Results 1 to 10 of 20
-
August 3rd, 2020, 09:39 AM #1
Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.
-
August 3rd, 2020, 10:12 AM #2Grand Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
- Location
-
PENNSYLVANIA,
Pennsylvania
- Age
- 73
- Posts
- 3,789
- Rep Power
- 21474854
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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 .
-
August 3rd, 2020, 11:08 AM #3
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.Opinions are like anal apertures. They all stink but mine.
-
August 3rd, 2020, 01:12 PM #4
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.
-
August 3rd, 2020, 01:27 PM #5
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.RIP: SFN, 1861, twoeggsup, Lambo, jamesjo, JayBell, 32 Magnum, Pro2A, mrwildroot, dregan, Frenchy, Fragger, ungawa, Mtn Jack, Grapeshot, R.W.J., PennsyPlinker, Statkowski, Deanimator, roland, aubie515
Don't end up in my signature!
-
August 3rd, 2020, 08:12 PM #6
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.
-
August 3rd, 2020, 08:49 PM #7
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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.It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
-
August 4th, 2020, 10:07 AM #8
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
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??
-
August 4th, 2020, 10:21 AM #9
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
Anyone ever use the Hornady FTX. I have a bunch of 225 gr loaded up. Never shot anything with them yet.
-
August 4th, 2020, 02:39 PM #10
Re: Handgun Hunting for Whitetail- Gun, bullet, load, range??
Similar Threads
-
Good ammo for PA whitetail hunting
By Justin2012 in forum HuntingReplies: 21Last Post: January 13th, 2016, 11:51 PM -
44 Mag. Whitetail load
By MMH in forum HuntingReplies: 6Last Post: October 20th, 2015, 10:56 PM -
Best whitetail hunting ammo for Savage 30-06
By StillHunting in forum HuntingReplies: 22Last Post: October 9th, 2014, 12:54 PM -
First range day of the year, new scope, new bullet/load, personal best
By JStem1283 in forum Gun PicturesReplies: 2Last Post: April 6th, 2014, 09:15 AM -
.308 same load, different bullet, big POI changes?
By JStem1283 in forum Ammunition & ReloadingReplies: 13Last Post: November 11th, 2012, 11:22 PM
Bookmarks