Author Topic: Caliber for Coyote/Deer hand gun? (Read 918 times)

IATRKYHNTR · « **on:** December 13, 2005, 01:03:37 PM »

I just got a Encore Muzzle loader last weekend, and am wanting a "handgun" barrel for it. I'm wanting a handgun to carry with me while coyote hunting, I normally hunt with a buddy, I carry a 12 ga. and one of my buddies will have a rifle. But trying to get things worked so I have a partner to hunt with doesn't always work out. And I also thought it would be neat to use this same barrel in the doe only rifle season here in Iowa this year. So I thought that I could get a 12-14" barrel for my Encore frame. Now I know nothing about "high power" rifle rounds in short barrels. I'm thinking like a .243 win, or maybe a .25-06 or something like that? Let me know what y'all think.

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2005, 01:39:11 PM »

the 243 winchester would be just the ticket for you.
I just so happen to have one with extras for sale. it is a blued 15 inch factory

Pinkerton · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2005, 05:20:18 PM »

I may not be correct on this but it seems like Iowa required the use of straight wall rounds for handgun hunting? If that's the case the 357 Max or since it's an Encore the 460 S&W might be a good option.

Good Luck.

Steve P · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2005, 06:09:06 PM »

My vote would be 257 Roberts or 7-08.

Steve

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2005, 01:39:27 AM »

243 or 7mm08 would be my choice.

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2005, 03:23:08 AM »

I have a 357 Max Contender, a 460 S&W and 7mm-08 Encore. With the 460, you can shoot 45 Colt and 454 Casull also.......if ur going to save the fur, my 08 blew a fist size exit hole on a doe I shot with 139 Hornady's this year............. :eek:

coyotewallace · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2005, 04:31:19 AM »

you need to read iowa's regulations on using a pistol for hunting before you make a choice they have only specific straight walled cartridges that are an option for hunting there...

scienceguy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2005, 04:51:13 AM »

There's an Encore 357 Maximum barrel on ebay right now. Check it out.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2005, 10:03:16 AM »

A buddy of mine went through the same decision making process a year ago. He ended up with a Stainless-Steel 15" .243 Encore Handgun. I spent part of the summer working on loads for this Handgun and the load I settled on uses the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer loaded with H-4895 to a muzzle velocity of 2920 FPS. 5 shot 100 yard groups are averaging roughly 3/4". and this Handgun is quite pleasant / fun to shoot.

I selected the 80gr. Speer Hot Core Spitzer from years of experience in using this bullet in other .243/6mm Caliber Handguns. I have found that this bullet (at these velocities) works quite well on chest shots on Whitetails. My buddy wanted ONE LOAD to use for both Coyotes and Whitetails. To my knowledge he has killed nothing but paper so far with this gun n load combo. I guess time will tell as to whether or not this was the right choice.

Larry

Keith L · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2005, 10:48:37 AM »

I have a 12" 30-30 barrel on a Contender that has taken both. But as an earlier post pointed out your state may limit the choices for you.

Good luck!

IATRKYHNTR · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2005, 01:24:49 PM »

Sorry. I should have said that this gun will be used in the late "high power rifle" antlerless only season, new this year in Iowa. The season is open only in the southern two rows of counties in Iowa. Any caliber over .243 is legal in this season.

Thanks for all the in-put!

xphunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2005, 09:32:06 AM »

Any of the 308 based cartridges would be great, with my preferences on 260 Rem and 7mm-08.