Handgun Hunting choices

[guitarpicva]

I didn't find any threads on hunting with handguns and I tried this on Firearms/Handguns with only one response, so I thought I would try with the hunting crowd!

I am seriously contemplating going handgun for whitetail hunting since most of the shots I saw last year were < 75 yards and many were less than 20 yards. Why lug around the long gun???

What do you/have you used for deer hunting here in VA? I am leaning toward a large caliber revolver in .44, .454 Casull or .460 S&W. Long barrel of at least 7.5" I suspect, though I am open to a single-shot as well. Lend me your experience!

Thx.

[goodoleboy]

I think anything from .44 up would be more than enough to take down a Whitetail from the distances you're talking about. Anything bigger than .454 though and you might be looking at picking up scraps considering that those rounds can be used to take down bear and elk....

[graybeard321]

I have used a .44 and .41 in the past and both will drop a whitetail. the 41 mag is a littlle more enjoyable to shoot.

[SgtBill]

I have used them all includeing a 357 Mag. and have kept plenty of meat in the freezer. I do believe it all depends on how good of a handgun shooter you are.
Bill

[guitarpicva]

I have no problems with practicing! I really like the ballistics of the .41 and I think it's still available from Ruger and Smith & Wesson, so I may go down that road.

What about .45 Colt? I shoot 250 grain .452 Hornady XTP's for muzzleloading...sure would be nice to settle on one bullet for EVERYTHING! I need to go look at some ballistics on that I guess.

[Vahunter]

Get yourself a T/C Encore in .308 then you'll have it covered. If I remember correctly the .45 Colt will be good out to about 50 yards.

[guitarpicva]

Get yourself a T/C Encore in .308 then you'll have it covered. If I remember correctly the .45 Colt will be good out to about 50 yards.

I really want a big bore for a pistol caliber. 50 yards is just too short. I think, .41, .44, .454 and .460 are reasonable. I guess if I got an Encore pistol in .460, I could shoot .454 also. Both are good to 100 yds.

[guitarpicva]

Get yourself a T/C Encore in .308 then you'll have it covered. If I remember correctly the .45 Colt will be good out to about 50 yards.

In standard loads perhaps, but Linebaugh would suggest otherwise when using "Heavy" loads in Rugers. He has some really great writings and thorough testing results for the .45 Colt at:

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings.htm

I think that has me convinced to look hard at a 7.5 inch Blackhawk Bisely in .45.