I think you'll get a lot of biased opinions to wade through on this one, but hearing what has worked for others may point you in the right direction.I would like to know how many different choicesare out there. Somegreat hunting handguns aren't even made anymorebut can be found used.

I carry two pistols while hunting, one for long range open fieldshots and one for closequick shots.

1)My long range option is an Encore in 7mm-08with15" barrelandhandloaded 139 gr. HornadaySST Interlocks. It's topped with a Burris 3-12X with ballplex and parralax adjustment. The 7mm-08 has little recoil withgreat ballistics for long range shooting.

2) Whilestalking or moving in/out of the stand I carrya 44. Mag Ruger Super RedHawkiniron sights withhandloaded 320 gr hardcast WLNGC. Ihave been looking for an Eotech 510AA or 550 AA to put on theRuger forfastertargetacquisition, but have been toldby my local shops that they are in short supply. Currently I amtest loading240 gr hardcast bullets. I think for whitetails they will get the job done at a cheaper price. Federal American Eagle 240 gr loads worked just fine before I started handloading to get better groups.

In WI a handgun must be at least 5" from end of barrel to pin and must be a centerfire of at least .22 caliber. Some states require straight wall cartridges only and of course maximum barrel lengths for pistols apply as well. The reason I started carrying a handgun was to travel between rifle and shotgun counties without having to change my gun. In Wisconsin you can use a handgun in any rifle or shotgun county. Do you have any requirements in your state?

I know some guys that carry a .45 Springfield long slide for finishing shots at close range. But they have to carry it in an exposed holster because WI is not yet a CCW state.

I have also looked at a Savage bolt action .308 that holds three cartridges. This pistol caught my eye because the bolt is on the left side. This makes perfect sense once you try to reload for a second shot on a pistol that has the bolt on the right.

I have seen the Rem XP bolt action in a few calibers and have heard nice reviews.

I am curious about the Kel-Tec hunting handgun that is in the NRA magazines, has anyone shot it that would like to share a review?