Dangerous rhetoric?

[Questor]

This months Guns and Ammo says that today's  handgun hunters are now on an equal footing with rifle hunters.  What happened? Did a few new handgun calibers suddenly make handgun hunting so much easier that it no longer requires much skill and practice to make good shots on game consistently?

[mikemayberry]

Questor,

Not sure it's the calibers that made the difference.  It may be more hunters are now trying handgun hunting than ever before.  I am convinced it is more fun than rifle hunting and the thrill of working in closer to the game is more exciting than a distance shot (at least for me).

Of course they could mean that it's just as easy to miss with a handgun (due to lack of practice) as it is to miss with a rifle (also due to lack of practice).  And it's easier to carry than a heavy ol' rifle for those that only go out once or twice a year.

I look forward this year to success with my 12 inch 44 mag Encore.  No bears where we are so no issues with multiple shots vs. single shot.  Can always reload in about 2 seconds.  With the scope, I can reach out 50-75 yards for many of the shots I would have with a rifle.  

Put it all together, it's about the challenge, the convenience, the fun, being in the woods and eventually, the success of of taking game with a handgun.  If I had a choice of having a rifle and a handgun with me to make the shot and I could make it with a handgun, I would always choose it first.

Mike

[oso45-70]

Questor,

I think it a combo, of the new guns and and ammo available and the challenge of getting in closer to the game, Plus, like mike said the pistol is much easier to carry. I also belive that a person will practice more with a handgun than they would with a rifle..........Joe........

[Redhawk1]

Although I am a handgun hunter, I think there will always be a place for rifles that handguns just won't cover. But as far as equal footing, I don't think so. Handgun hunting is still a hard hunt and I find a rifle is a lot easier to master than a handgun. JMHO.  

[mr.frosty]

So true Redhawk just ask the mrs since I been practicing with the handgun
I killed her purse, still purchasing ammo and all the time and effort I put in to learning the handgun as a whole.
Yes the rifle is easier to master for me anyway cause thats all I was
around growing up.
So my hats off to you guys with the expierence with handguns cause I
have learned alot from the ones who know.

[Mikey]

Questor old friend - that's just the article talkin' and one writer's opinion.....  Mikey.

[jro45]

In my state the only other gun we can hunt deer with is the shotgun. So I could see alot of hunters using a handgun. I don't know if that artical has anything to do with my state tho???

[Redhawk1]

In my state the only other gun we can hunt deer with is the shotgun. So I could see alot of hunters using a handgun. I don't know if that artical has anything to do with my state tho???

Don't forget we are allowed to use Shiloh Sharps rifles with black powder cartridges with paper patch bullets during shotgun season.  

[rockbilly]

One of the major reasons the M1 Carbine development was pushed by the military is because most people can not or have trouble learning to shoot a pistol.  The training required to teach the Tankers, Cooks, Truck Drivers, etc, to shoot was cut considerably.  The increased sight radius on the carbine allowed those that could not handle a pistol to be effective in combat by arming them with the carbine.

I have noticed on the range, most people can't shoot a pistol, at least not well enough to hunt with one.  Some folks have become semi-qualified with the Encore, T/C or one of the long barrel pistols on the market today.  Think about it, you, like myself, know lots of people that are "pistol hunters" that have never killed a game animal.  Another thing, I wonder how many animals are lost each year by a pistol hunter that made a bad shot?

[Questor]

We're on the same wavelength, Rockbilly.

I know how much I have to practice to maintain proficiency with handguns and how much practice I need to do to consistently make good field shots at game. It's a lot easier for me to shoot a rifle than a handgun.  Some kinds of handguns are eaier to shoot than others, too.  Just putting a scope on a handgun doesn't necessarily mean it's easier to shoot (but it helps a lot.)

[44 Man]

I have handgun hunted almost exclusively for over 35 years.  I used to hand gun hunt back when it was still considered a stunt.  I first went to handgun hunting because my father gave me his old 1873 28" bbl 32-20 for my first deer gun.  It should have had wheels it was so heavy!  Dad said it didn't have a lot of power, but if you got close and placed your shots right, it would do the job.  He also had a friend that hunted deer with an old colt.  He said it didn't have a lot of power, but if you got close and placed your shots right, it would do the job.  Wow!  I was hooked from then on and have never looked back.  44 Man

[Questor]

44 man. With all your experience, what do you think of today's big handguns? Do you think they need wheels too? I think some of these scoped 7 pounders do.

[Redhawk1]

One of the major reasons the M1 Carbine development was pushed by the military is because most people can not or have trouble learning to shoot a pistol.  The training required to teach the Tankers, Cooks, Truck Drivers, etc, to shoot was cut considerably.  The increased sight radius on the carbine allowed those that could not handle a pistol to be effective in combat by arming them with the carbine.

I have noticed on the range, most people can't shoot a pistol, at least not well enough to hunt with one.  Some folks have become semi-qualified with the Encore, T/C or one of the long barrel pistols on the market today.  Think about it, you, like myself, know lots of people that are "pistol hunters" that have never killed a game animal.  Another thing, I wonder how many animals are lost each year by a pistol hunter that made a bad shot?

I agree with you to a point. But I have seen people that rifle hunt wound a lot of game. It is not just pistol hunters. Most people would rather use a rifle than a handgun to hunt with. Most handgun hunter that I know are great marksman. I have hunted numerous deer with a handgun and have had great success. The bottom line is no matter what you shoot rifle or handgun,  practice  practice  practice.  

[mervin444]

For those who want or need practice at extened range with a handgun,get in the IHMSA you will get used to shooting at 200 yards,myself I have probably shot 2000 rounds at that distance and it's not all that bad to me now.Again with whatever you shoot,practice,practice,practice.You owe it to the game and yourself to shoot your best,and not to overextend your the range you are comfortable with or with the power of your round at the targets range.

[jro45]

Yea you're right Redhawk I almost forgot about black powder. And I hunt with one.

[xphunter]

Good discussion.
IMO handgun will always be more difficult than rifle hunting whether you are talking revolvers or SP's in either straight-walled or bottle-neck cases.

[karbo]

There's no doubt handgun hunting is more difficult.  If I chose to be a rifle, rather than a handgun hunter, the outcome of at least three seasons would have been different, and I use a single shot pistol with bottle neck cartridges.  This is just an added challenge I like to have.  It's been my experience that rifle hunters in general, tend to be less serious, and less ethical than handgun hunters.  It makes sense if you think about it.  If your only goal is to shoot something, pick the firearm that gives you the best advantage.  That's why I'm totally against special handgun hunting seasons.  I don't want someone taking up the sport just because it gives him/her better draw odds, or a more favorable season.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

This months Guns and Ammo says that today's  handgun hunters are now on an equal footing with rifle hunters.  

The author HAD to be joking....that statement has absolutely no merit in my mind.  I could take my .280 and give it to someone who never shot a rifle before, and I would be real confident that he would have no problem taking a deer out to 150yds.  As for my super blackhawk hunter, I have shot that more times than ALL MY RIFLES(minus the .22's) combined.  I am going out Monday deer hunting and I am PRAYING that the deer I shoot is so close, that I will leave powder burns on his hide! :eek:

Jim

[sgtt]

I did not read the article.  What was the context?

[Nixter]

This might be off-topic but here is my rant.

I live in South-East Wisconsin. For regular gun season it is shotgun and handgun only.

Ok, I can use a handgun in 44 Mag but not a rifle? What about 7-30 Waters? 30 Herret? 45-70? Ok in a handgun but not a rifle? What's with that? A T/C is available in almost all rifle cartridges but I can't hunt with a rifle in them just a handgun?

Not grousing about handgun hunters just the laws of the state I live in.

If the effective range of a handgun is brought up as a reason, I'll blow my top. Too many gun/cartridge combinations are out there that will take a whitetail out to 200 yards with a competent shooter and load/caliber.

Are these old laws that need revising? That's my guess.

Sane input would be nice.


Nixter

Ps. sorry for hi-jacking this thread.

[palgeno]

Nixter--I live in Kenosha---and I agree the regs are unintelligable---not only what you can hunt with but when and where---there is no why. pg