Handgun for Whitetail... *** Update in post 65 ***

[Dale53]

Mule88;
Thanks for the kind words. I had seen a picture of a Wilson scope set up and liked it. I wanted it to look as nice as possible and REALLY wanted the scope mounted between sights. Further, it was important to me to be able to remove the scope in bad weather, if necessary and have the iron sights zeroed. Everything worked as planned. However, I have never removed it since it was mounted.

Some complain that they "can't find the hole" with a handgun scope. If you stick to the lower powers (I prefer two power or a red dot) and simply practice mounting the revolver you'll find it becomes automatic.

I have three handguns mounted with scopes for Ohio deer hunting. My second gun is a Ruger Red Hawk that I used for bad weather hunting (stainless, doncha know >)). The built in Ruger mounts work very well, also:

I have taken several deer with both the Smith 29 and the Ruger Red Hawk.

Recently I acquired a nice Performance Center 629 Light Hunter. It has a unique scope mounting system that works extremely well. A cut out is made in the rib with the mount base fitting inside the cut out. This gives a very positive recoil lug - no scope moving from recoil in that set up:

That is an Ultra Dot Red Dot sight on it.

All three of these scoped revolvers have something in common - the scope or red dot is mounted between the sights for best two handed balance and I believe the scope is safer from possibly damaging bumps when mounted in this way. Further, all three of them have the capability of removing the scope with the iron sights zeroed if necessary.


Dale53

 

[DDDWho]

In my state a .357 is the minimum handgun cartridge for deer.

 

[BlackSky]

I have a line on a 29-3 with 8 3/8" barrel local to me. How would I go about mounting a scope or red dot on this without damaging the gun?

 

[ultratec00]

I typically carry both. The TC 7-30 for 50-200 yards and my 629 PC 44 mag open sights for anything up to 50. They both have their purposes.

While my first choice in a hunting revolver is my 5" 629-4 Classic DX, my first choice in a hunting handgun is my 14" T/C Contender in 7-30 Waters, a .30-30 case necked down to .284" (7mm).

Ed

 

[XxKnivesNGunsxX]

I've hunted with what some may call blasphemy on here but what i call a damn hearty rig. I've killed 3 deer with my Ruger super redhawk 7.5 inch barrel and 2x leupold. All but one were very clean kills. The first two dropped where they stood. The other ran about 150 yards and collapsed in a multi floral rose bush(ohioans know the damn things) and required a finishing shot. This year however i intend on hunting with a model 500, anyone know any good loads for white tails with the 500.

 

[ultratec00]

I just picked one of these up last year as a birthday gift to myself and am very happy with it. Haven't had time to work up new loads yet, but plan on using the scope mount when shooting for group. It shoots quite well with open sights and the 180 gr JHP Sierra reloads I used for my 629 6.5" Classic. This will remain open sights as my quick reaction and brush firearm.

I believe Iowa has the same straight wall case restriction for handguns. Instead of my 7X30 Waters, I'd use my 375 Winchester barrel and the 200 gr sierra flat nose.

Recently I acquired a nice Performance Center 629 Light Hunter. It has a unique scope mounting system that works extremely well. A cut out is made in the rib with the mount base fitting inside the cut out. This gives a very positive recoil lug - no scope moving from recoil in that set up:

Dale53

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I've taken my last two with handguns. Lots of good choices. A 357 is fine if you know how to shoot and pick the right projectile. My recommendation would be a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in either 41 mag, 44 mag or 45 Colt. Handgun scopes aren't really like rifle scopes. They don't help much in low light. In fact a red dot is better in low light.

 

[AUTigerBlender]

My personal favorite is the 629-1 Classic Hunter 6" Full lugged Barrel.

 

[RYNO]

I took a doe a couple years ago with this revolver and iron sights. I've since added a Jpoint sight and love it. Unbelievable how much of a better shot that sight made me!
610-3

A couple months back after a friend and I finished turkey hunting we did some plinking at a steel pig about 10-12" long. My friend had only shot my revolver a couple times before and usually couldn't hit paper from 15yds, he was smacking that pig target at 40yds, off hand. I've only streched out to 50yds so far but feel pretty good at that distance. If I'm shooting deer much beyond that I'll use my rifle. Now the two coyotes that stood at 80yds that morning while I was fumbling for the gun I'd like another chance at...

I like that I can punch paper or shoot steel targets with cheap .40 ammo then shoot some Buffalo bore 10mm when hunting season rolls around.

 

[Kilibreaux]

The Model 500 of course!
Sure you can drop whitetails with a .357 - though it's marginal even at max. And you can certainly drop them with the .44 Mag standard loadings. But you can also drop them at longer range, more efficiently using a M500 with 6.5" barrel and spitzer style bullet such as the Barnes 325 grain HP copper. With a reasonable load of just 1800 fps you can sight in dead on at precisely 16 yards and be no more than 2" high, nor 2" low to 145 yards with an impact slap of about 1400 lb-ft at 145 yards!
Sorry to state the obvious but exactly WHY would anyone choose to carry something "lesser?"

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Sorry to state the obvious but exactly WHY would anyone choose to carry something "lesser?"

Because there is a difference between hunting and target shooting.

 

[RYNO]

Sorry to state the obvious but exactly WHY would anyone choose to carry something "lesser?"

Just how dead does a deer need to be? A .338 Win mag sure has more than ample power for deer but way overkill IMO.

 

[ultratec00]

• ease of carry
• shootability
• cost of components
• availability of components
• variety of components
• 6 rounds vs. 5
• availability
• etc

Sorry to state the obvious but exactly WHY would anyone choose to carry something "lesser?"

 

[tguil]

Just to add to the mix: Handgun Hunter Magazine - Forums: Handgun Hunting

Tom

 

[kcub]

I would opt for a .41 magnum. Doesn't kick near as bad as a .44 and is just as good for a deer and hog gun. Yeah, you'll have to buy your ammo online or reload, so what. You'll have a gun that is actually fun to shoot.

 

[buck460XVR]

I hunt with and have killed deer with .357mags, .44mags and a .460S&W. They all are up to the task at hand if you are. You not only need to know their limitations, but your limitations as well.

 

[Clean Break]

Here's the only deer I've shot with a handgun - a Ruger Bisley Vaquero 4 5/8" bbl. using Federal American Eagle 240 gr. JHPs. It was a piebald doe.

This year I will be toting my S & W 4" 629 with Hornady 240 gr. XTPs over 22.9 gr. 296 as my primary tool and perhaps my 12 gauge Browning Auto-5 & Federal 1 1/4 oz. slugs. as my back-up with 6s for grouse. I live in an "any deer" and "any elk" firearm restricted area with lots of cover so ranges are limited.

For Roosevelt Elk I'll be using the Stainless 700 Remington Mountain Rifle in .338; S & W or Ruger .22 on hip.
C.B.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Nice piebald!

 

[Scott E White]

Back when I was doing a lot of Damage Control permits, I carried revolvers quite regularly. All but one deer fell to one shot each. The mis-fit was my last attempt at a neck shot, and it took a second round of .357 158 grain jacket soft-point to the chest, to finish. That was my longest shot, at 67 paces into a hay field.

One to a 4" 25-5 .45 Colt
One to a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk .44 Mag.
Two to a 7 1/2" Field Grade .454 Casull
Three to a 4" 629-1 .44 Mag.
Twenty-one to a 4" 581 no-dash .357 Mag.

The 581 was my Service Revolver at the time, and I figured the extra practice was a good thing. I shot it quite well, and the round did an admirable job, but I did pass-up a few less than ideal opportunities. You gotta' know your limitations!

All were open-sight (white outline rear, orange insert front) shots. If I were to try it again today, I'd likely go with something like the jPoint or C-more optics. Not getting any younger.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like what cudzu and dale53 shared. I would lean to a chest carry 629 8 3/8's barrel. I would recommend ample practice with the round you are going to use, when you use it. I would suggest some kind of iron sight set up if possible (eyes, etc.) there are a bunch of good choices. If you have to mount an optic, I would suggest a Long Eye Relief scope in a low magnification. I have a Nikon 1 1/2 LER on a PC 629-6 7 1/2 hunter that is deadly. But it would be a .44 mag for me.

 

[Neumann]

A 6" .44 Magnum would do the trick, and you wouldn't need bear loads either. A 240 grain HP would work, and wouldn't break your wrist in the process (a necessary exaggeration for those who've never fired a .44 Mag).

Iron sight are not that easy to use on a camouflaged target. I recommend a good quality red-dot reflex, like an Aimpoint Micro ($$$), Leupold ($$) or even a Burris Fastfire III ($). You can shoot with both eyes open and the red pinpoint will just float in space at the point of impact. A 629 is predrilled for a scope or rail. You don't need magnification - practical pistol range for deer is 80 yards or less.

If the red dot is hard to see in bright sunlight (depends on the model), cover the objective lens. If you keep both eyes open, the red dot will still indicate the point of impact.

 

[310Pilot]

I've had good success over the years with 357 Mag and 44 Mag, barrels from 4 to 8 3/8. Of the two, I recommend the 44 with a 6" or longer barrel. That being said, since I bought my first 500 a few years ago, it has become my first choice. Very accurate, easily has an effective range of 150 to 200 yards, and hits like the hammer of Thor. The difference in hitting power is amazing, simply no comparison. I have only used iron sights, and find them adequate: however, I have been experimenting with a red/green reflex sight, with encouraging results.

As always, accuracy and shot placement are of primary importance, and you will be well served by any of the calibers.

 

[AR_Black]

One year I used a Thompson Center Encore Pistol with a 14-inch .45-70 with fixed 4x power scope. Overkill. When fired in the woods, it removes all leaves in a 100 foot radius. Used Cor-Bon 350-grain ammo. Here in Southern Illinois it's woods and hillly - the 4x scope was too much for those 50-yard shots. I sold this gun to a guy who was going Buffalo hunting out west.

Now I use a T/C with a 10-inch .357 MAXIMUM barrel, with a 2.5 power scope. FLAT shooting out to 100-yards. 180-Grain XTP reloads.

One year I was sick and weakly, used a 4-inch GP100 with open sights --- not ideal at all. Didn't get to shoot a deer, but at least got into the woods.

 

[JOE MACK]

I'm seriously considering going deer hunting this year with a handgun. I live in CA and hunt on family property in OH.

OH DNR regs say you can use a handgun during youth & regular gun season as long as it has a minimum barrel length of 5", shoots only straight walled cartridges and is chambered in a minimum caliber of .357.

Nothing in my safe currently meets all of those requirements so I'm on the hunt for a hunting gun.

What would you all suggest? I'm open to about anything but preferences would be S&W and a caliber larger than .357.

Also, what about sights? Anyone hear with handgun hunting experience that can speak to the pros/cons of a scope or red dot vs. iron sights?

I'd use a new S&W Classic 57 in .41Magnum with 6 inch barrel. Whitetail deer aren't armored and a 170 or 210gr JHP in the right place should seal the deal. I've used the .41Magnum numerous times at the family place mostly on big mulies and it hasn't failed me once.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

The Model 500 of course!
Sure you can drop whitetails with a .357 - though it's marginal even at max. And you can certainly drop them with the .44 Mag standard loadings. But you can also drop them at longer range, more efficiently using a M500 with 6.5" barrel and spitzer style bullet such as the Barnes 325 grain HP copper. With a reasonable load of just 1800 fps you can sight in dead on at precisely 16 yards and be no more than 2" high, nor 2" low to 145 yards with an impact slap of about 1400 lb-ft at 145 yards!
Sorry to state the obvious but exactly WHY would anyone choose to carry something "lesser?"

I guess it would just kill you for me to film shooting a deer with my M&P 9mm or Glock 34 this season, huh?

 

[STCM(SW)]

"I guess it would just kill you for me to film shooting a deer with my M&P 9mm or Glock 34 this season, huh?"

Lots of deer are illegally killed with a .22LR, that doesn't make it a good round for deer hunting and neather is a 125gr 9mm FMJ.....

 

[BobR1]

First some one wanted to know about mounting a scope on a 629 several posts back. Use a Weigand Combat scope base. Do a search for Weigand Combat and you will be in business. All late model N Frame S&W's are drilled & tapped for a scope base under the back sight.

My hunting handgun is a Ruger Super RedHawk in 480 Ruger. Infact I have a pair of them. They come with 1" rings. I swapped them back to Ruger for a pair of 30mm ones, and I have a Black 30mm UltraDot mounted on the 9-1/2" SRH. Note: the 480 is Stainless with a Target Gray Finish, not shiney. That is why I went with a Black Red Dot sight.
The SRH has a Quick Change front sight. I have swapped both SRH's over to a "Green" Marble Fiber Optic Front Sight. They are as good as it gets in low light in the woods.
I really like the UltraDot for deer hunting in the woods. I would stay with a 30mm over the 1" however. The 30mm has a much larger field of view.
Hogue makes a Tamer grip for the Super RedHawk Alaskan with the Sorbothane insert down the back. I swap the grips on all of my SRH's over to them. They really take the sting out of large heavy recoiling Rugers.
I do not prefer scopes in the woods deer hunting. The cross hairs can get hard to find in low light. The UltraDot is easy to pick up. It has multiple brightness settings. When the light starts to fade I crank the brightness setting down a little.
I reload all my ammo, so the 480 Ruger is no problem at all to own. I have also owned two Super RedHawks in 44 Magnum, also set up with 30mm UltraDots. A buddy of mine now owns both of them.
The Super RedHawk has one other feature I like. A long cylinder. I was shooting 310 Hammer Heads in my 44 Magnums. The long heavy bullets will not fit in a 29/629.

I could live with a late model 629 with Weigand Base and a 30mm UltraDot for my deer pistol if I had to. I do not care for the X Frame, as it is just a little to large, and heavy.

If I had a choice of a 629 or a Super RedHawk for a hunting pistol, I would honestly pick the Ruger.

By the way I have owned several 29's and 629's over the years.

I tagged a Doe on my Antlerless ONLY Tag, and an 11 Point Buck on my Any Deer Tag this last year. Both at 50 thru 55 yards from a ladder stand. I counted coup on several deer during deer season with the UltraDot. I did not fire a shot till the second weekend of season. It was a very good deer season, I was seeing deer daily.

I spotted a group of 6 bucks together just below the house last week. Two of them were thumpers. I am starting to get excited. My brother was saying yesterday that we should make a round and tune up our Salt & Mineral licks again. That was a good idea.

Bob

 

[BlackSky]

Ok so I'm buying the gun tomorrow morning. It's a 1984 Model 29 with 8 3/8" barrel. Comes with rubber Hogue grips, factory original grips, box, papers and tool kit. Not only will it be a great hunting gun but a great addition to the collection. Now to get the red dot thing figured out and to pick out some test hunting ammo.

Here's a quick pic from the seller...

 

[BlackSky]

Ok. The only scope mounts I can find require the gun to be drilled and tapped for it. This gun isn't drilled and tapped and I'm not sure I want to do that and ruin any collector value it will have.

What are my other options, if any, to scope this without damaging it?

 

[C.S.63]

well a little late to the party but?

If it is not drilled and tapped then do not do it if you are looking at collector value!!

If that is not a deal breaking issue then either see if S&W will do it, or a very reputable smith.
Try some paper punching with it on some 6" pie plate size targets at varying distances just to ring it out you may be surprised.
Instead of a scope/optic sight spend the cash on ammo and or reloading
and shoot away

The one the Mrs purchased for me, these long barreled smiths are sweet