Author Topic: I love handgun hunting (Read 1762 times)

Van/TX · « **on:** November 18, 2005, 03:14:46 PM »

Gosh why didn't I start 40+ years ago :wink:

I tell you what. I haven't had so much fun hunting in years. This is the 3rd year I've not taken the rifle out of the case. What a hoot :grin: Deer hunting up close and personal at bow range with a .357 is about as good as it gets. As you can see this is a very small deer but the enjoyment of taking him at 30 yards with a handgun was overwhelming as were the two previous ones. I love this type of hunting. If you have grown bored of hunting at long range with a rifle you really need to try this. Just wanted to share. I took this deer opening day of deer season in South Arkansas with a Dan Wesson .357, Tasco Red Dot and 180 grain cast core Remington Premiums

You can see the entry wound right under the sight. The exit was right behind the off shoulder ......Van

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2005, 07:32:47 PM »

Exellent!

I'm getting ready to get a couple hours of sleep, and hit the woods in the morning with my 357 Blackhawk. I had it cut down to 5.5", slicked up the action works, reworked the trigger, and installed a Wolff 30 oz trigger spring. I use the iron sights on mine.

I know exactly what you mean about the fun part too. I've pretty much run the whole deal as far as hunting. I've done everything from hunting cottontails with spears, and squirrels with sling shots, to shooting groundhogs at 800+ yards. Hunting with my Single Sixes, or my 357 Blackhawk has become my ultimate hunting fun, with calling predators a very close second. The only rifle I've used for deer for the last few years has been my open sighted Marlin 1894C 357 magnum. It's my long range gun! LOL!

My deer load consists of a Remington(bulk) 158g SP, CCI-550 primers, and 17.5g of Lil' Gun. It gives me 1370 fps from my Blackhawk, and 1880 fps from my Marlin. I haven't tried these bullets past around 1750 on deer, but after some pretty involved testing, I'm sure they'll be up to the task, even if the shot is very close. I've tried a slew of .357 bullets on deer, and in my opinion, this one is gives the best balance between expansion, and penetration, over the widest range of velocities.

Back to your deer; He don't look to "small" to me! He looks to weigh around 130-140 on the hoof, unless my eyes are fooling me? Besides, when it's a handgun deer, they're all trophies, and that one is a very nice one in my eyes. I hope I can sneak within range of one just like him tomorrow!

daddywpb · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:12:59 AM »

Van,
Congrats on a great shot and a great deer! Small? You must be kidding, right? How far did he go after the shot?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:31:09 AM »

Nice deer, congrats on that nice buck. Handgun hunting is a blast.

poncaguy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2005, 04:17:29 AM »

I'm going to use my 15" Encore 7-08 this pm, passed on a doe and a buck with one antler broken off this am. Had my Handi 7-08 and with 3 deer already in freezer I decided to wait and use my pistol. Congratulations on you buck!

Van/TX · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:32:48 AM »

Thanks guys

By small I was mainly referring to the antler size. Body size was about average for a 2 1/2 year old. Not a trophy for sure but big enough to get my heart pounding with a handgun. Deer ran about 75 yards which took about 5 seconds. I heard him crash. That's a nice sound :wink: .....Van

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2005, 06:42:06 AM »

Quote from: Van/TX

Thanks guys By small I was mainly referring to the antler size. Body size was about average for a 2 1/2 year old. Not a trophy for sure but big enough to get my heart pounding with a handgun. Deer ran about 75 yards which took about 5 seconds. I heard him crash. That's a nice sound :wink: .....Van

Not a trophy?? Any animal I take I consider a trophy. I don't judge my trophy by the size of the antler, some do.

Van/TX · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2005, 09:41:32 AM »

Redhawk, I agree

I'd like to make a correction to my original post in case y'all didn't catch the error. The cartridge I used was a Federal Premium, 180 grain castcore (P357J). I had Remington on my mind for some reason :? :oops: .....Van

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2005, 11:37:39 AM »

Nice deer Van and congratulations.

Spencer · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2005, 11:54:55 AM »

Way to go!!!

Hoping I can score on a deer with the handgun this season. Managed to get two with the bow already, but there is something about getting a deer with a handgun that gets your heart racing :grin:

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2005, 02:43:13 PM »

Way to Go Van

I couldn't agree more on leaving the rifle at home as I took my second handgun deer today :grin:
I took pretty much the same as yours with the .45 Vaquero. I was shooting it fair last year and good enough this year that I felt I could of plinked it's eye out :wink:
My 250gr XTP entered just behind the right shoulder at the hair I was aiming at and exited just in front of the opposite. It seemed like the Deer had recieved a shove as I thought it was down in it's tracks then back up for 20yds & then down for good.

P.S. Had a very good day-1/2 out but I did let a feral cat live :cry:
Couldn't help it. Have let coyotes live before...even traded a yote for the last 30min of shooting light on the last day in years past because of wanting that Deer.

Van/TX · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2005, 02:50:10 PM »

Congrats glanceblamm!

....Van

ftw · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2005, 05:16:07 PM »

Congratulations van/TX. Yes you are right, it is definately a great experience. This is my fifth year of not carrying a rifle during our long 2 1/2 month deer season.

It just got to where it was way too easy with a rifle. Handgun hunting is very much like bowhunting. You have to really mind your p's and q's.

I took a doe a few weeks ago with a scoped Redhawk in .41 Mag. I am now carring my T/C Contender in 7-30 Waters. If I am successful with it I will go either to my .41 Mag Blackhawk or my S&W 29. Both have open sights and limit my shots to about 60-70 yards.

Hunting with a handgun has rekindled a fire that was in danger of going out.
Good luck and good hunting! :grin:

msmith · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2005, 01:55:37 AM »

Great job! Any deer with a handgun is a trophy. Several years ago I quit using a centerfire rifle and started using a traditional style muzzle loader because the chance of getting a real trophy around here is very slim. I have way more fun taking does with a bow or muzzle loader than a buck with centerfire rifle. About 3 years ago, I swithced to a revolver and am having a ball. They put the hunt back into the game and make it more exciting. Like you, I wish I had started earlier in life.

jro45 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2005, 02:22:58 AM »

Congradulations on the deer! I agree handgun hunting is alot of fun. This is the first year that we here in this state are allowed to hunt deer with a handgun. I hope I get one any size with my handgun.

Van/TX · « **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2005, 02:19:42 PM »

Quote

Hunting with a handgun has rekindled a fire that was in danger of going out.

Yep. Good luck guys

.....Van

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #16 on:** November 25, 2005, 05:48:39 AM »

I know the feeling and will be out in the woods next week. I love the feel of hunting with a handgun. I got two nice deer last year with a S&W 629 Classic. I will be using my RBH Hunter in .45 Colt this year. Wish me luck! :wink:

De41mag · « **Reply #17 on:** November 25, 2005, 03:36:12 PM »

Van;

Congratulations on the TROPHY, any deer taken with a handgun is a trophy in my book.
My first one was taken with a S&W Mod. 657 41mag w/o a scope and I thought it was a trophy, even though it was a 4 point like yours.
And what made it better was that my step-brother, the night before said I was NUTS for going after deer with a handgun. But when opening day ended three years ago, who was the only one with a buck. Me.
So again, well done on the TROPHY.

Dennis

jro45 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 26, 2005, 02:21:36 AM »

Congradulations on the deer. I hope I can get one in Jan. thats when the season opens here where I live.

SOUTHARK · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2005, 08:55:10 AM »

What part of south ark were you hunting in?

? Congrats on the buck. I wouldn't shoot a doe with my pistol until I killed a buck, shot a buck with my encore rifle and now I can't get a doe within 300 yards. I passed on a couple of small bucks w/ my pistol now I wish I hadn't.

rybo · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:58:51 AM »

I too turned to handgun hunting when I got bored with rifles. I'm a very avid bow hunter, and now it is exciting to look forward to the gun seasons again when i can take out my revolver and try to take a deer. I'm 2 for 2, the past couple seasons. I just apply the same mindset to the handgun as I do with the bow.

Congrats on the fine deer.

Van/TX · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2005, 03:51:07 AM »

rybo, ditto. Bowhunter here too.

SOUTHARK, I hunt in Calhoun county (Harrell)....Van

sixgunluv · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2005, 09:51:21 PM »

sixgunluv · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2005, 09:53:13 PM »