Deer hunting with pistols

[builtright716]

Does anyone else out there hunt deer with a pistol? I am interested in hearing your opinions and stories. I just love the lack of having to carry a long gun out in the woods. I hunt with a Taurus Raging Bull in .480 cal. I have taken 4 does in 2 years with this gun, and all were heart shots. There is no tracking involved.

[Fitzy]

I've been hunting with a Ruger Super Blackhawk for many years. It is a real pleasure to not carry eight or nine pounds of long gun all day. I use open sights and enjoy the challenge of having to be up close. Just like the bow!

[WNYBuckHunter]

I carry my TC Encore chambered in 260 Remington. I just started with it last year and it has a fox to its name so far. No deer yet, but I hope to change that this year. I also like the reduced weight and added challenge, but I have a much better range than a shotgun.

[Lawdwaz]

I carry my TC Encore chambered in 260 Remington. I just started with it last year and it has a fox to its name so far. No deer yet, but I hope to change that this year. I also like the reduced weight and added challenge, but I have a much better range than a shotgun.

What glass are you running on that?  How about loads?

I just got a XP 100 260 Remington from a fellow board member here.  I tossed a 2x7 Leupold rifle scope on it so I could at least here it go bang.  Shot it yesterday, although only 50 yards I got some 1/2" groups with factory 120 grain Corelocks.  Twas fun!

[WNYBuckHunter]

What glass are you running on that?  How about loads?

I just got a XP 100 260 Remington from a fellow board member here.  I tossed a 2x7 Leupold rifle scope on it so I could at least here it go bang.  Shot it yesterday, although only 50 yards I got some 1/2" groups with factory 120 grain Corelocks.  Twas fun!

The scope is an NC Star that was on it when I bought it. Its not horrible and Ill use it till it doesnt work or I run across a good deal on a better one. I should see what Vortex has for pistol scopes. I run 140 grain Remington factory ammo for now. I am going to be getting the stuff for reloading together so I can work up loads for it. I was hitting milk jugs at 200 yards and clay pigeons at 100 with the factory ammo at the range just messing around with it. I havent shot real groups with it yet. Ill have it at the range a few more times before season starts.

[fasteddie]

I hunted with my Contender 7-30 waters one season and shot a doe at 55 yards . Killed her with a fireform load .

[Warren]

Here is my Ruger Blackhawk in 357mag that I use for NY whitetails. I have taken 6 deer and this handgun took a doe and (2) 4 pointers.

[Warren]

Here are some pictures of a few handgun hunts.

The doe was in 1986 and I used a 44 mag. The broken 3 point was in 1996 using the 357mag.

The 4 pointer was few years later and the European Boar was last winter, both with the 357mag.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Hey check out the Chevy Citation!  Dont see those around much anymore.

[Lawdwaz]

Nice job Warren!

Is that a Chevy Citation in the background of the first picture?  Fond, fond memories!!

[Lawdwaz]

Hey check out the Chevy Citation!  Dont see those around much anymore.

Ha, I was typing the same thing as you!!!

[WNYBuckHunter]

LOL 

[fasteddie]

I have a Ruger Super redHawk in 44 mag with a 2X Leopold scope on it but I don't do any hunting with it .....

[Larry]

I use a S&W 629 DX 44mag loaded with 245gr cast lead hp's

[zeke83]

Hey builtright

What kind of scope and mount do you have on that raging bull. I have the same gun in a 44mag with open sights. Im looking to put a scope on it.

[builtright716]

its a burris 1 1/2x- 4x on a taurus mount

[Geno C]

those are some nice pistols... never hunted with a pistol, seems to be a whole other animal... some day tho

[apertureguy]

I'm just finding that as I slowly grow older than dirt...holding a pistol out with my arm fully extended allows my old eyes to see both sights!

As luck would have it, my shooting eye is the one going and for the last few years I have been shooting lefty, because it's hard to look at rifle sights wearing my glasses...as they're for reading. I can see the back sight...but not the front and sometimes the target is too blurry to focus on too.

But a pistol works much better...I can aim easier with the left eye...and while practicing with a CO-2 BB pistol I find that I can hit all the targets I aim at again.

Looks like I need to buy one.

[builtright716]

If you don't have a permit already, u better start the process now. It takes a long time, and a few bucks to do so.

[apertureguy]

Thanks for the advice.

[wellsley]

I hunt with a Thomson Contender in 35 rem. with a Burris 3X6, sling and a harris Bi-pod

[RangerClay]

I bring my EMF Hartford in .45LC  I have yet to get a deer close enought to use it.

[screamon demon]

Ruger Super Red Hawk with a 10" ported barrel. I mounted a Nikon scope on it a few years ago. She shoots great; the guy pulling the trigger is another story.

Some observations and opinions on using it for deer. I have taken a few deer with this gun including my best to date. However, when I got it 10 years ago I shot a lot even if I did not shoot the .44 I would shoot some .22 pistols that I own. And as everyone knows practice makes perfect. When shooting a handgun your mistakes are magnified. I dont have the same time as i used to have on the range so I reverted back to a shotgun. I hated to do it but it was only fair to the animal and the sport. I am joing a local club so I will have more time to shoot handguns again and hopefully take the old hand cannon back into the woods.

[BAR]

I have an encore with 7mm08 barrel with a bushnell red dot. Never shot a deer with it. Only carry it once in  awhile. Would love to kill a buck with it. 80 yards with a rest it is deadly on paper.

[Santamour123]

gona try it next season. Ordering either an encore or contender after X-Mas. Havn't decided between ( 7-30 waters , 30-30, 35 or 45-70)