Question about pistol hunting

[Rdnkgirl88]

Hey All!

So my dad just got a Taurus 44 mag revolver he wants to use for deer hunting.
I know there are some restrictions as far as barrel length, etc.
Does anyone know what that is?

Thanks!!

[wraithen]

Last I checked 4". Not a 4" class barrel, like some pistols say they are in when they actually have a 3.8" bbl.

[Rdnkgirl88]

The whole pistol itself ois about 6 inches long.
I wasnt sure where to start measuring for the barrel or if you just measure the whole dang thing.

Im a rifle hunter so I have no idea. LOL

[Fl0und3rz]

Measure from the front tip of the barrel to the rear end of the barrel (forcing cone) just opposite of the front cylinder.

[Rdnkgirl88]

Thanks!

I just measured and if I am doing it right it is exactly 4 inches.

Ya lost me on forcing cone...LOL

 

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks!

I just measured and if I am doing it right it is exactly 4 inches.

Ya lost me on forcing cone...LOL

 

That's what the area of the barrel is called from the front of the cylinder to the rear of the barrel area, before you see rifling.  If you study it, you'll see it looks conical.

[Huntbear]

Forcing cone is the back end of the barrel where it almost touches the cylinder when it is closed...   So measure from the front end of the barrel to the back end of the barrel where it almost touches the cylinder.

What model is the handgun... you should be able to google the specs on it and find out barrel length.

[BULLBLASTER]

the regs say 4 inch "per manufacturers specs" so just look up the model of the gun and see what the manufacturer says.

[wraithen]

Does that mean if I put a 4 in lone wolf barrel on my g27 I'm legal? 

[Huntbear]

Does that mean if I put a 4 in lone wolf barrel on my g27 I'm legal? 

Actually it does.. as long as it is .25 caliber or larger...  so 9mm, 40, hell even a 32 ACP in a 4 in. barrel is legal according t the regs.

[Kc_Kracker]

i thought it was .243 or larger RIFLE ? it says handguns not allowed  there is no accuracy or distance, why risk injuring it to go die and be wasted, they are not targets, they are meat to be harvested., just because it would be cool to say you did it, doesnt make it ok to try 

[wraithen]

Kc, you are mistaken. The regs clearly address the use of handguns for hunting. I've watched an old time hit 100 yards with a revolver and grouped less than 3". I'd say that's better than a bow so why not? I know of a few groups where handguns are the only allowed hunting weapons.

[Jburke]

i thought it was .243 or larger RIFLE ? it says handguns not allowed  there is no accuracy or distance, why risk injuring it to go die and be wasted, they are not targets, they are meat to be harvested., just because it would be cool to say you did it, doesnt make it ok to try 

Saying there is no accuracy or distance couldnt be farther from the truth.  I can shoot farther with my scoped .357 than I ever could have with a bow. 

[Kola16]

The pros shoot handguns accurately  from 600 yards.........and that's not all. They do that with the gun upside down 

[robescc]

Kc, I have taken a few deer with my .357 mag. I prefer to take that with me in the brush over my 30-30 or 12 gauge. I will take a shot out to 50 yards all day long, maybe farther if the conditions are perfect. I have a 6" barrel and practice quite a bit. I can hit a paper plate at 100 yards all day long.

[dscubame]

i thought it was .243 or larger RIFLE ? it says handguns not allowed  there is no accuracy or distance, why risk injuring it to go die and be wasted, they are not targets, they are meat to be harvested., just because it would be cool to say you did it, doesnt make it ok to try 

That is just a plain ridiculous statement.

[Kc_Kracker]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

[winshooter88]

Look it up in the regs. The regs say .24 caliber or larger centerfire cartridge with a four inch or longer barrel. Hunters ed instructors aren't always right. I had one try to tell me that you couldn't use a gun that held more than five rounds when hunting big game, there is nothing in the rules that limit the amount of cartridges a hunting rifle can hold.

[robescc]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

Dude, most people can't shoot consistently at 300-400 yards. Most people don't hand load or have the barrel or optics to do so. You can do it with a factory rifle but it takes lots of practice. Besides, no one is going to take a shot at an animal at that range. The people shooting pistols that far are shooting steel.

[runamuk]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

just requires practice.... it is perfectly legal to shoot a big game animal with a 24 caliber or larger handgun with a 4 inch barrell your hunters ed instructor either was mistaken or explained the law poorly.  One of my hunting partners hopes to take a bear with a 44, and I want to one day hunt deer with a 357 there are plenty of handgunners the key is getting in close, also handguns can be used in many of the rifle restriction areas, so certain lands where you can only use handgun, muzzy, shotgun, and bow.  I am far more comfortable and accurate with a handgun so that would be my choice for lands like this.

While I want to learn eventually to shoot out to 1000yds I really want to try and shoot game inside 100yds because I want to get close its part of the fun of hunting for me, that said I will shoot a deer or bear out to 300-400 with guidance and after I get some time on targets out that far I'd do it alone

[Encore 280]

I have a 15" 308 bbl for my Encore that I would have no problem using for deer or elk out to 200yds but beyond that, no thanks I'm not that good. Shooting steel beyond that, no problem. T/C wrote the book on long range steel. I wouldn't dream of trying to shoot an animal at 100yds with a 357. I don't believe there would be enough energy to make a clean kill that far away.

[runamuk]

I have a 15" 308 bbl for my Encore that I would have no problem using for deer or elk out to 200yds but beyond that, no thanks I'm not that good. Shooting steel beyond that, no problem. T/C wrote the book on long range steel. I wouldn't dream of trying to shoot an animal at 100yds with a 357. I don't believe there would be enough energy to make a clean kill that far away.

rifle 100yds......holy crap people I am always shocked at how twisted this stuff gets....we all need to put the exact distance because obviously it was not inferred.

I want to shoot a deer at about 50 feet with a 357, I hope to shoot all animals possible with my rifle inside of 100yds however would shoot past that with help because I am not comfortable guessing bullet drop crap yet.  If season had been open my other partner coulda shot a cougar at 20 feet with his 9mm pistol...damn that would of been cool as hell.....

I never said I was gonna shoot a 357 out to 100yds, it seemed there was about ten discussions happening inside this one.....most handgun hunters I talk to all are shooting well inside about 40-50yds with the goal of shooting in increments of feet not yards 

again since some seem to have twisted it I will shoot a 357 up close .....one day.....in the meantime I still need to kill something so I can even talk on these threads.....

[Encore 280]

Guess I should have clairfied it better. I was referring to one of the guys that mentioned he could shoot paper plates at 100yds all day. I just meant that I wouldn't try shooting an animal that far away with a 357. There's a lot of difference between a 15"bbl 308 handgun and a 6"bbl 357. Sorry if I twisted the thread.

[LEN]

HMMMM 400 yards! I would bet 90% of hunters could not make a shot for a kill at that distance. Oh the rifle is capable but the shooter is not. As to hand guns, was at the range a couple days ago getting set for deer and brought the Contender 30-30 along 10" barrel 2x leo. Guys were all xcited when the first shot off rest was 2" high at 100 yards then the second was about 1/2" lower(must have pulled that one). My longest handgun kill was 265 yards with a 223 at a rock chuck. Longest big game kill with a handgun about 25yards shortest 7 yards, that said "with a rest" I would most likely take a 150 yard shot with a hand gun. My longest shot with a rifle was a moose at 365 yards ranged with a 375 H&H 3-9 Leo on 9x and the moose looked like a mouse. Long range is SOOOOOOOOO wind dependent and ranging dependent. Handgun and rifle longer ranges must have a marksman and someone who shoot 100's of rounds a year not just the two shots to see if the scope is on each year. JMT

LEN

[dscubame]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

The ridiculous parts are those after your dunno icon...

[Bob33]

 

The OP asked about the legality of using a Taurus 44 for hunting.  I hope she got a correct answer before this thread veered off into the ethics weeds about shot distances.

[Atroxus]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

just requires practice.... it is perfectly legal to shoot a big game animal with a 24 caliber or larger handgun with a 4 inch barrell your hunters ed instructor either was mistaken or explained the law poorly.  One of my hunting partners hopes to take a bear with a 44, and I want to one day hunt deer with a 357 there are plenty of handgunners the key is getting in close, also handguns can be used in many of the rifle restriction areas, so certain lands where you can only use handgun, muzzy, shotgun, and bow.  I am far more comfortable and accurate with a handgun so that would be my choice for lands like this.

While I want to learn eventually to shoot out to 1000yds I really want to try and shoot game inside 100yds because I want to get close its part of the fun of hunting for me, that said I will shoot a deer or bear out to 300-400 with guidance and after I get some time on targets out that far I'd do it alone

There is a caveat on the handguns in firearm restricted areas...it has to be a revolver style handgun. semi-auto handguns are still illegal in firearms restriction areas.

[Jburke]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

so is this true or not?

and as far as disagreeing, well i would like to see someone shoot CONSISTENTLY and accurately 300-400 or more yards, if it was a good idea it'd be legal  ansd jburke, nobody mention a bow now did they? no, were talking about shooting, now aren't we 

It is 100% legal.  Read the rules. I was simply comparing the two.  How is it ok to use a bow with an effective range of 40 or so yard, yet not ok to use a pistol that is capable of farther than that?  That's what I don't get out of your original statement.  If your talking about accuracy and distance then why is a shotgun legal as well?
The goal in hunting is to get as close as you can.  Whether that's 100 yards or 20.  I could hit a target at 75 with my 357, yet wouldn't take that long of a shot on an animal.

[Kc_Kracker]

ok so the .243 was wrong, some instructor, sorry guys your right just looked it up    as for a 15" barrel of course you could drop a game with that, i dont consider a 15" barrel a pistol/handgun, its damn near rifle. anyways i will go tar and feather myself 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Just because a caliber and pistol barrel length are 'barely legal' to hunt with you need to recognize the reduction in bullet energy for the shorter barreled guns.  The state used to list the minumum muzzle energy requirement for pistols. They don't now. Still, a four inch barrelled 44mag with .04-.06" cylinder gap should only be fired upon a deer sized animal when the shot is very close and a sure kill zone can be hit. Please review this graph to see what the muzzle energy reduction is by barrel length. http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/megraphs/44mag.html  A TC handgun with closed chamber will retain higher pressures/velocities. So will a 44automag. A Dan Wesson revolver that can have a cylinder gap set down to .02" cylinder gap will bump velocity noticably over that of a Taurus, Ruger or S&W.
 
Yes, your 9mm Glock is legal to hunt with. (But there's a clause somewhere that I read once that the wildlife agent has descretion with determining if a firearm of particular design/caliber is suitable for hunting. (they may have removed that from the RCW, as I can't find it anymore -still, why put yourself in that position?)  I know that some have taken bear with 357mag and 45acp. I don't know that anyone would purposefully hunt with those calibers in a revolver or your semi-auto. It would be foolish/outright stupid to hunt big game with a 9mm.
 
I have taken 7 Blacktail with 44mag revolver. I use 250-300gn bullets hand loaded to the hilt, and while none of those deer ran away from the good kill shots, I have restricted my shots to be less than 75yds. (in fact- all were less than 35yds)
 
Knowing what you and your handgun are capable of are key in terms of accuracy and selected bullet performance. There is no need to practice out past 50yds if you can't consistently hit the ten ring off hand at 25yds. If you can't do this at 50yds, please keep practicing before you hunt big game with a handgun.
 
-Steve
 

[wraithen]

My glock is a 40, but a 9mm travels faster and is already larger than a large group of hunting rifles. I don't actually intend on hunting with it as the barrel would stick out over 2 inches from the end of the slide. At close ranges a 9mm would still be plenty effective. Bullet selection is key.

[Atroxus]

Knowing what you and your handgun are capable of are key in terms of accuracy and selected bullet performance. There is no need to practice out past 50yds if you can't consistently hit the ten ring off hand at 25yds. If you can't do this at 50yds, please keep practicing before you hunt big game with a handgun.
 
-Steve

I do agree that knowing your own limitations and that of the weapon used are key. I do find it odd though that you say you have harvested game with a hand gun, yet advise others not to do so unless they can meet the same level of skill you exhibit at 50 yards. I say use a handgun at whatever range you can consistently hit the vitals. If someone can do that at 25 yards but not at 50 I don't see a problem with them using a handgun as long as they limit their shots to their capabilities. I doubt I could shoot that group offhand at 50 yards with a handgun. If I had an opportunity to take a deer at say 15-20 yards I wouldn't hesitate to use a handgun, anything beyond that and I would pass unless I was using a rifle.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I do find it odd though that you say you have harvested game with a hand gun, yet advise others not to do so unless they can meet the same level of skill you exhibit at 50 yards.

Lets face it, MOST people will not be within 50yds during modern firearm season.  I am a realist not an optimist. I was addressing some of the previous posts about shooting well behond 50yds.  That is not the subject of the OP so I'll leave it at that. My measage is to know the gun, the shooters capability and the performance of the cartridge/bullet, to put the shorter barreled hand guns as a 'non-optimal' tool to harvest big game. -even if it is 'legal'.
 
-Steve

[CHUCK S]

I drew a 2nd antlerless mule deer tag this year and IF the possibility arises, which is pretty likely I plan on shooting it with my S/W model 19,357 magnum with a 6 inch barrel.  I can stay inside the 6 ring at 100 yrds and plan on shooting no more than 50 yrds.  I'm using open sights and find it's pretty comfortable to carry and shoot.  There is plenty of velocity at that distance.  I'll be shooting Hornady rounds made for a lever action, still works fine out of my pistol though. 

   Muzzle              50               100
1440/644     1274/504     1143/406

[copasj]

I do find it odd though that you say you have harvested game with a hand gun, yet advise others not to do so unless they can meet the same level of skill you exhibit at 50 yards.

Lets face it, MOST people will not be within 50yds during modern firearm season.  I am a realist not an optimist. I was addressing some of the previous posts about shooting well behond 50yds.  That is not the subject of the OP so I'll leave it at that. My measage is to know the gun, the shooters capability and the performance of the cartridge/bullet, to put the shorter barreled hand guns as a 'non-optimal' tool to harvest big game. -even if it is 'legal'.
 
-Steve

My experience has been that most deer are within 50 yards.  2 years ago we passed on a shot at 2 spikes during modern at closer to 15 yards.  That's just my experience, can't say how it compares to most.

Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2

[Rdnkgirl88]

Thanks for all the replies. I do believe I got my question answered.

I myself use a 30-30 but my dad is disabled and has a hard time hiking and was hoping he would have an easier time with the pistol.

Do i dare ask you all if there is any limitations as far as hollow point bullets and maximum grain bulet you can use?

Thanks again everyone!!

[JackOfAllTrades]

There is not a maximum gn bullet to use. I believe that the regs say mushrooming or expanding bullet.
 
-Steve

[Rdnkgirl88]

Ok when he told me they were 240 grain I was a little concerned but they are hollowpoints.

Thank You

[Atroxus]

I seem to recall my hunter's ed instructor saying that FMJ ammo was not allowed, but I can't find it in the regs. I can't find anything about what bullets can be used other than caliber restrictions, or restrictions on what you can use rimfire cartridges on.  Was it taken  out of the regs or something?

[wraithen]

No, FMJ's are allowed, they just have a much higher ricochet tendency than hunting bullets.

[Atroxus]

No, FMJ's are allowed, they just have a much higher ricochet tendency than hunting bullets.

Any idea where that is in the regs now? I couldn't find it. 

[wraithen]

It's legal to use them so they wouldn't put it in there.

[JackOfAllTrades]

FMJ's used to be specifically listed as not allowed. That nomenclature seems to be removed from the regulation pamphlet.  I would advise anyone against using them on big game. There are solids, that are not regarded as FMJ though.

[Atroxus]

It's legal to use them so they wouldn't put it in there.

Oh I missed the comma in your other response. I read it as "No FMJs are allowed." My bad.

PS I wouldn't use them for hunting, I was just curious.

[Bob33]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

Your instructor got it right. Hang guns were outlawed in the 1930s by the HANG act of 1937: "Hang guns Aint No Good".

Hand guns, on the other hand, are legal as long as they are .24 caliber or larger and have a 4" or longer barrel.

 

[brokenvet]

With a .44mag and at least 240 grain bullet and you will be fine.  I have used a .44mag for deer more than once using the hollow points they work well. 

 

[Bigshooter]

A 200+gr hunting bullet doing a 1000fps will kill any deer, elk or bear with proper shot placement under 100 yards period.

[Kola16]

at hunters ed they stated 243 or larger was the law for big game so call it ridiculous all you want im just repeating what was stated, they also said big game is illegal with a hang gun.

Your instructor got it right. Hang guns were outlawed in the 1930s by the HANG act of 1937: "Hang guns Aint No Good".

Hand guns, on the other hand, are legal as long as they are .24 caliber or larger and have a 4" or longer barrel.

 

 

A 200+gr hunting bullet doing a 1000fps will kill any deer, elk or bear with proper shot placement under 100 yards period.

 

[Rdnkgirl88]

Thanks Everyone!