what should I start with for handgun hunting?
Deer or hogs, 50-75 yard max distance, but will possibly have some opportunities for longer shots if I want. Preferably much closer, like 25 yards.
Already have a 4.2” sp101 in 357.
Should I try something else or use that? I have no preconceptions on this. Just starting to think through my options and want some guidance.
I’m probably about an average shooter regarding accuracy.
Thanks for any input.
A gun forum will inevitably wind up in a totally impractical contest of advocacy for various cartridges.
Did you hunt this year? Were there any shots in the 25 yards or 75 yards you described?
What about this year and last year? How was the hunting?
Do you have access to private land or public land only? If private land, do the ranchers/landowners guide or just give permission and you're on your own?
It seems like a lot of people here just want to put a big 44 Magnum revolver in your holster and slap you on the back. Do you have a buddy to hunt with or do you hunt alone?
What's your buddy's experience? Who is better at getting the cape off quickly, you or your partner? Since they might be your junior, can they field dress and quarter the game?
What do you do with the quarters? Butcher it yourself or do you pay someone?
What do you hunt with? Truck, 4x4, quad, sxs, on horseback?
As I mentioned already, I didn't get to hunt big game this year. I paid my money but didn't win any tags. It's more likely I'll get a tag next year or the year after that. Where I am, it's open country and short range shots are rare. A friend in the Fish and Game department for over 20 years says he's never met a handgun hunter here and doesn't know anyone who does it. It's not that it can't be done. We do have bow hunters. Here, it's mostly public land but there is a lot of it. The tough thing is the most available tags are a full day's drive away from where people live, and it's impractical to really learn so much land and its game so far away.
I have two partners, my sons, but they're just getting started. They were ready for their first season but also failed to get tags. Probably better than half the men around here hunt, so I get good "intel" but I don't have an adult buddy. For me, that pretty much rules out Elk for now. I can hire someone to pack it out, but it's still probably more work than I want to handle on my own. I apply for deer, antelope, bear, sheep, cougar, and goat. Like I wrote, I haven't heard of hogs around here. The experience I get comes slowly these days. Honestly, in my previous state, I got to the point where for years I wrote off big game hunting as a rich man's game, and just enjoyed birds when I could. Where I am now, I hope things are better, but mostly I'm determined to help my sons as much as possible.