Author Topic: How many whitetails with a handgun? (Read 6271 times)

W · « **on:** September 20, 2008, 04:15:19 AM »

How many whitetails have you taken with a handgun and what was the handgun?

I have taken 6 N.Y, whitetails;
3 with a .357mag Ruger Blackhawk-- (1) doe and (2) 4 pointers
and 3 with a .44 mag Ruger Super Blackhawk --(2) does and (1) spike.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2008, 04:34:21 AM »

I have taken two deer with handguns.

One with a S&W Model 29 with a 5 inch barrel Loaded with 44 handloads with 210 SilverTips.

One with a Ruger Black Hawk in 45 Long Colt with a 4 5/8 inch barrel loaded with 250 grain cast.

Cheese

GradyL41 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2008, 05:16:32 AM »

1 spike .41 6.5 "blackhawk 410459 K @1200
1 5 Pt .41 GNR 5.5 "Redhawk 170 @1700
1 spike .41 DWA 6" 280 gr. dual alloy SSk bullet @1200
1 Doe .41 5.5 Redhawk 240 gr. lwngc LBT @1360
1 doe 41#2 TC 12" 210 XTP at 2250
all I can remember-- tend to remember the ones I have to let go because I was handgun hunting-- like the long white tined 9pt -- oh well -- I hunt with a nhand gun now more than ever or at least try to

Cottonwood · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2008, 05:21:39 AM »

I have take two whitetails

Ruger SBH .44 Magnum 240-gr JSP loads.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2008, 07:23:20 AM »

I rellly have no idea. 3 is the most I`ve taken in 1 year with a handgun, but I`ve been useing a handgun ever since it was first legal in OH. and that`s been several years. Most were with my old 3 screw Super black Hawk and iron sights. Today I`m getting old and lazy so I usually set a stand with a .357 max.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2008, 11:25:37 AM »

Don't really know but a lot more than six for sure. Most have been taken with either the .44 magnum or 7-30 Waters but I've also used the 7 TCU on at least a couple maybe more and the .454 Casull on one. I'm probably forgetting something I've used but I mostly stick with the two 7MMs and the .44 mag really.

blhof · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2008, 01:05:18 PM »

At least 8, 2 does with DW 357mag 158 cast, 1 six point also with 357mag, 1 doe and 1 spike with 30-30 Contender pistol and the rest an 8 pt and does with the 357max and 200gr LFN. This was in the last 5 yrs.,before I lived in Central Fl. and had a long dry spell from deer.

Camba · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2008, 04:33:52 PM »

I've killed 6 deer with hand gun:

The first deer with handgun was using a S&W686, 6" bbl with a Leupold 2x scope. I hit him with my 6th shot when the deer was peacefully walking away at a distance of 80 yards. I was never able to understand why the deer did not run away at the first shot (it was a big doe). Other deer were around and they did not seem spooked.

After getting my shots deflected by small twigs in a different hunt, I changed my S&W686 with a 44 mag Encore T/C. Shot twice to a deer from about 15 yards. First shot was off hands and the deer coud not figure out where the shots were being shot from. The secon shot I used a tree to bench the gun and that was a good shot.

I decided that the Encore was to unconfortable to carry in the woods and I got a S&W629 in 6" bbl. I shot one small deer from about 10 yards. It went backwards about 4 feet and never got up.

I fell in love with a S&W629, 5" bbl and I got it. I killed two deer on the same spot one after the other. Again, I failed to understand why the deer seem confused to identify where the shots were coming from.

I wounded a deer an could not recovered. I shot it at about 50 yards with my S&W629, 5" bbl and I may have hit him in the shoulder. I followed the blood trail in the snow and he got up and run with a broken right front leg busted. I approached slowly and I made another shot but it was getting dark and the sooting hour ended. I track that deer down for a while and pretty muc lost him.

In a trip to south america, I shot a small deer with a Ruger MK2 .22LR pistol. The deers there are about the size of a javelina (40 to 60 lb). It took one shot only with a CCI Stinger behind the shoulder. It run about 30 yards. We decided to wait a few minutes before we look for it. It was dead at about 30 yards. In south america you are only allowed to shoot 22LRs or shotguns for hunting. Any centerfire caliber is considered a weapon of war and could be confiscated (just in case you ask why in the heck I shot a deer with a 22LR instead of a more suitable caliber).

Camba

Slufoot · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2008, 05:15:39 PM »

Great topic!
I'll try to remember all my handgunned deer but my mind tends to forget sometimes.
My first was 20 years ago and was taken with a Ruger Super Blackhawk loaded with a Sierra 210 grain JHC bullet. I shot it for a doe but it was a spike with antlers about an inch long and about as big around as a pencil. I don't think I could have been more tickled if it had been a ten pointer.
I took three more does with that handgun using Hornady bullets.
I bought a Contender in 7-30 Waters, 14" barrel and took 3 deer with it that I can remember, a doe a spike and a 7 pointer. I think there were some more but I can't think of them right now.
I got one deer with a 5.5" Super Blackhawk.
I used a Contender in 7mm TCU to take one deer.
I got two deer with a Ruger SRM 357 Maximum using the 180 grain Hornady XTP/HP.
I can remember getting six deer with my 338 JDJ#2 Contender.
I shot one deer with a 308 Lone Eagle pistol.
I got one deer with a Competitor pistol chambered in 25-284.
I used a Ruger Bisley Hunter in 44 Magnum to take one deer.
I have taken two deer with my Ruger SRH 454 Casull using Hornady 300 grain XTP Mag bullets.
These are the deer that I can remember, my mind ain't the best, just ask my wife. It was fun trying to remember these handgun harvests. Thanks for posting a great topic!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2008, 04:52:55 AM »

Only one so far. 65 yard shot on a huge doe with my 44 mag srh. But I'm workin on more.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2008, 05:31:33 AM »

only 4 so far.......

3 does from stand and a 6-point buck I took at 15 feet after sneakin' up on him in the rain as he lay bedded under a small pine tree. All with the .357.

Chenango · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2008, 01:41:27 PM »

I shot 9 whitetails all doe with a S&W 629 Classic in 44 Mag topped with a Tasco PDP1 Red Dot Sight with 240 gr. XTP's for all but one I used 200 gr XTP's.

steveus · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2008, 03:00:50 PM »

Four:
Doe @ 80 yds with 14" contender .30-30 Win
10 pt @ 125yds with 14" contender .30-30 Win
6 pt @ 60 yds with 15" contender .30-30 AI
8 pt @ 20 yds with 15" contender .30-30 AI

Interesting thing is this was after I had quit deer hunting for 20 years because of lack of interest, and the TC Contender is what put the excitement back in it for me.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2008, 04:49:08 PM »

I have been handgun hunting for about 26 years or so, I have taken deer with the 357 Mag up to my 500 Mag. To tell you the truth, I could not give you an honest number of deer I have taken with a handgun, but it would be close to 15 or 16.

I have taken more doe's then bucks with a handgun though.

jhalcott · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2008, 07:02:09 PM »

six or seven with a 44SBH, 4 or 5 with a 358 JDJ ,1 with the 7-30. I did kill one with a 45 auto. She was about 15 yards away at the shot and about 30 when she dropped. a couple with a 7tc/u 14",one with the 10" 7tc/u. A whole bunch with the 6.5 JDJ 14" ,2 with a 45-70 contender. I killed 13 crop raiding deer one year, NOT all with handguns. I know I'm forgetting a few as many crop deer were killed with what ever I was carrying that day!

nilescoyote · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2008, 10:48:57 PM »

1- 6 point 44mag desert eagle 6" barrel
1- doe with 44mag contender 10" barrel
1- doe with 454 encore (load was a 45 colt) 12" barrel
1- 5 point with 454 encore (load was a 45 colt) 12" barrel
1- doe with 209x50 encore muzzleloader 15" barrel
1- spike with 209x50 encore muzzleloader 15" barrel

All were taken with one shot between 30 and 60 yards.

Bullets used were all 200 grain hornady xtp's for the 44mag and muzzleloader and 250 grain xtp for the 45 colt. Bullets that were recovered all held 95% or greater of their original weight.

nilescoyote · « **Reply #16 on:** September 21, 2008, 10:51:52 PM »

forgot one.
1 doe with 45 colt ruger bisley w/ 7 1/2" (?)barrel

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2008, 01:08:38 AM »

Only four so far but I have handgun hunted just four years with the handguns being legal for deer in the regular season for five years now.

John020769 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2008, 05:53:15 AM »

1 4 point buck with a S&W 357mag 4in barrel.

jk3006 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2008, 07:59:25 AM »

2 does, 1 fawn, 1 spike buck. Hope to shoot at least two this year with the handgun. Either .45 or .44.

Ravenwolf · « **Reply #20 on:** September 22, 2008, 08:11:13 AM »

I've been handgun hunting for the last 20 years or so and have taken anywhere from 2 to 5 whitetail per year since I began. If I would hazard a guess it would be somewhere between 60 - 70 deer with handguns. I've been lucky enough to get to hunt in upstate NY and Kentucky each year. My first whitetail fell to a 35 Rem in a Contender, my last to a 410 GNR in a Ruger Redhawk. In between I've used the 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt in revolvers, 10mm in a 1911 auto, 7mm Super Bower, 358 JDJ and a 444 Marlin in Contenders.

Hope to be able to try out a new 25 caliber in the Contender this season...RW

Casull · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2008, 09:47:57 AM »

Three so far. Two does and one 4 point buck. All with .454 RSRH. First one at 35 yards, second at 75 yards and third at 30 yards. All with 300 grain hardcast handloads.

Ole Man Dan · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2008, 11:11:19 AM »

13-14 Deer, Bucks & Does
4 Hogs
6 Coyotes
2 Skunks (Don't go there)
Lots of snakes and a motley assortment of other critters...

FIRST SECRET OF SUCCESS: Always have a gun...
I think my secret is to always have a .44mag. or .45 Colt on me when I go out.
(You can't shoot em if your guns at home...)
Take em for a Sunday afternoon drive
Take em to the hunting club when I go to work
Take em BackPacking/hiking/4 Wheeling/Biking
Take em when I go flyfishing
You get the idea...

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2008, 01:05:16 PM »

Whitetails?

What, mule deer and blacktails don't count?

Near as I can recall I've taken 8-10 blacktails with handguns (.38 Special, .357, and .45 ACP) I've taken 6 mule deer with .41 and .44s (Special and magnum). I've also killed countless injured deer with numerous cartridges and types of handguns as an LEO in NE Oregon.

Larry Gibson

ftw · « **Reply #24 on:** September 22, 2008, 04:24:51 PM »

I have only used a handgun during firearms season for the past eight years, and I part time hunted before that, so I would guess 15-20, mostly does but a few nice bucks.

The early deer were taken with a .41 mag Blackhawk 4 5/8", Then I killed quite a few with a 7-30 Waters Contender and at least 3 or 4 with a Redhawk in .41 Mag.

I actually keep a short log of every day I hunt, weather,what I saw, where I hunted, what I killed etc but I never seem to put what I was hunting with. I kind of wish I had. The last two I know were killed with the 7-30 and the Redhawk and I can remember every detail of those hunts but some of the older ones get a little foggy. Sometimes reading my log book brings all the memories back.

rimfire · « **Reply #25 on:** September 23, 2008, 03:42:29 AM »

Lets see...

1st Doe 7-30Waters Contender
2nd Doe 7-30W
3rd 5PT 7-30W
4th Doe 44M Contender
5th Doe 41M Contender
6th Doe FA83 44M
7th Doe 7-30W
8th Doe 7-30W
9th Doe 41M Redhawk
10th Button [oops!] 41M Contender
11th Doe FA83 44M

Revised as I left one out above.

Handguns are by far my favorite way to hunt.

coop2564 · « **Reply #26 on:** September 24, 2008, 09:52:40 AM »

5 all together.
3-With contender 30-30
2-With .41 rem mag

.357 shooter · « **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2008, 10:36:08 AM »

I am like some of the others that have handgun hunted for 20 years or more. I honestly can not give a number. I have handgun only hunted other than archery for over 20 years. Average 2 deer a year doe and buck with handgun. There have been a year or two that I only shot either a buck or a doe, and a couple deerless years so I would have to say between 20 and 30.
Shot with .357, .41,.44,.45colt, 480 ruger. Most shot with .357 though.

Lone Star · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2008, 03:53:35 PM »

I was fortunate enough to hunt Kodiak Island for over 25 years where I took something over 40 Sitka blacktails with various handguns. I remember using the following Contender barrels on the island: .300 Savage, .300 Whisper, .30 Herrett, .30 Carbine, .25 Bullberry, .25-35 Win, .45-70 and my Ruger .45LC.

In Texas add another half dozen with the .45LC T/C, 300 Whisper and .30 Herrett. I'm too old to remember them all, but I do remember it has been a great experience.

.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 25, 2008, 05:27:14 AM »

2 whitetails - one 6 pt buck at 17 yds and a doe from 40 yds. Both with 44mag SRH. Also taken 5 hogs - 2 with SRH, 2 with S&W 1917 45acp, one with Ruger 22/45. All within 25 yds.