Long Range Centerfire Pistols

[oneshotkill]

I have a friend that is interested in getting what he calls a platform pistol (I have no idea what they are actually called) in .243 for hunting.  Basically a long range centerfire hunting pistol. Stuff like the Weatherby CFP, or Remington XP-100.  He wants me to see what i can find out about them because I have a whole lot more gun contacts then him.  So my question is, do any of you have any experience with any of these?  Is there any others besides the Weatherby and the Remington? What would you recommend?  Thanks!  Any info is very much appreciated.

[addicted]

Do you mean like a thompson c.?

[CP]

T.C Contender – very accurate, comes in several calibers. 

[oneshotkill]

That is what I first thought of and recommended.  Basically he is in an area where it is illegal to hunt with a centerfire rifle but a pistol is legal so he is looking for a pistol that is as rifle like as possible that he can hunt with it.  He wants a long barrel somewhere around 16 inches.

[CP]

I’m not sure of the legality of using rifle caliber handguns in firearm restricted areas.  As written, the regulation only allows revolvers:

In firearm restriction areas, hunters may hunt only
during the season allowed by their tag.
Archery tag holders may hunt during
archery seasons with archery equipment.
Muzzleloader tag holders may hunt during
muzzleloader seasons with muzzleloader
equipment except in the GMU 652
restriction area outlined for King County.
Modern firearm tag holders may hunt
during modern firearm seasons with bows
and arrows, crossbows, muzzleloaders,
or revolver-type handguns meeting
equipment restrictions, or legal shotguns
firing slugs or buckshot.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

That is what I first thought of and recommended.  Basically he is in an area where it is illegal to hunt with a centerfire rifle but a pistol is legal so he is looking for a pistol that is as rifle like as possible that he can hunt with it.  He wants a long barrel somewhere around 16 inches.

A handgun that shoots a RIFLE caliber , would not be legal. 

[Bofire]

 :)Depends, what state is your friend in?

[coyotewallace]

just spoke to WDFW about this. they told me any handgun with a min. of a 4" barrel and no less then .24 cal is leagal to hunt the firearm restriction areas

[44 Flattop]

A handgun that shoots a RIFLE caliber , would not be legal. 

A handgun is a handgun no matter what caliber it fires.  I've hunted with 30-30 T/C's, among another couple dozen other rifle calibers including wildcats. 

The old T/C was not capable of handling the breech thrust of a .243, but the new Encore is.  A .243, 300 mag, 7mm mag are all legal for game in Washington State, you just hunt during rifle season, something I've done for 30+ years. 

[Bofire]

I vote to delete this post!!   That is one of the worst written peices of regulation I have ever read. BUT if they mess with it, it will get worse! What the heck is a "revolver type" what is the point of restricting areas to certain guns, cartridges, if there is no difference in projectile flight distance or velocity??
Carl

[addicted]

Dan wesson .445 super mage will kill anything within 200 no problem.

[CP]

Deleting the post won’t make the law go away, it’s written in WAC 232-28-248.  And just because WDFW employee X says any handgun is OK, doesn’t mean that officer Y won’t cite you for it. 

A break action, rifle caliber, single shot is not a “revolver-type handgun” by anyone’s definition.  But do what you want and good luck to you.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

A handgun that shoots a RIFLE caliber , would not be legal. 

A handgun is a handgun no matter what caliber it fires.  I've hunted with 30-30 T/C's, among another couple dozen other rifle calibers including wildcats. 

The old T/C was not capable of handling the breech thrust of a .243, but the new Encore is.  A .243, 300 mag, 7mm mag are all legal for game in Washington State, you just hunt during rifle season, something I've done for 30+ years.

Deleting the post won’t make the law go away, it’s written in WAC 232-28-248.  And just because WDFW employee X says any handgun is OK, doesn’t mean that officer Y won’t cite you for it. 

A break action, rifle caliber, single shot is not a “revolver-type handgun” by anyone’s definition.  But do what you want and good luck to you.

I also used to hunt with a T/C in 30/30, and had a very long discussion with officer Jim Suda many years ago, he was nice enough to give me a warning because I was merely carrying it while fishing, as usual, I suppose it would be up to the officers personal interpretation of the law, but the reason for restrictions is about the travel distance of the projectile to protect the surrounding people/property (etc) and as the OP began with..

.  Basically a long range centerfire hunting pistol.

therefore the law clearly states...

Archery tag holders may only hunt during established archery seasons with archery equipment as defined under WAC 232-12-054. Muzzleloader tag holders may only hunt during established muzzleloader seasons with muzzleloader equipment as defined under WAC 232-12-051. Modern firearm tag holders may hunt during established modern firearm seasons with bows and arrows; crossbows; muzzleloaders; revolver-type handguns; or shotguns, so long as the equipment used meets the department's regulations for that equipment and ammunition.

It does not say "handgun" or "Any Handgun" but "revolver-type handguns" unfortunately this seems to exclude semi-autos also, but who hunts with a .40 ? (.45. 9mm whatever) 

op

[coyotewallace]

CP & STIKNSTRINGBOW,
I agree completely..I will say a few things if I were going to hunt one of these areas it would be with a Revolver, 4" barrel + and .24 cal. +
very good point on just casue WDFW says one thing does NOT mean that a game warden will not charge you..(I would in this case if I caught you with anything but a revolver,bows
and arrows, crossbows or muzzleloader)

this is one of those laws that needs to be re-written

needs no be more cartridge specific as well

I would be good with something along the lines of any handgun firing a straight walled cartridge with no less then a 4" barrel and having 357 Mag energy or greater at the muzzle for these areas

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Also, in response to

The old T/C was not capable of handling the breech thrust of a .243, but the new Encore is.  A .243, 300 mag, 7mm mag are all legal for game in Washington State, you just hunt during rifle season, something I've done for 30+ years.

I used to hunt with a "handgun" (30/30 T/C) and it was a legal Handgun to hunt with, the regs were a little different back then, (minimum caliber, MV, etc..) it was NOT legal to hunt with in a firearm restricted area according to the mentioned officer,
legal to hunt with, yes,
 legal to hunt with in firearm restricted area, no

[demontang]

The regs had a energy statement in it years a go if I remember right. I would think if in this state you'll need a revolver as stated in the regs. Ive seen studies on these fire restricted area and a shot gun shooting a slug has less range but the recishay is way more then a 30-06 and almost meets the same range.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The regs had a energy statement in it years a go if I remember right. I would think if in this state you'll need a revolver as stated in the regs. Ive seen studies on these fire restricted area and a shot gun shooting a slug has less range but the recishay is way more then a 30-06 and almost meets the same range.

It also specifically stated that a .357 out of a revolver did not meet the required energy. 
sure seems to be legal now.....

[coyotewallace]

Yea,("JOKE") a 4" 9mm would be legal under the law now right?

[CastleRocker]

Back when I hunted with a handgun, there was definately a energy requirement.  I had to buy an Oeler chronograph to make sure that my loads met the requirement.  At that time you had to handload a 44 to make the minimum.  Contrary to what most folks believed, there were NO factory loads that hot until Black Hills started making some with 300gr hard cast in the mid to late '80's.

I think there should still be an energy requirement.  I mean, the way I read that law as it stands, a 25 auto or a 380 would be legal.  Are you kidding me!?!?

A Savage Striker in 300 WSM is a handfull, but it does the job well.  So does my 10" barrel on my old Contender in 45-70.  It is a "barker" though, as it doesn't have a muzzle break.  It shoots really well though!  It is just a such a bugger on scopes, and base screws.

[MP123]

Yea,("JOKE") a 4" 9mm would be legal under the law now right?

Well, not unless it was a "revolver type" 9mm whatever the heck that is.

[JimmyHoffa]

Wouldn't be legal in the firearms restricted area, but would be legal in the non-restricted---like the general or special permit MF seasons.  Which it is interesting that a .500 S&W revolver is legal in a restricted area, but the little auto 9mm isn't.

[coyotewallace]

Yea,("JOKE") a 4" 9mm would be legal under the law now right?

Well, not unless it was a "revolver type" 9mm whatever the heck that is.

what are you saying there has not been one made or what??
I know for a fact Ruger made a blackhawk that would run 9mm

[MP123]

Yep, I think there are a few 9mm revolvers.  I was just laughing at the crazyness of the DFW regs.   

[demontang]

I think the new reg is kind of wierd since some pistols have such low energy but when was the last time you saw a 25 or 380 with a 4" barrel?

[coyotewallace]

Well weather you see them or not..I'm not sure if a 380 or 25acp has ever been made in a 4"but the way the law reads you can go after elk(big game) with a 25 acp and a 4" barrel.
Hell you might be better off with a sharp stick!
What was the thought process when they were writing the handgun reg's???

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Well weather you see them or not..I'm not sure if a 380 or 25acp has ever been made in a 4"but the way the law reads you can go after elk(big game) with a 25 acp and a 4" barrel.
Hell you might be better off with a sharp stick!
What was the thought process when they were writing the handgun reg's???

Well.. I do go after them with a sharp stick !
but I would say most likely there were a lot of modern firearm guys complaining about the regs being too restrictive, and the department caved in to pressure from the guys who wanted to hunt deer with their .357's and .44 automags.

[coyotewallace]

well they separate the ML requirements between deer and elk as far as minimum calibers..they could just as easy with handgun I have no problem with 357 Mag being the minimum for deer(I've taken deer no problem with 357,10mm,41 mag and 44 mag in other states)
Elk, diffrent critter...41 mag at archery ranges,well placed shot and the right bullet would be pushing it in my mind in a revolver
now in say like the T/C encore or other single shot pistols that can handle high pressure rounds that opens up more cartridges to the task. Even then I would like a bullet 6.5cal or 7mm or bigger and a case size of at least the 308 winchester

[addicted]

they should set the minimum at 100 joules from the muzzle.  a 9mm barely makes those requirements.

[CP]

they should set the minimum at 100 joules from the muzzle.

Or they could just let us hunters use our common sense in selecting an appropriate weapon and not micro manage everything with legislation.   

[addicted]

they should set the minimum at 100 joules from the muzzle.

Or they could just let us hunters use our common sense in selecting an appropriate weapon and not micro manage everything with legislation.   

our nation is neither educated enough nor does it have the common sense to perform most medial tasks without big brother. its sad.

[CP]

they should set the minimum at 100 joules from the muzzle.

Or they could just let us hunters use our common sense in selecting an appropriate weapon and not micro manage everything with legislation.   

our nation is neither educated enough nor does it have the common sense to perform most medial tasks without big brother. its sad.

That’s a total load of crap.     We can all live life like free men without having the government telling us when to wipe and what kind of light bulb to use.

[coyotewallace]

or they could just let us hunters use our common sense in selecting an appropriate weapon and not micro manage everything with legislation.

Yea, that sounds great! and for some of us it would be no problem....but I have three words
No-Thank-You

that would be like doing away with all the speed limit signs letting everyone just use their common sense,
just picture that! can you imagine what hunting season would be like going afield with no laws or the hopes that everyones using good common sense??

No-Thank-You!!
 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

well they separate the ML requirements between deer and elk as far as minimum calibers..they could just as easy with handgun I have no problem with 357 Mag being the minimum for deer(I've taken deer no problem with 357,10mm,41 mag and 44 mag in other states)
Elk, diffrent critter...41 mag at archery ranges,well placed shot and the right bullet would be pushing it in my mind in a revolver
now in say like the T/C encore or other single shot pistols that can handle high pressure rounds that opens up more cartridges to the task. Even then I would like a bullet 6.5cal or 7mm or bigger and a case size of at least the 308 winchester

Originally there was a separate minimum m.v. for deer and Elk

[yorketransport]

Back to the original topic.....

I've played with a number of the long range pistols (also called Specialty Pistols). I started with a Contneder break action pistol. This gun can be chambered in pretty much any caliber that's safe in a lever action rifle. Then neat part is that you can install different barrels in just a few minutes. I've had Contender barrels in 22lr, 222 Rem, 223, 357mag, 44 mag, 41 mag, 6 TCU, 7 TCU, 35 Rem, 45-70, 375 JDJ, and 6.8 SPC. They're great guns, very accurate and very packable. A 10" Contender with iron sights fits perfectly in a vertical shoulder holster and in the right caliber, makes a heck of a back up gun.

The next step is the Encore break action pistol. It's very similar to the Contender, but it's bigger and stronger in every dimension. It can safely handle rifle rounds up to the belted magnums. Larger calibers (like the 416 Rigby) are safe as long as the pressures are kept modest. I've had Encore barrels in 460 S&W, 500 S&W, 454 Casull, 30-06, and 375 H&H. The Encore didn't fit my had well, so I sold it never looked back.

The next step up would be the bolt action pistols like the Weatherby CPF, Remington XP, and Savage Striker. I'm a Savage guy, so I'm more familiar with the Striker. The term "handgun" just barely applies to these guns. That's why they're often refered to as specialty pistols instead. I currently have a completed Striker in 338/375 Ruger, a second barrel in 300 WSM, and I'm almost done building another Striker in 6mm BR. Here's a Pic of the 338/375 Ruger.

To give some scale to the size of the gun, the barrel is 18" plus the brake. The 338/375 Ruger  is just a 375 Ruger case necked down to 338. I'm getting 2650 fps with a 225gr TTSX from the 18" barrel. That's a lot of firepower in a very compact package. The complete gun with the bipod weighs 8.5#. So i't not exactly packing pistol

With any of the specialty pistols, you really don't give up anything to a rifle in the accuracy department. It just takes a little practice.

Andrew

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I still own an origional Contender, with a scoped .22, .30 M1 (.30 carbine), .44, .45LC/.410, used to have .357 and 30/30, as stated great gun, used to carry in a bandoleer holster and if I saw a deer while fishing......
Was great for hiking into lakes.

[carpsniperg2]

I am a big fan of handgun hunting and love the weatherby cfp. Mine is chambered in 7mm-08 and is a real tack driver. I also have a t/c contender as well. It is a nice gun but not even close to the cfp. Then I have my 454 casull in a raging bull. It has been a good handgun and I have several kill with it as well.

[Atroxus]

our nation is neither educated enough nor does it have the common sense to perform most medial tasks without big brother. its sad.

I always find it a bit funny when someone posts about people being uneducated, or unintelligent then has spelling/grammatical errors in their post. I think the word you were looking for is "menial" though.

[addicted]

our nation is neither educated enough nor does it have the common sense to perform most medial tasks without big brother. its sad.

I always find it a bit funny when someone posts about people being uneducated, or unintelligent then has spelling/grammatical errors in their post. I think the word you were looking for is "menial" though.

i rest my case. lol