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Handgun Hunting
#8738919
11/20/22 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956 |
Deer and hogs to 50 yards?
.357 .44 mag
only these two choices. My arthritic hands can barely stand either, but, you know.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738925
11/20/22 11:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,498
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,498 |
Generally use either the S&W 629 PC hunter 44 Mag, Ruger 357 Max or the TC Contender 7-30 Waters. Have also used 44 Mag, 357 Max and 45-70 on the Contender and all worked well.
I have also taken a few with other handguns not specifically hunting them with those but when one came by close why not. 357 Mag, 357 Sig and 45ACP.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738933
11/20/22 11:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716
BigPig
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716 |
Of those I’d go 44mag. A lot depends on what gun is in each caliber. You would be surprised how little recoil my 460XVR has, and you can load down to 45Colt or 454Casull. The muzzle break and weight make a lot of difference.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738938
11/21/22 12:04 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,176
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,176 |
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738943
11/21/22 12:09 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,220
wp75169
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,220 |
Gee, it’s be cool if you had one of those BFRs in 44.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738959
11/21/22 12:41 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,349
RJH1
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,349 |
I prefer the 44, but if you do 357 go with at least a 6 inch barrel. Seven and a half or something would be better for either one really.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8738968
11/21/22 12:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874
218 Bee
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 874 |
Either will serve within reason (and no, a 2.5" Model 19 ain't reasonable!). In the .357, six inches of barrel and heavier slugs do just fine. In the .44, any of the mid-weights and up will do. In the handgun game, it's REALLY about getting your hits in the engine room because they're pretty feeble compared to even "anemic" rifles. Luckily, as my late father observed, "It don't take that much to kill a deer...". If you ever wanted to entertain a Contender, a 6 or 7 TCU is a pretty painless means to get closer to "rifle" performance without taking a beating in the process. Them's the cards I'm holdin'...
"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness". - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739061
11/21/22 03:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179 |
44
Or like 218 mentioned a single shot. I’d probably go with a 7-08 or 308 in an encore though.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739070
11/21/22 03:21 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358
bronco71
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358 |
S&W 657 .41 Magnum Hunter PC
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739073
11/21/22 03:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,021
bluetopper
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,021 |
Of those two choices, a 44 Mag hands down. Here’s my Freedom Arms 44 and a hundred yard target with 245gr cast gas check bullets. No way I could do that with iron sights with these old eyes. A scope really brought out its potential.
Last edited by bluetopper; 11/21/22 03:36 AM.
Uprisings started or quelled, tornadoes rerouted, elections rigged.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739082
11/21/22 03:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,870
Blackout Bill
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,870 |
I have a Ruger SBH bisley. Nice handgun. 44 mag power in a 7.5” barrel. Not for the faint hearted. I have not put an optic on it. I should one day. THF member 71rcode has his scoped. Pig don’t stand a chance. Here’s my SBH with a Dan 744.
Last edited by Blackout Bill; 11/21/22 03:35 AM. Reason: Typo
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739119
11/21/22 04:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956 |
Great replies and beautiful guns guys, thanks wp75169, thanks for the reminder I know where that gun is and could probably buy it back and lose more money.. I came so close to getting a $3000 Freedom Arms for $1500 but I had to run home, call Freedom Arms to confirm what the gun was by its serial number. By the time I called the gun shop to hold it for me, The owner had come in, saw it and bought it for himself.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739210
11/21/22 12:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,105
Wilson Combat
Boar Meister
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Boar Meister
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,105 |
.44, you can always down load it or shoot .44 Spl
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739324
11/21/22 02:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239 |
Everything a 357 mag can do a 41 mag can do better. Assuming you hand load and I know that you do anything that a 44 mag can do a 45 Colt can do better.
I grew up stalk hunting dear in Pennsylvania with a single action Ruger. Because my grandfather was a gun nut I had access to all of the calibers that I just mentioned and all of them were single action Rugers if memory serves me correctly. I finally settled on the 45 Colt because it seemed to have a slight advantage in penetration over the 44 Mag. This of course was with high pressure hand loads and not loads that were designed for earlier and weaker guns.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: bronco71]
#8739327
11/21/22 03:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239
blkt2
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,239 |
S&W 657 .41 Magnum Hunter PC Holy hell that is a keeper. I'm an absolute hoarder when it comes to firearms but I've never stumbled across this model.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Wilson Combat]
#8739332
11/21/22 03:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,408
Choctaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,408 |
.44, you can always down load it or shoot .44 Spl And shooting Skeeter loads in 44 Special is still plenty for Texas deer and hogs.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739348
11/21/22 03:18 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198 |
I deer hunt some with .357 revolvers. 158 XTP kills them dead but I don’t get an exit. 170 jacketed or 170’s I cast will exit on a double lung broadside shot through the ribs but neither get much expansion. I like the 170 SWC’s I cast best.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739364
11/21/22 03:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484
howl
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 484 |
The answer is always.44. A heavy Ruger double action is easy to handle with standard 240gr loads. A smaller frame 357 Smith loaded hot is much worse.
Deer won't stop 44 Special hard cast loaded at target velocity. Blood trail not too great but they die as normal. Shoot low to let blood out.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739394
11/21/22 04:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956 |
see if I can squeeze one into my Santa Clause letter
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739717
11/22/22 12:50 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,987
TAB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,987 |
Theres no replacement for displacement! 44 mag be my choice, but nothing wrong with a full house 357 mag
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739784
11/22/22 01:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
I have killed deer & hogs with a 357 MAX Contender and a 7 International Wichita. Wichita was a handful. Contender scoped but iron sights on the Wichita.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739866
11/22/22 03:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,209
71Rcode
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,209 |
.44 Blackhawk at 50yds with handloads. She and I have done better.
NRA Life Member & GOA Member Always interested in Marlins. Let me know what you have for sale!
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#8739936
11/22/22 11:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,923
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,923 |
I too would choose the .45 Colt loaded for a Ruger over the .429 magnum.
Pass the gravy.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: 71Rcode]
#8740002
11/22/22 02:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,956 |
.44 Blackhawk at 50yds with handloads. She and I have done better. Thanks for the picture. I have always loved this Ruger. Glad to see they can shoot good.
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Re: Handgun Hunting
[Re: blkt2]
#8740024
11/22/22 02:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358
bronco71
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,358 |
S&W 657 .41 Magnum Hunter PC Holy hell that is a keeper. I'm an absolute hoarder when it comes to firearms but I've never stumbled across this model. Thanks, this one is an unfired safe queen LOL. I also have a 686 and 581 both with weighted and ported barrels and red dot sights that shoot very well.
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