40 S&W for deer hunting

[Arkansas Paul]

Do wonder what a reg 10mm and a 10mm magnum would do velocity wise, from lets say a 10 or 14" Contender.

If you want to see what that would be like, just look at data from a .41 magnum.
It basically is a rimmed 10mm mag, even though it's not called that.

As for the OP's question, I personally would not hunt deer with a .40 S&W. I'm sure it has been done, but I wouldn't if I had anything more suitable for the job, which nearly anything is.

 

[CraigC]

The shortcoming isn't the cartridge as much as the guns that chamber it. Judged on its own, it should be adequate at shorter ranges. the problem is the coarse sights, heavy triggers and mediocre accuracy of the service pistols that typically chamber it. In an accurate 1911, it would do fine but a 10mm or .45ACP would be better.

 

[buck460XVR]

The cartridge itself is up to the task....it's the platforms it's chambered in and the finger pulling the trigger that will make or break the shot.

I do tho, hafta agree with Arkansas Paul........

As for the OP's question, I personally would not hunt deer with a .40 S&W. I'm sure it has been done, but I wouldn't if I had anything more suitable for the job, which nearly anything is.

 

[shafter]

I wouldn't do it even as a dispatch gun. I've seen FMJs and HPs fail even with point blank head shots far more often than I would have expected. I've put down a lot of deer in the line of duty. I've even seen 45's not perform as well as I would have liked.

I would never purposefully hunt with one if I had any other option. A carbine might make things a bit better but probably not by much.

 

[HB]

We can use any centerfire, air guns over 40 cal, and atlattl in Missouri. Blows my mind how restrictive other states are. Plenty of deer are wounded with 3006s. Shoot them in the brain or lungs and they will die.

HB