new to hand gun hunting

[lil_hunter12]

im tryin to get into the handgun hunting for deer. im not really that new to handguns ive shot a few with a cap and ball .44 but would like a centerfire revovler. wat would be a good revolver u could find used easily and good for deer and maybe an occasional elk. thanx ahead for ur info

[jhalcott]

hunter, there is a BIG difference in deer and elk. anything from the .357 mag up will do for deer at REASONABLE ranges. For elk you should start with a 44mag with heavy bullets. 300 grain cast hard and pushed fast,unless you can get within 50 yards where 240 could work.IN ANY CASE,you will need to practice a lot to be able to consistently hit your target at longer ranges. Ground hogs make perfect practice targets,they move a lot are small and there are plenty of them in most areas.You do not need the heavy slugs for them either!

[corbanzo]

For elk, I would put a bottom line at a .41 mag, but keep within responsible pistol ranges with that, go up as you go up in power.  Anything from .41mag to .500mag will treat you well for that type/size of game.  There are always exceptions, and many will tell you about their experiences with smaller calibers and bigger game, but for the normal human...  

Ruger super blackhawks and super redhawks make really good hunting revolvers, easily scoped, rugged, etc.  The Taurus raging bull is also a good one, I have one in .454Casull, a very nice handgun.  If you want to spend a lot of money, you can move up to a FA... but that's some major bucks, especially brand new.

[S.B.]

I wish this forum had spell check, still?

[Feldhege]

OT.

If you are using IE. Try IESpell

If you are using Firefox, Try SpellBound Development.

I can't spell to save myself. These help alot!

Robb

[lil_hunter12]

thanx guys im thinkin on either a .44 .45 colt or 454 casull. thanx again guys

[S.B.]

lil_hunter12, how old are you, just curious?

[lil_hunter12]

im 16 and the rifle hunting has lost its appeal to me so im goin to try hand guns

[S.B.]

Well, good luck with the handgun hunting. It's a facinating and very enjoyable sport. I can remember when I was your age and became infatuated with handguns. I've still got the addiction, after all these years. I'm very happy to see some of you younger people joining in this sport.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

im 16 and the rifle hunting has lost its appeal to me so im goin to try hand guns

Good for you!  May I suggest that you also give bowhunting a try?  I went from rifle to bow to handgun...  Bowhunting, for me, is actually easier than handgun hunting; my groups are tighter flinging arrows at 50yds. than offhand with a handgun! :oops:

As for caliber, I would suggest hanging out at a local range and seeing if people will let you shoot their handguns a time or two to see if you like the given caliber or model of gun.

Are you planning on sticking with iron sights, or are you thinking about going scoped?

Jim

[lil_hunter12]

ive triesd bow hunting the deer r easily spooked and u cnat get to full draw without being spotted. and ive been shooting handguns since i could handle them i was looking for an excuse to get a bigger caliber than .357. i have shot deer with handguns a .44 caliber c&b revolver. thanks for the suggestion

[lil_hunter12]

would a .44 magnum be a good choice for 60 yards and closer in brush.

[S.B.]

would a .44 magnum be a good choice for 60 yards and closer in brush.

I suppoes it concers with popular belief but, no caliber or bullet weight works  reliably resisting deflecting off of foriegn objects?

[lil_hunter12]

the brush we have is things like briar patches and tree tops from where its always ghetting logged where i hunt u can almost always find an opening

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Sure, a .44mag would work great...

Jim