Author Topic: best handgun for deer hunting in iowa--relatively new hunter (Read 3415 times)

namehij · « **on:** November 30, 2003, 06:22:41 PM »

what would be the best handgun to buy (under $500) for deer hunting in iowa?

suggestions on barrel length, bullet type (for most effective kill shot), scopes, etc. would greatly be appreciated. been hunting them with shotguns but going to start using handgun.

thanks in advance for the information.

would like to have one can carry in holster while bird hunting so if see deer can get it.

crawfish · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2003, 11:07:45 PM »

Everyone who has seen me post knows of my love affair with the .41RemMag BUT since you are a new hunter who hasn't mentioned anything about reloading I'm going to suggest a Ruger SBH in .44RemMag because you can get up to speed with .44Special stuff and then buy OTC a whole bunch of .44RemMag ammo that is suitable for any big game hunting applacation in the world. Around here a new SBH runs about $350 with good used running about $100 less. That will leave about $200 for a scope and mount. Don't think you'll be able to stay in the $500 budget unless you go with a Tasco, Bushnell, or Simmons scope. May be able to find a used Leupold or Burris. You may be able to get buy with a .357Mag some shooters will consider it as being undergunned. I have no experence with that round so I can't advise.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2003, 12:14:52 AM »

second the super blackhawk recomendation. You simply cant buy a better gun for the $

billmaly · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2003, 01:28:11 AM »

I hunted whitetail in Eastern Iowa last year with a Ruger GP100, 6 in. barrel, .357 mag. I reload, and use Hornady XTP bullets, 180 grain. This worked on a big doe last year. I'll use this gun again this year (6 days to go!). The GP100 can be bought new for well under $400, and is a shooter with just the adjustable sights.

NEXT year, I am moving up to the Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 mag with a 9" barrel. That gun is costing me $529, before I put a Holosight scope on it.

Best part of the GP100 is that practice ammo can be had for not a lot of money (I put several hundred practice rounds through mine before I hunted it), and it's cheaper if you reload.

Once you go handgunning for deer, you will not want to go back to slug gunning. The handgun is lighter, more manueverable, and usually more accurate than a slug gun. Plus, in my opinion, it damages less meat than a slug.

xphunter · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2003, 10:14:41 AM »

I would go with a used Ruger or S&W revolver with 357 Mag. being the minimum or a used Contender in a variety of cartridges. Using iron sights will save you money over mounts and optics.

Ernie

Camel 23 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2003, 10:37:40 AM »

I will also recommend the Ruger Super Blackhawk and add that you may want to check out the Super Blackhawk Hunter models. If you don't reload go with a 44 mag, if you do reload go with the 45 LC.

jem375 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2003, 11:20:21 AM »

Get a 44 mag T/C Contender with a 14" barrel, put a scope on it and you are all set for Iowa Whitetails up to 100 yards and maybe a shade over.........they are very accurate.......

BH · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2003, 12:33:05 PM »

The kind of hunting you do and what you expect from your handgun will make a big difference on your choice. As others have mentioned the 44 Mag. Blackhawk is hard to beat for an all around deer gun. I too am from Iowa and have hunted deer with pistols for about 6 years now. I still use my 20ga. shotgun for the first gun season mainly because I hunt with some long time friends and my sons (when they can make it) and we usually do mostly drive hunting during that time. The shotgun is simply a more efficient tool for that type of hunt when the shots you get will mostly be at running deer. Once that season is over I settle in with my pistols for the remainder of the hunts (second gun season land owner, late muzzleloader, and the special late season this year).

Most of my pistol hunting involves still or stand hunting and the latter offers some relatively long shots from a good rest. With that in mind, my first pistol was a 14 Lone Eagle single shot in 357 Max. It has a slight advantage in trajectory over the 44 Mag. only because you can use rifle bullets in the single shot . With the 180 gr. Hornady SSP bullet it is a very effective round out to about 150 yards. The down side is that you need to reload your own as I dont know of any factory offerings in that round and its not something you want to carry around while your bird hunting. Another good single shot round that is legal in Iowa is the 375 Win. If youve got a very strong constitution the 45-70 and 444 Marlin are also legal pistol rounds but I flinch just thinking about it. The TC Contender is also a nice single shot with a large following but Im not sure what calibers it is offered in at this time.

The second deer pistol I acquired (357 Mag. 6 ½ Blackhawk) was mainly for still hunting heavy timber or stand hunting in short range situations. Despite what some may say, it does a fine job on whitetails within about 70 yards ( and I suspect a little farther). The Hornady XTPs in 158 or 180 gr. will do the job if you reload. Im not familiar with factory rounds but Im sure there are some good ones available. This gun would be a breeze to carry while your bird hunting.

As for sights. If you going to carry it in a side holster while bird hunting, Id recommend sticking with the iron sights if you can shoot them well. Personally, I use red dots on my shotguns and pistols. My favorite is the Bushnell Holo Site but they are expensive. I have a 30mm BSA redot ($30) on the 357 Mag and it does a respectable job at close range.

Bob

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2003, 01:51:12 PM »

Does Iowa have any restrictions on calibers? Bottleneck cartridges ok?

I'm partial to TC Contenders for deer hunting. Calibers I've used: 357 Mag, 300 Whisper, 44 Mag, and 357 Maximum. Some of these could be used to 150 yds.

You can pick up used frames for $225, a barrel for $175, and a used Leupold or Nikon 2X for under $130. This would be just a shade over your budget but worth it.

BH · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2003, 04:54:59 PM »

Greg,

No bottlenecks in Iowa ... only straight walled but they can have tapered walls like the 375 win, 45-70 etc.

Bob

Quadzillabill · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2003, 05:31:53 PM »

Lots of used Super Redhawks around here in .44, .454 and .480. They can be had for $400+ depending on condition. You can get a red dot scope for a little over $100 in ebay, and you're ready to roll for a bit over your $500 limit.

More versatile, and a better hunting action than the Blackhawk in my opinion.

Daveinthebush · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2003, 06:25:55 PM »

I have to stand with the Contender guys. My bet is a .44 mag. 10" TC with a good 1-2 power scope. A .357 max., .41 mag, 30/30, 7/30 or 45 LC will also work.

I am hesitant on the .357 mag. Had one but lost it to unemployment.

My 14" .445 Supermag would do it too!

myronman3 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 02, 2003, 01:42:44 PM »

44 mag blackhawk. 5inch barrel. i have had a bunch, and i should have started and ended with the above. other guns are nice in their niche, but for the buck and for versatility the blackhawk simply cannot be beaten. and if you handload, the possibilities are endless.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2003, 01:51:17 PM »

I hunt central Iowa muzzel loader, shotgun, and pistol. If your going to limit your self to one hand gun for hunting that you want to carry while bird hunting. I would recommend the Ruger Redhawk / 5.5" barrel. Have your dealer work the trigger with a spring kit from Brownell for the double action. Any factory ammo 44 mag works, I prefer flat points but hp work fine. Most of our shooting is done -60yds. The other suggestion I have is the Ruger sbh hunter model mount a 2x or red dot on it, in a 7.5" barrel. You carry this in a cross the chest shoulder rig. While we jump alot of deer hunting pheasants I can't say I have ever went bird hunting in deer season.
Jim

Camel 23 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2003, 07:37:43 PM »

For something to take with you while you are bird hunting, like you stated, I would rule out the contenders. I have both contenders and blackhawks, and the blackhawk would be much easier to carry while bird hunting.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2003, 02:54:02 PM »

BH
I am thinking about the late season muzzel, can we also use a pistol for this hunt? DNR web sight does not really address this issue. This probably the only season I could get time off to hunt.
Jim

BH · « **Reply #16 on:** December 03, 2003, 06:03:58 PM »

Jim,

Yes, you can use a pistol in all gun seasons in Iowa. And, don't overlook the special late season starting 10 Jan.

Bob

IATRKYHNTR · « **Reply #17 on:** December 03, 2003, 06:14:32 PM »

Jim,
On page 5 of the Iowa deer and turkey hunting pamphlet, it says we can use a hand gun during the disabled hunter, Shotgun 1, Shotgun 2, Late muzzleloader and Special late antlerless only seasons. So yes you can use it! I am planning on having my S&W .357 Mag on me in SG 2, Late Muzzle, and the Doe only season this year. IF I can get a close shot on a deer I will give it a try, I feel safe out to about 40 yds only.

Good luck!!
IATRKYHNTR
(Nathan)

BH · « **Reply #18 on:** December 03, 2003, 06:38:00 PM »

Nathan,

Where abouts in S/E Iowa? Center Point myself.

Bob

billmaly · « **Reply #19 on:** December 04, 2003, 02:34:04 AM »

Cedar Rapids here!!

BH · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2003, 07:01:58 AM »

Bill,

We'll have to get together and trade stories over a beer sometime.

Bob

IATRKYHNTR · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2003, 07:18:10 AM »

I'm down in Martinsburg, near Ottumwa.

BH · « **Reply #22 on:** December 04, 2003, 11:05:52 AM »

Nathan,

Been through there a number of times on 149 years back when we did a lot of quail and deer hunting south of Ottumwa. Haven't been down there for some time now. Do you still have a good quail population down in that area?

Bob

IATRKYHNTR · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2003, 01:59:58 PM »

Bob,
Not to many Quail around where I am at, not sure how they are south of here. The Up Land bird numbers are starting to come back, but will take a long time to be the same as they where about 5 yrs ago. I went out Pheasant hunting on the family farm last week, first time in about 4 years, saw around 20 rosters, and 30 hens. 5 years about it would have been 50 and 100. I went out and helped with a road count with a DNR buddy of mine in Feb of 97, in the farm fields around our CRP we counted 500+ birds.

Nathan

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2003, 02:49:39 PM »

Do any of you get into coyote hunting? We used to do a lot of it in this area, and then it dropped off. I am thinking of getting out after them this winter.
Jim

BH · « **Reply #25 on:** December 04, 2003, 04:34:37 PM »

Jim,

Funny you should mention it. A long time hunting friend and I were just talking about doing some coyote hunting this year after deer season. We use to hunt them quite a bit about 25 to 30 years ago but other priorities kind of took over and we stopped doing it. Now that we're both retired we have more time to consider things like that and will probably get back into it. Unfortunately, I sold my Rem. 788 .243 a few years back because I hadn't used it in so long and it was just taking up space in the safe (as you know, there's not much use for a centerfire rifle in Iowa other than fox & coyote)

. Boy, that 788 could drive nails at 100yards. Guess I'll have to start looking for another good coyote rifle.

Bob

TH · « **Reply #26 on:** December 04, 2003, 04:42:04 PM »

BH,
Dad moms gonna love that, another new gun!!! Just kidding, I'm glad to see you finally doing what you like and enjoy for a change instead of working 80hrs a week. See you tommorow, can't wait to get out there hunting with everyone again, seems like it's been forever!!

Trace

BH · « **Reply #27 on:** December 04, 2003, 04:57:21 PM »

Trace,

Who said mom is going to find out :lol: ! Got pretty much everything ready and a couple nice bucks tied to trees down at Dicks so it should be a good hunt. Now that you mention it it has been some time since I've had both my boys back to hunt deer with me :grin: .

Dad

Iowahunter · « **Reply #28 on:** December 04, 2003, 05:12:13 PM »

Hi Fellow Iowan's Palo here. I used a S&W 44mag 2 yrs ago to bag a decent 8 pointer and Sat morn I will be out hunting with a T/C Encore in 45-70.

Good luck Huntin !!!

IATRKYHNTR · « **Reply #29 on:** December 04, 2003, 05:55:05 PM »

Jim,
I started out Coyote hunting, and have been doing it off and on ever since. Back when I started hunt (that just made me feel old) my family ran coyotes with dogs, but now that everyone has "grown up" we no longer do that. I still have a bunch of buddies that run every weekend, unless it is deer season. I get out with then now and then, not really my cup of tea. I have been trying my hand at calling, only been out a few times, still no dead coyotes. I hunt mostly with my Nova 12 ga and 3 ½ 00 buck, or if I am with some one with shotgun Ill get out the Rem 700 ADL in .243 win. I have been out once this year, and just now on my way home from work, IN THE SNOW, I saw coyote tracks crossing the road at just about every brushy ditch I went by. If only deer season wasnt this weekend I would be out again! Oh well just have to wait till all my seasons are over I guess. Good luck on deer season this year!

Nathan