Pistol deer caliber
10-22-2014, 08:19 AM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,712
For deer I would recommend a .41 magnum or larger. (.44 mag, 454 Casull, or bigger). Even a juiced up .45 Colt is fine. I would not recommend a .357. Even though it is capable of killing a deer, IMO it just doesn't have enough KE to humanely do the job.
As for a revolver: Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk, Magnum Research BFR are fine single actions. For a double action the Ruger Redhawk is a work horse and the S&W 29 or 629 are good. Also don't overlook Taurus revolvers. I own S&W, Ruger and Taurus and all are good shooters.
As for a revolver: Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk, Magnum Research BFR are fine single actions. For a double action the Ruger Redhawk is a work horse and the S&W 29 or 629 are good. Also don't overlook Taurus revolvers. I own S&W, Ruger and Taurus and all are good shooters.
10-22-2014, 06:02 PM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location:
Posts: 372
10-22-2014, 07:31 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,870
41mag or 44mag are where it's at, 45colt if you reload. .357mag "will work" if you're only shooting 50-75yrds, and 454Cassull is just too overpowered for reason (albeit they're a LOT of fun).
Freedom Arms are the bee's knees, but they're pretty proud of them. Rugers are the real deal, solid, accurate, reliable, and affordable. S&W's are more pricey and not as robust as the Rugers, but they're obviously the 'standard' by which all other revolvers are measured.
I'm a Ruger guy, through and through. I'm a 44mag guy, through and through. Super Blackhawk is great and can REALLY EASILY have a really nice trigger. Redhawks have less stacking in the trigger. Super Redhawk is the same frame but with a 2 spring action. I couldn't pick, I have all 3. Super Blackhawk Hunter is a great option, Bisley hunter even better for some folks. The "Hunter" part mostly just means it's easier to mount a scope.
5.5" is plenty and a lot easier to port afield, but 7.5" is easier to put on target. 9.5" and 10.5" are just a mess for me.
One you might want to look at: Bayside Custom Guns is doing a GP100 rebuild. They drop it down to 0.0015" B/C gap, throw on a free float forend and a 10-14" barrel. Pushes a 158grn bullet from the 357mag up to 1500fps. Makes it a ~150-200yrd deer killer, instead of ~75ish...
Freedom Arms are the bee's knees, but they're pretty proud of them. Rugers are the real deal, solid, accurate, reliable, and affordable. S&W's are more pricey and not as robust as the Rugers, but they're obviously the 'standard' by which all other revolvers are measured.
I'm a Ruger guy, through and through. I'm a 44mag guy, through and through. Super Blackhawk is great and can REALLY EASILY have a really nice trigger. Redhawks have less stacking in the trigger. Super Redhawk is the same frame but with a 2 spring action. I couldn't pick, I have all 3. Super Blackhawk Hunter is a great option, Bisley hunter even better for some folks. The "Hunter" part mostly just means it's easier to mount a scope.
5.5" is plenty and a lot easier to port afield, but 7.5" is easier to put on target. 9.5" and 10.5" are just a mess for me.
One you might want to look at: Bayside Custom Guns is doing a GP100 rebuild. They drop it down to 0.0015" B/C gap, throw on a free float forend and a 10-14" barrel. Pushes a 158grn bullet from the 357mag up to 1500fps. Makes it a ~150-200yrd deer killer, instead of ~75ish...
10-22-2014, 07:37 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,870
I suppose I'd be remiss if didn't mention: A 7mm-08 in an Encore pistol (better than a Contender, but Contender is still great) is a FANTASTIC deer pistol, with way, way, way more range than most revolver cartridges if you find a good field rest. It's a bit less traditional, and it's a single shot, but in reality, the extra 5 shots loaded in a revolver don't matter much anyway, so it's kinda a moot point.
There are a couple fellas still building Specialty Pistols if you're interested in a bolt action single shot pistol. I just sent off parts to get a 300WSM built on an XP100 mid-grip that is killer - but thank God the new barrel will have a good muzzle break!!! Could have bought 3 Rugers for the same price though...
There are a couple fellas still building Specialty Pistols if you're interested in a bolt action single shot pistol. I just sent off parts to get a 300WSM built on an XP100 mid-grip that is killer - but thank God the new barrel will have a good muzzle break!!! Could have bought 3 Rugers for the same price though...
10-23-2014, 04:14 AM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,712
NoMercy - you and I have the same thoughts about the handguns and cartridge selection. Coolbrze0 didn't specify but I think he lives in an area where only shotguns and handgun (or handgun cartridge chambered rifles) and possibly muzzleloaders are allowed. I owned both the contender and the encore. My encore in 7-08 was a dynamite handgun that was more accurate than I was capable of utilizing to its fullest. I did manage to shoot a few deer at <100 yards and numerous groundhogs at some fairly long ranges.
Last edited by bronko22000; 10-23-2014 at 04:17 AM.
10-24-2014, 04:12 AM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
I'm a solid 41mag guy I have 5 of them in S&W's 57 and 657. They are enough for Deer, Elk, Black Bear and MT Lion. I would take it as a back up on Brown Bear but there's a lot better options. I have killed all animals listed above with my 41 mags except the brown bear of course. It to me is the starting level of big game hunting with a handgun. I would think the 44 mag would be the best option for ammo options and having them on the shelf. I'm a reloader so it's never been a issue for me. I even have a Marlin 41mag in a lever gun. Now that's just fun.
