Good range for handgun hunting

SD_Chop · November 16, 2006, 11:15 PM

I want to take my handgun out whitetail hunting this year. I have a taurus raging bull in .454casull 8 3/8". I will probably be using 300grain 1650fps HP. What is the max range you would take your shot. I hunt in Va. and most shots are no greater then 100-150yrds, avg maybe 75yrds. What do you guys think? Also the only optics i have on it is a millet red dot, what scope for around $100 do you suggest i pick up?

The Terminator · November 16, 2006, 11:50 PM

I used a 454 last year. Several gunwriters call it a 200 yard gun. I don't know if I could hit that far with a good scope, but, I would certainly take a shot at 100 yards with a 454. Mine kicked like a mule and I did not like it. It was a Ruger. I am told that the Taurus does not kick as much. Best -

SD_Chop · November 17, 2006, 07:59 AM

mine does not kick much when you think about the round you are shooting through it. It is ported so that help, more back into your hand then upwards recoil.

stevelyn · November 17, 2006, 09:25 AM

Think of handgun hunting in the same manner as bowhunting. Your choice of weapon limits your range in both the parameters of the weapon and your ability.

You most certainly can take 100+ yrd shots and be effective under ideal conditions, but you're better off trying to close the gap or pass for a better shot.

mikejonestkd · November 17, 2006, 09:33 AM

The .454 will do just fine out to 100-150 yards...I suggest spending time shooting under simulated conditions and seeing how well you can shoot it at longer ranges.

Set up targets at 75, 100, 125 and 150 yards. from an improvised rest ( no bench ) see how well you can hit a 6" circle at that range. As soon as you can consistently hit the circle at that range then move to the further target frame and try again.

With my hunting pistol in .308 win I can hit that magical 6" circle out to 300 yards from the bench....however as soon as I step into the simulated "field situation " my effective range drops to 200 yards.

practice practice practice and the go practice some more. You will be more confident with the longet shots if you have already practiced and done well at that range.

>>>>Also, don't throw a $100 pistol scope on a .454 unless you want to destroy the scope.....think Leupold, then Burris, then Busnell 3200...in that order. Yes they cost alot but they won't break under the recoil. 2X glass is about perfect for a .454.

Art Eatman · November 17, 2006, 10:58 AM

'Tain't the gun, it's the shooter!

My limit for distance, pistol or rifle, is that at which my confidence drops below hitting the end of a sodapop can. That varies with the sights and one's field-position rest or lack of any rest...

Art

hossdaniels · November 17, 2006, 11:15 AM

i aint saying the 454 will not do 150 yds, but honestly, is that a shot anyone can make consistantly?

not me anyway.

FirstFreedom · November 17, 2006, 11:32 AM

For me, that'd be about a 100 yard MAX gun. If it didn't have the long sight radius of the 8"+, then it'd be about a 75 yard max gun. Put a magnified optic on it, 2 power or 4 power, not a red dot - you'll be happier.

But like Art said, just depends on how far you can consistently make hits accurate enough for your purpose.

22-rimfire · November 17, 2006, 01:14 PM

With practice you can make 100 yd shots. If you are confident at 100yds, I'd push it out a bit further if the opportunity presents itself with your hand cannon. Personally, I am not confident at 100 yds.

I have a 2x Leupold on my hand cannon, a 480 SRH. Slows you down and you definitely want a rest of some kind. I am going to be trying out a two-section rigid monopod this year. It allows me to carry my rest with me and I can shoot from any position-standing, sitting, kneeling etc. If I have a tree handly, I'll probably use the tree for support.

SD_Chop · November 18, 2006, 03:30 AM

Yea that was my question, i like the red dot sight system, but not for hunting. What would you suggest i put on it

jrothWA · November 22, 2006, 12:16 AM

range that you can group a full cylinder inside a picnic plate. Is the range you shoot.
Did handgun hunting in Ohio when finally got the season, used .45Colt Ruger blackhawk, 7.5" and 250gr sierras handloaded with 15.0gr Blue Dot.
For practice with open sights, max range was 75yds. standing weaver stance.
Practise, practise etc.

Daves-got-guns · January 9, 2007, 10:17 AM

it is different. All you can do is practice, and i would say anywhere you can get groups of 5" or tighter and for me thats about 50 yards or typicly less and thats with open sights. I think you should strive to keep it under 75, and practice as much as you can.

loaded24/7 · January 9, 2007, 10:28 AM

my dad killed a doe at 140yds the other night with the S&W performance center 460 mag topped with a leupold and the deer flipped over. he was shooting some wicked looking bullets made by hornady custom shop.

Daves-got-guns · January 9, 2007, 10:53 AM

im guessing it flipped over from reaction to being shot, not from the weight of those big bullets lol. Still though congrats on the venison, and 140 is pretty descent yardage with a handcannon.

November 16, 2006, 11:15 PM	#1
SD_Chop Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: Va, USA Posts: 474	Good range for handgun hunting I want to take my handgun out whitetail hunting this year. I have a taurus raging bull in .454casull 8 3/8". I will probably be using 300grain 1650fps HP. What is the max range you would take your shot. I hunt in Va. and most shots are no greater then 100-150yrds, avg maybe 75yrds. What do you guys think? Also the only optics i have on it is a millet red dot, what scope for around $100 do you suggest i pick up? __________________ Liberty or Death...

November 16, 2006, 11:50 PM	#2
The Terminator Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Georgia, 35 miles Northwest of the armpit Posts: 946	I used a 454 last year. Several gunwriters call it a 200 yard gun. I don't know if I could hit that far with a good scope, but, I would certainly take a shot at 100 yards with a 454. Mine kicked like a mule and I did not like it. It was a Ruger. I am told that the Taurus does not kick as much. Best - __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 (I hope to see You over there.)

November 17, 2006, 07:59 AM	#3
SD_Chop Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: Va, USA Posts: 474	mine does not kick much when you think about the round you are shooting through it. It is ported so that help, more back into your hand then upwards recoil. __________________ Liberty or Death...

November 17, 2006, 09:25 AM	#4
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	Think of handgun hunting in the same manner as bowhunting. Your choice of weapon limits your range in both the parameters of the weapon and your ability. You most certainly can take 100+ yrd shots and be effective under ideal conditions, but you're better off trying to close the gap or pass for a better shot. __________________ Stop Allowing Our Schools To Be Soft Targets! http://fastersaveslives.org/ East Moose. Wear Wolf.

November 17, 2006, 09:33 AM	#5
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	The .454 will do just fine out to 100-150 yards...I suggest spending time shooting under simulated conditions and seeing how well you can shoot it at longer ranges. Set up targets at 75, 100, 125 and 150 yards. from an improvised rest ( no bench ) see how well you can hit a 6" circle at that range. As soon as you can consistently hit the circle at that range then move to the further target frame and try again. With my hunting pistol in .308 win I can hit that magical 6" circle out to 300 yards from the bench....however as soon as I step into the simulated "field situation " my effective range drops to 200 yards. practice practice practice and the go practice some more. You will be more confident with the longet shots if you have already practiced and done well at that range. >>>>Also, don't throw a $100 pistol scope on a .454 unless you want to destroy the scope.....think Leupold, then Burris, then Busnell 3200...in that order. Yes they cost alot but they won't break under the recoil. 2X glass is about perfect for a .454. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. Last edited by mikejonestkd; November 17, 2006 at 09:36 AM. Reason: scope edit

November 17, 2006, 10:58 AM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	'Tain't the gun, it's the shooter! My limit for distance, pistol or rifle, is that at which my confidence drops below hitting the end of a sodapop can. That varies with the sights and one's field-position rest or lack of any rest... Art

November 17, 2006, 11:15 AM	#7
hossdaniels Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2006 Posts: 162	i aint saying the 454 will not do 150 yds, but honestly, is that a shot anyone can make consistantly? not me anyway.

November 17, 2006, 11:32 AM	#8
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	For me, that'd be about a 100 yard MAX gun. If it didn't have the long sight radius of the 8"+, then it'd be about a 75 yard max gun. Put a magnified optic on it, 2 power or 4 power, not a red dot - you'll be happier. But like Art said, just depends on how far you can consistently make hits accurate enough for your purpose.

November 17, 2006, 01:14 PM	#9
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	With practice you can make 100 yd shots. If you are confident at 100yds, I'd push it out a bit further if the opportunity presents itself with your hand cannon. Personally, I am not confident at 100 yds. I have a 2x Leupold on my hand cannon, a 480 SRH. Slows you down and you definitely want a rest of some kind. I am going to be trying out a two-section rigid monopod this year. It allows me to carry my rest with me and I can shoot from any position-standing, sitting, kneeling etc. If I have a tree handly, I'll probably use the tree for support.

November 18, 2006, 03:30 AM	#10
SD_Chop Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: Va, USA Posts: 474	Yea that was my question, i like the red dot sight system, but not for hunting. What would you suggest i put on it __________________ Liberty or Death...

November 22, 2006, 12:16 AM	#11
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Whatever the... range that you can group a full cylinder inside a picnic plate. Is the range you shoot. Did handgun hunting in Ohio when finally got the season, used .45Colt Ruger blackhawk, 7.5" and 250gr sierras handloaded with 15.0gr Blue Dot. For practice with open sights, max range was 75yds. standing weaver stance. Practise, practise etc.

January 9, 2007, 10:17 AM	#12
Daves-got-guns Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2006 Location: Marysville Washington Posts: 291	for everybody it is different. All you can do is practice, and i would say anywhere you can get groups of 5" or tighter and for me thats about 50 yards or typicly less and thats with open sights. I think you should strive to keep it under 75, and practice as much as you can.

January 9, 2007, 10:28 AM	#13
loaded24/7 Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Posts: 27	my dad killed a doe at 140yds the other night with the S&W performance center 460 mag topped with a leupold and the deer flipped over. he was shooting some wicked looking bullets made by hornady custom shop.

January 9, 2007, 10:53 AM	#14
Daves-got-guns Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2006 Location: Marysville Washington Posts: 291	im guessing it flipped over from reaction to being shot, not from the weight of those big bullets lol. Still though congrats on the venison, and 140 is pretty descent yardage with a handcannon.