Pistol for deer

[MikeWalking]

i have a 454 raging bull with 8 3/8 barrel havent shot anything with it yet has anybody taken a deer with a 454 and howd it do?

I talked to a guy I met in Alaska a few years back. Think he was from Iowa?

He said he had shot a fawn about 30 feet out from a treestand with a .454 Casull.

It went in the top of the shoulder and bounced around several times before exiting. He was very disapointed about that...."Shoulda expended all it's energy inside"

I didin't say much.  But later I thought, you shot a fawn? at near point blank? with a .454 and you're complaining it did to much??

[NWBREW]

Really, I would not hunt with my handgun (Archery addict), but when I get drawn for bear this spring () while trying to call one in, I could carry my .357 as back-up.

Not mine....dirty gus shot this.....44 I believe.

[Shootmoore]

Really, I would not hunt with my handgun (Archery addict), but when I get drawn for bear this spring () while trying to call one in, I could carry my .357 as back-up.

Not mine....dirty gus shot this.....44 I believe.

Nice bear!  Now tell Dirty Gus to keep his finger off the trigger until on target and ready to fire 

Sorry its the firearms instructor in me, first thing that popped out on the pic 

Shootmoore

[NWBREW]

Really, I would not hunt with my handgun (Archery addict), but when I get drawn for bear this spring () while trying to call one in, I could carry my .357 as back-up.

Not mine....dirty gus shot this.....44 I believe.

Nice bear!  Now tell Dirty Gus to keep his finger off the trigger until on target and ready to fire 

Sorry its the firearms instructor in me, first thing that popped out on the pic 

Shootmoore

  Yeah.....That was the first thing I said to him. 

[ADAMS]

Don't think T/C Contender is a caliber.  Why didn't you include the 10mm Auto?

On a small deer at close range, I might be tempted to use a .357 Mag with a hot load.  Same thing goes for the 10mm.

[carpsniperg2]

i would prefer my 454 casull but i have used 357 mag on deer before never had any problem with it taking them cleanly.

[Kent Hunter]

The .480 does snort a bit when you trip er off, but I didn't notice it at all when I killed the deer. It's the same as when you shoot an animal with your rifle. I don't think anybody notices the recoil when they shoot at game. I don't anyway.

[Intruder]

357 but given the choice I'd go bigger

[hoytem]

I have taken two deer with my 357 mag Ruger Security Six with a 6" barrel.  Some people think it is not enough but it was a complete pass through on one and shoulder/vitals on the other.  What do you think?

Again, the smallest caliber you would think is ethical

good to know! I have the same pistol and wondered if I would be under gunned to take a deer. What species of deer did you take? Were they small whitetail?

[coyotewallace]

I've taken em with 10mm,357mag,41 an 44mag,500 S&W but here is my goto pistol
8.59 Galaxy