handgun hunting

I finally took my first deer with a handgun last year so I'm no expert by any means. I use a Ruger SRH .44mag with a 9.5" barrel and open sights. Somewhere in my closet is a nice scope for it that never gets used because it just doesn't work with any of my holsters. Anyway, about that stick thing, I don't know how that would affect your shot groups by changing the barrel harmonics or not. Most things that come into contact with a rifle barrel will change the POI but that may or may not do the same to pistols.

My rule of thumb is not to shoot a deer at any distance that I can't consistantly put six shots in a paper plate at. For me that's just at the 100yd mark on most days. If I'm feeling shaky I don't take the shot. The best advice I can give you is to keep practicing with the same ammo and keep moving the target back a little farther as you get better. Handgun hunting is as challenging as bowhunting and very rewarding. It's all about shot placement and stealth. Keep posting about how your shot groups are getting as it could be that you were just having an off day or something.

 

I like keeping my shots at bow range, My longest shot has been around 80yds with a 4" smith m29

 

You know, now that you mention it, keeping your shots within bow range is a great idea and provides a great challenge. Being that close to a deer and knowing all that can wrong if you make one little mistake makes a person a much better hunter.

 

Keeping shots at a range that you know you can hit also makes a person a better sportsman . I never take a shot unless I feel 95% sure that it should be a kill shot. I hate tracking wounded game and would never leave one in the field without making a very decent effort to collect it (it is also required by most states game laws). Believe me tracking a wounded animal all night is not a fun thing to have to do. I use a Ruger New model .44 mag Super black with a 7" barrel for most of my handgun hunting the other is a Dan Wesson .357 mag with a 6 " barrel.

Grizzly

 

I would love to be able to shoot a pistol 50 yards at a deer much less 100 that is a good shot

 

I am constantly on the hunt for decent affordable handguns!

 

I have never tried this before. Its harder down here in TX trying to do this cause of the area. Most people think TX is all country, but they are gravely mistaken! And when you are in the woods its very cluttered and brushy.

 

I had a barrel made for my contender by Mike Belm in the 308 Belm cartrage. It was a 444 marlin case necked down to a 30 cal. this was done by running the marlin case in a 308 winchedster die. It was a good thumper that shot 165 grain bullets. I shot a couple of deer with it and took it on a elk hunt but did not see anything within range to shoot. I am glad I took it on the hunts that i did and think you will enjoy it as well. Good Luck!

 

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 G22 .40cal





 Sub inch Subby. .40cal




 S&W .44mag 8 3/4in.

 

That's awesome! Good job!

 

Here in Okla I have taken deer at 150 yds with my Ruger 44 Mag. But I also used to shoot the same gun in metalic shillouette and had the best load for it and also had the sight settings for targets out to 200 meters which is 220 yds.

 

Update to my handgun harvest.

 

150 yards! Nice!

I just got that gun for Christmas!

What load are you using ?

B.

 

I hunt with a Ruger SBH 44 and with iron sights. I also believe in keeping all my shots close at 50 yds or under. Too short for some, but works for me.

 

A little overambitious arn't we?
My idea of handgun hunting is walking through the woods with a 22cal. and shooting at a squirel or bunny. A perfect way to blow a couple hours and maybe a critter or supper.
Ed

 

It certainly increases the challenge if you approach it like bow hunting and limit your shots to 50 yards or so.
I've managed 4 so far with a handgun, and they have made for challenging and memorable hunts. I've used 10mm, .308win, and 357 mag and had success with all of them. .308 was a bit more than truly needed in a hand cannon...
There is a lot of standing corn where I hunt and a handgun is perfect to stalking deer in the corn!