Would like opinions on long range round and gun

[mlk3454]

Hello everyone, I have been lurking for some time and thought it time to start posting a few questions. I apologize that these types of questions are asked too often but looking at pages of threads in this section didn't yield enough info for me.

All of this is for NY whitetail hunting. I currently use a 7.5" SRH in 480 for up to 100 yard shots and a 45acp as a back up and close shots (under 35 yards) while hunting in a stand. I am looking for a reliable handgun to hunt deer with at ranges 100 yards and beyond. The gun must be reliable as number 1 but also if something needs to be replaced or if I want to upgrade (nasty habit) parts should be accessible. I dont currently have the money for anything custom so factory guns are a must.

I have not settled on a round for the gun for two reasons. 1 is I dont currently reload, however, if I can talk my wife into it I would like to start accumulating the required items this winter so I can tinker in the spring. Also, I want something that shoots fairly flat but wont buck like a mustang when fired.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

[Mikey]

Since when would a SRH in 480 not be sufficient for shots from 100-200yds??  Reloading would sure be a plus, and a cost effective one as well. 

[gypsyman]

mlk3454, As long as action type is open for possibilities, why not a T/C pistol.(Contender,Encore,G2). You could get one barrel in say,7x30 Waters, which is a factory round, and quite efficent to 200yds. You could get it in the 30/30, not quite as flat shooting as the 7x30, but still quite effective. gypsyman

[mlk3454]

For some reason I am not very good at all with the 480 past 100 yards. I know it is me more so than the gun but I was thinking something with a longer barrel and a bullet with less drop. Besides, doesn't everyone want a new gun? 

[Ken ONeill]

Handle both a Contender and an Encore. If your hands are small and a Contender feels better, the 7-30 Waters is tough to beat for deer. I recommend the 14" barrel. If the Encore feels good to you, the 7mm-08 or .308 Win would be outstanding. I recommend the 15" barel for these. The .308 and 7mm-08 are also versatile enough and flat shooting enough to be used on animals larger and more exotic than deer.

[TommyD]

I have taken a deer with my Ruger Super Redhawk using .45 Colt ammo at about 40 yards. I have been able to shoot 4 inch groups at 100 yards with this gun and a 2x scope. I have a 50 yard zero and it drops 8 inches at 100. I am not confident with it past 100, as it will get into really steep part of the drop curve after that.

In the county where I hunt, centerfire rifle is not legal for deer. I just bought a T/C Encore in .308 Win. I haven't practiced enough with it yet to take it hunting, but my first session at the range gave me half inch wide groups at 50 yards, so it is promising for 150 to 200. Ammo tested was the Federal 150 grain SP Power-shok ammo. Still need a lot of practice with it.

Recoil is nowhere near as bad as expected. It does jump a bit, but great mass of the gun makes it less painful to shoot that a .454 Casull. I got the Pro Hunter package with the rubber grips.

I am setting up my reloading station for .308 and plan to use relatively inexpensive 150 gr FMJ bullets for practice. For 150 yards and greater I will need LOTS of practice with the pistol. While my groups are half inch wide at 50 yards, I am getting 2 inches of vertical stringing. No doubt because my grip and management of the recoil is not as consistent as it should be. LOTS of practice this spring, summer, and fall is indicated.

For hunting season I will re-zero my gun with Nosler partitions. Haven't decide on the 150s or the 165s yet. I have to see which is more accurate in my gun. All other things being equal I would be inclined to go with the 165s for the extra penetration.

My previous hunting experience has been with 300 grain .452 bullets either out of a revolver or a muzzleloader. But where I am hunting now, I need to hit at > 100 yards. Can't use a rifle. My shotgun isn't accurate enough. And I grow weary of all the paraphernalia needed for a muzzleloader. So I am going to try next year with the Encore in .308 Win. Should do the trick if I do my part. Practice, practice, practice.

Tom

[mlk3454]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Seems like the 7-30 waters and the 308 are the winners so far for ammunition. I am willing to guess that there would be more choices in 308 over the 7-30 for factory rounds. If I were to get into reloading would it be the same with the 308 winning or is it a much more even playing field?

As far as a T/C handgun I was leaning this way before I posted but wasn't sure in regards to others I saw on here...the XP, Savage, etc. I just want reliable and longevity with parts that are accessible in case of a break or just plain swapping in/out.

Thanks for the replies again!

[Lloyd Smale]

depends. Ive shot a number of deer with the 730 and it has plenty of power for that out to 200 yards. A 308 will give you about the same power at 300 yards and will also do a better job on larger game as it will shoot a heavier bullet.

[Tonk]

I know my .460 Smith & Wesson (240 grn bullet going 2000fps) will let me kill deer at 200 yards, if I were to mount a scope on top, so I could see that far down range. I truly would think that a .480 Ruger would be able to do such as well, not as fast in the velocity department in comparison but that big bullet should get it done with proper satisfaction.

I personally would think about getting into reloading your own ammo, savings plus getting far better bullet performance in accuracy are sure to happen for you. The cost alone of a pistol like a .460 S&W is not cheap, if you can find one for sale......I know a fella who has been waiting 4 months on one.

Those T/C Contender pistols do have some great choices if your in to those type of pistols for hunting but then again you will need to reload to reap all the benefits from such a hunting gun. I myself really like that 375 Winchester (T/C)-shooting a 220 grain bullet at 1950fps. bullet dia. is .375, S.D. =.223 not bad!!!
However, the 7mm-08 Remmington (T/C Encore) at 2600fps using 140 grn, S.D. = 246 &  B.C. = 486, very good down range ballistics on this caliber.     

[Redhawk1]

If you truly want a long range handgun, get an Encore in 7MM08, 308, 270 or the 25-06. All great deer rounds, and with the right scope they are great long range rounds. They are all available in factory ammo.

[theduke]

I have the 7x30 waters in tc contender.  It shoots well.  If you don't reload you would be better off getting 30-30 barrel than 7x30 cause have more bullet options.  The new hornady 30-30 should shoot well and make it a 200 yard gun.  Make sure get 14" barrell.  

[xphunter]

I am looking for a reliable handgun to hunt deer with at ranges 100 yards and beyond. The gun must be reliable as number 1 but also if something needs to be replaced or if I want to upgrade (nasty habit) parts should be accessible. I dont currently have the money for anything custom so factory guns are a must.

I have not settled on a round for the gun for two reasons. 1 is I dont currently reload, however, if I can talk my wife into it I would like to start accumulating the required items this winter so I can tinker in the spring. Also, I want something that shoots fairly flat but wont buck like a mustang when fired.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

For my money the best factory made LR hunting handgun for the price is the MOA Maximum  http://www.moaguns.com/
It is a single-shot falling block specialty pistol that has the ability to interchange barrels easily (not as fast as a TC, but still quickly).
Action is much stronger than the Encore and it has a free floated barrel.  Trigger adjusts down very easily too.
You can get a lot of chamberings where you can use factory ammo, and he also make his own muzzle brakes so you can even up your horsepower if you wanted and not pay the price of strong recoil.
Give Rich Mertz a call and he can answer your questions. (307) 283-3030

Ernie Bishop

[xphunter]

Forgot to ask how far beyond 100 yards do you want to have the potential of taking a deer?
Ernie

[Graybeard]

Yup how far beyond and how much recoil are you willing to put up with are answers folks need to best make a recommendation.

My favorite is the 7-30 Waters in a Contender really but the 6.5 JDJ is another equally excellent choice both with recoil that is quite mild. Moving up a bit the 7-08 is my next favorite but requires the much heavier and bulkier Encore but is a for real 300 yard deer getter where as for me the 7-30 is more realisitically a 225-250 yard deer getter. Yeah folks stretch both further I don't however. Larger bores mostly just add recoil not reach.

[mlk3454]

Thanks for the replies.

As for the distance questions. The maximum distance I can see shooting a deer in the farm fields would be 300-350 yards. I do like shooting my 480 either with a holo sight or with iron sites so this new gun would definitely be scoped out so I can reach out and touch something.

For the recoil part. I would rather not have anything kick much more than the 480/44mag without a muzzle break. I am not a fan of getting fowling blown into my face and having to wear ear protection hunting.

With this being said, do my options change much if at all?

[xphunter]

Cartridge wise I would look at either the 260 Rem or the 7mm-08 as good options.

Less recoil than the 308 Win, since the bullet weights will be lighter for what you want, and they both will shoot flatter and have less wind drift with comparable bullets.  These cartridges would require the Encore or the MOA would work too, and is more than adequate for the job.  Myself and my children have used these cartridges out to the distances you have mentioned as your max range on deer and antelope.
FWIW-I would encourage you to wear hearing protection when doing any shooting or hunting.

[Graybeard]

That you felt the need to ask tells me it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY you are up to the task of taking a deer at 300-350 yards with a handgun. Darn few average deer hunters are up to the task with a rifle. Generally speaking I feel those who are don't feel the need to ask the opinion of others on the matter.

Still I agree with XP Hunter. Get a .260 or 7-08 and then practice and practice until you can hit the kill zone 100% of the time at those distances from field rests NOT from a bench before attempting such a shot on game.

[mlk3454]

I understand I am new and asking noob questions but I take hunting very seriously. My first passion with hunting is with a bow and shot placement along with the animals position and the wind all come into play with that as well. I have yet to take a shot I regret or have lost an animal due to poor placement. I am just as diligent with a gun and when extending my range with a new one will not even take it hunting until I am comfortable with it. I appreciate all of the responses and am looking forward to adding another passion to my outdoor hunting experiences.

If anyone else has anything to add please feel free. Otherwise thanks a ton for the answers and I hope to become more regular around here!

[xphunter]

mlk,
I play at distances quite a bit further than mentioned, and I would be glad to help, if that is ever your desire.
It would be easier to work through email or phone once you take the plunge or helping you decide for that matter.
I fully concur about practicing from field positions at and beyond what your max hunting distance is, to determine what your real world max range is, before you head to the field.