Handgun Hunters!

[Jswiney9]

Its about that time of year again, two months away until bow season starts in Eastern Kentucky! I've taken deer with almost every legal method available in the 3 states I hunt, except with a handgun! Starting to think I need to save up for something to get that done. Any of you fine Ladies and Gents willing to share some inspirational pictures of your Hunting Handguns?

 

[jaykellogg]

I don't have a picture right now but it is a Model 27 8 3/8" blue I carried in a chammois lined sholder holster. What I like about hand gun hunting are 1) the gun is securely stored in a holster leaving both hands free if you are navigating rough terrain, 2) easier to drag the deer carcas with both hands free, 3) If the weather is a bit nasty, the gun is dry inside my coat. I just used the iron sights. I bought and added a white outline rear sight blade from a model 29. I had reworked the trigger to about 2# (Single action).

I only ever killed one deer with the Smith.

The year I killed the deer I was using 125 grain HP bullets, but I found after that that I couldn't sight the gun in with them and switched to 158 grain. All I ever fired in the gun is handloads. I still have it. The gun has the wooden box.

i really don't recommend anything stronger than .44 Magnum for whitetails.

 

[LazyKB]

I'm in the same boat you are. I have a long barreled, 8 3/8" M57 and a six inch M28 that I am taking to the woods this year for the first time. It is hard not to carry a rifle just in case the bull of the woods goes by at 100 yds., but I have vowed to leave it home this year.

 

[Jswiney9]

I'm in the same boat you are. I have a long barreled, 8 3/8" M57 and a six inch M28 that I am taking to the woods this year for the first time. It is hard not to carry a rifle just in case the bull of the woods goes by at 100 yds., but I have vowed to leave it home this year.

Ahh i dropped my bull a few years back, then just wanted to shoot bigger racked bucks, it took A LOT of fun out of hunting for me and now I want to go back to having fun!

 

[Gunslinger808]

I've taken Deer, Elk, and even a couple of hogs with this one.

 

[Brian41]

I've used my Ruger Super Blackhawk with Leupold/Gilmour red dot to take several deer out to 50 yards. I do take a long gun along just in case of a longer shot on the big buck of my dreams.
I did switch over to my Model 657 in 8 3/8 inch and open sights to up the challenge though. So far I've not had a proper shot hunting with it and have used the long gun instead.

Handgun hunting is much like bow hunting. It's a challenge I like and takes patience waiting for deer to get close enough for a proper shot. Both have made me a better hunter and I found I learned a lot waiting on deer to get close rather than taking the first shot available with my long gun at distance.
I hope you enjoy it too.

 

[feralmerril]

First you should check what calibers and barrel length is legal where you will be hunting. Remember, some states do have restrictions against barrels under 5 or 6 inchs.
I have never hunted deer on purpose with a handgun but once did shoot a little buck with a 4" .357 colt trooper I happened to have on me, "Just because." It worked, but not well. We had to trail the buck quite a ways in steep dry country.
After tons of reading through the years along with talking to people that successfully have handgun hunted, my choice would be either a .45 colt, .44 mag .41 mag or hot handloaded .44 special with at least a 4" barrel. While a .357 can work and some well known authors have gave their blessings on it, I wouldnt on purposs unless its what I have and didnt have the money for better.

 

[ladder13]

OK, I'll play

Freedom Arms 454

 

[Jswiney9]

I've taken Deer, Elk, and even a couple of hogs with this one.

what chambering do you prefer? My father had one in 30/30

 

[Gunslinger808]

.308, I have 3 barrels including a .223 and a .243.
The .308 is the one I use the most for mid size game.
And no, recoil is not that bad.

 

[Old Corp]

This was one I took near home last year. Used my M29, 6". I was on a ridge, he was downhill in a creekbottom at about 60 yards. One shot, DRT.

I've taken a BUNCH of deer with rifles, and pretty much switched to handguns only. Next goal it to take one with my Colt Delta 10mm.

 

[John Eilertson]

Sorry, no pictures, but I have taken 5 bucks with my M29 6 1/2" .44 mag. At ranges of between 40 and 80 yds, all 1-shot kills. Typically used handloaded 225 grain bullets above 13.5 grains of Unique. I have buddies that bow hunt, and that's fine by me, but I've told them and am telling you that if it came down to archery or nothing, well, I will have my memories. Handgun hunting is just as hard to do, you must make all efforts to be as close to the game as you can. Elmer Keith may have shot them at several hundred yds, but shooting took up a LARGE part of his life. The vast bulk of us couldn't come near the amount of practice he used, nor the gun smarts he had.

 

[chud333]

Here's what i use in Indiana. We are limited in cartridges for rifle
and pistol. This one is in .357 Maximum and i've taken 5 Deer with
it as well as 3 Wild Boar in Tennessee. This cartridge is a stomper
with my handloads.
TC Contender in 14" with 4X scope. I'm comfortable at 100 yards
with this. I won't push it much beyond that. My eyesight ain't what
it used to be.

Chuck

 

[David LaPell]

With the injury to one arm, handgun hunting this year will be more of a necessity than a hobby. I don't have any big bore hunting guns but I do have this Outdoorsman and I have spent the better part of the year getting the gun dialed in and practicing. I have a set of shooting sticks and handloads of a cast #358156 HP and 12.5 grains of 2400 pushing it at 1,200 fps ready for any whitetail. I have shot it out to 65 yards with the sticks with my shooting hand and it hits where I want it to. Not the ideal choice, but the one that will work for me.

 

[Jswiney9]

Awesome so far guys, keep em coming!

 

[LazyKB]

Old Corp, that's a nice buck, I don't care who you are.

 

[Old Corp]

Old Corp, that's a nice buck, I don't care who you are.

Thank you, sir.
I was pretty tickled with him and the chance to take him with one of my Smiths.

I grew up reading Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, George Nonte and such.
Was always kinda put out that all these guys had SO much fun and so many adventures out West (at least Elmer and Skeeter...)
. And I here I was an Eastern kid. Vowed one day to do cool stuff with a handgun like my heroes.
Now that I'm retired, I can play at it a little.
Still not as romantic as adventures in Idaho, New Mexico and such though!

 

[silentflyer]

I have taken deer with Ruger Blackhawk's, TC Contenders, S&W's and Dan Wesson's, with .357's,41 Mag and .44 Mag, and 45 Long Colt in the Contender with hand loads. My best shot was at 125 yards with the Dan Wesson .44 Mag, 240 grain slug, 10" Barrel with a Nikon 2X scope. Never had one get away wounded, but I take my time and wait for a good shot. Usually or backbone shot a head or neck shot. I would rather not even take a shot than lose one wounded.
Also several turkeys with a scoped .22 Hornet on the Contender.

Head for the range and practice with some of the full size targets at longer ranges so you know your bullet drop.
Had very good luck stalking upwind on damp/rainy days, when you can move slowly and quietly through the woods.

 

[charlie sherrill]

We frequently run into deer with vehicles around here. I hit one with my POV a couple of years ago and Jr. opened the season early last Saturday night by hitting one with my truck. This isn't done intentionally. The body damage to the vehicle usually costs more than what the deer is worth. If I see an eye glowing or any other sign I slow down. They jump out in front of you anyway. I've hit 6-8 with patrol cars over the years. If they're crippled I shoot them. If they can run off I leave them alone. Now, back to the original thread. The last two I hit suffered broken back legs. One got double tapped and the other was dropped with a single shot from a Glock 22. Neither one suffered long and I found some new confidence in the .40 cal round. I'm thinking a 10 mm (a 40 on steroids) would do the job just fine. I've been using a 657 for the last two years for hunting but have yet to get a good shot. I'll try again this year as I will have more time to hunt. One of our deputies is 82. He retired from full time several years ago but still works as a part time bailiff. On his way home last year he was confronted with a nine point buck in his driveway and dropped him with one shot from a Glock 19 9mm. Must have been his time to go.

 

[DeadAye]

I use a 686 - 160gr soft point.
I've killed deer cleanly from point blank to around 30-40 yards (about as far as you can see where I hunt).
Deer hunting with a pistol is more like bow hunting. You have to wait for *the* shot.
I've watched many more deer walk than I've shot, but still enjoy a day in the woods.

PS - I used to hunt with a .270. If I could see a deer it was dead - Just didn't seem fair....
OTOH - If I were hunting because we HAD TO HAVE THE MEAT - I'd use a rifle.