What Handgun for hunting deer?

[horsemen61]

Hello all,

I live and Hunt in the Great state of Missouri! Well we have here what’s called “Alternative Season” Coming up it used to be Muzzleloader Season but they have opened up the regs some in the past few years so my question is this IF you were going out to Find/buy/build a Pistol for Whitetail deer with shots ranging from 10 feet to 100 yards* What would you chose? Also I really want a scope I always do better with them


For me right now I am thinking a G2 Contender in 6.5 Grendel with a 15 inch barrel yes it’ll be a custom barrel I handload for this round already and I’ve seen what the 100 grain ttsx will do to deer so I’m confident in it

* I have a bog Tripod that has a clamp at the top so I could potentially clamp this down but at the bare minimum I will be using it as a rest so no offhand shots here I won’t take that shot with a pistol


So I ask what Say You?

Mods please move if you think it fits better elsewhere

 

[mcb]

I am sort of a revolver guy, S&W 610, pushing a 40 caliber 200gr XTP @ ~1250 fps did just fine for me.

 

[horsemen61]

I am sort of a revolver gun, S&W 610, pushing a 40 caliber 200gr XTP @ ~1250 fps did just fine for me.

Nicely done! How far were the shots?

 

[mcb]

Nicely done! How far were the shots?

First was nearly 20 yards, second one 25 yards maybe a bit further.

 

[EMC45]

First was nearly 20 yards, second one 25 yards maybe a bit further.

Looks like with Iron Sights too.

 

[pbearperry]

The .44 mag shooting a 240 gr SWC at 1240 fps worked like a charm for me for many years. In one side out the other every time.

 

[mcb]

Looks like with Iron Sights too.

Yes, iron sights and double action.

 

[misser]

you will be happier if you chose a cartridge with a rimmed brass

 

[crestoncowboy]

I have used a 44 mag from Smith, or Ruger normally. Usually a Da revolver but ive used single actions too. Ive used the X frame smiths a lot. Ive used 454 and 45 colt a bit too,, both DA revolvers from Taurus and Ruger and single action freedom arms . And ive used 10mm from Colt, d&d, Glock and sig on deer. Some years I just carry one all year. Some I get in the mood to carry different ones. The last couple years I had carried 44 and just killed meat does and young bucks. Ive lost any desire to hunt....but this year I actually started taking my daughter hunting instead of actually hunting myself. Was a change. She asked to go so we went. I also hunted out of a stand rather than stalking like I always have in any season other than archery. Mostly because that child couldn't sneak up on a deaf blind deer with no sniffer. Lol. Since I was in a stand I drug out the fa 454 and the 460. Heavy beasts but not an issue in a stand. I also learned that im a bit of a weenie in a tree stand in cold weather and I got cold. Lol. I now own battery powered insoles, boggin, and gloves. Lol. Very nice

For 0-100 yards I like the 44 mag. If im hunting in tighter areas I like the 10mm. If I KNOW ill be shooting over 50 or so ill take the 44 but I can use the 10 farther than 50 if needed. If im in open areas the 460 is what I use but its heavy and stupid loud too.

Granted I'm in the woods with large whitetail and smallish Black bear. Not huge creatures. For practical handgun (real handgun, not my contender with a scope) distances the 10mm/357 is perfectly capable on anything here. Ive put down many a beef and a few maimed horses with the 10mm. It has the potential out as far as you can hit with it. I step up for range purposes. The 460 is a VERY flat shooting handgun.

I have scoped handguns many times. I hate them. Lol. Ive used them from a 22/45 scoped on squirrel to the 460 scoped. I ALWAYS hate it. Lol. They work but I get into "might as well carry a rifle". I even bought a 10mm with a red dot last year and used it some. The red dot is in the "holster drawer of shame" as we speak. Lol. If it ever comes out it will go on a rifle most likely. One bad thing about the red dot was unless you use a flap holster, the snow piles up on the sight. Lol. You get a wall of snow when you aim . Another was my natural grip was thrown off. Seemed like I was having to cant the gun to get my sight picture. I'm sure that would have went away with time, but then id be changing my draw for my competition guns without optics. Lol. If you like them then go for it. Ive tried many times. Still don't like them

 

[crestoncowboy]

The .44 mag shooting a 240 gr SWC at 1240 fps worked like a charm for me for many years. In one side out the other every time.

Ive used many swc too in 44 and 45. Never had an issue.. I usually use the xtp though. In all three sizes. 45 xtp mag in 300 or 250/240 grain. I prefer the lighter one. (Cant remember if its 240 or 250 grain. The "mag" version is one and the 45 colt version I practice with is the other) , in 44 I use the 240 grain but have used the 300. Didnt think the lost velocity was worth the difference on puny whitetail, and 10mm I use the 200 normally but seen very little difference in real world white tail hunting in the 180.

I generally use win 296 with the 44 and 460 and blue dot with the 10.

The xtp is such a sorry expanding hollow point that I think it's perfect for deer. It retains weight and penetrates great, as well as a jsp in my experience Lol. Accurate and consistent too.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Had a 500 S&W, 460…. Dropped down to a 610-2 then back up to a 29-2 and 629-4 in 44 magnum. I’ve got a Xp 100 in 35 Remington. Had a Contender in 375win and 35 rem, yet parted with it.

Last week with open sights, at 95 yards I was hitting orange Clay pigeons with the 29-2 and a middle of the road Reload…. 240 cast. A scope helps past one hundred yards, Yet is a hindrance to carry. The 44 mag is excellent and I think is what the normal average guy can still shoot accurately. I’m moving into the 45 colt territory, yet at slow and low speeds.

Handgun hunting is awesome. My Favorite part is being able to walk thru woods and climb hills with ease… since no long Gun to haul.

Nothing better than Just a Knife & Handgun… to go hunting

 

[CraigC]

I think the Super Redhawk is perhaps the best bang for the buck in a dedicated hunting revolver available today. People like to judge them by their looks without looking for what beauty lies beneath. I prefer the optic mounted over the frame, rather than the barrel, with the ability to keep the iron sights. Grip options are also better than the Redhawk. With such a strong .44Mag, you're set for anything up to Cape buffalo.



They are also superbly accurate. The sixgun above does this with everything I've fed it, groups in the half inch range at 25yds.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Forgot, Had a Redhawk 5.5” 44 mag. It had a action job and would shoot almost Max charges with ease. Yet it was a boat anchor. Quality Handgun to sale the least….. Yet I’ll stay with my Smith. Don’t need to shoot Max charges of anything. I can see how people like them,Tough guns! Brian Pierce did a interesting article that included loading the Xtps out further in the cylinder.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Forgot, Had a Redhawk 5.5” 44 mag. It had a action job and would shoot almost Max charges with ease. Yet it was a boat anchor. Quality Handgun to sale the least….. Yet I’ll stay with my Smith. Don’t need to shoot Max charges of anything. I can see how people like them,Tough guns! Brian Pierce did a interesting article that included loading the Xtps out further in the cylinder.

My first handgun for hunting was a Redhawk. Was my first non-rimfire handgun too. Bought it new for under 400 bucks around 2002ish I went to buy a Blackhawk but the Blackhawk was over 500 and the redhawk was clearanced. Lol. I couldn't afford to look at a Smith or colt.... had a wife in college. Back when you actually paid for college....


I've bought many since then but that redhawk still shoots as well as anything I have from FA, the prancing pony or the performance shop. Lol. Crude and heavy no doubt. But max loads of 296 haven't bothered it at all. I dont carry it much anymore . Pretty heavy and blued ones are hard to find.

Its getting to the point that blued anything is hard to find. Dern shame.

Pardon the homely Smith. It just happened to be in the only picture I had of my redhawk.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I don't have a 44 mag but I think that would be my choice for hunting deer to 100 yds. I've never had a scope on a revolver but I have a Vortex red dot on my 625. I've often considered buying a S&W 629 now that I'm set up to load 44 mag. In my research I found that -4 and beyond have drilled and tapped top straps to accommodate red dots and scopes. Seems most of the full lug Classic models are also DT'd. There are several companies that make adaptors for red dots that replace the sight bar on S&W revolvers. Alchin is one of those companies. A red dot improved my shooting tremendously because my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. I haven't shot my 625 at 100 yds but 50 is a walk in the park now. 45 ACP is a little weak for 100 yds anyway.

 

[EMC45]

Yes, iron sights and double action.

Too right! Way to go!

 

[Lnf Crzr]

It’s amazing what some of these Revolvers can do at 100 yards with open sights. Truly shows how the instruments are so well made. My vision isn’t exactly great, Yet my Glasses are. With a bench I can hold a Softball size group at 100 yards. I’ll wait to install a scope on my tapped 629-4 until I need it. I’m confident with a steady rest, These magnum power firearms can certainly deal out the goods at 125yards. Beyond that, Trajectory becomes to great for accurately placing the projectile. A scope can help, yet defeats the Purpose of a easy to carry handgun. Guess it depends on few conditions.

 

[Hangingrock]

Deer are not that difficult to put down if you place your shots correctly.

 

[crestoncowboy]

These magnum power firearms can certainly deal out the goods at 125yards.

According to Smiths literature about the 460 at its release the 460 lined just high at 100 is only 7 inches low at 250. So a 250 round hold is still on the animal. Its insane.

Of course that was using their flextip 200 grain bullet IIRC. I didn't care for it. Recoil with the 200gr bullet was well under a 4 inch 44 mag though

 

[Zebraranger]

I use to hunt hogs with this 44 mag Ruger Super Redhawk with the 9.5" barrel, I've taken a couple of deer with it over the years also. It use to be scoped, but since I dont really hunt anymore, I took it off.
Its an old gun (1988) that shows its well used, but its still rock solid and functions as well as it ever has.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

My 454 Encore is the ticket for me that's at 100 yards

 

[Anchorite]

My 454 Encore is the ticket for me that's at 100 yards

Do you use 45 Colt loads in it or 454s?

 

[Anchorite]

The .44 mag shooting a 240 gr SWC at 1240 fps worked like a charm for me for many years. In one side out the other every time.

This…… for any game in the lower 48 it’s a solid choice.

 

[tarosean]

I used a 10" super Blackhawk in 44mag for years before switching to Bows. I passed it to the next generation, wife's nephew, recently so I hope he will continue the tradition