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Squirrel502

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So here it is May, but I am already thinking about November. With my new job I am afforded the opertunity to actually take time off to see my pop's for deer session in NE PA. That being said, I am currently at the crossroads as to how I wish to persue this up coming hunt.

In the past, I would always take a rifle and a handgun. Each year I would always tell myself "Perhaps I would get a shot with the smith this year"....but in the end, the rifle would always be what I reached for. So this year, I am really thinking about leaving the rifle at home and only take a handgun up. But if I do this, I know that I will have to use the time to really brush up with my shooting. And that brings me to this topic.

If I opt to go pistol only...what should I take?

S&W 29-3 6.5"
S&W 627-5 PC

I already consider myself a decent shot with the 357, but I generally dont shot the 44mag because of ammo price. But with this decission....I will do what has to be done.

So, 357 or 44mag? Or should I just forgo this and take the Rem 700 LTR back out for another session?

Thanks for the input

-squirrel
 
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So here it is May, but I am already thinking about November. With my new job I am afforded the opertunity to actually take time off to see my pop's for deer session in NE PA. That being said, I am currently at the crossroads as to how I wish to persue this up coming hunt.

In the past, I would always take a rifle and a handgun. Each year I would always tell myself "Perhaps I would get a shot with the smith this year"....but in the end, the rifle would always be what I reached for. So this year, I am really thinking about leaving the rifle at home and only take a handgun up. But if I do this, I know that I will have to use the time to really brush up with my shooting. And that brings me to this topic.

If I opt to go pistol only...what should I take?

S&W 29-3 6.5"
S&W 627-5 PC

I already consider myself a decent shot with the 357, but I generally dont shot the 44mag because of ammo price. But with this decission....I will do what has to be done.

So, 357 or 44mag? Or should I just forgo this and take the Rem 700 LTR back out for another session?

Thanks for the input

-squirrel
 
If those are the only 2 handgun options, I'd say it is a toss-up.

However, you might want to consider a .41 Mag Redhawk.
 
well these arnt my only handguns...just my first choices.

6" 27-2
6" 28-2
4" 66-6
5" 627-5

6.5" 29-3

Now, I have thought about getting something new, however I dont like redhawks....and I am not a reloader. That being said, ruger single actions are fine...but from my experience, they need some attention right out of the box. As of today, I have considered a Freedom Arms in a 4.75" *I dont really care for the long barrels anymore*. But it really comes down to the caliber that would be best for PA whitetails. not to mention....is this a wise thing to do.

I just know that if I bring a rifle....I will use a rifle. However, I could just leave the rifle at the camp on any given day and go with the wheelgun only...but then I am back to choices.

Currently nothing is scoped....but I am in the process of doing some research on what would be the best for me. And right now I am starting to think of a holo or relex style, as dealing with pistol eye relief is a pain in the ass, and a standard red dot tends to be bulky.

But please, give me some advice! If I opt to do this, I need to get some dedicated time in, and practice with various shooting styles prior to locking myself into this years agenda.
 
Do you have the patience to “still hunt”? I hunt in western Oregon for black tail with a model 94 and have never shot one over 25yds. It for the most part the forests are dense with vegetation except of the clear cuts. I have considered using a sidearm but always rely on my rifle to get the job done………I’ll use a sidearm someday.
 
the mod 28 will do just fine.a 357 will take out a deer.and start reloading so you can shoot cheap and more.
 
Use the revolver you shoot the best, assuming the hunting regulations where you are going allow it. Some states restrict barrel length, for example.

If you limit your hunting shots the the distance at which you can keep 5 of 5 shots on a paper plate, in the field, either round will do the job, although I lean to the .44. For deer, I would shoot a 180 grain jhp. The Remington loading shoots well in all the .44 Magnums I have tried it in.
 
As an experienced single shot handgun hunter (TC's) and a lover of 5 screw smiths I would take the 44.
Charlie
 
Most of the Deer I've taken here in PA were
under 100 yds.
I would go with the .44 for a bigger wound channel.
 
I hunted in Center County, near Madisonburg for several years and took my first deer there with a scoped .308 @ about 40 yards. It was definite overkill. Fact is, at least where I've hunted, the woods are so thick almost anything 'll do (.357, .41, .44, .45 colt). As long as you had it in hand at the ready position. In my experience shots are likely to be very close and fast! I was walking slowly and quietly along a road on the face of a ridge when I heard something in the woods below. I froze at port arms facing the noise and out of the brush comes the head and shoulders of a nice buck. In the split second before I could shoulder the rifle, get my cheek on the stock, and look through the scope (@ 1.5x) he saw me move and bolted back into the brush; the distance between us was about 10 yards, I could hear him for several seconds but couldn't see a thing! I know I'd wouldn't have been able to draw and fire as fast as it was. Sometimes for a change I left the rifle and took my 629 mountain gun out. My loads were 240gn Hornady XTP JHPs @ about 1000 fps in .44mag brass. This load is very accurate, pleasant to shoot, and good for fast a follow-up. I think it gave me all the power I needed, more in fact. So use whatever you're comfortable with and if it were me I'd download the .44 mag for better "shootability" or think about using .44 specials if you don't reload. Whatever you choose just make sure you have it in hand at the ready position!

/b
 
Your 357s will do the job,I'd opt for a quality 158 grain HP and practice a lot. But since the option of a 44 is there, thats what I would take. I agree with Blairs suggestion of a 240 grain Hornady at modest velocity.

BTW - Blair, do you still hunt that area? I'm only about an hour away from Madisonburg and still go there regularly to buy my Moyer bullets.
Jeff
 
I took a big 6 point with a .44 a few yrs. back. Shot it at less the 15 yards as it came over a ridge. Never knew what hit him. I would stay with the gun you shoot the best. Hope it's the .44
 
Originally posted by winchester1:
BTW - Blair, do you still hunt that area? I'm only about an hour away from Madisonburg and still go there regularly to buy my Moyer bullets.
Jeff
Click to expand...

Haven't hunted there for a while but I've been in the valley to visit. My uncle Phil lives up the mountain off 192 towards Center Hall.

I can't believe as many times as I've passed Moyer's I've never stopped to buy any. I just guess it seem less than practical to tote lead all the way back to Illinois!

/b
 
If we had bear around here, I would get a .44 mag, but I haven't gone any higher than .357 mag., 45acp, or .40s&w. in any of my pistols and revolvers.
 
From a long time handgun hunter, commit and leave the rifle at home. Renew the challenge and become a hunter again.

The .357 is adequate, but the .44 will excel.
Spend some time with that 29 with a good 240gr hollow point and it will pay big dividends.

A red dot will work well at dawn and dusk but may be difficult to see in bright sunlight. I've had good success with a 2X Leupold.

Get started in handloading. You will save big dollars and taking game with your own carefully crafted loads is extremely satisfing. Hornady 240 XTP's over a case of H110 will shoot through any deer in NA and creates plenty of damage along the way. Hard cast 250 gr Keith style semi-wadcutters work well too.

Above all else, get out and shoot. Practice your field positions and learn your range limitations. (a telescoping shooting stick, like those sold by Stony Point, can be very handy)

Enjoy
Roe
 
My $0.02 - I've been handgun hunting in OH since it became legal and have used a 29-2 6.5" with my handload of hardcast 250 gr Keith bullet over 10 gr. of Unique. No shots over 50 yards at 4 deer I have killed. Not bragging here, but each only required one shot. I have never recovered a bullet. Clean through penetration, IMO, is the most important factor in handgun hunting success for deer-sized game. I love my .357 guns, but would not choose them for deer.
 
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