Handgun for Deer Hunting in Central Texas

[22-rimfire]

Handgun hunting for deer is a great challenge. It works too. I think of it as archery hunting except you are using a handgun with probably a bit more reach than a bow.

Some say the 357 mag is sufficient for whitetail hunting with a handgun. It probably is if you are a reasonable shot. My first "deer hunting handgun" was a 6" Python. Read a lot on the subject and decided on a bit more power. I prefer to up the power level just a little (about 30%) and go with a 41 or 44 magnum revolver. All it will take is one shot, but it's nice to have another couple just in case.

The preferred smaller calibers are 45 Colt, 41 Mag, and 44 Mag. Each can give you just enough power to be effective without the sometimes punishing recoil of a larger caliber handgun. Contenders are different.

I played around using a 41 mag for a number of years and didn't get or take shots as I had a rifle with me. Then I got a 480 Ruger in a SRH. That became a primary gun and I leave the rifle home unless I'm hunting fields. I would have used the 41 mag, but I just hated the idea of drilling a nice 8 3/8" Model 57 Smith for a scope. I have to say though I shoot it better than I have ever shot my 480. My Ruger carries a 2x Leupold scope.

 

[Austinite]

I've shot 4 central Texas deer with a 6' S&W 686 topped with a red dot scope. I used full power 357 magnum factory loads (158 gold dot, 158 XTP, and 180 partition gold). It's got plenty of pop for our small deer.

Many don't realize how small our deer really are. Our does dress out between 65 and 75 pounds and the largest buck ever taken from our place (Kimble County) dressed out at 120. All white-tails are not created equal.

 

[moosehunt]

In regard to the original gents question, as stated 30 yards maximum, may I suggest the old .45 Colt. Pick your make--I like the Ruger Bisley--but that's immaterial. I went big time poke for a while--.44 Mag, even went so far as a big Alaska moose with it (scoped, 80 yards). Decided that the old Colt with iron sights was more fun and damn sure as effective (if not more so). Suit yourself, but consider fun over popular "wrist twister" and try the old Colt. I doubt you'll ever regret it! Have fun!!! And practice!

 

[LJH]

I would like to thank all who posted with your advice and experiences. I just so happened across a deal that was too good to pass up and incidentally was on my “must have” list to begin with. I picked up a Ruger 6” GP 100 in Stainless.

 

[jbkebert]

Congrats on the new GP100 with the ranges you are talking about I am sure it will serve you well. I do have one peice of advice for you. When you practice try and use the same cylinder sequnce. At least with my Redhawk I have found that four of my cylinders shoot a little better than the other two. Might be a slight diffrence in gap or something like that. If you do find a sequence that groups tight mark your cylinder and line those up first. I started doing this with a sharpie marker which cleans off easily. Then when I found the right one. I made a small mark with a stamp and brass hammer.

 

[jmorris]

I can’t believe that I missed the opportunity to post some hunting handgun porn in my 1st post. So here goes, the XP top left has done the job out to 240 yards so far.

 

[jbkebert]

Mr. jmorris:

That is the kind of filth that makes the THR a great place to visit.

 

[41 Mag]

I would like to thank all who posted with your advice and experiences. I just so happened across a deal that was too good to pass up and incidentally was on my “must have” list to begin with. I picked up a Ruger 6” GP 100 in Stainless.

LJH,

Personally for the ranges you mentioned I believe you made an excellent choice. If you handload, there are several great bullets for that caliber which will serve you well. My first deer taken with a handgun was in Llano, and was using a GP-100 and taken at 73 yards. I was using the now discontinued Speer 146gr SJHP and had no issues with tracking, one shot DRT.

I have since moved on to using the Oregon Trail 158gr FPRN. It sports a wide flat nose which does it's job very well. I have taken several feral hogs using this bullet loaded to around 1600fps, and experienced no noticeable leading to speak of. If it's there I haven't had any issues with it and it shoots very good out to 75yds.

As for my general carry revolver, it's a Redhawk in 41 magnum, and it has several hogs to it's credit but only one deer to date. I wouldn't hesitate if the situation presented it's self and conditions were right out to 75yds with it. In showing a friend the difference in one crimp verses the one I generally use, here is the difference in groups at 40yds off hand, easier to see if you click the pic.


With the .357, you can load cheaper and shoot more for practice and not leave with a sore hand or wrist as with some of the other calibers. They are actually fun to shoot. My daughter and wife have taken both of mine over so, now I simply load for them to shoot. I do however sneak one out evey once in a while just to play with the piggies.

Good luck with your's, and if you want to upgrade the sights, you might look up these on the Ruger website under the Redhawk parts, Part # GBVR and order a set. They should fit right in, and allow a very fine sight picture for hunting. However they do get a bit hard to see in lower light situations. I have however seen many better deer moving during the mid morning to mid day hours as well. I have a set for both of mine, and also use some from this link as well,
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16337&title=FIRE%20SIGHTS

 

[doublebarrel12]

I hunt in an exact location of which you speak! It is almost ridiculously thick but crawling with deer. Most of the deer walk directly below me or no more than 30 yards away on the 2 trails you can make a shot at from my stand. I took a lever action .44 mag my first trip but decided my pistol was alot lighter and just as effective. I use an 8in barreled 45 long colt with iron sights at my present lease and took a nice 9 point at about 25 yards. Just make sure you don't buy that funky cowboy action ammo in whatever wheelgun you shoot!! Sure most rifles are more accurate at distance than most pistols, they don't carry to my stand the same though. Gotta love the Texas foliage and briars!!

 

[libertyfirst]

My hunting handgun is a Smith & Wesson 1917 45 auto rim that was originally a
military issue gun in Brazil. I have a 1 1/2 power scope setting on the top. I use hard cast 215 grain bullets and have an exit velocity of 900 fps. When I do my part from the bench this handgun will do 1 1/2" at 50 yards. I have never lost a game animal with this combination. I've only shot 2 deer with this piece. One went down after about 30 yards. The other. went about 90 yards on a dead run. The blood trail was tremendous. It's very hard to find brass for this cartridge and I hate the half moon clips.

 

[MCgunner]

They got deer in Llano? Hell, i thought them was jackalopes.

 

[kanook]

My hunting handgun is a Smith & Wesson 1917 45 auto rim that was originally a
military issue gun in Brazil. I have a 1 1/2 power scope setting on the top.

post pictures of this please.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I used a 6in GP-100 this past fall and it worked wonderfully with the Buffalo Bore 180 grn hardcast load.

As for hitting a beer can at 100 yards, I haven't tried, but I think I could do it. Provided, of course, that my beer can is a quarter barrel.

 

[jbkebert]

As for hitting a beer can at 100 yards, I haven't tried, but I think I could do it. Provided, of course, that my beer can is a quarter barrel.

I am going to give it a try this weekend. I can assure you that if i pull it off. I will be posting the feat on the miracle shots thread.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I am going to give it a try this weekend. I can assure you that if i pull it off. I will be posting the feat on the miracle shots thread.

Note that I made no representation on how many shots it would take.

 

[jbkebert]

Me neither I think I'll give it 12 rounds with a big ole peice of cardboard behind so I can see where I am hitting. If I can't do it with two full cylinders I should quit wasting my ammo. I'd try one handed with that scoped encore but I think you would need to have the arms of popeye to hold it that still one handed.