Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??

[PAwhitetailbowhunter]

Hello Handgun hunters,

Want to start a thread for handgun hunters. I am starting to practice with open sights on a few of my revolvers. Just curious what others are doing? I think it will be cool to share some info and results for 2020 hunting season.

Gun and Barrel Length:

Bullet maker, Caliber and weight:

Ammo load data- if you load your own or whats on the box for factory:

Effectve range: Open sights or Scope

Success on PA Whitetail:


ME:

Dan Wesson 741 8" Vent Heavy Barrel

Swift A-Frame .41 Mag 210 Grains

21 grains H110, Fed # 155 Primer, 1324 fps chrono

My bifocal eyes, shakey hands, and open sights allow me to feel confident out to 40 yards.

2017- Harvested a big PA Whietail at about 20 yards.


I'm going to be experimenting with a few other revolvers in my stable that would be suitable for PA Whitetail. I'll post and update as I get more practice an info.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

I handgun hunt with my S&W 686 SS,357 magnum,158 gr JHP,taken deer,small 200lb bear out to 75 yards with open sights,Many a hog on Florida hunts, Bunnys,Opposum,coyote among a few taken recoil is not prohibitive .

[27hand]

I use a Ruger RedHawk in .44 mag 7 1/2" barrel.

My load is a 240 grain Jacketed magnum soft point Speer #4457 over 24.0 gr of W296 CCI 350 primer.

I haven't chronoed it in quite a few years.

It hasn't been my primary weapon. I usually put it on my day pack for deer coming in on my weak side.
Had a doe come in about 10 years ago from behind and to that side.
I had to lay on my back from a sitting position to shoot under a log but got the deer at about 35 yards. It was a one handed shot that I doubt I have the hand strength to do today.

Deer ran about 30 yards

It's been my only deer so far with that gun.

I've carried a S&W 66 a few times but have never shot at a deer with that gun.

I also have a Ruger New model Blackhawk in .41 that I haven't settled on a load yet.

[Qtrborecrazy]

S&W 629 8 3/8th Inch barrel and Hornady factory 240 grain gummy tips. I can get 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with that set up. I*ve always wanted to shot a bear with it and it*s on my bucket list.

[knight0334]

The only deer I've gotten was in FL in early-mid 1990's with an 8" Colt Python pushing some really hot 125gr JHP. ...made a bucket of soup of heart and lungs. ....Wont do that again. Wasn't much left of bullet, it fragged like a grenade. Those loads were spectacular on woodchuck, not so for deer. lol

-----

If I were to handgun hunt whitetail today it would be with my Interarms Virginian Dragoon Silhouette 10.5" .44mag. I've got some 240gr JHP that run about 1450-1550fps out my barrel and are stupidly accurate in the gun. And I mean STUPIDLY accurate.

My 1st alternative would be my Ruger Vaquero .45Colt with a warm 250gr JSP, which I often carry with my anyways in case I need to dispatch a downed deer. ...but the .45-70 hasn't allowed that to happen yet.

My 2nd alternative would be my Rossi 720 .44Spl. I've got some 240gr JHP sitting on top of Clays powder pushing around 800fps. ...It is a 3" snubby, so I'd only try it on a spitting distance deer. The load is warm for .44Spl, but not hot.


All guns mention above - scope = two eyeballs and factory sights.

[Steve in PA]

I*ve been a dedicated handgun hunter for a lot of years and I*ve had pretty good success. I have several options to choose from;

Ruger Super Redhawk, 9.5* barrel, Bushnell Trophy 2-6x scope.

Hornady 240 gr XTP

Standard load of 24.0 gr of H110, CCI LPM primers and Remington cases.

I*ve taken several deer with this gun/load, but primarily hunt with T/C Contenders now.


T/C Contender, 14* barrel in 7-30 Waters with Bushnell Tropy 2-6x scope.

Currently using Hornady 139 gr SST bullets.

Varget powder, CCI LR primers, Federal cases.

I*ve also taken several deer with this gun/load. Awesome hunting handgun.


T/C Contender, 14* barrel, .44 Magnum.

Same .44 Magnum load as above.

This one is still a virgin.


Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5* barrel in .44 Magnum, iron sights but added Burris Fastfire 3 couple of years ago.

Same .44 Magnum load.

This is my short range handgun. Taken a small bear, but no deer yet.

[cephas]

Shot a couple up close, <35 yds. They fell quickly.
Redhawk 44 with 7.5" barrel. 245 gr. pb keith swc.
20.0 grs. of 2400 with Win. primer. Chrono's average 1270 fps.
Cast is half pb/ww, sized .432, homemade lube of beeswax/tranny (not that kind) fluid, bhn 13.

[PAwhitetailbowhunter]

I*ve been a dedicated handgun hunter for a lot of years and I*ve had pretty good success. I have several options to choose from;

Ruger Super Redhawk, 9.5* barrel, Bushnell Trophy 2-6x scope.

Hornady 240 gr XTP

Standard load of 24.0 gr of H110, CCI LPM primers and Remington cases.

I*ve taken several deer with this gun/load, but primarily hunt with T/C Contenders now.


T/C Contender, 14* barrel in 7-30 Waters with Bushnell Tropy 2-6x scope.

Currently using Hornady 139 gr SST bullets.

Varget powder, CCI LR primers, Federal cases.

I*ve also taken several deer with this gun/load. Awesome hunting handgun.


T/C Contender, 14* barrel, .44 Magnum.

Same .44 Magnum load as above.

This one is still a virgin.


Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5* barrel in .44 Magnum, iron sights but added Burris Fastfire 3 couple of years ago.

Same .44 Magnum load.

This is my short range handgun. Taken a small bear, but no deer yet.

I am glad to read that you have had success with the XTP bullet on deer...They are affordable and accurate. I always worried about them failing/breaking-up on impact, Might have to shoot a few into some wet pack and see what happens. Have you ever recovered an XTP from a successful hunt? I guess at hunting handgun velocities they expand but still stay together??

[Yoder]

Anyone ever use the Hornady FTX. I have a bunch of 225 gr loaded up. Never shot anything with them yet.

[PAwhitetailbowhunter]

Anyone ever use the Hornady FTX. I have a bunch of 225 gr loaded up. Never shot anything with them yet.

Funny you ask...I was just loading up the 225 grains FTX today with 21 grains of W296. Shot them out of a Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" and all seemed well. Will Chrono them when I get a chance. Thinking these will be my .44 Mag bullet this year.