Handgun deer hunting

[Ridgeraider]

I've been deer hunting since I was 10 and have taken deer with a bow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle. I started thinking last year about handgun hunting so this summer I bout a S&W .460xvr and topped it with a Lepold 2.5x8x32. So far I've started out with the Hornady 200gr fxt and I'm impressed with the way they shoot but I also bought the hornady 240gr xtp/mag bullets for reloading. The reason I went with the .460 is the versatility, it'll shoot .45LC, .454 Casull also which both are very capable of taking down a deer and the .460 reportedly will take deer beyond 200 yards which I don't plan on any shots over 70 yards. How many of you deer hunt with handguns and what setup do you have and what tips would you give.

Thanks

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

dang how the kick with it?

I used to hunt with a 45lc but was never able to get a shot on one.

 

[Deer Assassin]

smith model 19 357 mag





ole girl field dressed 125
shot 45 yds open sights

 

[Grill-n-man]

I've not been lucky enough to take a deer with just a pistol yet, but have put follow up shots on them with a 44mag, 357mag, a 50 cal and 44 cal blackpowder pistol and can tell you the only reason for that to be possible was practice and more practice. Shooting from a bag/rest is good for sight in but if you are going to shoot off sticks, tree limb, freehand then practice how you would shoot while hunting. Since you got the 460 get some 45 colts. The low recoil will help with getting use to the trigger and getting back on target. The 454, well it sure will get you to notice how important a good grip is when controlling recoil. Hunting with a pistol is a lot of fun and challenging and knowing your, the gun's, and the load's limits is very important. But practice and more practice is the only sure fire way to know the gun. Good luck this season with it, it's fun.

 

[TraumaSlave]

I took a doe a few years back with my Taurus Raging Bull .44 mag. Was only about 30 yrds but she dropped where she stood. Don't have a scope in it so, if it's gun season I have my rifle most of the time.

 

[Matador]

Ive took a couple of does with a 10 inch Contender in 7x30 Waters.

 

[348Winchester]

Like others have said, practice is the key. The 45 colt has worked well for me for the past 25 years. The 44 special has also done the trick. Both guns used were Ruger Blackhawks.

 

[treefarmer]

Love the .357, as you can shoot the milder .38 special all day practicing with that gun.

 

[Mid-Tenn]

TC Contender here.
10" 7mm TCU and a 14" .35 Rem with a 4x Leupold.

 

[megalomaniac]

I'll occasionally hunt with a 7-08 encore pistol... it's nice for a change, and more than capable out to 200 yards with a good rest.

 

[Bone Collector]

I just started doing it last year, and did it rarely. I never got a shot at one. I do not have a scope on my handgun, but my FIL gave a .44 Mag and I know it is capable. However I will not shoot past 20-25 yds, due to my capabilities. I more or less take it and have a rifle. IF the deer come in close, my plan is to use that, instead of a rifle.

 

[Ridgeraider]

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to it but I'll probably do like Bone Collector and take it along with my rifle and if it gets close enough that I'm comfortable taking it with the pistol I'll use it, if not I'll just use the rifle at least until I get more experienced as a handgun hunter. I took a 9 point last year at about 20 yards, if I get blessed enough to get that close this year I may get my first with a handgun.

 

[TLRanger]

I hunt with a S&W model 29, 44mag, 8 3/8 inch barrel. Have killed several with it up to 80 yards. Don't like to shoot past 50 yards but if I have a good rest, will shoot longer. Here is my best buck with the 44 mag, about a 75 yard shot.

 

[Hunter0678]

I finished a buck one time with a .40 cal glock and a hydrashock, I was not impressed with it, im looking into a 10mm as I have a .44mag that I know will do the trick but is so dang heavy to carry.

 

[walker]

I started taking a s&w 10mm.with a 6.5 in barrel or a s&w 41 mag with me the last couple of years but haven't gotten within range to try it out yet but I would love to get one with a pistol!

 

[6-pak]

I have taken a number of deer with .44mag 300gr Federal cast core bullet in a Ruger 7.5 " Blackhawk.
I found that a quality red dot with a very small dot to be better than a magnified scope.
The revolver is always with me in a chest holster b/c I do not shoot a deer under 50 yards with a rifle n scope.

 

[jejeffrries71]

Once, years ago. A smaller one at 15 yards. .357 blew through it and blood was everywhere. That pretty much decided me that this is my defensive round of choice.

 

[huntforme7909]

ruger super red hawk 44 mag.....never had a shot with it but its topped with a red dot and I feel very comfortable with it at 50 yards....I have shot it numerous times out to 100 with a rest but I wouldn't chance it on a deer without the same rest and a wide open shot....

 

[Crosshairy]

Killed a big doe at 30 yards with my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in 44 mag with a red dot on top.

A shooting stick will be your friend. Make sure to practice some with the hunting rounds, and not only with light loads, as it an change the point of impact.

 

[mjac]

Contender, 10"- 7 TCU and 14"- 7 x 30 Waters each topped with a Leapold EER 2x and fitted with a Just Sling It.
http://www.strattoncustom.com/Slings/

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