Author Topic: Taking the Plunge (Read 701 times)

JKump · « **on:** January 17, 2006, 01:42:25 AM »

I have been thinking about handgun hunting lately. The last two seasons I have hunted with a single shot rifle and carried a handgun with me. I will be hunting middle Georgia white tails mainly (but may have to shot at hogs). I currently own a stainless Taurus Tracker 4" .357 mag.. I am comfortable with this handgun and caliber. As a Police Officer I carry a handgun everyday a Sig P220 45 on duty and either a Taurus total ti 2" 357 mag or Taurus ultra lite 38 off duty. I have qualified with both of 357 mags..
What I need is good recommendations for a hunting handgun, both model and caliber. And I need a good factory load, since I don't reload. Hunting mainly deer (possibly a hog if presented). Hunting lightwoods, longest possible shot around 75 yards with most shots between 15 and 30 yards. Also is optics needed and which one. Thank in advance for any input.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2006, 03:10:52 AM »

JKump: Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors. As for a choice, you can never go wrong with a 44 magnum. It fits your bill perfectly for what you want to do and as you don't reload, the number of factory ammo availabilities in that caliber are almost mind-boggling.

As to choice of handgun - I love the S&W N frames but there are many fellas here who advocate the Ruger, some the Colt and others. I would suggest either a 4 or 6" bbl on the 44. I use a S&W Mountain Gun in 44 mag. The recoil is about the same as with my 3.5" 357. As you are familiar with the recoil of the 4" Tracker in 357 you should be happy with a 44 in the same barrel length.

Now, this is just my opinion. Let's hear what the others recommend. HTH. Mikey.

Ahab · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2006, 04:35:10 AM »

Yup, I agree with Mikey. Your familiarity with wheel guns means less of a learning curve. At the ranges you mentioned, I believe optics are not necessary.

Gregory · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2006, 12:24:23 PM »

JKump

If your single shot rifle happens to be a Thompson Encore or Contender you could turn it into your deer handgun very easily with a new barrel and grips.

I prefer to hunt with a scoped handgun myself. A quality 2X (Nikon or Leuplod) is all you need at wood's ranges, and they have an advantage over higher power scopes in that it's easier for a beginner to aquire the knack for finding your target in them.

Welcome to GB Outdoors

coyotefever · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2006, 01:39:04 PM »

Don't forget the 41 mag. fellas!

I did and bought a 44 mag.I still have my 44 mag but I just bought another 41mag.There is something about that caliber.I don't reload either.They seem to offer more now in shells too.I got some federal 210,and some winchester supreme 240 platium tips to try.Those speer gold dots lo0k good too.Lots of choices I know. :excuseme:

slave · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2006, 01:53:11 PM »

If you enjoy hunting with a single shot rilfe I would recomend the T/C Encore over the revolver. The chamber possibilites are endless. You could select any chamber or as many as you wish to purchase. The Encore opens the door to rifle cartridges as well as pistol cartridges.

The perfect round dose not exist. If it did gun makers would be out of work and we would not have any thing to talk about. That is the big case for the t/c. If you change your mind you just change the barrel.

A 44mag from a 10" to 12" Encore will get the job done but a 454, 460 or 500 sw mag will do it quicker.

bearman49709 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2006, 05:05:04 AM »

Quote from: Gregory

JKump

If your single shot rifle happens to be a Thompson Encore or Contender you could turn it into your deer handgun very easily with a new barrel and grips.

I don't want to step on any toe's with my first post here, but I belive that it is illegal to make a hand gun out of a rifle, but not the other way around. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

bearman49709 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2006, 05:07:46 AM »

slave · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2006, 06:15:50 AM »

BEARMAN,

Don't worry about jumping in. I am sure one State or another may have laws that would prevent the T/C from switching from a rifle to a shotgun ML or whatever. In my case or the State of Ohio the T/C must be purchased under the same requirments as a pistol no matter what way it is configured at the time of purchase.

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2006, 07:28:04 AM »

Try a 14 inch Encore in 7mm-08 with a 2x scope...............

:lol:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2006, 07:37:00 AM »

I would say a good 44 Mag, either a S&W or Ruger. There are all kinds of factory loads that will work for deer and hogs.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2006, 10:40:05 AM »

I'm going to jump on the 44mag bandwagon...There is a plethora of factory hunting ammo available. I would vote for a S&W or Ruger...Are you interested in single action only or double action? If you want just single action then the Ruger Super Blackhawn Hunter would be a good choice...If you want double action then I would opt for a Ruger Super Redhawk or a S&W 629. Here's a pic of the 629 with a 6 1/2" barrel. If I were in the market for a new 44mag this would probably be the gun.

Of course, I already own a Super Blackhawk Hunter that I love to shoot...It doesn't have the factory trigger that the Smiths do but that is something that can be fixed.