Author Topic: .40 s&w (Read 1335 times)

Muddy05 · « **on:** November 24, 2005, 05:53:46 AM »

Is a .40 s&w enough gun for deer at short ranges?

poncaguy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2005, 06:35:42 AM »

I would say yes, 40 yards or less.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2005, 09:30:39 AM »

Pretty anemic in my opinion. I'd not intentionally go looking for them with it.

I recall an event a few years back that illustrates my point. Jim Reed was gonna host the Big Hog Outing (BHO) at his east TX ranch for the folks posting on GBO and Kevin's TexasBoars.com site. They had a work day with as many folks from the general area as possible to get the place cleaned up and ready.

There was a momma cat and kittens under the floor of the barn. Can't recall the specifics of how but the can jumped on two or three of the guys and clawed and bit at them some. One of the folks there was a Houston PD officer with his duty gun a Glock .40 S&W. It took him I think four shots and then a shovel to kill that cat.

Wild critters don't seem to die quite as easily as humans do. They hold onto like longer and harder. Nope I'd not intentionally chose the .40 short and weak for a deer gun.

qajaq59 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2005, 02:05:39 PM »

Yup, under ideal conditions you could kill a deer with that easily. But, when did any of us ever have the "ideal" conditions to hunt? And how are you going to feel if you wound it and it runs off?

When you hunt an animal you owe it to them to have the best gun for the job, and know how to use it..... Nope, I don't think I would.

Muddy05 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2005, 05:36:49 PM »

Well, I guess if I waited on a good "ideal" shot like bowhunters do it might work??? I was just curious if it was "ideal" for under about 50 yards or so to take along with my rifle. Ive never hunted with a handgun and would like to try it out. Thanks guys!

Holman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2005, 06:42:34 PM »

Yes, but it should not be the gun of choice for deer hunting.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2005, 01:48:52 AM »

Not in my book. Mikey.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2005, 05:21:42 AM »

Quote from: Muddy05

Well, I guess if I waited on a good "ideal" shot like bowhunters do it might work??? I was just curious if it was "ideal" for under about 50 yards or so to take along with my rifle. Ive never hunted with a handgun and would like to try it out. Thanks guys!

Hey Muddy,
First if you are talking about a woods gun I would not consider an auto loader. I would take a wheel gun with enough power to take down the biggest critter in the area I am hunting.

I carry a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt for my woods gun. I also have a S&W 629 Classic (.44 Mag) that I could use also. Remeber that when the feeces hits the fan you want something that is very reliable and has enough power to take down a wounded or crazed animal. Also remember that with these guns that I have mentioned, they make great handgun hunting weapons in the future:

If however you only have the .40 S&W and can't afford a wheel gun at this time, it will do for now. But I would think to get a kitty on the side and start saving for that woods gun now. :wink:

SOUTHARK · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 08:03:43 AM »

We do a lot of hog hunting with dogs here in south ark and my brother carries a glock 22 40 cal loaded with 165 gr rem golden sabers and I have seen him drop many 150 to 350 lb pound hogs from 20 to 50 yards with one shot. 2 of my buddies that I hunt with walked up on 2 good sizes does while scouting during deer season, one of them was carrying a Colt Delta elite 10mm and the other was carrying a EAA witness 40 cal both loaded with 165 grain Rem Gold Sabers (I got a great deal on em and bought a couple thou) the deer were standing broadside at about 35 to 40 yards , both deer dropped in their tracks , both hit behind the shoulder. The only difference between the 40 and the 10mm was that the 10mm went all the way thru the deer and the 40 did just as much internal damage but the bullet hung in the hide on the other side. Said all of that to say this .... I wouldn't have a problem shooting a deer with a 40 with the right bullet and kept my shots to 50 yards or less.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:06:36 PM »

personaly id rather have a 40 shooting hardcast then a .357 shooting anything. But i guess id grab something else myself

t-roy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2005, 02:57:49 AM »

i used a .40 for a few years, and i have a cousin that still uses one. we've never had one run off yet. keep your shots limited to 50 yards or under (definately less if you don't target well at 50). since your post stated deer, and you are in alabama, the .40 should work just fine. our iowa deer are quite a bit larger than your southern deer, and if you pick your shots propperly, you won't have any trouble

mikemayberry · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2005, 03:52:10 AM »

I figured I was one of the only guys in America to have shot a 125 lb. hog with S&W Sigma .40 caliber using Golden Sabers. They feed well and are very reliable in the gun itself.

Had the ferel hog standing broadside at 10 yards and couldn't let the opportunity go by me so I shot and shot and shot. After about the fifth shot as he ran past me he fell over and died 10 feet from me.

The gun did its job, the bullet did its job and the hog died with dignity trying to get away.

This was my concealed carry gun and I just stuck it on my belt while looking for a doe I had arrowed at dusk the evening before. Came upon the hog and took the opportunity.

Now for my opinion. I believe in this gun and caliber for defense and will use it for such if the need ever arises.

It is also the handiest gun and hoster rig I have to slip into my belt with the FOBUS holster. Light weight and fifteen rounds ready or can even carry two more magazines if needed in the other paddle mount.

That said, it will kill a hog or a deer if you are close enough and make the shot. Never really thought about how luck played into the kill until it was over and I was telling the story to a deputy sheriff that owns a shooting range. We had to agree that luck was a factor.

It is no longer my primary woods gun as I now carry my .44 mag 12 inch Encore in a Bandito shoulder holster and can shoot further with more power out to 75-100 yards.

I would limit hog and deer shots with the .40 to 20 yards for me due to shot placement but obviously others are better shots.

If the same situation arose, I would do it again at the distance with the hog or a deer but would rather have something different like a 5+ inch .357, .41 or .44 wheel gun. I feel any of these would do the job better and allow me to take a longer shot than I would ever take with the .40 auto.

Not telling you what to do at all, just offering a long and winding opinion on the question you asked.

Mike

AzDrifter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2006, 04:37:43 AM »

I've never shot a deer with a .40 S&W, but I've killed a few coyotes and 2 javalinas with the cartridge.

The coyotes, so far, died on the spot. One javalina died in three jumps, the other about the same, but I did shoot it again in those three jumps...

Might have had something to do with the fact that it almost rolled into me, then jumped up and tried to run around me, so I shot it again at point blank range. It was dead, but didn't know it yet.

Oh, and though javalinas and coyotes are significantly smaller than deer, I've yet to have a bullet not exit.

corbanzo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2006, 02:28:32 PM »

If you are hunting small deer, like black tails, then that would work at close range, but you better be able to get that shot placement down. If you are hunting something else... and that giant buck comes up.... how are you gonna feel with your .40SW? Just make sure you have enough gun for all circumstances.

darrell8937 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:13:55 PM »

Nope... Nope.. A ""spear"" is better.. Do not go looking for game(deer) with a 40 S&W.. It is not a Hunting caliber...Period...Yes ,a .22lr can kill a deer.. But why chance it! Nope,, Nope!

C A Plater · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2006, 05:35:35 AM »

My preference is for the .40's poppa, the 10mm. Double Tap makes honest full power ammo that will push a 180-200 grain bullet over 1200fps if you don't reload. Certainly adequate for deer.

Ahab · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2006, 07:05:38 AM »

Had to dispatch a 300# feral hog on my property this fall. Somebody shot it in the hind quarters and a pack of coyotes were worrying it while it tried to crawl for cover. All the while bellowing the most God awful screams I ever heard. I grabbed my Glock .40 and ran out the door, the coyotes ran off. Double tapped him in the forehead. He just shook his head, started screaming again and tried to get up. Double tapped again in the right eye before he expired. The bullets were 165gr Golden Sabers. None exited. No, would not use for hunting. My S&W 29 will be the house gun.

terry · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2006, 01:36:15 PM »

I am using a 10mm with doubletap 200gr xtp and a 44sp with 260gr cast flat points for hogs and deer out of my contender pistol at this time.I killed two deer and about a half doxen hogs this fall most with the 10mm. In the past just by chance while out filling deer feeders and checking game camera's I ran accross wild hogs and all I had was my 9mm HK USP compact( my carry pistol) and was able to drop about a half dozen hogs from 100 to 200lbs with lung shots. I was using 147gr XTP about 1010fps out of my pistol. They always run about 50 yards and pile up. If you hit the shoulder bone then they are gone never to be found. A 40cal with a perfect shot will work. If you are off with your aiming forgot about finding what you shot.