Author Topic: Handgun for antelope? (Read 1587 times)

bigbore442001 · « **on:** August 07, 2006, 11:48:14 AM »

If you were going to hunt pronghorn antelope with a handgun, what would it be? What load would you use?

It may sound odd, but the flattest shooting barrel I have is the .375 JDJ. So for me it would be the factory loaded 220 grain bullet out of a 14" barrel with a 2 1/2 to 7 power Burris variable mounted on it.

So. What would you use?

palgeno · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2006, 12:44:05 PM »

6.5 JDJ --- 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
Gene

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2006, 01:29:33 PM »

That's an easy one, my S&W 460 Mag with a 240 gr. Hornady XTP at about 2000 fps.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2006, 01:43:18 PM »

The Weatherby bolt action single shot should be just the cat's meow for antelope.

rvtrav · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2006, 02:34:37 PM »

Dusty,

I used a S&W mod 19 in .357 with good effect before. I used a 158gr jacketed hollow point at around 1150 f.p.s.

go with something that you are familiar with and can shoot well, What ranges to you anticipate taking shots at?

Also are there any state laws that have minimum requiements for handguns where you are hunting?

poncaguy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2006, 02:46:05 PM »

460 S&W or 7mm-08, Encore, 15"

PaulS · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2006, 05:09:09 PM »

I would use a 3 inch barreled 45 colt. That way I wouldn't have to worry about running down an injured antelope. I am not a good enough hunter to get within a range that I can guarantee a killing shot with my hunting handgun. (about 90 to 120 yards) I don't think stands work for antelope and knowing my limits I choose not to do it at all.

nomosendero · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2006, 08:19:33 PM »

I will tell you what I have used, a Contender Super 14 in 30-30 AI. I took one 2 years ago at 198 yds., hit right where I aimed & the 150 gr. Nos. BT is perfect at these velocities out to nearly 300 yds. I am getting 2,400FPS with IMR3031. Last fall, my brother took an Antelope with this same gun and load at about 100 yards. I think Midway now sell these barrels.

I also think the 6.5 JDJ would be a fine choice.

xphunter · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2006, 03:28:23 AM »

big bore,
I'm assuming you have a Contender. Are you considering other action types or just the Contender?
From factory offerings in the Contender the 7x30 Waters would be my top choice for a good goat gun.
As far as what I have used on antelope, 7mm TCU, 7mm-08, 284 Win. I have taken more antelope with my 284 Win than the other two combined. i haven't hunted antelope much in the recent past, but if I were to today I would be using my 6-284, 6.5-284 or if I really wanted to stretch things my 7mm Dakota (All of these are in XP-100's though).
The 6-284 & 6.5-284 would work well in the Encore if you have one. The reason I would personally consider the 7 Dakota for myself is for it's wind defeating ability at the longer ranges. It just outperforms everything I have, hands down in terms of the lack of horizontal drift.
The 30-30 case necked down & improved in 6mm, 25, and or 6.5 would also make great antelope choices.

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2006, 04:29:48 AM »

Bigbore442001:

The 375JDJ will work fine, just be sure to practice your trajectory out to 300 yards. I used a 6.5JDJ with Nosler 120 Ballistic Tips for my antelope hunt and it worked fine in the Contender. The alternative is to go with an Encore and use a rifle cartridge that delivers velocity higher than the 2200 - 2400fps you can get from the JDJs that were developed for the Contender.

If I had the 375JDJ I wouldn't hesitate to use it for antelope, using the light bullets of course.

If you want a specialty Contender round for antelope, then the 6.5JDJ and 7-30 Waters are very popular, with the 7-30 being significantly more popular because of the availability of lower cost factory barrels.

buffalohunter · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2006, 09:56:16 AM »

Use the .375JDJ, it will work just fine. I used mine on antelope, I used the the 225 gr. Hornady bullet. It worked fine out to about 275 yards, thats the good thing about the .375 is that you can use it for everything.

454Puma · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2006, 05:34:02 PM »

Gee I'd shoot them with my 454 SRH loaded with 255 cast 45LC round since I have them walk right up to me at 30 yds all the time!Just this last weekend had 11 come with in 20 yds, all but two had horns!

All this without any scent lock camo, no cover scent or face piant on either!

PaulS · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2006, 05:54:00 PM »

454 Puma,
do they let you shoot the animals at the zoo?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2006, 06:04:29 PM »

I have an Encore handgun in 6.5x55. Shoots great at 200 yards. Have not used it hunting yet. I think it would be perfect. High accuracy, moderate recoil.

Cheese

tatonka · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2006, 05:09:30 PM »

Oh yes! I remember my first antelope hunt with a handgun. It was in I belive 1974 near Douglas Wyoming. The pistol of choice was a Thompson Contender with the hot new 30 Herrett (Necked down and shortened 30-30 case). It wore a Leupold 2x pistol scope that I recall was the only long eye relief scope available at the time. I recall having an issue with scope mounts then not able to secure the scope properly - went through several sets before I got a set to stay on the gun. It would shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards if I did my part. Great Antelope pistol but everyone thought I was crazy to use a pistol on antelope.
Today I would use my 6.5mm Bullberry improved (30-30 case becked down and the shoulder blown out). It is without a doubt the most accurate pistol I have ever fired with 120 gr Nosler ballistic tips and 4064 powder with 5 shot groups running 1/2" @ 100 yards. The barrel is 15" produced by Fred at Bullberry barrel works in Hurricane ,Utah. This gun is my deer/coyote pistol here in Indiana with a few remakable shots to it's credit. This round is almost identical to the 6.5MM JDJ round except for the parent case being a .225 Winchester. I would also feel comfortable using several other rounds but pick one you have confidence in and can shoot well consistantly under hunting conditions.
Once hunted with a friend who could shoot remakably well off the bench but was terrible in the field since he only practiced from the bench. Good shooting!

Pinkerton · « **Reply #15 on:** August 15, 2006, 01:49:17 PM »

Use what you've got and know your limitations. Took one with my 308B***m with 3-9x burris last fall, I had practiced out to 250 yrds but, got within 80yrds of that one. So I took my Ruger SBHH 44 with 2x nikon for my second tag and got within 40yrds. I really enjoy using the terrain and finding ways to get close now. So this year it's going to be my Redhawk in 45 colt. I feel good to 75yrds with this one so we'll see how it goes.

Pinkerton · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2006, 01:51:16 PM »

Use what you've got and know your limitations. Took one with my 308B***m with 3-9x burris last fall, I had practiced out to 250 yrds but, got within 80yrds of that one. So I took my Ruger SBHH 44 with 2x nikon for my second tag and got within 40yrds. I really enjoy using the terrain and finding ways to get close now. So this year it's going to be my Redhawk in 45 colt. I feel good to 75yrds with this one so we'll see how it goes.

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2006, 02:06:02 PM »

what about a long eagle. they shoot just like a rifle and i saw one i 308 win.

BLACK BEAR · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2006, 04:56:57 PM »

Antelope, the wonderful high plains drifters. For over 20 years the first step to a Wyoming antelope hunt has been send a bunch of money to the Wyoming Game and Fish and hope to draw a tag.Ten or so years ago we discovered a ranch in north east Wyoming that would let us hunt for a small trespass fee and great chances to draw a tag on private property.

Each year with tag in hand we now must decide what to hunt with, rifle or pistol and in what calibers. As your question pertained to pistols I will stick to that subject. My son and I shared a TC Contender in 30-30 many years ago in a pistol or muzzel area only. I managed to take a near 15 inch buck with 150 grain factory ammo. Jr also filled his tag with that pistol. All our
TC's and latter high dollar bolt action pistols are equiped with scopes. The only exception is Bill Jr's kill with a FA in 357.

In TC's the following have all taken deer and antelope....30-30. 7-30 Waters. 300 Savage a great round but a bit too much pressure if you are not carefull, 35 Remington with 180 SSP bullets, 219 Wasp with 80 grain bullets.
In the Encore with a custom 6BR barrel ( Many rifle calibers to pick from if you have an Encore.)

Custom bolt guns in 22BR, 6BR, 6.5BR have all tipped over Pronghorn.

My preperation for that one shoot on a big buck is thousands of rounds fired each year at steel animals. IHMSA competion with rams at 200 meters is great training and great fun. Plus a great spotter at your side when you are attempting to pop the herd buck as the does mill around. calls for a round of cold drinks when you make the shot.

BB

454Puma · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2006, 03:11:45 PM »

PaulS
No ! I don't hunt the zoo! But I have thousands acres of BLM land just out side our town with lots of goats! Unfortunately its all draw! Haven't got drawn yet! Maybe some day? Maybe you have to go to the zoo to get within feet of a wild animal some of us don't!

Oh then again you live in a zoo (Seatle)!!

PaulS · « **Reply #20 on:** August 16, 2006, 04:13:07 PM »

To hunt anything with four legs i have to travel at least 30 miles and it has to be in the right direction or I would endup i the middle of some other zoo - If I go 60 miles away in an easterly direction I can hunt just about anything in season. The animals around here are too skittish to get close to. You are either shooting in heavy brush or at moderately long range. BLM land doesn't exist around here - it's all national forest and between the clear cuts and what they call harvestable forest you don't get much of either. The lands that I used to hunt when I was younger are all condos, homes with three car garages, or occupied by one town or another.
I can drive for an hour north on the freeway and never be out of town - for one city or another. South I can drive for two hours before I get out of the city. Going west I hit the ocean before I get out of town. NOw you have to throw in two of the largest National Parks - one west and one southeast. The northeast is under heavy development and that leaves Northeast and East. My brother and I share in 107 acres near the NE corner of the state (we own it together) and we can hunt there but we have to be careful because it is being sold off in 20 acre plots all around our land except for the side that butts up against the national forest. All in all there is some excellent hunting in Washington but the areas that are left are shrinking every year.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2006, 12:53:43 AM »

fan of the 730

lovedogs · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2006, 02:59:27 PM »

My first choice would be a Super 14 type Contender barrel in 6.5 JDJ. Second choice would be another Super 14 in 7-30. But since I don't have either I've used a custom shop (Fox Ridge) 12 incher in .30-30 with a Leupold 2.5X8 and Hornady SSP 130's and Nosler 150 BT's. This has worked just fine. With these loads it'll work fine to 200 yds., which is my self-imposed limit with this type of handgun.

Before that I've used a Dan Wesson with a 2X Leupold and 240 gr. Speers. It worked real well. I loved it. But it was a shorter range outfit. After using the Contender I became so enamored with it that I use if for most all of my handgun hunting now.