Deer killing handgun??

I have a Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8" barrel in .44 Special. A Dan Wesson 1911 in .45ACP.

Deer hunt with either? Or step up to a 10mm Semi auto or a .44mag revo?

The 44 Special is very adequate. The 45ACP is marginal.

That is ...... provided you can place a bullet where it belongs. Hunting with handguns requires a very accurate shooter and gun.

460XVR. If you don't like the recoil of a 2100fps 275gr bullet they can be loaded down or you can also shoot the 454Casull or 45LC. Give you plenty of options to find what fits you and works on animals. The 275gr 460 will be my go to hunting round this year.

Either will be fine. I killed two axis with my Para 16-40 and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

that .460 hurts just lookin at it

It's not that bad with the brake on the end and weighing 5 pounds. You are welcome to try mine.

My wife shoots it and it doesn't bother her

I'm gonna try my .45 Colt.

I'm wanting to get a 10mm 1911. Accuracy and shot placement with any of those mentioned will get it done,

Ive been following some of the handgun hunting forums for a few years. The 44 mag is one of the most popular calibers. 10mm has been a strong up comer in the handgun hunting world. Of course, there are larger calibers. Although you could hunt with the 44 special or 45, they would not be my choice. My personal choice this season is the 10mm. In the pastil has been the 44mag.

I assuming your somewhat new the handgun hunting by your post. Its a blast! Be extremely proficient at hitting a 8" paper plate size target. sSart at close range and slowly move your target out to the point where you can not consistently hit the 8" target. Know your limitation. Shooting deer with a handgun is far more difficult than rifle hunting.

Try Thompson contender or Encore. You can use any calipers mentioned above or 308, 7-30 Waters, 250 Savage, or 223 to extend your range, recoil very manageable.

I killed a blackbuck doe from 5yd with 115gr Hornady American Gunner out of a Sig Sauer SP2022, if that helps.

Thanks Oxner Jr.

Doubt Buzz is concerned with 5 yards.

I dont see a whole lot of difference in the velocity of those two. Personally, I would step up to a 44 mag for peace of mind or a 10mm. I have shot hogs with a Block 21 (45 act) and none ran farther than 20-30 yards. Deer should be about the same.

I think that would be a great choice with the right ammo.

Me too, same platform. 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk.

Have killed a few with handguns, 357Sig, 357Mag, 357Max, 44 spcl, 44 Mag, 7-30Waters and 45-70. All those will do the job if you can do yours. Like said above learn your limits through practice then if not comfortable with the shot DON'T TAKE THE SHOT. With the 357 Sig and Mag along with the 44 spcl I treat much like bow hunting get them close. With the others on the list just stay within your limits.

In the Ruger blackhawks you can up the anti by using Buffalo Bore +P and up the power level quite a bit from most factory fodder.

Handgun hunting is a lot of fun, might try to punch a tag with one this year again.

No experience myself with the 45ACP but within its range no doubt it can work.

Probably.

Best of luck to OP. I've seen a video of Kieth Warren shooting a Texas buck with a Glock in 10mm. Was over 50yd, for sure, but don't remember exact distance.

Went through a handgun hunting phase about 10 years ago..
357, 41 and 44 mags
41 mag in a nice revolver is so sweet.

You don't really need a lot of power to kill deer and hogs, a 44 shooting 250g hardcast at 1050 will do it all day long at reasonably distances. I did iron sights, red dots and scopes, with red dots out to 50 yards is easy, scope out to 100.

I got tired of carrying big wheel guns and carry a 1911 with 255g +P hardcasts and have killed a few deer within 25 yards.
I hate shooting un-suppressed though and really haven't fired a pistol hunting in a few years. Going to get a threaded barrel for my 1911 and kill some this season.

Get a conversion to .460 Rowland for your 1911, OP.

I had a roommate in college that used a 357 Mag with a scope on it. He killed several doe with it and may still use it. Haven't talked to him in years.

I've watched the videos of Kieth Warren I believe hunting with a .45 glock, either should work!

I shot a buck with my .357 R92 last year, worked well but he wasn't a 200lb animal either.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a .44 special, but will be buying a .45 colt for my next pistol cartridge. A hot .45 colt is a real thumper.

as mentioned above, if I don't buy bigger.

I will buy some hard cast loads Buffalo bore, Barnes +p

5 yards I might just yell at them an watch them freak

5 yards I might just yell at them an watch them freak

I have killed deer with a 243 (TC Encore), 44 spl (1997 Freedom Arms), 357 mag (Smith and Wesson 686 7inch) 10mm (Glock 20 and 29) and, 10mm (Guncrafters 1911). All shots were taken from a tripod (mostly Bog Pod) at less than 50 yards. The only exception was a wounded doe; I shot her at 20 yards off hand with the Glock 29.

I think the biggest key is stabilizing the front of the gun. If you are a great pistol marksmen then never mind but I can push most of my pistols out to 50 yards in a 4 inch plate shooting from sticks. I think you need a little more speed than the 45 produces because of drop and wind. The 44 spc loaded hot, 357 mag, 10mm, 41 mag or 44 mag all work well. I think the biggest key is practice. My longest shot on an animal with a pistol was a coyote at 83 yards with my Glock 29 resting a bean bag over my drivers side window.

I went one year with a Colt Trooper Mk III - but the deer were not cooperating that year, I did not even see any bucks in the distance, much less up close. - I saw lots of does.

The year before, a younger buck walked directly beneath my tree stand, which led me to believe that I could possibly get by with a .357 magnum.

I'd feel better carrying a .41 or .44 magnum, if I try it again.

10mm, my preference is the Glock G40 MOS.

I guess the big question is do you want a true dedicated handgun for hunting or something capable of taking a deer if it comes within range (say 20 yards) ?

I'm not following you, there. Could you expand upon that a little? A "true dedicated handgun for hunting" is going to mean different things to different people.

i'm with you and yes a handgun/load if a deer walks by close. not a dedicated hunting handgun

Glock G40 10mm

I was thinking a Rossi ranch hand in 44mag may be enough for a 100 yard shot...

I really want to like they Glock, nice, well made, affordable. the 10mm long slide above is nice but even with the small blackstrap, it still feels like holding a brick to me

Think I'll look for a proper factory load for my .44 Special just in case something walks by within 15 yards or so.

as far as proper load, would the Buffalo Bore hard cast solid be better than a Barnes??

whitetail / axis/ black buck. oh definitely a pig but we don't have any (many) on our place, not sure why....but I ain't complaining...

Shoot XTP bullets