Pistol

[critter]

I’m in the market for my first handgun, I want one that I can use for big game and would like your input on what caliber to get any and all input is appreciated.

[Lawdwaz]

Your FIRST handgun?

And you want to start with a gun for deer/bear?

Price range?

Recoil tolerance?

Scope?

Revolver, semi auto, break action or bolt action?

Hold on, have you shot a handgun much?

Ah heck, buy a .22 semi auto or revolver, shoot a couple thousand rounds this summer and have fun!! Learn and get some experience.

[Early]

Good advice from Lawdwaz. I recomment a Ruger Single-Six Convertible revolver in .22/.22 mag.

[Grouse]

A handgun for big game hunting should be a .41 mag or larger, in my opinion. The .44 mag is the round I prefer. I think a revolver, with at least a 6" barrel, is the best choice, and I like Ruger guns. Prices are reasonable and they are accurate.

If you've never fired a .41 or .44 mag, you will need lots of practice before you go hunting. If you can't hit a paper plate at 50 yards every shot, you ain't ready to hunt with it. If you can hit that plate every shot with open sights, you don't need a scope.

If you want to shoot out to 100 yards, you have to hit that plate every time at that range. You may need to add a scope to do that. A lot of Ruger revolvers come with a set of scope rings and grooves on the rib to make adding a scope real easy.

That's were I would start if I were getting a handgun for big game hunting. A handgun for personal protection, CCW, or any other purpose, would be a whole different choice.

[critter]

Whatever caliber I buy I am not going to attempt to use for hunting until I am comfortable with shooting it and know that I can put a clean kill shot on whatever I am aiming at, as far as the gun I would like a revolver, either single or double action

[zeke83]

My first handgun was a 44mag. Shoot it until you feel comfortable in taking an animal. I took a buck with mine this year at 30yds with open sights.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I would get a Thompson Center Encore and get it in any caliber from .243 and up. My personal preference for deer is .260 Remington. Not a ton of recoil and plenty of range. Only downfall would be lack of factory ammo. Next on my list would be .308, plenty of factory ammo, but a bit more recoil than .260 (which is actually a necked down .308). Pop a nice scope on top and youve got a handgun that will out perform any shotgun on the market, and you can take it anywhere that isnt bow only.

[critter]

A handgun for big game hunting should be a .41 mag or larger, in my opinion. The .44 mag is the round I prefer. I think a revolver, with at least a 6" barrel, is the best choice, and I like Ruger guns. Prices are reasonable and they are accurate.

If you've never fired a .41 or .44 mag, you will need lots of practice before you go hunting. If you can't hit a paper plate at 50 yards every shot, you ain't ready to hunt with it. If you can hit that plate every shot with open sights, you don't need a scope.

If you want to shoot out to 100 yards, you have to hit that plate every time at that range. You may need to add a scope to do that. A lot of Ruger revolvers come with a set of scope rings and grooves on the rib to make adding a scope real easy.

That's were I would start if I were getting a handgun for big game hunting. A handgun for personal protection, CCW, or any other purpose, would be a whole different choice.

thanks for the info, the only reason i would ever want a handgun is for sport not personal protection i realy like revolvers, i have a 22/22mag i plink around with alredy but i would like to take a white tail with a hand gun someday.

[Grouse]

Ruger makes a real nice Stainless Steel Super Black Hawk in .44mag with a 7.5 in barrel and a good trigger. It's a single action and very reasonably priced. I've seen used ones in mint condition selling for $400.

[critter]

• so im guessing 44 is the magic number, no one uses anything else?
  

[Culvercreek hunt club]

A pistol is like a rifle or shotgun. everyone out there will kill a deer. limited by shot placement and effective range. I will be carrying my .357 this year in the hopes of taking a deer with it. This will be a secondary wepon though.

I will be purchasing a set of grips and a barrel for my encore and I am leaning towars the 7-30 Walthers. (30-30 necked down to 7mm)

[WNYBuckHunter]

Good choice Culver. One of my friend's dad has a Contender in 7-30 and has taken a ton of deer with it over the years. His barrel is braked, and is loud as all get out, but drives tacks.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I am debating on the brake part. would make it easier to practice. I wonder how much you give up having a brake?

[WNYBuckHunter]

If you dont mind the noise, go for it. I dont think you are giving anything up other than a little muzzle rise. My 260 wasnt bad to control, but she did jump.

[Pygmy]

I am debating on the brake part. would make it easier to practice. I wonder how much you give up having a brake?

A firearm with a muzzle brake does not give up anything significant from a ballistic standpoint.

The brake will reduce recoil to some extent, but will also INCREASE muzzle blast significantly. Even a rifle with a brake is loud as hell..

Those short barrels are loud enough WITHOUT a brake, in my opinion. Wear hearing protection...

[Culvercreek hunt club]

My 357 is ported and that has quite a bark.

I have heard they make a velocity difference in rifles but wasnt sure if it held true with the short barrels.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I think the only difference you might see in a rifle is the length of rifling you may lose on a braked barrel vs a barrel of the same overall length without the brake. I could be wrong though.

[hunter]

I use 41mag.

[bubba]

encore 7-08. all kinds of kill low recoil easy to load for and deadly.

[Marti375]

Can't go wrong with a tried and true 357, 6 shot 6 inch bbl. Very versital gun.

[Lawdwaz]

Can't go wrong with a tried and true 357, 6 shot 6 inch bbl. Very versital gun.

How many deer have you killed with the 357?

[ny hunter]

I would go with a 357 Although it is not the best for deer hunting it well do the job I have shot deer with mine.and then get your self a 44mag.I carry my 357 as a back up when I have my rifle.When I only go with a handgun I take my 44.

[Marti375]

How many deer have you killed with the 357?

Several deer and various other critters. Still waiting to get a black bear with it. Edited February 25, 2012 by Marti375

[ants]

A 357 will kill them all day but not enough THUMP to do it quickly. I would get a Thompson CTR in 35 Rem or 30-30. Not bad recoil and hits way harder than a 357-41 or 44 IMHO

[Lawdwaz]

Several deer and various other critters. Still waiting to get a black bear with it.

Nice.......

Open sights or scope?

Do you handload for it, if so, what bullet/powder??

Thanks. Maybe the OP can get some tips from you??