Hunting Pistol
 

I will be hunting for javelina and need an appropriate handgun for the hunt. I'd like a pistol that can be scoped, has plenty of knock down power and won't cost me $2000.00.

Any suggestions?

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I have two Rugers that I am happy with, a Super Blackhawk 10" barrel in .44 mag and recently added the same in Ruger Super blackhawk Hunter which has the integrated scope mount. Neither were terribly expensive and would fit the bill among many others.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I'd personally recommend the Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. It's a very reliable and accurate handgun, comes with machined in integral scope mounts and rings, has plenty of power for hunting any type of big game, but is flexible in that it also can shoot the much lighter .45 Colt. And if you handload you can load up .45 Colt using data for Ruger/Thompson Center only loads and duplicate .44 Mag performance which is midway between the rather lethargic standard pressure .45 Colt and the full power .454 Casull.

Mike

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I'd definitely buy a Ruger. A Super Blackhawk .44mag is hard to beat ( a .41mag blackhawk if you could find one would be sweet), and there's a LOT to be said for the Super Redhawks in .454C and .480Ruger. Granted, most beginners aren't ready for a .454 or .480 right off the bat, but with a hogue overmold grip, they're much more managable.

The Super Blackhawk can be had for under $500 around here and the .44mag can be made pretty stout in Hornady loads or handloads. I've used one for deer for a few years now with great results. I've got a 7.5" Non-hunter model (square back triggerguard and bigger grip frame)...I've had a red dot 2.5x on it for a while now, really like it...only problem is that the scope cost more than the gun!

I've got a .480R Super Redhawk now, I had a .454C SRH until the .480 came out...I've used them for deer as well, they're very potent revolvers. I paid $550-600 for either of them, and they're well worth the money!!

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I will second the hogue overmolded grip, put one on the Hunter model I have, much nicer to hold and shoot. I like the .44 simply because it is enough to get the job done with out the wrist ache.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I'll also drop in a vote for the Hogue grip. The stock Ruger grip for the SRH leaves part of the backstrap exposed and actually gave me a blister on my right hand from muzzle flip. The Overmolded grip covers this area much better and made the gun much more comfortable to shoot with the hard kicking loads.

Mike

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I too, recommend the Rugers for hunting revolvers. Check out the Blackhawks in 41Mag., 44Mag., or 45Colt (if you handload). If you want a double action revolver, look
to the Ruger Redhawks in 44Mag. or the 454 which can also handle 45Colt.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I like my Taurus Ragingbull 454casull for hunting,shot a deer last year at 75yrds with it and the recoil seem to be about the same as my ruger redhawk 44mag.
http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=27035242

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

If your looking for a revolver, I'd also have to go with a Ruger Blackhawk or Redhawk in anything over 357mag. But if you're not set on a revolver, take a look at the T/C Encore or Contender single shot. Calibers options are pretty much unlimited and a new barrel/caliber will cost you about half what a new pistol will. just a thought.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

Since you have $2000.00 to spend I would go for the Freedom Arms Model 83 Field Grade Revolver in .454 Casull, or .475 Linebaugh (MSRP: $1591.00). I would mount a Burris Handgun Scope 1.5x-4x-20mm Posi-Lock ($256.99). Leupold Handgun Dual Dovetail Mounts, and rings ($37.38). You will have about $114.63 left for ammo. :D:DGood luck.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I second the vote for the freedom. Comparing it and a ruger is like comparing a corvette to a geo. If you want a handgun with a 15 inch barrel (encore), why not just carry a rifle?

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

T/C Encore, .375 JDJ...;)

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

For javelinas, I'd look at a 357, 41, or 44 revolver.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I really like my S&W Model 657 Classic Hunter in .41 Mag.

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

Amen!!

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

Why not a Ruger in 45 LC?

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I'm going to carry on the Ruger tradition. Any of the Ruger big bores will fit the bill.You just need to decide if you want a single or double action. I have the SBH,RH 44mag ,SRH 454 Casull and just bought a Super Blackhawk Hunter 44mag.I haven't fired the SBHH yet . I think it's going to be a winner topped with a Leupold m8 2x20mm EER.I agree the Freedon Arms are nice. I can't justify spending that kind of money for a gun.Heck I could get two or three Ruger's for the price of one Freedom Arms.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

I had been thinking of a Ruger SRH for quite a while...but javelinas are really small...I don't really know why they're classified as big game. Anyhow, I'm afraid that if I shoot one with a 480 or 454, they'll be nothing left for chili and sausage. But on the other hand, I wasn't sure if a 357 would do the trick.

I love the ballistic reports on the Casul 454 though. That's got stop power!

On a side note, maybe not appropriate for this hunt, but what about a S&W 500?

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

Oh, and with the Ruger, 7.5 or 9.5 inch barrel?

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

My SRH 454 Casull has a 9 1/2"bbl.To me it's to heavy.Overall weight and muzzle heavy.
I had and wish I would have kept the 7 1/2 I had.If you think the Casull is to much you can always shoot the 45 Colt through it.The 44 mag shoot the 44 Spl.For a hunting gun I don't put much faith in a 357 mag. I put a 41 mag as a minimum for deer sized game.

Ruger Redhawk

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

look at the savage striker

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

i have a 44 rem mag llama supercommance with a 6" barrell and love it, also use a ruger 44 mag carbine too
nice and short

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

you dont need any more than 9mm for a javelina these people in here probably think a javelina is some big ass wild boar. Although somewhat dangerous they rarely weigh more than 60 pounds. I know people wh oshoot them with 22's in the head because you can get so close to them

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

someone mentioned javelina chilli.......disgusting you could not pay me to eat one of those things

RE: Hunting Pistol
 

If you want a revolver go Ruger. Personally I use a Super Blackhawk with 71/2 inch barrel, Hoge grips, open sights and I love it. I’ve never hunted javelina with it, just deer, but at the range it shoots lighter bullets (180 grains) very well. If you’re not set on a revolver the Contender is very nice. You can choose the barrel length and caliber you want. It gives you a lot of options.
Good luck