Author Topic: First deer with my handgun S&W 460 magnum (Read 2387 times)

Redhawk45 · « **on:** November 18, 2007, 02:04:03 AM »

I thought it was a doe until I came up to it. I am still happy with it because I finally now have taken a Michigan deer with my handgun. I shot it about 45 yards away. Double lung shot. It went about 30 yards and then dropped. I used my own reloads Hornady 45cal XTP/Hp with 44.2grs of W296 moving a little over 1,800fps.

Slufoot · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2007, 02:21:18 AM »

Congradulations Redhawk45!
Your first handgunned deer is a big deal no matter how big the deer is.
Way to go!!!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2007, 02:31:35 AM »

Congratulations Redhawk, I think anything taken with a handgun is a trophy.

jpred1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2007, 02:12:07 PM »

A trophy indeed.Handgun huntin is for real.

kennisondan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2007, 02:51:15 PM »

happy for you good shot ... looks like it and you did the job/
dk

dlkiller · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2007, 05:25:23 PM »

Congrats!

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2007, 05:42:05 PM »

Congratulations on your first one with a handgun!

I'm wondering which one of you got the hardest thump though?

Bryan Elderkin · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2007, 11:33:47 PM »

Way to go on your first of many handgun deer. Good eating right there.

Bryan

kennisondan · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:28:46 AM »

interested in the terminal ballstics.. what damage what exit hole looked like
dk

IronAir · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2007, 07:18:40 AM »

Yes, which XTP bullet exactly, and your observations of terminal performance would be educational.

ratgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2007, 12:17:41 PM »

Good job,congrats.

vettman1 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2007, 05:44:41 PM »

My load is Hornady 45cal XTP/Hp with 48gr of H110 moving a little over 1,850 fps. I'm hoping to take my first deer this year using my hand loads as well. Seeing your pic has got me pretty pumped! Congrats! Were you shooting using any sort of mono-pod or bi-pod?

Redhawk45 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2007, 01:05:21 AM »

The exit hole was not to big. When we were skinning it I could put my index finger thru it. When I shot the back legs jumped up and it took a sharp turn and hobbled away from me. When I was gutting it I was pulling out pieces of lungs. I wish I could have retrieved the bullet

I was using I think the only 45cal 240gr XTP/HP they are making right now. I was sitting in a shack and I forgot my electric gun muffs

I put my hands out as far as I could out of my shack to shoot. I had my upper arms rested on the board. I have practiced shooting it off rests and off-hand. My ears were ringing for awhile

odoh · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2007, 05:25:11 PM »

From the pix, I take it that you didn't experience any scope-creep

Could you tell us about the scope itself?

GhosT · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2007, 07:28:00 PM »

Nice shot !

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:00:46 PM »

Congrats

Redhawk45 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2007, 03:13:18 AM »

I am using a Bushnell trophy 2x-6 scope with a weigand stainless steel base with four rings. It has held up after 65 rounds so far. I only use it for hunting. I have talked to other guys and they have destroyed much more expensive scopes than mine. I have a very good base and rings so I think that is making the difference. It is harder to hunt with a scope handgun, but I have told myself I want to be able to head out with that only and leave the shotgun at home. I really want to see how far and accurate this pistol can be. The longest shot I have taken with it so far at a target is 75 yards. Soon I am going to try farther shots.

mparks · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2007, 03:45:58 PM »

Good job. Quite a nice rig there. I think the performance sounds about right for a lung shot. The exit hole may not have been impressive but there isn't a lot of resistance in a shot hitting only lungs. I bet that XTP opened up nicely at a terminal velocity of what must have been in the neighborhood of 1600-1700fps. Next time hit a little shoulder if you want to waste meat and make a bigger exit hole. Might even drop them on the spot.:lol: I'd do it just like you did everytime.

blhof · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2007, 06:48:59 AM »

Great shot! My first deer last year was a button buck with a Contender 30/30 pistol at 50 yds quartering away 150 grain soft point entered behind left shoulder and exited right chest; small hole in and out, but deer dropped on spot. I managed to get both lungs and the heart but the bullet didn't expand. Those young bucks are excellent eating; my wife hates venison, but I've slipped venison from that buck on her and she's stated how tastey that baby beef is...Good hunting and eating.

roger460xvr · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2007, 04:09:28 PM »

good job there redhawk45, love to see a fellow 460 hunter. .....ROGER

Sverre A. · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2007, 04:21:43 AM »

>45cal 240gr XTP/HP>

Last trip to Africa - I used this bullet/1880 fps. - and I will continue using this bullet on animals up to 500 pounds.
The biggest animal I shot with it - was a zebra at 130 yds.
It was hit (in a angle) on the right shoulder, and I found the bullet in it`s left backleg.

BUT - it has not expanded very much.
If it had - the penetration would be too poor on a zebra.

A Nyala which was taken at 110 yds - behind the left shoulder - I found the bullet in front of it`s right shoulder (expanded).

All the warthogs I shot (30 -100 yds) - did not walk a step, and all the bullets penetrated through.