handgun for hunting whitetail
- Thread starter dongun
- Start date
MitchSchaft
New member
In TN, it's illegal to be in possession of a handgun while hunting big game.
jack pringle
New member
having taken several whitetails with .45 acp 1911, close up, there is no doubt in my mind that the .45 colt can handle it, and a lot further.
when i take a handgun and a rifle, i carry the handgun crossdraw so it doesn't keep bumping the rifle as i trudge along.
go for it. what a smile when you do it. bragging rights down at the barber shop too.
when i take a handgun and a rifle, i carry the handgun crossdraw so it doesn't keep bumping the rifle as i trudge along.
go for it. what a smile when you do it. bragging rights down at the barber shop too.
retiredsquid
New member
dongun,
I think you will be well armed with the Blackhawk.
I agree on the cross-draw holster. I have several Bianchi #111 Cyclone holsters and highly recommend them. Otherwise, for the single action revolver I recommend holsters from Texas Gunslinger.
Regards,
Rich
I think you will be well armed with the Blackhawk.
I agree on the cross-draw holster. I have several Bianchi #111 Cyclone holsters and highly recommend them. Otherwise, for the single action revolver I recommend holsters from Texas Gunslinger.
Regards,
Rich
I agree that the 45LC loaded with good bullets will do the deed. I don't have a 45LC, but think most of the factory loads are on the light side(velosity).
I do have a 44mag in older Ruger SBH, 7 1/2 barrel. I have carried this pistol while hunting whitetail, but never taken a shot. I find sitting in a stand with a belt holster does not work for me, rig is too long. I have been using a "across" the chest type. This year I will try a shoulder holster rig.
I do have a 44mag in older Ruger SBH, 7 1/2 barrel. I have carried this pistol while hunting whitetail, but never taken a shot. I find sitting in a stand with a belt holster does not work for me, rig is too long. I have been using a "across" the chest type. This year I will try a shoulder holster rig.
Brian Williams
New member
Check out the Taurus Tracker in 45 colt, I have one and I plan on using mine this year instead of the 357 I took along last year.
I have used the Win 255gr silvertip load and have gotten 4" groups at 40 yds from a rest. I have the 4" version and it is light and very handy. I would like to get some nice wood grips for it, but the ribbers are great for hunting. The SA trigger is great but the DA is smooth but very heavy. It is a K frame sized gun with 5 shots.
I have used the Win 255gr silvertip load and have gotten 4" groups at 40 yds from a rest. I have the 4" version and it is light and very handy. I would like to get some nice wood grips for it, but the ribbers are great for hunting. The SA trigger is great but the DA is smooth but very heavy. It is a K frame sized gun with 5 shots.
The Blackhawk Bisley in .45LC is what I carry in Wisconsin. However, as previously stated it's a handlaoding proposition. Factory loads (with few exceptions) are made to be kind to 19th century peacemakers. I use 335gr LBT's at over 1,200fps that will take care of about anything walks the woods.
If you don't plan to hand load there is nothing wrong with the .44 mag.
If you don't plan to hand load there is nothing wrong with the .44 mag.
Just to set things right, I tried to email MitchSchaft about his No handgun hunting in Tennessee post but I could not get the email to go through. Anyway, in Tennessee you can hunt with a handgun in centerfire calibers of atleast .24cal. The regulations do state that "except where local restrictions apply." I have hunted and killed deer in Tennessee with a handgun, so I checked the web site to make sure I was ok.
Ben Shepherd
New member
Crossdraw, as mentioned is a definite plus.
I also agree a "ruger only" powder charge behind a 300 or heavier slug would be very comforting.
Although I would recommend a double action gun (redhawk 44) if accesible, just because if something goes real bad one-handed operation may be a forced issue.
I also agree a "ruger only" powder charge behind a 300 or heavier slug would be very comforting.
Although I would recommend a double action gun (redhawk 44) if accesible, just because if something goes real bad one-handed operation may be a forced issue.
Cor-Bon makes several nice rounds for the the .45LC in a +P load for hunting. It's a great round for whitetails especially in the Cor-bon loads... .Here's a link in case your interested....
Cor-Bon Ammo
Cor-Bon Ammo
I'd strongly suggest...
you look at a Bisley. I have a Ruger 7 1/2" in 45 LC. I have a group clipped on the side of the 'fridge. 20 yards, five shots in 1.6 inches. Makes a 1 hole group (them 45's cut a big hole).
Hard to describe unless you see them side by side, but the Bisley has a different grip style. I can shoot 100 straight heavy loads (44 Mag or higher level) thru mine and have no problems....shoot a couple of cylinders thru a Blackhawk and that's enough for me. Grip angle is different and the square trigger guard on a Blackhawk chews up your middle knuckle. YMMV
For deer, I'm going with 255 LSWC over 11.0 of AA5 (Ruger load ONLY). Not real punishing and very accurate for me. This is over the standard 45 LC but less than even the starting load in the Accurate book for "Ruger/Contender Only".
Go to http://www.realguns.com and read Dissolving the Myth by Linebaugh. You'll appreciate the 45 LC.
you look at a Bisley. I have a Ruger 7 1/2" in 45 LC. I have a group clipped on the side of the 'fridge. 20 yards, five shots in 1.6 inches. Makes a 1 hole group (them 45's cut a big hole).
Hard to describe unless you see them side by side, but the Bisley has a different grip style. I can shoot 100 straight heavy loads (44 Mag or higher level) thru mine and have no problems....shoot a couple of cylinders thru a Blackhawk and that's enough for me. Grip angle is different and the square trigger guard on a Blackhawk chews up your middle knuckle. YMMV
For deer, I'm going with 255 LSWC over 11.0 of AA5 (Ruger load ONLY). Not real punishing and very accurate for me. This is over the standard 45 LC but less than even the starting load in the Accurate book for "Ruger/Contender Only".
Go to http://www.realguns.com and read Dissolving the Myth by Linebaugh. You'll appreciate the 45 LC.
Well since your talking 45LC, I rather go with the 454 Casull, now your barking, even using moderate loads, this can also be your primary gun in brush hunting, good shooter. hard hitter, This wheelgun can take anything on all fours in North America, Just my thoughts. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
I prefer the Smith & Wesson
MitchSchaft
New member
Thanks for clearin' that up, whiskey. I was told that during my hunter's safety course a LONG time ago. I was also told that you are not allowed to be in posession of a handgun while hunting large game. Maybe I didn't hear the part about a caliber restriction.
dongun The 454 was invented due to the 45LC was and is a good load but can only operate at lower pressure's due to case thickness 32,000, So Casull in the 1950's wanted to increase the power of the 45LC in tern made the cartridge 5,000 longer and increased the casewalls as well, this greatly increased the pressures to 52,000 and could really put out much more power, The 44 mag for the longest time was the king of Mag's , until the massive power of the Casull was introduced. This round has been around for many years, a sleeper as I call it
Using a 300gr XTP
at 31.4 WW296 using the SuperRedHawk 454 Casull 7 1/2 1680 fps using the Puma 454 Casull 20 inch barrel 1920 fps this cart eats the 44 mag up and spits it out for over all power,even when the 44 mag is using a 240 gr XTP. For a shot stout round shoot relatively flat for a good distance 100-150 yards a short to mid range brushgun, The hot loads for the 454 Casull handgun seem to be a little to much to control, using the more moderate loads are much more controllable and still chewup the 44 mag at its max loads. (I really like this cartridge over all. WW296/H110 are interchangeable and seem to shoot the best, of course there are other powders you can use, this is just my observations reloading this cartridge. The 454 Casull uses a SM rifle primers and a good crimp is important also, due to being either a revolver or tubed fed bye the Puma 454 Casull. Don when using the 454 Casull revolver shooting 45LC be sure to clean it well before using 454's, there is a buildup from the 45LC's and the 454 are longer and may get stuck or have a hard time extracting, note: I have noticed using Hornady 300 gr XTP's in a SuperRedHawk the shells are very hard extracting and sometime will not extract at all you need to push them out one bye one,not good
This could be a soft brass problem not sure and hornady said they did not have this problem, but notice even my Puma draged also, these are the hottest factory loads out there, Using Winchester Partiongolds 250 gr worked great and shot very well and still had plenty of poop to boot, and they are cookin 2180 fps out of the Puma and 1880 out of the SuperRedHawk. Note:When reloading and buying bullets be sure to as for .452 Mag if it don't say Mag on the box its a 45LC and the profile is shorter than the 454 Casull's, some have double catalures just a heads up im not a expert but have done some reloading and testing of this round and these are my findings, hope this helps. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
Using a 300gr XTPat 31.4 WW296 using the SuperRedHawk 454 Casull 7 1/2 1680 fps using the Puma 454 Casull 20 inch barrel 1920 fps this cart eats the 44 mag up and spits it out for over all power,even when the 44 mag is using a 240 gr XTP. For a shot stout round shoot relatively flat for a good distance 100-150 yards a short to mid range brushgun, The hot loads for the 454 Casull handgun seem to be a little to much to control, using the more moderate loads are much more controllable and still chewup the 44 mag at its max loads. (I really like this cartridge over all. WW296/H110 are interchangeable and seem to shoot the best, of course there are other powders you can use, this is just my observations reloading this cartridge. The 454 Casull uses a SM rifle primers and a good crimp is important also, due to being either a revolver or tubed fed bye the Puma 454 Casull. Don when using the 454 Casull revolver shooting 45LC be sure to clean it well before using 454's, there is a buildup from the 45LC's and the 454 are longer and may get stuck or have a hard time extracting, note: I have noticed using Hornady 300 gr XTP's in a SuperRedHawk the shells are very hard extracting and sometime will not extract at all you need to push them out one bye one,not good
This could be a soft brass problem not sure and hornady said they did not have this problem, but notice even my Puma draged also, these are the hottest factory loads out there, Using Winchester Partiongolds 250 gr worked great and shot very well and still had plenty of poop to boot, and they are cookin 2180 fps out of the Puma and 1880 out of the SuperRedHawk. Note:When reloading and buying bullets be sure to as for .452 Mag if it don't say Mag on the box its a 45LC and the profile is shorter than the 454 Casull's, some have double catalures just a heads up im not a expert but have done some reloading and testing of this round and these are my findings, hope this helps. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.