Deer hunting with pistol calibers
 

Anyone on here deer hunt with pistol calibers? When I hear of people using pistols to hunt, I usually hear of them using a .44 Magnum or a .357 Magnum at minimum. My question is what about calibers like 9mm Luger or .40S&W. Are these enough to take down deer with a well placed shot? Or are these not enough?

Check with your state laws, I believe Michigan requires a .38 caliber or larger, I am not familiar with other state laws. I carry a .357 myself.

The rule of thumb is 1000 ft lbs of energy for deer.. although the rules vary by state. The 9mm is too underpowered.. which does not necessarily mean you could not kill a deer with it.. but not recommended.

S&W 500 would work nicely

I use a 10mm to hunt with and have killed quite a few with it. I use hornady xtp 180 grain JHP bullets loaded hot, I get about 1200fps out of it. You can do even better with ammo from buffalo bore or doubletap. I have busted through both shoulders with it before, it is quite lethal. The exit wounds can be pretty nasty. I took a doe with it last year at about 40 yards and she dropped where she stood. Where I hunt, even though it is rifle legal, it is very close to the suburbs and it makes me more comfortable to use a pistol when I can. I have talked to people that have dropped black bear, hogs, and even an elk with the 10mm. You can find some stories online about people dropping grizzlies with them (which I would never recommend!)

I like the 10mm because it can be delivered in a much smaller automatic pistol than the often bulky hunting revolvers. It isn't a 410 corbon, but it is in the same energy range as a .357 or .41 magnum. It is legal in many states (and sometimes one of the only automatic pistols that are legal). In my opinion, it makes a great deer hunting pistol.

Ohio regs state:

handgun with 5-inch minimum length barrel, using straight-walled cartridges .357 caliber or larger

pg. 10 of the manual

I wanted to try it myself however in VA you can only use a handgun in the same counties that allow rifles. Which the only local ones are an hour away and heavily populated.. so why they allow rifles is beyond me..

I was looking at a Redhawk . 44 personally.