Handgun for Deer Hunting?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Handgun for Deer Hunting?

Posted: 4/9/2012 4:48:55 AM EDT

What handgun are you guys using for deer hunting? Not for a concealed carry piece, backup ... what have you, but as a hunting weapon.

I want to give it a shot, but I'm not sure I want to get tied to a gun that only serves that purpose in case I don't like it.

Posted: 4/9/2012 4:57:40 AM EDT

[#1]

Me and my wife killed a lot of deer with .44 Mags. When we started hunting areas that gave longer shots I started using a Contender in .35 Remington.

Posted: 4/9/2012 5:03:25 AM EDT

[#2]

I use a Super Redhawk in .44 mag, and for the area I hunt in it is perfect. I'd consider using my Glock 20, but I do my all deer hunting in IL, so it is revolver only.

Posted: 4/9/2012 5:17:54 AM EDT

[#3]

Smith and Wesson model 629 performance center 44 mag. with 7.5" ported barrel. Accurate, nice trigger, came with scope mount.

Posted: 4/9/2012 6:42:39 AM EDT

[#4]

I have used several handguns successfully in past 25 years to take deers and hogs.

Colt Government Model in 45ACP loaded with 200gr SWC @ 950 fps.

Ruger Blackhawk 357Mag loaded with 180gr WFN @ 1,200 fps

Ruger Superblack Hawk 44 Mag loaded with 285gr WFN @ 1,200 fps

Ruger Super Redhawk 44 Mag loaded with 320gr WFN @ 1,300 fps

Colt Python loaded with Remington 158gr SJHP (1,250 fps)

Caliber isn't as important as shot placement.

Posted: 4/9/2012 7:45:56 AM EDT

[#5]

I use one of my Encores or XP100's as a primary gun in a handgun. I carry a 45LC BH or S&W 27 as a back up.

Posted: 4/9/2012 8:08:31 AM EDT

[#6]

Smith 629 44mag, with handloads (240gr SWC over 21grs of 2400).

Posted: 4/9/2012 7:09:46 PM EDT

[#7]

This one. Dan Wesson 44 mag.

Has worked pretty well so far.

Posted: 4/10/2012 3:54:59 PM EDT

[#8]

The Thompson Center Contender is what I have used primarily. I also use a S&W Mod 29 6" in .44 magnum. You can pick up a T/C frame in the area of $250 or so. Barrels can be had in a variety of cals for around $175-$225 depending, I have two barrels, one in 30-30 Winchester and one in .221 Fireball. You can pick up a frame and then get a barrel later... not that much cash put out at one time. Either use iron sights, which most barrels will have, or go with a scope... extended eye relief pistol scopes in 1x4 or 2x7 type will do great.

With the Contender, you can get a .35 Remington barrel or a .30-30 Winchester barrel and be quite deadly. You can step up to the Encore frame and get other cals such as .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Rem, .260 Rem, etc.

I've taken a nice 6-pt with the 30-30 barrel using hand loaded 125gr Nosler BT's.

I'm thinking a used T/C in 30-30 Winchester with a 2x scope ought to get you going for a minimum investment.

Posted: 4/11/2012 8:13:17 AM EDT

[#9]

I shot a small whitetail buck with my 6" Model 66 .357Mag with factory loaded PMC 158gr JSP. Shot was between 50-60yds and single shot put it down. Since then I haven't lived in an area where they have a handgun season and have lived out west where rifles are pretty much necessary as shots can range from 50yds to 300yds+.

Posted: 4/11/2012 8:29:53 AM EDT

[#10]

I got a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag.

I also carry a 66 or 686 sometimes when I venture out during gun season. Never killed a deer with either one, though.

Posted: 4/11/2012 9:26:53 AM EDT

[#11]

Made a 120 yard shot on a deer with my S&W 629. ETA: with red dot scope.

Posted: 4/11/2012 10:07:52 AM EDT

[#12]

S&W 629 5" in 44 mag. It's stainless tho, so it shines like a mofo if I take it out of the holster.
Have yet to drop a deer with it though. Not even a "coupe de Gras" type of shot either as 1 rifle
or shotgun slugs usually knocks em DRT. Eagerly awaiting my chance though.

Carrying one during a notoriously tough drive (for the pushers anyway) was a Godsend. I didnt
get my face all cut up by the thornapples like I usually do when I have the rifle in my hands.

Posted: 4/11/2012 1:13:21 PM EDT

[#13]

I started out with a Super Redhawk in .44 mag using various bullets before settling on 240 gr. Hornady XTP's. For a while I also used a 15" Contender in .219 Donaldson for a culling gun but finally settled on a 14" Contender in 6.5x30 JDJ for pretty much everything. With that last one I can push a 129 gr. bullet @ 2400+ fps or a 120 gr. bullet @2500+ fps. If I had to do it all over I'd start out with a Contender with the cartridge determined by my handloading experience or if I cared to handload for it at all.

Posted: 4/11/2012 1:38:37 PM EDT

[#14]

I use a Ruger Super RedHawk in 454 Casull. Lets me shoot really hot 454 stuff, or lighter 45 Long Colt.

Posted: 4/14/2012 4:47:25 AM EDT

[#15]

Glock 20 10mm with 6" barrel

Posted: 4/14/2012 4:51:57 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Glock 20 10mm with 6" barrel

This right here.

Works great... I shot this one at about 30 yards, it damn near penetrated all the way... length wise.

picture

Posted: 4/15/2012 5:20:57 PM EDT

[#17]

357 mag, 44 mag or the 45 colt all kill deer easy.

Here is my 45 colt buck from last November.

Posted: 4/15/2012 6:36:21 PM EDT

[#18]

I use to use a Ruger Super Blackhawk hunter. It was great for handgun hunting. Like an idiot, I sold it.

I always carry my 329PD now, even while rilfe hunting because its so light weight and shoots good. It now has the Hogue grips on it that it came with.

I also have a Desert Eagle with a 6inch barrel and a 14inch barrel. The pic below with the 14inch barrel and a scope I was reviewing. I've shot a couple of deer and an antelope with it, but it was with the 6inch barrel and iron sights.

Posted: 4/15/2012 9:34:17 PM EDT

[#19]

S&W 629

Ruger 44 mag blackhawk

S&W 625 5" 45ACP

S&W 686

Posted: 4/16/2012 6:21:31 PM EDT

[#20]

I have a ruger super blackhawk in 44mag, and a Glock 20. I haven't taken anything yet. My buddy's dad uses his s&w 44mag and a contender, not sure of caliber. He has used both successfully on multiple hunts

Posted: 4/17/2012 7:20:12 AM EDT

[#21]

Ruger .44 Mag Super Blackhawk

Posted: 4/17/2012 1:03:00 PM EDT

[#22]

Contender with a 14" .30-30 and a 2x scope.

Posted: 4/21/2012 2:51:44 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Smith and Wesson model 629 performance center 44 mag. with 7.5" ported barrel. Accurate, nice trigger, came with scope mount.

Same as what I carry, though I primarily carry it for Bear.

Posted: 4/21/2012 3:50:52 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
357 mag, 44 mag or the 45 colt all kill deer easy.

Here is my 45 colt buck from last November.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/skunkmusky/DSCN1034.jpg

That's a REALLY nice whitetail!!

Posted: 4/26/2012 4:37:50 PM EDT

[#25]

Ruger SuperBlackHawk Hunter with 2x Leopould.....44 Magnum

Posted: 4/27/2012 8:09:19 AM EDT

[#26]

I'm really looking to use my 1950's made Colt SAA in .45LC. Its a "Cavalry" model with the 7.5" barrel, blued with old custom stag grips. I've got some Keith SWC lead handloads for it that I think will make nice clean holes all the way through but I'm still open to trying out some more modern bullets.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Handgun for Deer Hunting?

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