Looking for a Revolver to hunt with...

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colt_99_99

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I looking for a revolver that I can hunt deer with. I would like to go with a .357 but not sure if I would need something bigger? Also what gun should I go with? I like the GP-100. Any suggestions? Please Advise...
 
You really have to be selective with your shots using a .357mag. The big bores will be a little more forgiving. The .44mag is probably the most common cartridge used. The .41mag will also do a great job, but you are limited in factory ammo. Also don't overlook the .45 Colt, but make sure you use ammo that is up to the task (Cowboy loads are just too weak) and a strong enough handgun if you use the heavy loads. The 10mm is also finding it's way into the fields as hunting guns lately.
Which revolver to use is a personal issue. Double actions from all the big players will get the job done, and several single actions are excellent also.
 
A very similar question came up a few days ago and there was some rumbling about recomending a 44 mag revolver for someone who wanted a 2-in-1 defense/hunting pistol. But, since all you want yours for is to hunt, I doubt there will be any controversy in recomending you go with the .44 mag over the .357.

You'll be limited with the .357 as a hunting gun. I'm a firm believer in using cartridges for their intended purpose. An example is hunting with the 7.62x39 round. The cartidge was never designed for hunting. It was designed as an anti-personnel round at short to medium ranges. Granted Corbon and some others have stoked this cartidge up with a 150 gr. bullet and some extra punch so that it will probably do as a hunting caliber on smaller game. But at the end of the day, you're jerry rigging a cartridge to do something it wasn't designed to do. Why use a 7.62x39 when you can use a 30-06 or a 308?

That's how I feel about the .357 for hunting. The .357 was designed as a man-stopper, not a game taker. Granted, you can get a 180 grain bonded core soft-point that will probably do the job with good shot placement. But why use a .357 when you can use a .44 mag (which was designed for hunting)?

But, if you do go with the .357, the Ruger GP100 is a fine choice. Personally, I'd get the 6" barrel for hunting.

However, if you're open to the .44 mag, and you like Rugers, I'd check out the Super Blackhawk (Single Action) and the Redhawk (double action). Both tough guns that will handle a lot of 44 mags.

Good luck.
 
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Have to agree...the 44mag is the way to go. It will deliver almost twice the downrange energy as the 357 and is extremely more versatile in ammo selection for hunting, especially if you don't handload. When I started deer hunting with a revolver it was a GP100 in 357mag, scoped with a 6" barrel, loaded with 180 grain hard cast bullet and it did it's job on more than one occasion...but my current pair of 44mags are more accurate at longer ranges with much heavier bullets, and put a deer down much quicker. The GP100 is now relegated to long range target shooting and coyote hunting with 110 grain JHP's
 
The .357 is plenty of gun IF a good bullet is used. My Dad uses a GP-100 with a six inch barrel and has had no problems. He shot a deer this year at about sixty yards with it. Dropped in it's tracks. I personally use a .44 mag., but I won't discourage someone from using a .357.
 
My vote is for the GP-100 with a 6in barrel. It's very strong and very accurate with a lifetime warrenty plus Ruger has excellent Customer Service. It will do everything that the S&W 686 at about $250.00 less.
 
Another issue not yet mentioned - check your local laws for legality of hunting with your .357 Mag. In some states it isn't legal to take deer with it and another caliber would be neccessary.

And if it is legal; if you ever plan to hunt in another state - it is something to consider for the furture.
 
My Vote goes for the S&W 4" 500 Mag. a handgun with more power than a .30-06 rifle that has less felt recoil than a .44 Mag.

Smitty

swkt.jpg


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Welcome to TFL

I grabbed the links to the other topics the previous poster referred to for you. Feel free to continue them if there is something in them you want more info on or we can help you here too. I am in the same position and decided on the Super Redhawk in .454 /.45 colt I'm going to pick it up early next year. That discussion is these threads.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156842
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156762
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155586

Again, welcome to the line.
 
Too many choices.

Taurus has an amazing variety of excellent revolvers to try: http://www.taurususa.com/products/products-revolvers.cfm

S&W has many yet:
http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3

There are a few new Colts still available:
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/revolvers.asp

But the most fun is to go to a gun show or check the pawn shops until you find that perfect used M57 (.41 Magnum) or M29 (.44 Mag) or M27 (.357 Mag) or Anaconda or Dan Wesson or whatever.

A highly accurate, very powerful, value-loaded way to start into revolver hunting is to find a good used Blackhawk in .44 Mag, .45 Colt, or .41 Mag.
Try to find something with a barrel of 4" or better.
 
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