Author Topic: What's a good starting caliber??? (Read 949 times)

Hunter'06FlKy · « **on:** January 23, 2006, 04:21:27 PM »

i would like to get into hunting with a handgun but i'm not sure what to go with. i'll be hunting hogs and possibly deer at close range. i've been thinking about a 357 magnum. i'm not quite ready to go up to a 44 mag that's why i was leaning more toward the 357. i've also been hearing things about the 45 long colt. how does this cartridge compared to the 44 mag??? i don't know much about this caliber. any insight would be greatly appreciated.

45Spades · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2006, 04:27:57 PM »

Do you reload?

If so the 45 Colt can be just as effective or maybe a bit more than the 44 Mag. If you don't reload I'd pick the .44. I won't comment on the 357 as I do not have any hunting experience with this one.

Hunter'06FlKy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2006, 04:31:21 PM »

no i don't reload. i would like to but don't have the means right now.

Gregory · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2006, 04:32:10 PM »

In a revolver, you could buy a 44 Mag and use 44 Special loads for a while, or a 45 Colt would be good, but both the 44 Special and 45 Colt need to be handloaded to be effective for deer, most factory loads are underpowered. In a single shot like a TC Contender the 357 Maximum is my favorite. As effective as a 44 Mag on deer, with less recoil.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2006, 04:40:50 PM »

My first was a .45 Colt and am very happy with my choice. Cowboy loads are relatively cheap and really mild to shoot. I reload on the cheap with a Lee hand press for my hunting and now, my plinking, loads. Nowadays, I do believe +P hunting loads for the .45 Colt are available from a few smaller ammunition companies such as CorBon.

Jim

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:02:10 PM »

The 357 magnum will work fine for deer as long as you keep the ranges within reason. I've killed several with my 5.5" 357 Blackhawk at ranges from literally spitting distance to around 60 yards. I've also killed dozens with a 357 magnum rifle up to around 100 yards, but in a rifle the 357 is an all together different animal.

If you'll use a good 158g SP factory load, you can take deer up to 50 yards very nicely. I can't comment on hogs, as I've never been lucky enough to get to shoot one with any gun, but I've talked to a few guys that regularly kill them with 357 revolvers, so I'm inclined to believe that the 357 magnum will also take hogs cleanly within it's limits.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2006, 05:12:41 PM »

Go with the 44 Mag. Reason is, you can shoot the 44 Specials and get good practice. Then the transition to the 44 Mag is a small jump for hunting. The 357 Mag will work on deer and even hogs, but it is the smallest I would recommend, but the 44 Mag will shine on them hogs.

corbanzo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2006, 06:51:06 PM »

I prefer the .44mag, one reason is there is such a great range of cartridges that you can use. There is even practice .44mag rounds factory made, with a lot less power than the hunting rounds, but still more than .44 specials. You can gradually move up and get more comfortable. Also, that way you can pick a round for different ranges and different animals. One of the most diverse revolvers out there.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2006, 12:35:17 AM »

The larger and heavier bullets of the .44s will give you better performance on deer and hogs than will the .357. Will either caliber kill them, certainly. However, you will acheive greater penetration with the heavier bullets.

Shooting the .44 is not as daunting a task as one would think. Most people get to the hunting loads with very little or no problems.

How familiar are you with handguns? If you have limited experience, you may want to consider a .22 rimfire to practice with.

Hunter'06FlKy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2006, 09:15:43 AM »

ms hitman i've done quite a bit of shooting with 22 revolvers and lately i've been shooting alot more semi auto handguns than any other handguns. in revolvers i've only shot 22's 38's and 357 mag's. in pistols on the other hands i've shot 22's 9mm's 40's and 45's. none of them had very bad recoil at all. the only one that i've had a problem with was a little paraordanance warthog in 45. it had way too small of a grip and a good bit of muzzle slip.

how does a 44 in a handgun compare to a 357mag handgun??? i have a levergun in 44 and it has quite a bit of kick with the big hunting bullets.

Qaz · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:46:34 AM »

It sounds like you have shot enough pistols to answer your own question, but since you asked. If you are hunting mainly hogs, go with the 44mag. The 357 will work but it doesn't work nearly as well as the 44 as the hogs get bigger. I have seen hogs tearing up hounds and I have seen them on top of men. A few seconds nose to nose with a boar leaves lasting memories, you want to drop him now.

I have shot 44mags from mild to wild and the mild felt like it kicked about half again as much as the 357, a wild load makes a 357 feel like a 22lr :lol: . I shot a sweet 41mag once that kicked like a 357 and hit like a 44. The gun fell into my hand naturally and felt like it was an extention of my finger. Find a gun that fits you and the recoil will hardly be noticed.

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2006, 03:12:19 AM »

Have you thought about the 454 Casull? (SP)

longwalker · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2006, 04:24:54 AM »

I started using a .357 for deer hunting. It worked and killed them dead. Saying all that, I had an opportunity to purchase a used SRH in 44 magnum. I haven't looked back. I like the way the SRH handles and I prefer the way the bullets perform. Almost alway pass through.

As far as practice goes try the 44 specials. But in my opinion get your self a 22 pistol and shoot it. This will develope your trigger pull to the point where you won't need to think about it. All the while increasing your confidence and experience.

Go with the 44 Magnum you won't be sorry!

Longwalker

doncisler · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2006, 05:40:14 PM »

if i had to pick just one revolver it would be the .44.
a ruger red/black hawk or longer barrel n-frame s&w doesn't kick much more than a lighter .357. you can load down for practice (or buy lighter loads) or stoke them up with heavier bullets that can be used for anything in the lower 48.
if you plan on hunting bigger feral pigs you will really appreciate being able to use bigger heavy bullets. i truely wouldn't want to use a .357 on some of the hogs i've seen.
as for deer, a good heavy .357 load will work, but why limit yourself?
you mentioned the lever gun kicking - though i don't have a .44, i would rather shoot .45+p out of my revolver than my lever gun, don't know why but it seems to kick more.

poncaguy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2006, 05:43:05 AM »

45 Long Colt, Corbon has some 300+P rounds that will take deer easily if you don't reload. I shoot a 460 S&W and prefer the Colt and 454 Casull rounds in it instead of the 460.

Hooker · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2006, 10:16:45 AM »

I have killed a pile of hogs and six deer with a Ruger GP 357 using hardcast 158s and 180s. How ever hot loaded 357s have a very harsh muzzle blast. So this year I will be switching to a 45 lc, factory ammo is very mild and comfortable to shoot I am still working a hunting load the muzzle blast more of a big boom but not as sharp as the 357.
I use hearing protection while practicing but not while hunting. I think the 45 will make great hunting round for a beginer. It has a lot going for it heavy bullets and mild manners in the factory loading and the ability to be loaded up to give 44 mag performance.

Pat

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2006, 12:39:03 PM »

I'd have to agree with those who suggest the .44 mag. Very versatile, shoots .44 specials till your proficent and confident with it. Less recoil in the .44 special and still has all the versatillity and accuracy. Then the cost of going to the bigger caliber won't hurt so bad, either. And, if your going to hunt, start reloading, the .44s have all and possibly more options than most any other caliber? Of course, all of the caliber options you've named, will do the trick.

Sage advice:As far as practice goes try the 44 specials. But in my opinion get your self a 22 pistol and shoot it. This will develope your trigger pull to the point where you won't need to think about it. All the while increasing your confidence and experience.

Very well put, longwalker

cobrad · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:46:02 PM »

Go for the .44 mag. and another suggestion; take a hard look at a Dan Wesson, 6" or longer, with full under lug barrel. Shooting 44 special, recoil is very mild, and shooting full house 320 gr hard cast, it is still quite manageable. Garret and Cor-bon both load some kick-a$$ heavy loads that should penetrate a hog end to end.

Hunter'06FlKy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2006, 03:33:48 PM »

thanks for all of your input. if i get a revolver i think i'll get a 44. between all of ya'lls and my dad's advice it seems like it would be the best way to go.