Elk Hunting With a Pistol

[ing]

I'll be hunting elk in Colorado this fall and was thinking about chasing them with my .44 mag.  I've been kicking around the idea for the last couple of years.  My problem is everytime I reach into the safe before I go deer or elk hunting I end up grabbing my rifle.  I've killed several deer and a few elk with my rifle that were well within pistol range.  What do you guys think?  Any pistol hunters out there?  What caliber are you using?  Lets see some pics of successfull pistol hunts.

[carpsniperg2]

there is no prob taking it like you were thinking about taking the bow. the 44 mag will do but i myself would limit the range to about 50 yards. i have 2 handguns that i hunt with my 454 casull which is a great big game caliber i take that gun to 100 yards i shoot a Barnes bullet threw it and they are just like a muzzle loader bullet called the tmz or expander. also i have a 7mm-08 cfp made by weatherby that is a tack driver and have no problem with that cal 150-200 yards. you can get it done with a handgun for sure but since it is a guided hunt i would not want to miss to many opportunity's before picking up a rifle to get it done because you don't get the money back if you don't get a animal and you want to take a elk. also they make the Barnes that i shoot threw my 454 for the 44 if you handload for it they are a great hunting bullet. also i think Federal has some factory loads with it if i remember right.

[ing]

there is no prob taking it like you were thinking about taking the bow. the 44 mag will do but i myself would limit the range to about 50 yards. i have 2 handguns that i hunt with my 454 casull which is a great big game caliber i take that gun to 100 yards i shoot a Barnes bullet threw it and they are just like a muzzle loader bullet called the tmz or expander. also i have a 7mm-08 cfp made by weatherby that is a tack driver and have no problem with that cal 150-200 yards. you can get it done with a handgun for sure but since it is a guided hunt i would not want to miss to many opportunity's before picking up a rifle to get it done because you don't get the money back if you don't get a animal and you want to take a elk. also they make the Barnes that i shoot threw my 454 for the 44 if you handload for it they are a great hunting bullet. also i think Federal has some factory loads with it if i remember right.

Yeah I'm reloading 300gr Hornady XTP's with 19grs of H110.  They shoot very well out of my Super Blackhawk.

[carpsniperg2]

they are a good bullet that is what i used to take my first deer with my 454 but it was a 250 xtp i still use them because the barnes are like 1.00 each so i am still running them they preform well but you might check the barnes out they are realy good with about 95-98% weight retenstion i also use h 110 in my 454 great powder i use it in almost all my handguns for that fact

[bigbull94]

I have a .260 remington in a remington xp 100r,with a 3-12x scope I could kill one with,out to a long piece.I would need a few minutes to set up for the shot as it is big and heavy.I think the .35 remington,or the .375jdj barrel out of a contender would be my choice for an elk gun.

[jdb]

ive never killed a big game animal w/ a handgun but Ive read alot about guys useing cast bullets.

[ing]

ive never killed a big game animal w/ a handgun but Ive read alot about guys useing cast bullets.

I've reloaded some cast bullets for my .44 but stuck with jacketed cause they shoot better for me.

[redroket]

I have a scoped 44mag Super Blackhawk that I would not be afraid to shoot just about anything in North America with up to 100 yards and probably a bit farther. I have been using Federals 240gr jacketed hollow points and they really tear stuff up.
I say go for it! 

[rasbo]

put the 44 on and take the rifle..I would have no problem with using a 44 on an elk at a close distance..I plan on my next bear being with my 44mag..if you are a confident shooter with it,it will do the deed

[littlemac]

S&W 500, Leupold scope, no success to date but enjoy the thought of taking a bull with it.

[ing]

I have a scoped 44mag Super Blackhawk that I would not be afraid to shoot just about anything in North America with up to 100 yards and probably a bit farther. I have been using Federals 240gr jacketed hollow points and they really tear stuff up.
I say go for it! 

What scope do you have on it.  I have the Super Blackhawk Hunter, but I have never scoped it.

[ing]

S&W 500, Leupold scope, no success to date but enjoy the thought of taking a bull with it.

Thats a sharp looking pistol.  What power is the scope?

[littlemac]

S&W 500, Leupold scope, no success to date but enjoy the thought of taking a bull with it.

Thats a sharp looking pistol.  What power is the scope?

It's the Leupold M8 in 2X with EER (extended eye relief).  Works well off the sticks when in the field.  Free hand the gun is a handful with the scope and 10" barrel at roughly 6 pounds. 

[ing]

It's the Leupold M8 in 2X with EER (extended eye relief).  Works well off the sticks when in the field.  Free hand the gun is a handful with the scope and 10" barrel at roughly 6 pounds. 
[/quote]Wow a six pound pistol.  What kind of holster are you using?

[redroket]

I have a scoped 44mag Super Blackhawk that I would not be afraid to shoot just about anything in North America with up to 100 yards and probably a bit farther. I have been using Federals 240gr jacketed hollow points and they really tear stuff up.
I say go for it! 

What scope do you have on it.  I have the Super Blackhawk Hunter, but I have never scoped it.

Its a Leupold 4 power and matches the stainless of the pistol. Looks real nasty.

[44 Flattop]

I've taken quite a few elk and a whole lot of deer with the .44 mag.  I've hunted with the .44 in rifle and pistol form for close to 30 years.  Outside of only 2 elk I can't remember taking any others with jacketed,  I use cast only. 

255gr SWC's to 330gr truncated nose and velocities from 1150fps to 1350fps kills elk every time.  And out to 125 yards.  Penetration is fantastic, I've never failed to have complete penetration with cast.  Even once with a 240gr @ 1100fps, the bullet exited. 

Let me make one suggestion.  Do NOT take a rifle along with the thoughts of using a pistol 'if its close enough'.  Won't happen.  You WILL use the rifle, every time.  Been there done that and it wasn't until I left my rifle at home back in the early '80's that I actually started taking game with whatever pistol I was using.  You'll find that you won't hunt in areas where the shots will be 300 yards.  Instead you'll be pounding the areas where the shots will be from 30 to 100 yards. 

44

[Atroxus]

I had a buddy years ago that hunted bear with a "pistol", so I would imagine that elk should not be a problem. I use the term "pistol" lightly in my buddy's case though as personally I considered it more of a rifle with a pistol grip. It was a TC .45-70, and he took at least 1 bear with it that I know of, so I am pretty sure it would take an elk too if he went that way.

[hillbilli]

i've killed deer with the .44, but not elk yet. practice with your chosen weapon, all the positions, not just off the bench, know your effective range, and as long as the bullet is 240gr or heavier, you should have no problem. my short .44 is good to about 60yds, my long one (super redhawk) out past a hundred. (6" groups at a hundred). 

[littlemac]

ing, its the factory SW shoulder holster, I'm travelling and can't look at it for the leather maker

[Huntbear]

Look at the Sierra 300 gr. JSP bullets.  They were designed for elk, bear, and hogs.  Good medicine.

[ing]

Thanks for all the info guy's.  Is anyone else thinking about pistol hunting this year?