So I want a revolver for deer season.

[scwv67]

I'm thinking of purchasing a handgun for deer season this fall in Ohio. Rifles are not allowed here and I'm not interested in purchasing a slug gun or shotgun that I'd likely use only one time a year. The DNR rules are only that the handgun be chambered in a straight wall cartridge of at least .357, and it have a 5" or longer barrel.

I'd like something larger than .357, so I'm thinking a .41 or .44 magnum. Deer is the probably the only thing that will be hunted as we don't have a hog problem here. No dangerous animals so I'm not interested in a .454, .460 or .500 etc..

The area I hunt would mostly involved shots of 75 yards or less, so I would likely use irons instead of a scope. I haven't ruled out a Redhawk, but would prefer a S&W along the lines of a 657 or 629. I believe I know the pluses of the .44 over the .41 such as ammo variety/availability, and the revolver availability also.

However, I just kinda want a .41! I'd appreciate hearing other's opinions/experiences regarding my choices, espescially regarding barrel length between the 6", 6 1/2", 7 1/2" and 8 3/8" versions.

Thanks.

 

[holo]

i have been knocking down the whitetail for years with my ruger super red hawk 7.5 barrel .44. tried a lot of smith but the 7.5 barrel length works best for me. before you all jump on me its the only ruger i own all the rest are smith.

 

[BillyMagg]

I'm thinking of purchasing a handgun for deer season this fall in Ohio. Rifles are not allowed here and I'm not interested in purchasing a slug gun or shotgun that I'd likely use only one time a year. The DNR rules are only that the handgun be chambered in a straight wall cartridge of at least .357, and it have a 5" or longer barrel.

I'd like something larger than .357, so I'm thinking a .41 or .44 magnum. Deer is the probably the only thing that will be hunted as we don't have a hog problem here. No dangerous animals so I'm not interested in a .454, .460 or .500 etc..

The area I hunt would mostly involved shots of 75 yards or less, so I would likely use irons instead of a scope. I haven't ruled out a Redhawk, but would prefer a S&W along the lines of a 657 or 629. I believe I know the pluses of the .44 over the .41 such as ammo variety/availability, and the revolver availability also.

However, I just kinda want a .41! I'd appreciate hearing other's opinions/experiences regarding my choices, espescially regarding barrel length between the 6", 6 1/2", 7 1/2" and 8 3/8" versions.

Thanks.

My first handgun deer was with a Model 29 Classic DX, I let that get away, and my last handgun deer was with my old 6 inch Model 27-2 now owned by my little brother. I would personally recommend one of the factory drilled and tapped N frames, in your choice of caliber. Even though all of my Deer have been with irons, their is the option of the scope. My coolest handgun deer was crawling on my belly down a trail for a 35 yd shot on large beded Whitetail doe, a perfect double lung shot, on a completely relaxed animal. She jumped up and ran like I hadn't touched a hair, my two sianara shots where of course lost to humanity and wildlife. I rather dejectedly went down to check it out, just over the hill about 175 yds there she lay, with my 6.5" 29-2.

I have hunted with a 44 Ruger Flat Top, 357 Colt New Frontier, and a 5 inch Stainless Ruger Super Black Hawk, not deer with the single actions, and all them are gone with the exception of the Colt. Billy Magg

 

[H Richard]

I'd opt for the 629, one of the more recent ones with the top strap drilled & tapped. While you want to hunt with irons now, when you get a little older you will find a scope or red dot make life much easier as your eye's dim a bit. The stainless is much more impervious to weather and wear. I'd leave the choice of barrel length to you, but a minimum of 6" for me.

There is nothing wrong with the .41, and about the only advantage to the 44 is the bullet selection. Since you even mentioned the .41, I assume you are a hand-loader, as that is the only way to get any performance out of a .41. The .44 has plenty of factory ammo available. I can recommend the Hornady Leverrevolution (sp) rounds, phenomenal accuracy.

 

[scwv67]

Thanks for the replies so far. The point about the ability to mount a RDS or scope in the future is taken. I do handload, so having to search for scarce .41 ammo would not be an issue.

 

[mbliss57]

MY LGS has a used but excellent condition Model 29 Bounty Hunter. You may be looking for a longer tube but it is a nice gun.
If you want a long tube 8 3/8 barrel for hunting they are the least expensive to buy used. Mostly because the CCW is all the rage. I have not shot a Red Hawk but I see alot of people with them for hunting.
Don't rule out a S&W 500 either. That is one great hunting gun.

 

[TheMystro]

I have killed deer with them all and the 44mag is perfect on so many levels. These days I am only using iron sights. 75yards is a chip shot for the 44mag.

 

[*chris*]

I have killed deer with them all and the 44mag is perfect on so many levels. These days I am only using iron sights. 75yards is a chip shot for the 44mag.

Impressive distance, I was shooting my Glock 17 at the 50 yard range for the first time and it certainly is a challenge at 50 yards!

Chris

 

[scwv67]

175yds is an incredible shot IMO. Nice looking deer and gun.

 

[99savage308]

41- 44 just a few thousands diff that deer don't. the make of the gun, that deer don't know. Smith ,Colt's, Taurus, llama, Ruger, Desert Eagle, Dan Wesson, T/C, ect,ect. Just do it.

 

[John P.]

Years ago a friend of mine extensively used a model 57 with a 6 inch barrel for deer, and he had great success. His shots were very similar to what you want, 20-75 yards. He didn't handload, and he strictly used Remington 210 grain JSP's. If you want a .41 magnum, by all means get one, I doubt that you will be disappointed.

 

[justintyme]

Go for the .41 if you like, I do, I have 3! I think you will be pleased with the round, its a great performer. Around here Its not that hard to find ammo for, in fact lately its the only thing still on the shelf at the LGS, LOL. Buffalo bore and Double tap have some good factory loads

 

[scwv67]

The only thing really holding me back from the .41 is that the price on the gun itself. The ones I've seen are considerably more spendy than the .44's. I really like the idea of having something a little different, but I'll have to decide just how much.

Getting back to barrel length, how much more front heavy are the guns with barrels over 6", particularly the 8 3/8" ones?

 

[John P.]

I just picked up a 629-6 with a 6 inch half lug barrel. I like this configuration for the N frames the best. I feel that any of the classic line with the full lug or anything over 6 inch is too "front heavy."

 

[Jebus35745]

I have a T/C contender in 357 Maximum with a 12" bbl and a muzzle break. Has the same energy at 100 yds as a 44 at the muzzle. Need to handload for it. Less kick then a 44. The bbl is for sale w/Extras or the whole gun, Larry

 

[TheMystro]

Thank you. I hand loaded a XTP 240jhp about mid power and the deer dropped in its tracks. Lower recoil, outstanding accuracy, and the bullet opened up great. No need for hot loads of 44mag on whitetails.

175yds is an incredible shot IMO. Nice looking deer and gun.

Here is what the shot looked like. My Polaris X2 is parked where the deer was. I was laying back against the hemlock tree resting the gun against my right knee.

Bullet was recovered on the opposite side under the hide. Lungs and top of the heart were jelly.
Full story is on the Hornady web site.

I found that my 10mm was a bit more effective than my 357mag on whitetail. The 44mag is in another class and is more rifle like with dropping deer where they stand. The 454 Casull didnt seem anymore effective than the 44mag so I eventually moved back to the 44mag. Its still about bullet placement with any weapons of choice.

 

[andrewstorm]

My best handgun deer harvest was a 250 lb deer stomping at me in a blind,I Whirled around and let a 255 grain 45 cowboy bullet over 35 grains of 777 3f cci 11 cap the bullet entered the eye and cleanly exited the opposite ear it took 3 minutes to figure out the exit point,(vasillis,aim for the eye)dropped him like a rock,that day was mybest muzzeloader/handgun hunt ROA percussion revolver,I wish S&W made a percussion revolver!

 

[RGriff69]

I'm going to try handgun hunting this year. Just picked up a 629 Stealth Hunter and I'm topping it with a Vortex Razor RDS. Should be a good combination.

 

[Rocket3]

Go with the 41. It's fun being a little different.

 

[DR505]

\
Model 657-2 .41 Magnum Classic Hunter 6½" Barrel

This is my hunting sidearm if using a revolver as the main gun, though I do have a 4" 629 if I just want a back-up to a rifle.

For deer I use a 210 grain Hornady XTP loaded max, and for hogs/elk I like a 265 grain Cast Performance hard cast Keith style bullet over a stout charge of Hodgdon H110.

Good luck in your choosing.