I want to use irons. I have a SRH in 480 with 2x Leupold as my dominant deer handgun now.

September 6, 2012, 05:29 AM	#41
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I've had very good luck with my 357MAG revolver by Taurus. But I hunt close and wait for a good shot. This cow elk was shot at approx 50 feet. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

September 6, 2012, 03:01 PM	#42
kingrider Member Join Date: June 16, 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 53	I have two that I like.Smith .44 mag Classic with 6 1/2" barrel and 2x Leupold.Other is Contender in .357 max--easier to shoot--just need to stay away from the shoulder.

September 7, 2012, 11:04 PM	#43
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	the 357 magnum is capable. I have killed a few deer at close range with the 357 magnum revolver. I have actually killed lots of deer with the 357 magnum, but in a carbine. That said if I had a choice early on I would of gone with a 41 or 44 magnum. While I feel the 357 mag is capable I still fill there are better options. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

September 9, 2012, 09:26 PM	#44
LOLBELL Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Location: Fayette AL Posts: 226	For a couple of years I used a SBH Hunter in 44 mag. Last year I used a SBH Hunter in 41 mag. Over the summer I have aquired yet another SBH Hunter in 45 Colt. This year I'll use it. I have a Bushnell 2x7 scope that I can move between the 3 revolvers leaving the rings on the scope. Ruger has a great system there. After I move the scope I can rezero with 1 shot. I like a heavy boolit moving about 800 - 900 fps. Limit shots to about 50 yrds. __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!!

September 10, 2012, 03:45 AM	#45
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull for me.

September 10, 2012, 06:20 PM	#46
pdogkilr Member Join Date: March 6, 2012 Location: A little NW of Atlanta Posts: 47	I have an old three screw Super Blackhawk (bought new in 1970) that hunted well until my eyes got old. I put a scope on the Python and use it now. Just understand the range limitations. __________________ NRA Patron Life Member NRA Certified Instructor

September 11, 2012, 07:38 AM	#47
bird_dog Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Posts: 225	I mostly use my Taurus M-44 in .44mag (NOT the Raging Bull) with a 6.5 barrell, topped with an Aimpoint Red Dot. In the last 5 years, I've killed 4 deer with it between 10 and 60 yards. The load I use is a relatively light load of 240gr jacketed soft point, pushed by 10.9 grains of Unique. It's a very comfortable load, easy on the hands, and had no trouble putting a 200 pound buck down at 55 yards, breaking his shoulder with a single shot that ALMOST exited the opposite side. I've also killed one deer, a small doe, at 75 with my Ruger SRH, also in .44 mag, also using the load described above. During shotgun season (all that's legal in northwestern NY), I've switched to either using my muzzleloader, or the handgun, but I much prefer the handgun. I don't feel it's limited me at all. It's all in the practice. I'll post some photos later when I get home. Last edited by bird_dog; September 11, 2012 at 08:36 AM. Reason: photos

September 11, 2012, 08:20 AM	#48
Keg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Location: Freestone County, Texas Posts: 1,133	S&W 629 4 in. barrel..44 mag....This is my constant companion..whether I have a long gun or not.... Also..45 auto..Randall combat model....44 mag Ruger Bisley 4 5/8 barrel.... S&W 357 model 681..4 in barrel.... __________________ Hog Hunters never die........They just reload.........

September 12, 2012, 10:25 AM	#49
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	Well, you didn't specify species in the original post. I use a Ruger MK II, 50th anniversary for squirrel, rabbit, grouse, etc. I had a ruger single six that I used for a long time as well. For larger game, I have yet to connect, but I bought a contender in .357 in hopes of maybe calling in some coyotes and maybe an unlucky kitty this year.