question for you all on a hunting handgun

C

champ198

New member
my brother is wanting to find some type of handgun to deer hunt with. i know there are quite a few people hunt with some type of handgun but was wanting to get your alls opinion on what type of gun make and model and also caliber to look for. would like to find something to put some type of scope on if possible.
i was thinking something like a Ruger blackhawk in a 44mag but wanted to get your alls opinions and see what you said
 
I have Ruger Super Redhawks in both .44 Mag and .480 Ruger, and a S&W .460 Mag, all with scopes. And I have two S&W 657s (.41 Mag) with 6" barrels, but no scopes but they are scope-ready. I rather like the .460 Mag due to it's versatility: it also chambers the .454 Casul, an excellent hunting round, and the .45 Colt, a great general-purpose cartridge. All of these are excellent hunting guns and depending on where your brother is hunting and why type of deer, any of these would work well. I'd add a .454 Casull to the list as well; I have a SRH Alaskan in .454 but that's a short barrel hiking gun, not a hunter. I'd love to pick up a Freedom Arms .454 Single Action if I find one at the right price - that's got to be one of the best hunting handguns ever produced, but they are pricey - the field grade model runs in the $1,200-1,400 range, used.

I don't have any Blackhawks, I'm more of a DA guy (though I'd make an exception for the FA!), but they are probably the best value out there for a hunting gun. I do think that the .454 Casull is the most versatile hunting caliber and that's not available in a Blackhawk.
 
Thanks a bunch for the info.
hes looking at something he can get about 50 yards or so out of so i think the 44 mag would be best for him. hes not real farmiliar with a pistol so think some like the 454 might be a little much for him..45 colt wouldnt be bad either

are the Ruger Blackhawks able to put scopes on? i have no clue and thought i would ask and see...might have an easier time finding one like that in 44 mag or 45 colt and i reload so would load the ammo for it so thats not a big deal
 
I usually handgun hunt out of my bow stands so I keep it to around fifty yards or so. The 357 mag will get the job done at that range but you don't have much room to expand from there. The 41 & 44 mag Ruger blackhawks are a great buy used. I prefer at least a 6 inch barrel. Don't know what he's looking at for $. The Smith & Wessons are really nice, just a little pricey. I haven't had good luck with Taurus. You can put scopes on the black hawks and even some Redhawks (you can see the scope mount locations on the redhawk barrel if it's setup for a scope.) I really like the red dot sights over scopes, but it's pretty thick where I hunt. Good luck.
 
If I'm not mistaken, the standard Ruger Super Blackhawk is not cut for a 'scope mount. There may be ways to mount one; not sure.

At one time at least some of them were. I had one I bought in the late 1990's that had cuts in the frame to accept Ruger 'scope mounts.

I believe the Super Blackhawk Hunter is cut to accept 'scope mounts.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Personally, I don't believe that cartridges more powerful than the .44 mag or .45 Colt are needed for hunting north American big game. Perhaps for the big bears, if that's your game, but certainly not for thin skinned deer.

Heck, at 50 yards a .44 special, if loaded right, should work fine for deer.

Daryl
 
Depending on how small you're looking to go, could always add a T/C Contender to the list. Can get a scope on it no problem and can always swap out calibers down the line.
 
Dont know what kind of money hes thinkin about i was thinkin around $400-$500 would buy one...saw not long ago here that someone had a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag for $400 so thought that was about right
 
There is a scope mount for the Blackhawk. The one I saw clamped on the barrel and the rear sight was removed for the other end of it. I guess it's a solid mount from what I've been told. I got away from the Blackhawks (6.5 inch 357mag, 5.5inch 44mag & 7.5 inch SBH,) and now use a Contender G2, although the size of the Contender is like carrying a small carbine. I also use a GP100 with Speer 170 grain SP for close in stuff.
 
There is a scope mount for the Blackhawk. The one I saw clamped on the barrel and the rear sight was removed for the other end of it.
Click to expand...

Weaver makes it. I've got one sitting in a drawer someplace. I had it for a while on a SBH .44 mag. It was workable but I'd have preferred the more secure mounts that are available on the hunter models.
 
.44 Mag works ...

... in about every platform. I use standard .44 Mag JHP in a Desert Eagle, and have never had to make a follow-up shot, out to around 80-90 yds. I have the Eagle because I like large calibers, and it has become my "carry-gun" on Northern Appalachian hunts around the PA/WV borders. I've had equal luck with Taurus tracker using 45APC in +P loadings. I don't think that anything smaller than .44 or .45 should be used against game as large as a deer. Just IMHO.
 
I have an older Redhawk that is not cut for scope mounts , but several co. make mounts for them mine is a B-square solid top strap that runs the full length .This one is in 44 mag with a 7 1/2 in barrel, and is very accurate. My son and I each have 454 SRH's ,mine with a 7 1/2 in barrel ,his with a 9 1/2 in barrel, we shoot mostly 45 colt through these ,they are very hot hand loads, but no where the recoil of the 454. Have never seen a SRH that wasn't cut for scope mounts. I also have a 460 in the TC Encore, the normal load is also the 45 colt round ,very heavy. I often shoot 44 specials through the 44 mag .I like the ability to go from one round to another just by re zeroing the gun for the new load. And while the ability to change from one to another is nice ,I have rarely found rounds that could be interchanged without sighting in for the new load.
Don't know where he is or the rules there, but my choice if legal would probably be something more like the TC contender, in something like 35 rem, 30-30, or even light loads in a 45/70 barrel, I have, or have shot all of these and find they all are so accurate ,I only carry a rifle because of the big bears.
Alex
 
If you want to put a scope on it the Ruger Redhawks or Super Redhawks are cut for scopes and no modification to the gun is needed. If you want to go iron sights then any of the ruger blackhawk or super blackhawks are a great choice

Caliber wise 41 mag, 44 mag, or 45 LC are all more than adequate for deer sized game. As was mentioned 44 special would be adequate as well. Of the three the 44 mag is most available in factory ammo if your brother doesn't reload. If he does then that shouldn't be a concern

Also consider recoil. 44 mag is not enjoyable by some. The 44 special, 41 mag, and 45 LC all typically have less felt recoil. Most importantly though, have him get to a range and try a couple different guns and different calibers. It's especially important in handgun hunting to find one that fits you well. Plus it's fun to test drive...;)
 
I have a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag. that is cut for rings.
When I was doing serious pistol shooting, and had an Aimpoint on it, I would have been willing to shoot a deer at 100 yards. No more. That is really stretching a pistol shot for most people.
IMHO, 50 yards is plenty for most pistoleros. (I'm thinking we are talking about deer.)
The .44 mag. is a great round. I took mine hunting but never got a deer in shooting range, wish I had. I loaded Keith style 240 gr. hard cast semi-wadcutters and am confident they would do the job quite well.
BTW, with practice, a good gun can be shot smoothly with DA.
Key is practice. Know yer gun.
 
Important first step....

Carefully read the game laws and regulations for the area he intends to hunt!

Many states requirements exclude a number of handguns capable of cleanly taking deer. Find out what is legal to hunt deer with, and then, make your choice from that list.

Also, conside the type of hunting he is going to be doing. Stalking in the woods is a lot different than hunting from a tree stand.

There are single and double actions revolvers, certain auto pistols, and single shot pistols capable and legal for taking deer under the right conditions and in the right areas.

The T/C Contender or Encore is easily scoped, and come in a huge variety of handgun and rifle cartridges capable of taking deer, and doing so at long range for a handgun. However, it is a single shot, and not what I would choose if I were hunting where the deer might jump from a bush 20yds away from me. For that, iron sighted revolver (or a magnum auto pistol) would be a better choice.

Don't fall into the trap that you NEED a .44 magnum. Deer, even the biggest muleys are not armor plated. A .357 you can shoot well is better than a .44 you can't. Since your brother is not an experienced handgunner, starting off with a .44mag may not be the best way to go. We like to think we are all manly men who can handle anything, but the truth is somewhat different. Starting off with something too big, too much recoil (and expensive ammo) means you can develope a bad flinch, and expensive ammo means you probably won't practice as much as you should.

There are a lot of variables involved, not the least of which is the ability o the shooter. Many people can learn to handle powerful handguns, over time, but very few are able to start out with one, and achieve the necessary skill to cleanly take game right away. On the average, it takes most people about 3 times the amount of practice with a handgun to match their accuracy with a rifle, at handgun ranges!

I use the paper plate method. If you can hit close to the center of a regular paper plate (no matter the range) you can put your bullet in the boiler room of a deer with confidence. IF you can do this at 80yds, then take that shot on a deer. If you can't, don't. If you can do it at 40yds, but not at 80, limit your shots to that closer distance, until you can do better on the range.

Practice, and specifically practice shooting from field positions is important.
 
44amp said it very well. When I went to a scoped Contender I had to start all over again. Targets I was hitting with the Blackhawk I couldn't consistently hit with the scoped contender (unless I had a real solid two part rest.) Using a pistol scope took allot of getting use to. I use paper plates for deer hunting practice. Just like 44amp said; if you can hit the paper plate you can hit the boiler room on a deer.

In my State it spells out the following calibers as legal for deer and bear: 357 magnum, 10mm auto, 41 magnum, 44 magnum, 45 Long Colt, and 50 Magnum. I asked a conservation officer about the 50 magnum. He said it is the 500 S&W. This is weird because you can't use a 454 casual or 460 mag.
 
44amp said, in part:
.44mag may not be the best way to go. We like to think we are all manly men who can handle anything, but the truth is somewhat different. Starting off with something too big, too much recoil (and expensive ammo) means you can develope a bad flinch, and expensive ammo means you probably won't practice as much as you should.
Click to expand...

I am not very big and found my .44 mag. very pleasant and controllable to shoot. I have purchased only one box of ammo for it---ever. It was shot thousands of time because that is what it is for and is fun, that is a big part of my shooting avocation. I handloaded for versatility, economy and enjoyment.
I know those who will argue a .357 mag. is inadequate for deer. I don't have first hand knowledge to argue that but ballistic tables tell me you better have that critter tied up close to you before shooting it.
Some states, like my Arkansas, have a black bear season at the same time as deer. I am much more comfortable with the .44 mag. for blackie than a smaller caliber.
BTW, the .44 mag. is very versitile. For target shooting I loaded down and used lighter bullets for pleasant, day long, shooting enjoyment.
Only with (carefully tested) max-max loads and 300 gr. or heavier, bullets did I encounter unpleasant recoil. There are limits.
 
I killed three hogs with my Taurus Raging Bull 454 Casull last year. This gun has very little recoil when it comes to a 454.
Here is a video of me shooting a 260Gr MagTech (1800fps)
The ported barrel is loud,,,but it helps a lot with the recoil.

(Click on the pic)

 
Are we talking about using a handgun as a primary weapon or as a secondary to your rifle. I always carry a handgun in addition to my rifle for close shots and just in case the rifle goes down. For this role I use Smith 58 .41mag. 4", Smith 629 .44mag., 6", Ruger B'hawk .45Colt 4 5/8". I stay with less than 6" in a crossdraw so they won't get in the way of my rifle. If you are talking about using the handgun as a primary, I would say the contender/Encore is the ultimate. Not my cup of tea though. I would probably stick to a good revolver chambered in .41mag. on up. I would stick w/a 6" barrel b/c I don't like real long barrels. I wouldn't even mind a 4" barrel b/c i just don't like long barrels. You may, and an 8" is probably better if you don't mind it's size. You may want to consider a scope. My choices for a primary would be Smith 629/redhawk 6" barrel. FA in .454 6" barrel.
 
Last edited:
Handloading opens up a whole new world for many calibers. Tames the .44 Mag, and returns the .357 to what it once was. People restricted to factory ammo don't get the full range of each round's potential.

I have a bit of experience with both the .357 and the .44 (as well as a few others), and the .357, properly loaded, using the right bullets will do fine on deer, at any range you can make a good hit. Literally everything that walks in North America has been taken with the .357, and in the right guns you can still load it back up to what it was in the late 1930s, and get that level of performance again.

While the .44 does everything the .357 does and more, don't sell the .357 short, especially in an N frame or Ruger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top