Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

I'm getting a .44 mag Ruger Vaquero (hopefully two of them) with only a 5.5" bbl or 4.625"bbl for Cowboy Action Shooting, cuz I'm tired of lugging my 3# Ruger Superblackhawk around everywhere, and it's just to heavy to be fast.

Does anyone else shoot deer with bbls this short?? I know my ignition will be modest and therefore my velocities, but don't doubt that hitting the game will be an issue, I'm just curious as to what everyone thinks about that short of barrel on whitetails.

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

RE: Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

I would not - but I know people who have.

If you insist, I would scope the pistol - or vow to keep my shots within 25 yds.

A short barrel, with open sights is a VERY close range weapon - and even at 25 yds with open sights - is a challenge to put a shot in the kill zone 100% of the time. 4-6" is not as bad as a snubby, but not a long barrel by any means.

RE: Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

I wouldnt hunt with anything less than 6 inch myself.
I have a Taurus 608 .357 with a 6 in barrel and Im pretty good at 50
and even 75 yards at the range, but I hunted with it 1 time and got bit.
I shot a button buck at 35 yds right thru the snout. Couldnt believe it.
Perfect conditions, perfect shot so I thought. I know it wasnt the
guns fault, but you add a little button buck fever in there and
a handgun just isnt nearly as accurate, for me anyhoo.
I still hunt with it but only when im hunting on the ground in
VERY thick stuff.
Good luck.:)

RE: Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

I wouldnt hunt with anything less than 6 inch myself.
I have a Taurus 608 .357 with a 6 in barrel and Im pretty good at 50
and even 75 yards at the range, but I hunted with it 1 time and got bit.
I shot a button buck at 35 yds right thru the snout. Couldnt believe it.
Perfect conditions, perfect shot so I thought. I know it wasnt the
guns fault, but you add a little button buck fever in there and
a handgun just isnt nearly as accurate, for me anyhoo.
I still hunt with it but only when im hunting on the ground in
VERY thick stuff.
Good luck.:)

RE: Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

oops sorry for the double post. It wont let me delete it.

RE: Deer hunting handguns w/short bbls
 

The barrel length may make some difference? What, who knows. Most opportunities with a short barreled revolver should be short distances only. I personally would not use fast handling as a criteria for this decision.

I use a T/C Encore in .308 Win. The recoil is about the same as a 357 mag maybe less. I prefer a single-shot. It's also scoped so I will wait for the right shot presentation before even cocking the hammer.

I also seek the utmost in accuracy. The handload I have worked up for this pistol gives me a 1.3" group @ 100 yards, any range under 75 and I'm shooting dimes!



Shoot often - Hunt always