Hunting With A Revolver

PALongbow · April 23, 2002, 08:06 AM

Guys,

I need some advise from you guys that hunt with a revolver. I plan on hunting deer this year during our firearms season solely with a 2X scope mounted Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag. Any good advise on hunting with a Revolver???

Thanks,
Ron

Art Eatman · April 23, 2002, 09:54 AM

1. Remember your range is limited. If you zero for 75 yards, it's "Point it and pull" between you and 100 yards.

2. Practice a whole bunch, using mid-range loads so as not to develop a flinch. Practice some more.

I've not used one of the chest-strap braces, nor used a walking stick as a hasty rest. You might try either or both, to see if there is worthwhile help in holding a steadier sight picture.

Dunno if you play sneaky-snake or sit in a stand, but being a silent walker certainly helps in the former...And both require patience.

, Art

HankB · April 23, 2002, 01:50 PM

Your maximum range should be limited to the distance you can consistently hit a target the size of a compact disc or DVD under field conditions.

Also, even when hunting . . . use ear protection. A .44 Magnum is LOUD. Electronic earmuffs would be a good choice.

MeekAndMild · April 23, 2002, 05:13 PM

Quote:

2. Practice a whole bunch, using mid-range loads so as not to develop a flinch. Practice some more.

A pair of leather shooting gloves and a so called "gardener's wrist wrap" might help during practice, followed by briefly soaking the hands and forearms in ice water. If the loads used cause any significant hand or arm swelling or numbness or tingling or require any serious use of ice for pain relief then they are too hot for serious practice.

(I picked this info up from a fellow I used to work with who was a regional finalist in silouette shooting competition.)

Art Eatman · April 23, 2002, 05:44 PM

Hmmm. Hadn't heard about the ice-water deal.

Regardless, the key is the same for pistol as for rifle: The sear breaks when the sights are in the right spot. Light loads make this practice easier, and there will still be enough recoil to practice getting back on target for a second shot if needed.

Art

leadbutt · April 23, 2002, 08:01 PM

Good advice from all the only other thing I have to offer is remember you don't need bear killing bullets for deer 180's and the 240's work fine and don't beat the snot out of you.

GOOD LUCK!!

keano44 · April 25, 2002, 12:46 PM

My advise would be: Do not try to make a handgun into a rifle. Know its/your limitations, and hunt within them. Realize the differences between what you can do on the shooting bench, and in the real world.

I pick my handgun hunting deer stands same as I do for bowhunting stands. I like funnels or well used trails in thick cover, where if I see a deer, it will be within range. However my SBH has open sights, your combination with a scope may give you a bit more range. Still, limit yourself to a distance you are confident you can make a one shot kill. For me the challenge of using a handgun rather than a rifle, like in bowhunting, is that you have to have the skills to get close to the deer. Scent control, proper stand placement, wind, all come into play when you have to be right in there with the deer. Good luck.

Mannlicher · April 27, 2002, 09:38 PM

I hunt deer frequently with a revolver. Favorites are my .45 Colt Smith, and my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk. I agree with leadbut, in that you do not need max loads to do the job on deer. I have taken several with the 225 grain WW Silvertip.

I do not favor scopes on handguns. If the range is expected to be more than 35 to 50 yards, I will have the little Marlin 1894. I only use a handgun when stalking or still hunting in very heavy cover, and most shots are not over 35 yards. I think optic sights are not as quick as open sights at close ranges, and tend to obscure the sight picture, and they certainly make a handgun bulkier and less handy.

Pigshooter · April 30, 2002, 03:37 PM

I'm torn on using a scope vs a good adjustable sight.

For 50 meters, sight.

For 100 meters, I am inclined to stick with sight.

150 meters, a scope would help, and probably the limit for me with any confidence.

200 meters, definitely a scope, 4x, and beyond my consistent ability.

300 meters and beyond, a camera with telephoto lens, because I can't see that well. We won't even talk about hitting something smaller than a grain elevator

MarineTech · May 1, 2002, 09:47 AM

While it isn't a revolver, I do hunt whitetail with a Thompson Center Encore pistol in .44 Mag. Considering the 2 deer I took with it were both under 100 yards, I've had no problem using the Leupold Gilmore red dot sight that I have mounted on it.

The red dot sight works very well at ranges under 100 yards. It gives you the ability to rapidly acquire the target, and with both eyes open, it's easy to keep the deer in sight.

LONGRIFLE30 · May 1, 2002, 09:08 PM

Make my revolver a BFR in .45-70. I'd hunt any critter on the planet with that combo.

V.Oller · May 9, 2002, 09:51 AM

I like to ease the cylinder around with my off hand so the indexing click isn't so loud when cocking the revolver for single action use. It's amazing how loud it seems out in the woods!

You can have Whooping Cranes screaming over head and hogs snuffling and grunting 30 yards over with turkeys scratching away another 20 feet away and that damn click will shut them up faster and have them ALL looking in your direction quicker than anything I've ever seen!! It's un un-natural noise out there!

Incidentally I've found that 240 Gr. cast lead bullets work the best for just about any thing.

Vince

aerod1 · May 12, 2002, 12:03 PM

I love hunting with revolvers! I have a 44 mag SRH, 9 & 1/2" barrel, with a 2x6 Bushnell on it. I also have a 44mag SBH, 10 & 1/2" barrel, with no scope. Both are great guns for hunting.
I shoot most of my deer in the 20 to 50 yd. range. I also hunt with a muzzleloader and also a bow. I really like the close encounter.
Jim Hall

Legionnaire · May 15, 2002, 11:45 AM

I hunt with a SuperRedhawk with a 2x Leupold scope mounted. All the tips on practice are good. I use paper pie plates down at the range. Slightly bigger than the CDs or DVDs mentioned (and they don't shatter when hit ... so I can shoot a whole cylinder at one plate). 'Course maybe HankB was talking about putting all his shots through the whole in the CD?

I feel comfortable shooting unsupported out to 65 yards or so; would pass on anything farther out. But then, I need to practice some more.

Personally, I favor jacketed soft points to hollow points. Also like Pistol Packaging's Bandito rig for carrying. Easy on and easy off over your hunting clothes.

April 23, 2002, 08:06 AM	#1
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	Hunting With A Revolver Guys, I need some advise from you guys that hunt with a revolver. I plan on hunting deer this year during our firearms season solely with a 2X scope mounted Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag. Any good advise on hunting with a Revolver??? Thanks, Ron

April 23, 2002, 01:50 PM	#3
HankB Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2000 Location: Central Texas, outside of Austin Posts: 1,698	Your maximum range should be limited to the distance you can consistently hit a target the size of a compact disc or DVD under field conditions. Also, even when hunting . . . use ear protection. A .44 Magnum is LOUD. Electronic earmuffs would be a good choice. __________________ To be kind to your enemy is to be cruel to yourself - Sun Tzu

April 23, 2002, 08:01 PM	#6
leadbutt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2002 Location: Tidewater,Virginia Posts: 289	Good advice from all the only other thing I have to offer is remember you don't need bear killing bullets for deer 180's and the 240's work fine and don't beat the snot out of you. GOOD LUCK!! __________________ "I am always willing to learn,but not always willing to be taught" Sir Winston Churchill

April 25, 2002, 12:46 PM	#7
keano44 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2001 Location: Lafayette LA Posts: 177	My advise would be: Do not try to make a handgun into a rifle. Know its/your limitations, and hunt within them. Realize the differences between what you can do on the shooting bench, and in the real world. I pick my handgun hunting deer stands same as I do for bowhunting stands. I like funnels or well used trails in thick cover, where if I see a deer, it will be within range. However my SBH has open sights, your combination with a scope may give you a bit more range. Still, limit yourself to a distance you are confident you can make a one shot kill. For me the challenge of using a handgun rather than a rifle, like in bowhunting, is that you have to have the skills to get close to the deer. Scent control, proper stand placement, wind, all come into play when you have to be right in there with the deer. Good luck. __________________ I've seen good, and I've seen bad. I've seen fire, and I've seen rain. I've seen war, and I've seen peace. I've seen mountains, and I've seen desserts. I've seen the world, and thought I'd seen it all. But of all the scenes I've ever seen, I ain't never seen no scene, like the scene I'm seein now!........keano44

April 27, 2002, 09:38 PM	#8
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I hunt deer frequently with a revolver. Favorites are my .45 Colt Smith, and my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk. I agree with leadbut, in that you do not need max loads to do the job on deer. I have taken several with the 225 grain WW Silvertip. I do not favor scopes on handguns. If the range is expected to be more than 35 to 50 yards, I will have the little Marlin 1894. I only use a handgun when stalking or still hunting in very heavy cover, and most shots are not over 35 yards. I think optic sights are not as quick as open sights at close ranges, and tend to obscure the sight picture, and they certainly make a handgun bulkier and less handy. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

April 23, 2002, 09:54 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	1. Remember your range is limited. If you zero for 75 yards, it's "Point it and pull" between you and 100 yards. 2. Practice a whole bunch, using mid-range loads so as not to develop a flinch. Practice some more. I've not used one of the chest-strap braces, nor used a walking stick as a hasty rest. You might try either or both, to see if there is worthwhile help in holding a steadier sight picture. Dunno if you play sneaky-snake or sit in a stand, but being a silent walker certainly helps in the former...And both require patience. , Art

April 23, 2002, 05:44 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Hmmm. Hadn't heard about the ice-water deal. Regardless, the key is the same for pistol as for rifle: The sear breaks when the sights are in the right spot. Light loads make this practice easier, and there will still be enough recoil to practice getting back on target for a second shot if needed. Art

April 30, 2002, 03:37 PM	#9
Pigshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2001 Location: Euless, TX Posts: 334	I'm torn on using a scope vs a good adjustable sight. For 50 meters, sight. For 100 meters, I am inclined to stick with sight. 150 meters, a scope would help, and probably the limit for me with any confidence. 200 meters, definitely a scope, 4x, and beyond my consistent ability. 300 meters and beyond, a camera with telephoto lens, because I can't see that well. We won't even talk about hitting something smaller than a grain elevator

May 1, 2002, 09:47 AM	#10
MarineTech Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2002 Location: Southern Maine US Posts: 299	While it isn't a revolver, I do hunt whitetail with a Thompson Center Encore pistol in .44 Mag. Considering the 2 deer I took with it were both under 100 yards, I've had no problem using the Leupold Gilmore red dot sight that I have mounted on it. The red dot sight works very well at ranges under 100 yards. It gives you the ability to rapidly acquire the target, and with both eyes open, it's easy to keep the deer in sight. __________________ Morituri Nolumus Mori - We who are about to die, don't want to. -

May 1, 2002, 09:08 PM	#11
LONGRIFLE30 Member Join Date: February 16, 2002 Location: Wichita Falls,TX. Posts: 49	Make my revolver a BFR in .45-70. I'd hunt any critter on the planet with that combo.

May 9, 2002, 09:51 AM	#12
V.Oller Member Join Date: March 28, 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 43	I like to ease the cylinder around with my off hand so the indexing click isn't so loud when cocking the revolver for single action use. It's amazing how loud it seems out in the woods! You can have Whooping Cranes screaming over head and hogs snuffling and grunting 30 yards over with turkeys scratching away another 20 feet away and that damn click will shut them up faster and have them ALL looking in your direction quicker than anything I've ever seen!! It's un un-natural noise out there! Incidentally I've found that 240 Gr. cast lead bullets work the best for just about any thing. Vince __________________ That which does not kill us only makes us stronger. /Nietzche http://www.OmegaTactical.com NRA Life Member NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor

May 12, 2002, 12:03 PM	#13
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	I love hunting with revolvers! I have a 44 mag SRH, 9 & 1/2" barrel, with a 2x6 Bushnell on it. I also have a 44mag SBH, 10 & 1/2" barrel, with no scope. Both are great guns for hunting. I shoot most of my deer in the 20 to 50 yd. range. I also hunt with a muzzleloader and also a bow. I really like the close encounter. Jim Hall __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

May 15, 2002, 11:45 AM	#14
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	I hunt with a SuperRedhawk with a 2x Leupold scope mounted. All the tips on practice are good. I use paper pie plates down at the range. Slightly bigger than the CDs or DVDs mentioned (and they don't shatter when hit ... so I can shoot a whole cylinder at one plate). 'Course maybe HankB was talking about putting all his shots through the whole in the CD? I feel comfortable shooting unsupported out to 65 yards or so; would pass on anything farther out. But then, I need to practice some more. Personally, I favor jacketed soft points to hollow points. Also like Pistol Packaging's Bandito rig for carrying. Easy on and easy off over your hunting clothes. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.