Need advice on revolver for deer hunting

[Jal5]

As stated in my other post, in Hunting in Ohio, I am thinking about buying a handgun for deer. I am looking at either 357 mag, or 44 mag revolvers. I believe here in Ohio it has to be at least 6 in. barrel and straight case rounds. I am only familiar with rimfire handguns and since I am not familiar with revolvers, in a used one what should I look for as things to stay away from, or what would indicate a gun that has not been well cared for? How about recoil- I will be reloading and could start practicing with a lower load whatever caliber I do buy.

Thanks for the help.

Joe

[NE Hunter]

Both will work, but I favor the .44 mag and up.  I started with a .357 as my first center fire revolver and once I shot my first .44 I gave that .357 "cap gun" to my wife.  Never looked back.  Stay with reputable brands Ruger, Smith and or Dan Wesson.  I'd normally include Taurus but after reading the issues in the Taurus forum I can't.

[handi243]

older taurus is good

[S.E.Ak]

Don't over look the 41mag and 45 colt both will do the job also. The Ruger Blackhawk is a good gun to start with and finish with.The 6" rule sucks as most single actions go from 5 1/2 to 7 1/2

[teddy12b]

I used to have a Ruger gp100 6" 357 mag.  I had to sell it for $$ at the time or I would have kept it.  You can load that gun any way you'd like, just follow the reloading manuals and you'll be fine.  It's powerful, but not so much that you can't handle it and place accurate shots.  The 6" rule stinks.  I'm hoping to get either a redhawk 44mag or another GP100 before next deer season, but Indiana is easy with the 4" barrel rule.

[Jal5]

teddy-
I thought about that gun too. what about the distance with the 357? Most of our hunting places are short- 75 yds would be a long shot, but I don;t want to limit myself in terms of the gun, so 100 yd. shot would be better.  How would the 357 do for a 100yd shot?

Joe

[Redhawk1]

I know the 357 Mag will kill a deer, I have done it a bunch in the past. In my opinion I would skip the 357 Mag and look at a 41 Mag or above.

I would look at a Ruger Super Black or Blackhawk in 41 Mag, 44 Mag or 45 Colt. All can be down loaded and loaded hot for just about any game in North America.  My personal favorite it the 45 Colt with a 300 or 325 gr. hard cast bullet at about 1200 fps.

[buck460XVR]

I consider the .357 as a under 35 yards gun for deer, but that's me. I killed 4 deer with a .357 and all went less than 40 yards after being shot. Many states measure a revolver barrel from the firing pin, so the cylinder length is included in overall barrel length.....check your regs.

[Redhawk1]

Many states measure a revolver barrel from the firing pin, so the cylinder length is included in overall barrel length.....check your regs.

Most States I have hunted in measure revolvers from the end of the cylinder ( Cloest to the forcing cone) to the end of the barrel.

But always check each State reg's before hunting.

[teddy12b]

teddy-
I thought about that gun too. what about the distance with the 357? Most of our hunting places are short- 75 yds would be a long shot, but I don;t want to limit myself in terms of the gun, so 100 yd. shot would be better.  How would the 357 do for a 100yd shot?

Joe

I only had my gp100 for a short time, but it was great!  It just took platice to hit targets out to 100 yards and it wasn't easy, but it could be done.  Out to 50 yards was the end of my comfortable limit for deer sized targets.  Anything past 50 yards wasn't an easy shot and took more concentration, but it was very doable.  I put a hogue tamer grip on mine and it fit me like a glove and also made the gun more comfortable to shoot.  You can load up cast bullets in that caliber that should punch through a deer without too much trouble.

[kevthebassman]

I've got a Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag, 7 1/2" barrel.  I love that dang thing.  Shoots like a dream and recoil is mild.  Only thing is that it weighs a frikkin' ton when you walk around with it on your belt all day and carry a rifle.

[Mohawk]

 Probably I'd go with the .44 Mag. If only hunting deer the .357 is fine but the .44 gives you the longer list of suitable species. IMHO, from my experience, the .357 Mag ends use beyond close range Mule Deer or large hogs. Anything larger or heavier I would start to increase bore size and bullet weights. But then again I have no experience with hard cast loads in .357 that I hear increase larger game performance, but thats another variable.

[Mikey]

I limit my revolver shots to 50-60 yds these days because I cannot get a clear enough sight picture with my eyes to place a good shot.  I'm sure that if I was looking at Miss America my vision would be clear enough to differentiate fact from fiction. 

My self-imposed restriction still allows me to use either the 357 or 44 magnum.  I shoot shorter barrelled guns, 3.5" 357 and 4" 44 magnum and use heavy bullets loaded to moderate velocities in the 44 and heavy bullets as fast as I can shoot them in the 357. 

Jerry Lester is our resident 357 hunter and expert, and he sez he uses a 158 gn bullet in his 6" revolver and a 125 gn bullet in his carbine/rifle (I think that's what he said) and that is all he uses and he has shot an awful lot of deer with those combinations and they do not go anywhere after he hits them. 

You stated you will be reloading, so I would recommend the 44 as having the most available options for the maximum distance you wish to shoot. A heavy 357 will penetrate t&t a Whitetail chest at 100 yds and the animal will act like it has been rifle-shot and may drop right there or run for a bit and the 44 may just do it better.  However,if you are not a accomplished handgun shooter you should practice a lot with whatever handgun you purchase before you go afield with it. 

I think the 6" rule bites but there are a lot of fine revolvers in both calibers in that barrel length.  My preference is for the Smith and Wesson revolver.  The Ruger in either single action or double action is a fine piece but the hammer fall of either Ruger model may be tough to master for some.  The S&W seems to be a more refined revolver with a much smoother trigger pull and let-off and in either caliber is built for long term continued use. 

Let us know what you decide.  HTH.  Mikey.

[S.E.Ak]

Believe the 357 is being over rated some. Its a clean 50 yard round at best out of a handgun and 100 yard with rifle if pushing it. Sure things can be done but is it fair to the game

[bluecow]

just something to thing about if you do much still hunting i feel that the S.A is a tad bit saffer than the D.A. of course we dont walk around with our fingers on the trigger do we.  ( or atlest we dont admit that we ever do )  i have to vote for the 44.  we always cant always have reloads with us or so im told.  in the back country store find 41 mag 45 l.c. hunting ammo.  357 is too small.  454 and up? well after doing some shooting with the F.A. 454 i figured out that if i cant do it with my 44 then maybe i need a rifle, a big rifle

[Badnews Bob]

I love my GP 100 for hunting and have taken several nice deer with it. IMHO the performance of 180 grain bullets is superior to 158 but I have had sucess with both, with the pistol I don't think it is really stout enuff for a 100red yard shot, but I dropped a 180lb buck at 65 paces, I am 6' tall so that is right at 65 yards, he ran about 30 yards and laid down not to get back up. I'd say all my other shots were within 40 yards most withen 20 yards. ( i like'em close, easier to hit that way.) I also shot one at 50 or so yards with a .44 mag, I could tell no diffrence in the performance, I do think the .44 increases the rangeto at least 100 yards. (BTW it was a Ruger SBH  9.5 barrel job)
I don't like carrying the .44 thou. that thing is heavy.

 if you worry about recoil get a .357  or a Ruger .45 colt and shoot factory level loads out of it and work up to the stouter stuff.  then you need a lever gun to go with it or a nice single shot rifle, light weigth and good deer medicene.

[Larry Gibson]

Jal5

Lots of opinions here but it is you who must decide.  Are you are strictly handgun hunting with it and not carrying a rifle. Are you still hunting or shooting from a blind or tree stand?  Are you going to use a scope or the iron sights?  If scoping then a shoulder or chest holster is in order as is with the longer barreled handguns.  I'm 5'10" and carry several 6 - 6.5" barreled revolvers in a high ride belt holster quite comfortably.  The trick is a stiff wide belt that is not dependant on fitting belt loops.  Belt keepers that LEOs use are most usefull. 

As to barrel length. I've no problem with the 6 6.5" barrels and actually prefer them.  You do get better ballistic performance with the longer barrels. Some say there's not much difference but I disagree, I have seen the difference.  If using the iron sights the longer sight radius is also more accurate to use. 

As to which cartridge to use that also depends on which type of revolver you get (single action or double action).  All three (.357, .41 and the .44) are proven deer killers out to the 50 yards inside of which most deer are killed with a revolver.  If you're contemplating shots longer than that then a 7.5"+ barreled revolver or single shot should be considered with a scope or red dot sight. Recoil can be difficult to manage (it just plain hurts) with many double action revolvers, especially if you've smaller hands with the .41 and .44s. Recoil management is not difficult at all with single action revolvers, even with the .44. The .357 with proper bullet choice (I favor the 125 gr FP/XTP at 1600+ fps out of a 6" barrel) is quite adequate.  The .41 is very good+ and the .44 is "all the above".  Regarless of your choice I think you know it is you who must put the bullet into the heart/lung area for a clean kill.  Outside of that and you have just another wounded deer with any of them. 

My suggestion is you handle several different revolvers and double actions and shoot them if possible. There may be a range within reasonable distance where you can rent handguns to try on the premisses.  Since you reload and can load reduced practice ammo the choice mostly should be made on the style of handgun that best fits your hand and recoil tolerance.

Caveat;  If you go to a single shot like the Contender or Encore (neither is a bad choice) just remember that the 10" barrels give much better ballistics and higher velocities than with revolvers. A 10" Contender in .357 magnum is definately a deer killer as factory 125 run upwards of 2000 fps and 150s run to the 1800 fps.  The 10" .41 and .44 barrels likewise give increased velocity. That translates to recoil.  There are many that are just plain uncorfortable (that translates into very poor shots) with my 8.4" barreled Contender in .44 with factory 240 gr SPs at close to 1600 fps they find the recoil quite intimidating and painfull. 

Larry Gibson

[Jal5]

Great food for thought from everyone, many thanks.

Here in Ohio it is either handgun or shotgun slug hunting during our weeklong gun season. So if I get the revolver then I would be practicing with that moving from lighter loads to the hunting rounds during the course of the next 12 months. I usually shoot from a blind or tree stand and only rarely still hunt. I would definitely use at least a red dot more likely a scope to help these older eyes! Most of the hunting areas I use don't have any really long distance shots, 50-60 yds is the norm and most shots are taken within closer ranges than that.  I plan to try to shoot targets with some friends who have 357s and 44s and see which I like better as far as recoil, handling, etc. and decide from there.

If I buy a used revolver what are some of the signs of wear I should look for, put it another way what are the tip offs to run away from the deal???

Thanks to all who replied!
Joe

[S.E.Ak]

If they throw in a box of reloads loaded to max would be a sign for sure,Ruff forcing cone and lose cylinders at lockup and super light trigger are a few others. Also you can buy peep sight blades for rear sights that help with old eyes and if they work for you its alot cheaper and makes for a lighter gun not needing a scope.

[Graybeard]

I'm a firm believer that EVERYONE who wants to become a handgunner should begin with a rimfire. Practice is cheap with rimfire ammo and there is zero recoil to induce flinches and bad habits.

ONLY when you are proficient with the rimfire should you move to a centerfire and that in a revolver should be a .38/.357 magnum and begin with light .38 loads in it. When you gain an equal proficiency with it as you have with the rimfire then move up to .357 magnum loads.

Once you can shoot that .357 magnum with full magnum loads as accurately as you do the rimfire then and only then in my opinion are you ready to become a handgun hunter. If you are only going to hunt deer the .357 magnum with a 6" or longer barrel is enough gun but if you want more go there slowly working up the recoil ladder again and making sure that at each new step up that recoil ladder you gain equal proficiency with it before you use it as a hunting tool.

That's the way I did it and that's the way I recommend others do it. It's the way I've taught all students who wished to study under me in an effort to become handgunners. These days too many folks take a macho attitude and feel they must begin with the biggest and baddest round out there just to prove they are a man. I prefer to see folks do it right from the beginning and learn to shoot well then become hunters.

You have a full year so have plenty of time to do it right.

[Redhawk1]

I agree Graybeard, I started out with a 22 handgun and worked my way up. I was using a 41 and then a 44 Mag for many years before I made the step up to the 454 Casull, and then to the 500 Mag.  Each gun takes years to fully become proficient with them.

I don't just hunt deer with my handgun's, I also hunt hogs and black bear, and if I ever get drawn, a Moose is on my agenda.

I have seen them macho guys you are talking about, I seen guys that were first time handgunners, go buy a 460 or 500 Mag and shortly after shooting one or two cylinders full, they sold there big bore handguns. I can bet that them same guys will have to work 3 times as hard to get proficient with a smaller handgun, because they have become recoil "scared". 

[Jal5]

thanks Graybeard and Redhawk for that advice.  It confirms what I was thinking. I have enjoyed my 22 Ruger pistol over the past year and that is what started me thinking about handgun hunting for deer. I think the 357 will be plenty for me to get used to and proficient with over the next year and then I will be ready to hunt deer with it. It is also a good round to vary the load with for plinking and targets.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,

Joe

[blhof]

I agree with Graybeard also.  I started with the 357 and later got a 22 and got rid of all the mistakes that I was making with the mag.  I now shoot 357max, 30/30. and 45Lc, but still go back to the 22 for plinking and varmit hunting.

[Redhawk1]

thanks Graybeard and Redhawk for that advice.  It confirms what I was thinking. I have enjoyed my 22 Ruger pistol over the past year and that is what started me thinking about handgun hunting for deer. I think the 357 will be plenty for me to get used to and proficient with over the next year and then I will be ready to hunt deer with it. It is also a good round to vary the load with for plinking and targets.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,

Joe

Joe, good idea. Just keep your shots at the range you shoot best at, and don't push the distance. Just think of handgun hunting as bow hunting with a handgun. Getting close is the challenge and shot placement is key.

Good luck and happy Thanksgiving.

Alex

[Larry Gibson]

Starting off with a .22LR handgun is a good idea but it is not necessary.  For years I trained many military and police officers how to shoot handguns (among other weapons).  Years back when 99% of police officers were armed with revolvers almost all taining was done with .38 Special WCs.  These are light recoiling and not much more than the .22LR.  What I found to be the most often problem with poor shooters was a revolver/grips that did not fit there hands.  The use of S&W target stocks were the worst offenders, particularly when DA shooting.  Even in SA shooting if the grip doesn't fit accuracy is many times poor.  Training soldiers, male and female, to shoot the M1911A1 with Ball ammo was not the diffficult part. Getting past the BS rumors of "massive recoil" and "uncontrollable" were the hard part to their training.  With a proper fit to your hand, proper training (starting with light loads IS a good idea) and a good training regimen anyone can master even the .44 magnum.  However, without those three working concurrently it is difficult.  Many times the .357 or the .41 is the best choice simply because the shooter can handle it better and put the bullet in the right spot.  Light loads in the .357, .41 or .44 are the way to start out using a revolver that fits your hand properly.

Larry Gibson

[S.E.Ak]

My first handgun was also a 1911 Marine Corps issue.Qualified with it at 17 and never looked back.The 22 is a great training and plinking gun plus fun to shoot.

[hbar2989]

Ohio is 5'' min. .357 or larger, straight walled case.

[Freezer]

  While we're at it lets talk grips!  Grips make a big difference in how you handle a revolver in both accuracy and recoil.  I had a SBH in 44 mag that I loved but wasn't consistant with my grip.  I put a set of Hogue grips on and I shot it very well and handled the felt recoil of full loads better.  I did the same to my Security Six (357 mag) because I didn't like the thickness of the wooden grips.  Comfort and a consistant grip made me a lot better shot. 

[Jal5]

I have been looking for a used Ruger GP100 6", without much luck. New they are about $469-489 around here, blued with rubber grip, half shroud, adjustable rear sight. I stopped in a local gun store today upon the recommendation of a friend who has bought a lot of firearms from this store. While the owner didn't have a used one he had the new one described above for $469.  He thinks he can find a used one, good condition someplace in the $300-400 range. He seemed honest and helpful as we discussed different options. Does that sound about right?

Joe

[Handgun Hunter]

Jal5,

     That sounds like a reasonable price for a used GP in good condition. They are strong guns. I prefer the larger bores, not to extend my range but to increase the penetration. Even if you have a 460, it takes many rounds and a lot of discipline to hit the vitals much past 50yds from field shooting positions. I've hunted in Ohio with a handgun since they allowed it. There are many people who consider the 357 as minimal or even not worthy as a Whitetail gun. My son just got the fever last year and has a 357 Blackhawk. We developed a load using a 200gr. WLN bullet from Cast Performance and I've never seen any other bullet penetrate from a 357 like this load does.

     Graybeard and some others are correct in that shot placement trumps power and bore size every time on Whitetail. Here in Ohio they have changed the rules on handgun hunting over the years from only 5 calibers that were legal, to 5" min. barrel, 357 or larger and must be a strait wall case. I called Eric Lane from Perry county to confirm this change would include my Lone Eagle in 444 Marlin, and it is legal. Just like earlier posted, he tells me that most people ( read macho ) who buy these cannons use them one season and are back out with their 12ga. the next year because they will not or can not put in the practice to hit with them.

     If you end up getting this GP and would like a starting load with the 200gr. WLN, let me know as I think you would not be under gunned in the least.

     Good luck with your practice, Tim.