Handguns for Deer Hunting

Posted At : May 16, 2012 9:01 AM | Posted By : Mike Hanback
Related Categories: Big Deer Blog

Hey Mike: Here in Illinois we have a late season that was originally a pistol-only season for antlerless deer. Now the late season is open to shotgun, muzzleloaders and handguns, but our regular shotgun season in November has also allowed pistols.

Once upon a time long-barreled large caliber revolvers were a highly prized commodity around here, and I have in the last year or two seen a resurgence of interest in handgun hunting. I am kind of stuck in my ways and being a lefty, I love the Ruger single actions and how they load in my hands.

Just wondering, do other bloggers ever handgun hunt and if so, what do they use? Single or double action? What caliber? Is .357 enough? Do they like .45 long Colt over.44 mag.?

I get a lot of these questions and I know it's not discussed much, but I would be interested to see what the mind trusts at Big Deer have to say?--Thanks, Matt "Flatlander" in Illinois

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I own an hunt with Ruger Blackhawks in 45 Colt (Long Colt .452) also own a Winchester Legacy in .45 Colt and shoot 240 & 300 gr handloads in both. Both have killed deer and the Winchester a few black bears. IMHO the .45 Colt or Long Colt is supieror to the .44 Mag as it does everything the .44 Mag does with much less pressure.
I only wish I could get my 7" BlkHwk into Canada to hunt deer.

# Posted By BigDaddy | 5/16/12 9:59 AM

Here in SW Virginia, the hunting handgun is the .44 mag.
I've got a long eye relief 4 power scope on My Ruger Super Blackhawk. Does the job nicely within my poor shooting abilitywithin an effective range of about 50 yards.

Couple of years ago before the .44, I was using my Taurus .357 Mag. with iron sights.
A big doe stopped not 20 yards from the tree I was hiding under. I was using 158 gr HP Federals.
Offhand shot went right into the boiler room and she made it about 40 yards.

So I'd say with the right impact point the .357 is plenty. That being said the bullet did not exit.
Ifound it under the off side shoulder blade.

So when you hunt with the pistol, think bowhunting ranges...

# Posted By TDHoward | 5/16/12 2:53 PM

thanks everybody, great stuff!

# Posted By hanback | 5/17/12 6:39 PM

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