Swamphunter Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 I am interested in purchasing a handgun for hunting deer in the area that I am in. Was wondering what your recommendations are. I am looking for probably a revolver with a scope, but not dead set on it. I have absolutely ZERO experience hunting deer with a handgun, although I am very familiar with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Decision depends on the following: 1. restrictions in your state 2. How much you want to spend 3. Do you Hand load? Assuming you want to stick with a revolver and its your first hunting revolver I would go with the 44 mag. There are a multitude of componenets and variables available. Ruger, Smith and Tarus make some great revolvers. While I tend to lean toward Smith and Wesson, the Rugers are the heaviest built gun. Rugers can usually be purchased cheaper and the deer hunting models come with an intergrated ring mounting system on top. They also throw in the rings for free! I hae owned a couple of Ruger Redhawk (double action) and blackhawk (single action) revolvers over the years. They all were accurate enough for hunting out to 100 yards. If it were my first purchase, a hunter model Redhawk would be my recommedation. I then would purchase a Burris or Leupold 2X or 4X (personal preference) fixed power scope. There are others, but I have found these to hold up the best. I have a fixed 2X leupold on a 475 wildey mag and it has performed flawlessly. Go to Smith and Wessons web site and Rugers to take a look. I'm sure some other guys my help you out on this as well. If you want to start out with the ultimate revolver try a Smith and Wesson 460 mag (performance center) topped with a Leupold 2x-7x matching scope. Loaded with 200 gr Hordany rounds, its hunting accuracy is acceptable to around 200 yards! Its a cannon, but it shoots very well with very little recoil (unlike the SW500). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IAbooner Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting I have the Ruger Super Redhawk 44. mag. with a 2x Burris scope. I did have a Taurus 44. but could not get scope rings for it. The difference in the two guns was evident right out of the box. The Ruger won hands down as far as I was concerned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Since your asking about revolvers Id have to agree with these guys. Ruger or S&W in something at or over .44 cal. >357 is a bit light for deer believe it or not. It can be used but it runs right around minimum for a deer caliber. I was shocked with this when told as well. I have a ruger 357 black hawk and was told an ammo to use but forget what it was. Handgunnr can tell ya if you have a 357.... Good Luck and welcome. Oh BTW look at the T/C contender or encore lines too. Pricey but worth every penny IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting I would totally agree the 357 mag is light at best. Pistol bullets, muzzleloader projectiles and shotgun slugs make poor ballistic projectiles. Foot pounds of energy are vitally important from the start. It is recommended that you choose a load that provides a minimum of 500 foot pounds of energy at 100 yards. This would put the 41 mag at a minimum. Even the mighty 44 mag drops off drastically at 100 yards. A hot Load with a 240 grain slug can produce 1350 foot pounds at the muzzle yet drop to 600 at 100 yards. This information can be found in the back of most reloading manuals. Even if you don't reload, they provide a wealth of knowledge. I obtained this information from the Fifth edition of Nosler's reloading guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted January 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Thanks guys...some helpful information for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted January 6, 2007 Report Share Posted January 6, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Swampy, I use a Taurus Raging Bull .44. I love this gun, it shoots great. I put a Bushnell Elite 3200 scope on it with Taurus mounts and it has served me well. I'll get you pics if you would like to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tecumseh Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting 480 Ruger Super Red Hawk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowana Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Now there is one that I have not heard for a while. This is really a great cartridge. The 480 is a nice hunting round and pretty pleasant to shoot. That Redhawk is a nice platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rad_112176 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting Has anyone shot the S&W 50 cal pistol? I haven't heard of anyone that has shot it yet, but they say it will kick the same as my 44. Just wondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HEYMO Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Re: Handgun for Deer Hunting if tour talkingabout the 500 smith i have shot it and i can handle about 4 rounds it kicks about twice as hard as the 44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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