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Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
460 for me,
Obturation
Member
Like cars, boats and bikes you will likely want more power shortly after you feel comfortable with whatever you choose, thats how i am at least. 44 mag would be fine, like others said 45 colt is great but anything over that makes factory ammo harder to come by (cheap) and pretty much requires you to load.
I dont think you would go wrong with a 357 mag (5.5" redhawk, 8 shot 357) or a 686 or gp100 or any number of others. But if another hunting gun is not an option, get one more powerful than you think you need. Im a bit biased but a 454 casull can be very mildly loaded all the way up to more than most care for.
I dont think you would go wrong with a 357 mag (5.5" redhawk, 8 shot 357) or a 686 or gp100 or any number of others. But if another hunting gun is not an option, get one more powerful than you think you need. Im a bit biased but a 454 casull can be very mildly loaded all the way up to more than most care for.
WrongHanded
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Yep! With .44 mag alone, I've paid for my reloading gear more than once with the "savings". And I've only been reloading for a few years.
And now I'm at a point where I'm going to try Elk hunting with a 5.5" barreled Redhawk with iron sights. The gun was originally bought for woods defense, and it's not optimal for this task of hunting. Were I to go buy a. 44 hunting revolver today, it would have a longer barrel, and be compatible with a low powered scope, with a lighter SA trigger than I get from this Redhawk.
I have what I have for this year. And due to my own personal limitations with this particular revolver, I don't have high hopes for success, as I'm not willing to shoot beyond my limitations and hope I get lucky. But next year I will be purchasing a more appropriate revolver, scoping it, and working up a load for it.
Logwood
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- Joined
- Jul 18, 2019
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- 80
I've killed three hogs with my Ruger Bisley BH .45 Colt using heavy Buffalo-Bore loads. All three died pretty much instantly on the spot they were hit. I also like the .44 magnum, but my curret S&W 629 has a 4" barrel - a bit too limiting for hunting (at least, for me).
xphunter
Member
357 Mag and 44 Mag are my two typical choices for deer and antelope. I have taken deer and antelope with the 357 Magnum. 158's are my bullet weight choice, and the 240 Sierra or XTP for the 44 Mag.
I am comfortable hunting with both beyond 100 yards.
I am comfortable hunting with both beyond 100 yards.
35 Whelen
Member
I've been using handguns for deer and hogs now pretty much exclusively now for the last six years. Although I have semi-auto's, I personally don't like them for precision shooting at long range. To me the grip shape just doesn't lend itself well. During the last six year period there was a couple of instances where I used a .357 carbine, once on a hog, another on a doe, and I wasn't impressed with how it worked.
Most of my kills have been with a handloaded single action .44 Special, although one year I used a 5 1/2" Uberti Bisley 45 Colt to take a buck and a javelina. Ranges have been as close as 12 yards and as far as 50. My preference is a 255-265 gr. cast SWC running 950-1000 fps, although last year I did try one of my cast 243 gr. SWCHP's running a little over 1100 fps out of one of my .44 Specials. At 38 yds. it was a "Bang, flop" type of thing. With the solid SWC's I've never lost a single animal and penetration is phenomenal. Even loafing along at around 950 fps, a SWC does substantial damage. This is the shoulder of a buck I shot that was somewhere around 50 yds. away with such a bullet, impact velocity was probably 925 fps-
If you're not a handloader, I'd unhesitantly choose the .44 Magnum and stick with "standard" loads which are 240-ish gr. jacketed bullets advertised at a little under 1200 fps. HSM is the only company of which I'm aware that offers a SWC load that's under 1200 fps, the rest are going to be JHP's or JSP's.
Whatever you decide to use, it's takes lots of practice to make reliable hits at 50 yds. and beyond.
Good luck!
35W
Most of my kills have been with a handloaded single action .44 Special, although one year I used a 5 1/2" Uberti Bisley 45 Colt to take a buck and a javelina. Ranges have been as close as 12 yards and as far as 50. My preference is a 255-265 gr. cast SWC running 950-1000 fps, although last year I did try one of my cast 243 gr. SWCHP's running a little over 1100 fps out of one of my .44 Specials. At 38 yds. it was a "Bang, flop" type of thing. With the solid SWC's I've never lost a single animal and penetration is phenomenal. Even loafing along at around 950 fps, a SWC does substantial damage. This is the shoulder of a buck I shot that was somewhere around 50 yds. away with such a bullet, impact velocity was probably 925 fps-
If you're not a handloader, I'd unhesitantly choose the .44 Magnum and stick with "standard" loads which are 240-ish gr. jacketed bullets advertised at a little under 1200 fps. HSM is the only company of which I'm aware that offers a SWC load that's under 1200 fps, the rest are going to be JHP's or JSP's.
Whatever you decide to use, it's takes lots of practice to make reliable hits at 50 yds. and beyond.
Good luck!
35W
xphunter
Member
What bullet didi you use for the 357?
35 Whelen
Member
Hog, a home-cast 162 gr RNFP hollowpoint.
It worked OK, but I think a larger bullet would've put her down faster.
The other was the same bullet with a smaller HP weighing 172 grs.
35W
It worked OK, but I think a larger bullet would've put her down faster.
The other was the same bullet with a smaller HP weighing 172 grs.
35W
Of the three calibers listed, .44 Mag would be my first choice hands down. It is not saddled with the limitations of either of the other two. Keep in mind that you can load it up or down depending on need and tolerance to recoil. If you do not handload, there is no revolver round in existence with more factory ammo options than the ubiquitous .44 Magnum. The other choices will work, but I prefer the margin of error provided with the bigger caliber -- this doesn't mean shot placement isn’t as important. Barrel length is a matter of preference. Most folks shoot longer barreled revolvers with open sights better due to the longer sight radius. Longer barrels however do NOT mean greater accuracy, though you might shoot the longer barreled gun better.
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He's only hunting deer and hogs...
Flintknapper
Member
Definitely PASS on this....if the performance I've seen on hogs is any indicator. I had a 'pen' trap full of 8 hogs (all about 150 lbs.) I shot all 8 similarly (square through both shoulders) and the Critical Duty stuff (from my .45acp) just zipped right through them. Took 3 of them several minutes to bleed out...all the while running around the pen. The others were doing the same thing only I put them down with a second 'neck' shot.
Next group...I had some just plain old Winchester defense loads and that stuff (same shot placement) put the hogs down right where they stood. IF you need to shoot through a door, windshield, barrier...then yes Hornady Critical Duty may be the ticket, but NOT animals.
Flintknapper
Member
^^^^
Agree with this. Years ago 'pistol' hunting and Bow hunting were the only methods I used. I've shot a boatload of whitetail with the .44 mag. Tried several shots with .357 mag and have killed a few with my .45acp
44 Mag is the way to go. 10mm would be acceptable but I'd skip over the .357 for sure.
Choctaw
Member
Milt, I handgun hunt primarily with a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt. I have hunted with this cartridge for four decades and it has never let me down.
The Evangelist Cowboy
Member
Get the 44 mag. You don't need Thor's Hammer, Zeus' lightning bolt, Or (and mainly) Jesus calming the storm here, I load my .44 spl brass with a 250 gr pill at around 900-1000 fps. I have taken both hogs and deer with them. If I was going for something bigger the mag cartridge will work better but for your game choice the .44 spl and even the .45 Colt will work well.
22-rimfire
Member
My first Colt Python (357) was primarily purchased for possible handgun hunting in the late 70's. It was my highest powered revolver at the time. For some reason, I never could shoot it very well and eventually sold it. I think it was ME and not the gun as I really wasn't very tolerant of much recoil.
I did a lot of reading of articles by the handgun hunters and came to the conclusion that 357 is too small. A deer isn't a man. Sure it will kill them (so will a 22), but I like to be a bit more certain and to do it relatively quickly. Went to a 8 3/8" M57 Smith (41 mag) with iron sights for a couple years. It is plenty of gun. I was intent on getting proficient with the 41 mag and shot a lot. Hitting pop cans at 100 yds was not a big stretch. It is an amazing caliber. I own four 41 mag revolvers now.
But I was getting interested in a scoped handgun at that point and opted for the 480 Ruger in a Super Redhawk because I didn't want to drill my M57 for mounts. At first, that gun punished me, but I got used to it somewhat. After shooting it for a couple years, I liked the caliber for deer as it gave me a bit more oomph to put them down with a front shoulder hit. As much as we like to think we're a good shot with a handgun, moving 6 inches on a deer's shoulders can make a huge difference. I purchased a BFR in 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh and it was much easier to shoot than the SRH. It has a red dot on it. I have few illusions of shooting beyond 100 yds with a handgun unless it was to put down a wounded deer. So, I recommend that you go larger than 357/10mm/45 acp for the sake of getting humane kills and only taking shots you are comfortable making.
I highly recommend the BFR in a capable caliber for big game hunting.
45 Colt is good. 41 mag and 44 mag are good. I highly recommend the 480 Ruger for deer hunting and it is big enough for other big game too. Penetration is like 5 feet with hard cast bullets. I didn't use hard cast bullets for deer. I saw no point at the time.
Going much bigger like the 454 C or 500 S&W is up to you. I am thinking power not bullet diameter on this. 454's hurt. Okay on the X frame Smiths....
What's good enough? Hitting a 6" pie plate at whatever maximum range you are comfortable with.... pretty consistently.
If you live in an area where you can hunt wood chucks, use whatever gun you would choose for deer. It is great practice for distance and effect.
Don't worry about single action vs double action relative to shooting quickly. It is pretty much a one shot deal with deer. Hogs can be a little different.
If you feel the recoil on a 357 mag is stout, choose one caliber (or power level) up for hunting > 45, 41 or 44 mag. Getting used to or comfortable with recoil is a step thing. Don't just plunge into a 454 Casull and expect to be comfortable shooting hot loads in it if all you're used to is a 357 mag. You won't like it.
I did a lot of reading of articles by the handgun hunters and came to the conclusion that 357 is too small. A deer isn't a man. Sure it will kill them (so will a 22), but I like to be a bit more certain and to do it relatively quickly. Went to a 8 3/8" M57 Smith (41 mag) with iron sights for a couple years. It is plenty of gun. I was intent on getting proficient with the 41 mag and shot a lot. Hitting pop cans at 100 yds was not a big stretch. It is an amazing caliber. I own four 41 mag revolvers now.
But I was getting interested in a scoped handgun at that point and opted for the 480 Ruger in a Super Redhawk because I didn't want to drill my M57 for mounts. At first, that gun punished me, but I got used to it somewhat. After shooting it for a couple years, I liked the caliber for deer as it gave me a bit more oomph to put them down with a front shoulder hit. As much as we like to think we're a good shot with a handgun, moving 6 inches on a deer's shoulders can make a huge difference. I purchased a BFR in 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh and it was much easier to shoot than the SRH. It has a red dot on it. I have few illusions of shooting beyond 100 yds with a handgun unless it was to put down a wounded deer. So, I recommend that you go larger than 357/10mm/45 acp for the sake of getting humane kills and only taking shots you are comfortable making.
I highly recommend the BFR in a capable caliber for big game hunting.
45 Colt is good. 41 mag and 44 mag are good. I highly recommend the 480 Ruger for deer hunting and it is big enough for other big game too. Penetration is like 5 feet with hard cast bullets. I didn't use hard cast bullets for deer. I saw no point at the time.
Going much bigger like the 454 C or 500 S&W is up to you. I am thinking power not bullet diameter on this. 454's hurt. Okay on the X frame Smiths....
What's good enough? Hitting a 6" pie plate at whatever maximum range you are comfortable with.... pretty consistently.
If you live in an area where you can hunt wood chucks, use whatever gun you would choose for deer. It is great practice for distance and effect.
Don't worry about single action vs double action relative to shooting quickly. It is pretty much a one shot deal with deer. Hogs can be a little different.
If you feel the recoil on a 357 mag is stout, choose one caliber (or power level) up for hunting > 45, 41 or 44 mag. Getting used to or comfortable with recoil is a step thing. Don't just plunge into a 454 Casull and expect to be comfortable shooting hot loads in it if all you're used to is a 357 mag. You won't like it.
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Surprising isn't it that there aren't more traditionalist hunting with the .45 Colt. I love the history of the cartridge and it's an eye opener to compare the .45 Colt to a .44 Magnum regarding case length. I'm reminded of the old saying "there's nothing new under the sun".
I prefer the .45 Colt in modern form over the .44 Mag, but that said, if you get separated from your ammo en route to a hunt, you will likely be able to find .44 Mag ammo of sufficient quality loooooong before your find .45 Colt that isn't cowboy action level.
22-rimfire
Member
I don't recommend practicing with powder puff loads from your "deer handgun". By the time you choose to hunt deer with a handgun, most of the typical issues that are problematic should have been resolved with lesser calibers. I shoot 22's to lean the basics in a full sized handgun.
Wear a shooting glove. Makes a difference.
Use binoculars when handgun hunting for bigger game. If nothing else it helps keep the boredom down when you aren't seeing game.
Wear a shooting glove. Makes a difference.
Use binoculars when handgun hunting for bigger game. If nothing else it helps keep the boredom down when you aren't seeing game.
22-rimfire
Member
A monopod is a handy thing to have with you handgun hunting. You can use it as a walking stick if you like. Tripods are more stable, but unless you're hunting some field and already set up, they are clumsy. They of course work in Africa but that is a different ball game.
The 10mm is an excellent defensive round for bears. But not a good hunting caliber. Really large or dangerous game is where hard cast bullets are needed.
Buy Max Prasac's books on big bores. He knows what he's talking about.
The 10mm is an excellent defensive round for bears. But not a good hunting caliber. Really large or dangerous game is where hard cast bullets are needed.
Buy Max Prasac's books on big bores. He knows what he's talking about.
Choctaw
Member
Well, I think what turns many people off of the Colt 45 cartridge is it's rather anemic performance in much of the available over-the-counter ammo. However, that big lead slug traveling at even modest speeds will put some smack down on critters. But this round is really reloaders dream.
Can't find exactly what I want in a walking/shooting stick. But that's a subject for another thread.
I watched one of the gun shows that did a special hog hunt with 10mm. I was less than impressed with the kills. I think all kills required multiple shots. If it's a revolver, I'll stick with .44mag.
jmorris
Member
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- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,210
My 7mm BR XP100 has been my first choice for a little over 20 years now. It’s more accurate than most out of the box rifles and has always dropped them with effectively with partitions.
Contenders #2 and a number of different caliber revolvers follow.
Contenders #2 and a number of different caliber revolvers follow.
When I was in college, many of my friends were seriously into archery. They regaled me with stories of the hunts, and the ones they "stuck good" but never found. I decided that stalking to close range shots was a great idea, but I opted for a .44Mag SBH, which shortly turned into a Redhawk in 1984 because wounding game and losing it is not good sport.
I reloaded and practiced A LOT with mild 180 JHPs at around 11-1200 fps. My hunting rounds have always been Hornady 200 XTP's at 15-1600 fps. I've killed many, many critters, and close to 20 Texas whitetail 1-shot bang-flops at distances from 5-60 yards, iron sight. I aim for heart or neck and they don't run.
The only larger game I've taken with the same loads that I felt a little under-gunned were a W. Texas muley (200# -2 shots at about 50 yards) and a 300#+ W Texas Aoudad that a friend hit with in the back with a .28 Nosler at 550 yards. We climbed to retrieve it and when we located it, it tried to get away. I hit it with 4 shots at under 5 yards - shoulder, chest and neck (because it kept getting up) and we too tired to chase it any more! We were caping the ram and my friend reached under the shoulder hide and said "catch!" He tossed me the slug that hit the shoulder bone - knocking him down of course - and stopped under the skin (see below). I would recommend hard-cast or JSP in the 260-300gn range for large hogs, mule deer, black bear, etc.
Forget about .357 or 10mm as a serious hunting round. .44 has unquestioned lethality and the distinct advantage of being available off the shelf virtually anywhere you may go - and that's something that many people don't think enough about.
I reloaded and practiced A LOT with mild 180 JHPs at around 11-1200 fps. My hunting rounds have always been Hornady 200 XTP's at 15-1600 fps. I've killed many, many critters, and close to 20 Texas whitetail 1-shot bang-flops at distances from 5-60 yards, iron sight. I aim for heart or neck and they don't run.
The only larger game I've taken with the same loads that I felt a little under-gunned were a W. Texas muley (200# -2 shots at about 50 yards) and a 300#+ W Texas Aoudad that a friend hit with in the back with a .28 Nosler at 550 yards. We climbed to retrieve it and when we located it, it tried to get away. I hit it with 4 shots at under 5 yards - shoulder, chest and neck (because it kept getting up) and we too tired to chase it any more! We were caping the ram and my friend reached under the shoulder hide and said "catch!" He tossed me the slug that hit the shoulder bone - knocking him down of course - and stopped under the skin (see below). I would recommend hard-cast or JSP in the 260-300gn range for large hogs, mule deer, black bear, etc.
Forget about .357 or 10mm as a serious hunting round. .44 has unquestioned lethality and the distinct advantage of being available off the shelf virtually anywhere you may go - and that's something that many people don't think enough about.
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