Schu72
Well-Known Member
I tried it once. Used my Ruger Super Redhawk .44 with red dot scope. Shot at a doe at about 80 yards...missed twice. Couldn't hear for days. Probably won't try it again anytime soon.
Huckleberry Finn
Senior Member
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Phil has.
I've shot my uncle's PA handgun. Ruger Redhawk in .44mag with a scope on it. I was drilling targets at 25 yards within one of those little orange target stickers. I'd be comfortable with it at very close differences. Something I'd like to try someday. He has taken a few PA deer with it.
I've shot my uncle's PA handgun. Ruger Redhawk in .44mag with a scope on it. I was drilling targets at 25 yards within one of those little orange target stickers. I'd be comfortable with it at very close differences. Something I'd like to try someday. He has taken a few PA deer with it.
I have a S&W 44mag with a Leupold scope. I spent some serious coin in ammo practicing. Last year I had my opportunity and made a terrible shot. 6 came in so fast it threw me. The slowed down to a walk within bow range (traditional bow range even). So friggin' close I had to pick out which hair I was shooting. Makes me sick to this day. I recovered the deer, but the coyotes had already gotten to it overnight. I swear I will not do it again unless it is open sights.
Ohiosam
*Supporting Member*
Used my scoped .44 mag Contender for the one and only deer I killed with a handgun. It was a little 6 point in 1999. I used to shoot my Contender a lot with the 7mm TCU, groundhog hunting. I got the .44 mag bbl and I practiced a lot (offhand, sitting, rest) and felt very comfortable until about a week before season I tried shooting with my hunting coat on. With the coat I couldn't hold the gun up offhand. So I found a stick about 5 ft long to keep with me while I was hunting to use as a rest.
First morning I was standing where a trail crossed a ravine, about 9AM I saw doe and her fawn very slowly coming down the trail about 150 yards away. She would walk a little and stop and look back so I was sure a buck was following. Sure enough pretty soon I saw the buck coming down the same trail. If they continued on the trail they'ed end up on my side of the ravine only about 25-30 yards away. When the doe got on my side she started getting nervous, the buck stopped broadside about 75 yards away so I decided to take the shot. Holding the stick in my right hand (I'm left handed) I laid my left arm across my right, cross hairs settled low on the chest right behind the leg. At the shot he just kind of stood there for a second or two, then slowly took a couple of steps and dropped. The 240 gr XTP took out the heart. It couldn't have worked any better if I had scripted it (except it probably would have been a big 12 point).
First morning I was standing where a trail crossed a ravine, about 9AM I saw doe and her fawn very slowly coming down the trail about 150 yards away. She would walk a little and stop and look back so I was sure a buck was following. Sure enough pretty soon I saw the buck coming down the same trail. If they continued on the trail they'ed end up on my side of the ravine only about 25-30 yards away. When the doe got on my side she started getting nervous, the buck stopped broadside about 75 yards away so I decided to take the shot. Holding the stick in my right hand (I'm left handed) I laid my left arm across my right, cross hairs settled low on the chest right behind the leg. At the shot he just kind of stood there for a second or two, then slowly took a couple of steps and dropped. The 240 gr XTP took out the heart. It couldn't have worked any better if I had scripted it (except it probably would have been a big 12 point).
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I probably will this year. Super Blackhawk 44mag with open sights. I usually skip gun season but plan on doing some drives this coming year. I keep one of the adjustable walking/shooting sticks with me. Quite handy and good for moving briars out of the way 
Beentown
Beentown
Hi Fred
I shoot a Ruger Redhawk (post #28 in the "Gun Porn" thread) It loves the 300 Gr. Horandy JHP. Federal hydra shok 240gr. group ok and any 180 gr.'s I've shot are all over the place. I use it out to 50-60 yards. Deadly from my bow stands! I've taken 2 FL. hogs, 1 OH. white tail and several wood chucks with it. It sure is nice to use have both hands free until needed.
Also as Beentown mentioned above, Its very fast to use when pushing through the brush with the scope off (Leupold)
Do you have a special hand gun you use for hunting?
I shoot a Ruger Redhawk (post #28 in the "Gun Porn" thread) It loves the 300 Gr. Horandy JHP. Federal hydra shok 240gr. group ok and any 180 gr.'s I've shot are all over the place. I use it out to 50-60 yards. Deadly from my bow stands! I've taken 2 FL. hogs, 1 OH. white tail and several wood chucks with it. It sure is nice to use have both hands free until needed.
Also as Beentown mentioned above, Its very fast to use when pushing through the brush with the scope off (Leupold)
Do you have a special hand gun you use for hunting?
I have taken 3 bucks and 2 does all with TC Contenders. My favorite caliber is the .375 Winchester. It is very accurate at 100 yards and has lots of punch. I have a Stoney Point tripod with an extra arm for the pistol grip, very stable and very light. You sorta have to have a ground blind and a game plan to make it all happen consistantly. I would never use one to still hunt or walk on a drive. Got better guns for that.
Buckrun
Junior Member
I have hunted with handguns for years. I have harvested a bunch of squirrels with Ruger Single Six and a Ruger MKII. I have taken groundhogs with the Contender in .221 Fireball. I also used the MKII while coon hunting and found it easier to see the sights with the head lamp. Took a bunch of coon that way. I have also harvested on doe with a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag.
It was about a 60 yard shot and took here right through the heart/lung. She weighed 180 lb. Biggest doe I ever shot.
It was about a 60 yard shot and took here right through the heart/lung. She weighed 180 lb. Biggest doe I ever shot.
Hey! I am having deja vu. Didn't I see this picture yesterday at your house? Now I see it again! Thanks Steve!
Buckrun
Junior Member
I don't remember if you saw the picture but you did see the gun. I also showed you the brass and how I kept track of how many times it had been loaded. I don't remember exactly how many but I have shot around 2000 rounds through my .44 mags.
I use to shoot IHMSA... I think that is the correct. We shot from 50 to 200 meters. When I was hunting with handguns and I had good eyes I would have had no problem taking a 100 yard shot at a standing deer.
I use to shoot IHMSA... I think that is the correct. We shot from 50 to 200 meters. When I was hunting with handguns and I had good eyes I would have had no problem taking a 100 yard shot at a standing deer.
Johnch
Member
I have been hunting deer for 8-10 years with a handgun
Well before season I make a choice what gun I will us , as I have 4 choices
All 4 have taken at least 1 deer
A 44 Mag Ruger Redhawlk , 454 Ruger Super Redhawlk ,14" TC Contender in 45/70 and a 12" 44 Mag Contender
After I make the choice
I load a bunch of ammo and practice every chance I get
I shoot clay targets or pop cans from 10 feet to 125 yds
A good blind or stand with a rest is a must IMO
No off hand shots unless they are real close and I have no other choice
John
Well before season I make a choice what gun I will us , as I have 4 choices
All 4 have taken at least 1 deer
A 44 Mag Ruger Redhawlk , 454 Ruger Super Redhawlk ,14" TC Contender in 45/70 and a 12" 44 Mag Contender
After I make the choice
I load a bunch of ammo and practice every chance I get
I shoot clay targets or pop cans from 10 feet to 125 yds
A good blind or stand with a rest is a must IMO
No off hand shots unless they are real close and I have no other choice
John
Do you like your .45-70 barrel? I have the 14 inch with muzzle tamer and even with really reduced loads it recoils too much for me. It hurts my palm between my thumb and index finger, even with a Past glove on. I guess I am a puss and I and gonna sell it. It has just sat in the safe for over 2 years. The .375 Win is my favorite.
I guess the hunt is the thing.
First it was a shotgun...
then a crossbow...
Then a compound...
Then the muzzleloader....
Now ya'll got me thinking about handgun hunting.
Dang. You guys are killin me.
That's a great pic of that doe Buckrun.
You guys are killin me.:smiley_blackeye::smiley_baby:
First it was a shotgun...
then a crossbow...
Then a compound...
Then the muzzleloader....
Now ya'll got me thinking about handgun hunting.
Dang. You guys are killin me.
That's a great pic of that doe Buckrun.
You guys are killin me.:smiley_blackeye::smiley_baby:
No...
We are helping you grow.
Expand your horizons.
Broadening your options.
and thats the thanks we get...
(How bout that 50 cal in the paper. What a deal)
Raising the bar for yourself? It was definitely tougher for me. Next challenge for me? Traditional bow. Might be a couple years yet. Just a thought. Definitely a cool feeling climbing a tree with your "Dirty Harry" tucked into it's holster Dan!
Johnch
Member
I love my Past glove
Never hunt without it
I use a Packmeyer Decelarator (sp?) gripper that also helps a lot
I have 2 45/70 contender barrels
A 14 with sights that dosn't have the muzzle tamer , it was a limited run barrel
But not fun to shoot with hunting loads or hoter
#2 is the one I hunt with
A 14" with the muzzle tamer
I shoot a Gas checked 350 GR hollow point cast bullet at 1400 fps
I cast these with a almost pure lead nose and a 50 /50 Wheel weight and pure lead main part
As I cast , I drop them from the mold into water
Not a ton of recoil , but lots of knock down power
And more than enough penatration
John