Handgun Hunting?

[boneaddict]

I've killed a bear, deer and elk with my Contender.   It was a TON of fun.   Not currently hunting with one as I do Traditional, but it sure was fun.  I guess I have hunted cougar and killed one with it as well.  I've killed a couple coyotes with a handgun as well.  ALL fun!

[Holg3107]

Like Bone I've shot a few animals with my Contender .44 mag. A few deer and a few south Texas hogs. Sorry though like many I have transitioned to archery and don't plan on putting the bow down anytime soon. Good luck though.

[stryker]

If you believe that your 10mm will be effective on the game (elk?) you are going to hunt and not end up with a wounded animal then by all means use it.

Well, last weekend (while NOT hunting) was the first time I have ever seen Elk in the wild. Impressive!

I have only bought an Elk tag once and typically just stick to Blacktail

I can see where the energy (+40%) from a .44 over a 10mm  would be useful for a knock down, especially for a larger animal, but I have a hard time believing that it wouldn't drop an Elk at pistol ranges. 25 yards max Im guessing.

Im rather new to hunting and still trying to it all out. 

[stryker]

Are you using a revolver or semi auto pistol?

Scope or open sights?

What distance are your typical shots?

This interests me to the point I'm considering more powerful hardware.

Thanks

[BKMFR]

Love the handgunning! Just shot buffalo with .454 Casull last week. Have shot Mule Deer, Whitetail, Black Bear, Cougar, and Antelope with handguns.
Not Big Bore, but have 13 coyotes this year so far, with a .222.Contender!
Wish we had a Handgun only Season....
Are you thinking of getting something going for handgunners?

[JohnVH]

Id like to take something with my contender...

Screwing around
45/70 Thompson Contender one handed

[CAMPMEAT]

Id like to take something with my contender...

Screwing around
45/70 Thompson Contender one handed

I have a T/C Encore 450 Marlin 15 inch barrel w/muzzlebrake. That pig hurts.  I didn't know a Contender could handle the 45/70.

[JohnVH]

Im only reloading 300-350gr bullets, working up something accurate, yet some speed. Ideally Id love a 6.5 grendel barrel for this thing

[CAMPMEAT]

Im only reloading 300-350gr bullets, working up something accurate, yet some speed. Ideally Id love a 6.5 grendel barrel for this thing

Try these guys www.denverdiscountmart.com

[stryker]

Holly Cow   Buffalo..... 350 grain.... 

That's twice what I shoot from my .30-06 

[Arnold T.]

I currently hunt with revolvers Rugers, and Freedom Arms in .45 Colt, .454, and .475 calibers.  Bullet weights run 300 grs. to 410 grs. The shorter barrels (4.75") use open iron sights and with the longer barrels (6"-7.5") I mount a red dot or a scope, at 64 yrs old my eyes aren't what they used to be..  I took a nice white feral ram many years ago with a contender at 110 yards along w/ some hogs.
I would be interested in getting together with other like minded handgun hunters, maybe we could get something going here.

[Arnold T.]

Hello All, Sorry I was off line for a while and unable to continue this thread.
Thank you all who chimed and shared their 2 cents on the subject of handgun hunting.
But I refer back to my original opening post, please reread.  I was hoping to find other hunters who shared an interest in BIG BORE handgun hunting and were interested in getting together to hunt as well as share loads and experiences.  In my opinion Big Bore starts at .44 caliber as in .44 magnum and progresses up from there to .45 Colt (hand loaded), .480,.475, .500, etc.
Yes a lesser caliber may and has taken game animals.  On slaughter day I kill 800 Lb. steers with a .22 LR, but under controlled conditions.  Steers are all in a small corral, I walk in wait for a frontal head shot at 10 ft. and place a .22 between the eyes, they are DRT (dead right there).  But its unlikely that a hunter will find his game 10 ft. away and waiting there while he takes careful aim for a bullet to the brain.  We as sportsmen owe it to the animal we're hunting to kill it as quickly as possible and not run the risk of wounding to have it run off.  To carry this out we need a more than adequate caliber, and practice, practice, practice.
Over time and with enough interest, we handgun hunters could petition for our own season, WOW!  Anyone seriously interested?

[beninchelan]

I have shot 3 black tail with a .357 shot placement!

[WA hunter14]

i know a guy from alaska that said when he was a kid him and his family killed many moose with 22mag and i know a guy from canada thats go to gun for deer was a 22 hornet for years(until he moved here where it isnt legal

[jrebel]

Can't wait to buy a Smith and Wesson 460 10"....really would like to take my next bear with a this revolver.