Revolvers for deer hunting? (30 carbine)

[snowshoes22]

I was drawn for a second deer tag and was thinking of going with a revolver to make it interesting. My options are 30 carbine, .357 Mag, .41 Mag, 44-40, 44 Mag, 45 Colt. I know the bigger caliber rounds would work without question but the 30 carbine has been on my mind lately. It is a ruger blackhawk with 7.5" barrel. Anyone have any experience with this round. I also know the power doesn't look good on paper but the shot would be close and properly placed. This gun is super accurate. 

[B.G.hunter]

wear you ear plugs! and maybe a helmet they are extremely loud. 

[snowshoes22]

They do have a little crack to them 

[AWS]

It's marginal in a carbine and a revolver won't do it any favors.  Stick with the 357 with heavy bullets or larger.

[Dan-o]

If I had those choices, I just don't think I could go with the 30 carbine.   You've got some better choices there, IMHO.

[B.G.hunter]

I would probably choose the 41 mag.  I love that caliber and think i would be perfect for deer.   

[snowshoes22]

I have taken a bear and a mule deer with the 44 mag but i shoot the 30 the best.

[300rum]

I would go with the .30 carbine, especially if you shoot it well.  Who has shot a deer with a .30 carbine? 

[CP]

I’ve shot deer with a .30 carbine (rifle) – of the choices you’ve listed it would be my next to last choice, just above the .44-40.

[hillbilli]

the .30 carbine is in my opinion marginal even out of a carbine..and in a revolver that little 110gr .30 drops to about 1400fps. look up the gelatin tests on it at websites like brassfetcher.  The .357 requires careful selection in loads (mine are 158golddot). The .44-40 out of a revolver is usually only a 200gr at about 950 usually-not impressive, but out of a carbine they are usually pushing 1200 or so, and do much better on deer-long record of this round on deer out of a carbine. the .41 and .44 mag are very effective deer rounds, and I would have no hesitation shooting elk size game with my .44 mag.

[snowshoes22]

I know that the larger caliber revolvers are very capable i have used them with success. I think people get hung up on numbers on paper way too much these days. Don't get me wrong i am 100% about humane and ethical kills. I just think that properly placed the 30 carbine will perform on a mule deer doe. I also think the 44-40 is underated from personal experience.

[snowshoes22]

I appreciate everyones input. I think a coyote hunt is in order for a performance eval.

[300rum]

I know what you are looking for, I do the same thing too.  Either the .30 carbine or the 44-40 would be a heck of a lot of fun.  Just do it. 

I know that the larger caliber revolvers are very capable i have used them with success. I think people get hung up on numbers on paper way too much these days. Don't get me wrong i am 100% about humane and ethical kills. I just think that properly placed the 30 carbine will perform on a mule deer doe. I also think the 44-40 is underrated from personal experience.

[400out]

  I'm going to take mine with my 45 acp if I can get close enough 

[snowshoes22]

Oh and i forgot to mention that one of the 45 colts is a buntline with a 18" barrel 

[CP]

Like I posted earlier I have shot deer with a 30 carbine from a rifle.  These were small Texas hill country whitetail and the results were not impressive.  Even on an 80 to 100lb deer the round did not pass through, I would never consider using it on a mule deer.  Light weight, low velocity, low sectional density adds up to a bad choice.

[300rum]

Yeah, it may not be the best but it is the idea of just doing it with a pistol in a caliber that doesn't get much love anymore.  Just like guys who hunt with a trad bow or the guys who are throwing spears at deer now.  If it was legal, I would think about taking one with a .22 pistol, maybe a little snubbie?  For some people it is just about trying to get as close and personal as you can and for me, how many deer can you shoot at 100yds or 300yds and it be as much fun anymore? To each their own, just my two cents. 

[snowshoes22]

CP,

What were the ranges and shot angles with the carbine?

[CP]

Range would have been inside 100 to 150 yards and broadside or near broadside as best I can remember.  I mostly remember doing a lot of tracking and searching.

[snowshoes22]

So i went to the range (pasture) today and shot my ruger blackhawk 357. I think i am leaning toward using it instead of the 30. They are shooting about the same groups and would be the more responsible choice. I'm shooting 19.3 grains of H110 behind 125gr XTP's and 15.3 grains behind 158gr XTP's. The 125's grouped better but the 158's were not much different. 

[hillbilli]

I have done a bit of study on the .357 deer load thing.. test the integrity of the 125 xtp in gallon milk jugs or something similar (or a lengthwise coyote..) before you use it for deer. The 158 xtp is well tested, as is the 158 gold dot. i would even use a gold dot in a 125, as they are a bonded core design, and I have recovered enough of them to know what they do, but its the only 125 I have tested that I would trust-but I never tested the 125 xtp.. 

[gadwall]

In your list there, I would go with the 45 colt or the 41 mag with a 90%+ density load and a mostly lead bullet.  Send me a PM if you want more info.