Any Handgun Hunters Around Here?

Discussion in 'Turf and Surf Hunting and Fishing' started by Hispeedal2, Apr 7, 2010.


  1. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    I've been tinkering with handgun hunting while on leave/ R&R. As of now, it's just been small game hunting. Started out with a Ruger Single Six Hunter and eventually made my way to a S&W Model 63. I started with a scope and ended up shooting irons more successfully. I want to get a big game handgun when I get back.

    What do you guys use? Model? Caliber? Barrel length? Optics?

    Thanks!
     
  2. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    I think Quigley_Sharps does. Maybe EL?
     
  3. toydoc

    toydoc Monkey+++

    S&W model 29, 44 mag, with a 6 barrel and iron sights. I shoot 240 gr solids or hand loads. It will reach out and touch with authority. I know several guys in Alaska that wouldn't hesitate to shoot Griz with one. Deer here in Mo. are not a problem for one.
     
  4. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    only with rabbits, and a few snakes!
    My .357 makes a mess of small critters....
    May have to develop a better aim, or get a smaller, and less powerful cartridge!
    About the only serious shooting with a handgun, was in the desert shooting what we refer to as desert roses: golfballs!
    I can hit those nicely with a .22!
     
  5. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Advice taken. Pics to be posted in firearms section shortly.
     
  6. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    What type pf big game hunting would you be doing?
    I have handgun hunted most of my life.
     
  7. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Mostly deer. Maybe some javelina and other mixed in for fun. I ended up with a S&W Model 629 in .44mag with a 6.5" barrel. I'll get the pics up....eventually.
     
  8. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    I began hunting small game with my Colt Woodsman when I was about fourteen. I have taken whitetail and hogs with a handgun. I haven't hunted in several years but still shoot varmints once in a while, often with a handgun.
     
  9. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    SC- My dad has an old Colt Huntsman that belonged to my grandfather. He's finally getting up in age to the point where he wants me to take it. Problem is that I would rather leave him with a .22 handgun of some type- it's the only .22 he has. They are just too darn useful.

    Interesting enough, this just came in my email from NRA:
    The Challenge of Handgun Hunting
     
  10. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    My Woodsman was made in 1956; same year I was made, coincidentally. It remains my favorite. I read Matt Helm books when I was a kid. He carried a Woodsman, so I had to have one. It never disappointed me.
     
  11. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Very cool. My Dad's isn't a really good shooter....at least with the ammo we have tried. I have no clue how old it is. They were made from the 50s through the 70s (I think). I would estimate it's age late 60s to early 70s. When I finally pick it up, I will look it up. I imagine it probably prefers the slower moving sub-sonic rounds around 1000 f/s. I can only remember firing high velocity out of it (since that is what most bulk packs are). It's 100% reliable. Never a malfunction.

    I am on the verge of buying a good semi-auto .22LR. I will probably end up with a Ruger. The Buckmark turns me off because of the requirement of tools for disassmbly. All else considered, they are similar in accuracy. The Ruger just wins out on something as simple as tools. I could possibly end up with a S&W. I need to research them a bit more.
     
  12. NGA Gunsmith

    NGA Gunsmith Monkey+

    I have a Thompson Contender with a 14" .44 magnum barrel that seems to get the job done pretty well. I installed fiber optic sights and it is much easier to shoot now.
     
  13. pcc

    pcc Monkey+

    I've killed a few deer with a scoped super blackhawk 44 mag.

    Was hoping to get a shot this past year with my 10mm but it never happened. I'm on backup so my 9yo can get his first deer.

    Picked up a S&W 460 in Jan this year, I'll try it out in addition to my 10mm this season.
     
  14. sharpeblades

    sharpeblades Monkey+

    Hand gun hunting

    I have hunted with a handgun the biggest part of my adult life and i really like the Remington XP-100,s and the T/C contender and there encore pistols also
     
  15. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Ok, here it is:
    [​IMG]

    It's a Talo edition Smith and Wesson Model 629. It has a 6.5" barrel with full lug. The above group was fired at 25 yds. It's not the best, but I was admittedly a bit recoil shy. the last time I shot a .44 mag, it was a light weight Ruger Blackhawk and to say it hurt would be an understatement. The rounds for the test were some reloads I bartered at the flea market last weekend. They were 240 gn hard cast wadcutters. After getting a bit comfortable, I decided to try for the 100yd gong. I was able to hit it about half the time. The energy transfer is amazing even at 100yds. This same gong barely moves when hit by 5.56. It's about 2-3" thick and about 8-10" round. When that .44 hit it solid it's the loudest "THONG!!" I've ever heard from it. You have to give it plenty of time to stop moving between shots too. No easy chore in the thousands of times I've shot at this gong over the years.

    I still need to dial it in on paper. I am certain I could increase my percentage of hits at 100 yds after getting it dialed in and using a littler better ammo.
     
  16. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    try 3/4 jacket HP they run awesome in my 44's
     
  17. toydoc

    toydoc Monkey+++

    WOW

    Looks good! You will be amazed at the accuracy after you get used to shooting it more. You might try lighter loads to keep from anticipating the big recoil with the heavy loads. Soon you will see the group size get smaller and will be very pleased with the .44.
     
  18. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    With the heft in that revolver, the recoil wasn't much more than a .45 ACP or maybe a .45 LC. Very manageable. I think my group size will shrink next time now that the "surprise" has worn off. I really want to try some hotter HPs. The price on .44 has sky-rocketed. I will run by the gun shop this week and see what's available. I have some S&B half jackets (240 gn I think). I didn't want to shoot them all off until I have some bought to replace them.

    I'm getting excited just thinking about shooting that gun again.
     
  19. toydoc

    toydoc Monkey+++

    .44

    Learn to roll your own and you will save big and have all you need when you need them + have fun too.
     
  20. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    I do. I have a RCBS Rock Chucker and Dillon 650. Just haven't found the time to remount everything with my move. I will take a look and see what kind of lead is available locally when I hit em' up for ammo this week.
     
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