To all lurkers

Pull up a log to fire and join in. Tell us about your handgun hunts successful or not. I already know there are several of you because I have talked to you. Everyone here is just one of the boys. I haven't seen any prima donnas around here lately. Its true you can read the post here and learn a lot about handgun hunting but we might learn something from you as well. I have been at it for 35 years and I still learn all the time. If you have killed a doe we want to hear about it. This is one sight that when people tell you they are glad you are here they mean it. Join in!

...or a squirrel, coon, rabbit, chipmunk, mouse, opossum, coon, 'yote, crow, Hillary... I mean COW, prairie dog, skunk, Pelosi... I mean PIG, aardvark, platypus, badger, Obama... I mean JACKASS, cape buffalo, alligator, ox, wolf, democrat... I mean RAT, weasel, fox, elk, deer, moose...

We'd love to hear the story, and have ya join the group!

I'll second reflex's sentiment. I honestly feel like this is one of the best sites on the net for hunting information and general camaraderie. We have always had very little troubles with trolls and other such vermin because I believe we are a cut above. Not to disparage others, but not everyone had what it takes to be a handgun hunter. Of course we've had a few issues over what has now been almost 17 years but the neerdowells don't last very long here mainly because we would rather ignore them than engage in the battle on their terms.

Well done everyone!

Gary

Could not agree more! Well said!

The guys on this site have been a big help to me since I joined!

I've been lurking for a while. Last year I decided to get back into handgun hunting and purchased a pair of S&W revolvers, a 617 and 686. I quickly discovered my skills do not belong in the field so have been practising until I feel comfortable enough to make a clean shot on game. I think some rabbits are going to be on the table this winter though.

Very few things are more fun than chasing small game with a handgun. Have at it and post some pics.

I love squirrel hunting with a revolver. Wish we had more of them around here. Oddly in the hill-country they are not considered game animals and thus open season all year.

X2

Hello, my name is Bob. And, I'm a lurker. Actually, I joined the forum a while back. Then, between all the other hunting, fishing, and guitar forums I'm a member of, I kinda forgot about it. Fortunately for me, I recently re-found the forum.

I'm 61, and didn't start hunting seriously until about 10 years ago. So, trying to make up for lost time. My primary deer hinting rifle has been my Savage 110 in .270. Love the rifle, and the caliber. And, it's done a fine job.

However, my fondness for lever action rifles, and single action revolvers brought me to the desire to hunt more with both. I have 30-30, .35 Rem, and 45/70 in the levers. And, .357, .41 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Long Colt in the SA revolvers. The goal this season is to set the Savage aside, and hunt with the levers, and revolvers.

Actually sat in the deer blind a couple of years ago with my Super Blackhawk with the intention of shooting a doe. However, I was interrupted when my son started texting me that he had downed his first buck, a dandy 10 point. My doe hunt was interrupted.

I have enjoyed reading all the posts in this forum, and do plan to be more involved. One thing I seem to find conflicting opinions on is handgun hunting ammo. I read of guys hunting hogs with hollow points. But, I've read a lot of opinions that hollow points don't get the penetration needed for hogs hunting. Hard cast seems to be the preferred projectile. Even for deer, I have read that hard cast is the way to go.

I'd like to hear more from the handgun hunters here regarding that argument. The proof is in the results, as they say.

Anyway, thanks for the invite reflex!

You asked for it! Doe 35 yards. .44 Special. Penetrated clean through diagonally - shoulder to opposite hindquarter.

That is often a spirited discussion, haha. I prefer jacketed bullets, sometimes HP and sometimes SP, but always clad. I have been looking into powder coated of late but haven't gotten very far down that road as yet. Welcome to the forum and hopefully you won't get interupted next time on a handgun hunt ;-)

Best site in the world for a handgun hunter.....

I like XTP's.
Every time I have used them, deer and antelope die.
I have used HC as well...deer and antelope died those times too.

SGalan - Love the shirt and vest. Wool?

Revolver and deer are nice as well!

Thad,

Thanks very much. I am a bit of a wool fanatic!

Shirt: Pendelton wool -vintage
Vest: Cabelas outfitters fleece
Pants: German military surplus - very nice weight

To all you new guys, each one of us was in your shoes once too. Maybe it was a long time ago but nobody was born doing it so don't be embarrassed if you haven't shot anything but cans or paper targets, we all started somewhere pretty easy.
First thing is, don't over gun yourself with heavy loads or long distance, either one will ruin your confidence & take much longer to learn the basics.
Hitting is fun so use a load that is comfortable to shoot & do it at a distance that challenges you a bit but make sure you are getting 80-90% hits before moving out.
A good trigger is an absolute must, without it you will chase it & flinch most of the time if you are shooting offhand. Much better to have a good gunsmith do a good trigger job on your gun, you will love it.
Don't fall for the old "poor man's trigger job" hooey on a new model Ruger, get a real trigger job. Those 2 springs are on there for a reason & dropping one off is not going to give you a good trigger, lighter maybe but it will not fix a bad trigger, only a gunsmith can do that.
Bullet choice is always a toss up but shooting cast is cheaper, especially if you cast your own. Some of the best hunters in the world only use jacketed so you'll have to decide when the time comes. For deer about anything works with good bullet placement.
Front sight is key, for many narrowing the front helps a great deal, most factory fronts are .125" wide, maybe a friend has one that's been narrowed so you can compare.
Don't play when you practice, try to make every shot count, no messing around. Good trigger, see the front sight, break the shot & hit the target, 10,000 times & you're on your way to a good start.

Dick

Hi, decided to join after seeing this posting. Here is my first big game handgun kill. Used my TC Encore 44 with 2x Nikon scope. Distance, a whopping 18 yards.

Welcome and that is a great buck with any weapon!

What a great buck! Congrats!

Ruger 4570,

That's a dandy buck! Congrats.

What he said!

I started handgun hunting in the late '50s. I had an understanding dad that taught me well as a very young boy.There was no place to lurk. I wanted to kill 1 deer with a handgun and go to Africa to see a lion. I totally gave up rifles in 1978. I've done OK since then.

That bucks a great start to your handgun hunting! Welcome to the site!

If you've only done "ok" then I haven't even scratched the surface yet.

Lol....I was thinking the same thing.

Yessiree I would say you have done OK. I wish I could say I have done as OK as you have!!!

1st buck Mule Deer I ever killed was with a 4 inch Ruger Security 6 4 inch revolver using a 125 grain jacketed hollow point shot in the neck and this was about 35 years ago. Now hunt with a 454 casull Ruger super redhawk Toklat

Welcome to the site Charles!

I'll gladly add to this thread that I find this to be the best hunting/shooting forum there is. People here are knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful in so many ways. There's always something interesting and new ... it's like supper around the fire at the hunting camp!

P

I come here Monday thru Fri every week--
rarely post-- I hunt with my handguns-- a lot during our deer season here in TENN.
sadly I seem to see deer when I have my .358 Win rifle... not my handguns--
just shooting is fun for me and not as messy as field dressing

Alright Ron. I know you have read this thread by know. Pull up a log and join in. We don't bite. Well maybe some do but they probably don't have rabies.

To be fair I'm still waiting on my test results.

I know this is an old topic, but I am a lurker! I check this site every day!
Now a little about me, I have owned handguns and carried them hunting for 30 yrs. A couple of years ago I decided I really want to shoot a deer with my SRH .480. So I quit carrying my long gun here in Michigan. No deer yet, but I am going on a hog hunt in Ohio in March. I have been reading and OVER analyzing bullets and loads for this up coming hunt. But I enjoying reading and learning about this like this. Thank You All for your input.

Welcome to the madness.Just hang in there and keep practicing and it will happen.And remember there are no dumb questions, if you want to learn just ask.

Guess I missed this the first time around...I was hunting muzzleloader season heavily with my Encore 209X50 pistol.

I think Dick said it well...

I lurked and just made an account but I dont feel like posting because I dont know what to add. I read this article that my friend showed me that's a Glock 19 review which some of you may like http://gunivore.com/pistol/glock-19-gen-4-review-2015/

I've been around for a few years but was primarily a bow hunter, so I never had much to contribute. But as I have gotten older the injuries are adding up and taking a toll on my ability to shoot traditional hunting weight bows. I have always had handguns around but only recently have I gotten more serious about shooting enough to be able to hunt with them. I have learned a lot from y'all and do appreciate your willingness to share.

I know this is an old thread, but here goes nothing. Been a member here for a while and have done a lot of reading. I bought a Ruger SBH for a Christmas present a couple years ago. Topped it with a Leupold 2X scope. Shot it a lot with 240 gr XTPs. Killed a hog with it. Then I took it deer hunting, but for some reason, I just couldn't pull the trigger on the deer. Lack of confidence i suppose. Rediculous, I know. Anyway, I got frustrated with it. I picked it back up this spring and have practicing from field positions a lot. I've decided to leave the rifles at home this year and hunt exclusively with my .44 mag.

I have done quite a bit of squirrel hunting with my Ruger Mark III. Also took it with me on a prairie dog hunt this spring and shot a couple at 25 to 50 yards. Great fun.

I agree with everyone else, this is a great site.

Pat

If you are hitting rodents @ 50 yards I'd say you are up to the task when it comes to bigger targets like deer. Do as you said and leave the long gun in the rack. I look forward to seeing the pic of your harvest ;-)

Oh I had to kinda walk the bullet up to the dog. It was not my intention to imply any great prowess. But, I'm getting better.

Practice makes perfect. Dogging is a great way to practice with reactive targets. Take your 44 dogging too! When you connect it tends to be spectacular. Post some pics!

Good to hear you're back at it. It can definitely take a while to build enough confidence to take a big game animal with it. Heck, it took me years to finally connect on anything other than a paper target with a pistol.

I'm nit really a lurked since I posted s bunch when I first got into handgun hunting, but have been pretty quiet since then - just reading and learning. Cant wait for hunting season to start- going to try and get an iron sight deer with my EAA 10mm.

Besides the 10, I have a CVA .243 pistol and a Ruger SRH 454.

I guess I am a lurker,I love to read your stories,I just don't respond much,I joined Back in 2008,stopped hunting for a few years,going to hunt squirrel and white tail this fall,you guys are the only people I know that handgun hunt,any suggestions on how to get any of my hunting friends to try handgun hunting,they think I'm crazy, thanks

Ha, I've been the lone handguner in our deer camp 100% for more than 2 decades and they still think I'm crazy.....

I've never gotten to take anything big with a handgun, just smaller stuff that would maybe be considered pests. However I've had a love for big bore revolvers for a good number of years and I've had .41's, .44's, 45 Colts, 454's a 500 S&W once but my only big bore revolver now is one I just recently purchased, a 6" BFR .475L/480R.

I don't get to hunt much, but hopefully one day I'll be successful and get to go hunting more. I like reading on here not only to learn, but to live vicariously through you guys like in some alternate reality, I got to hunt more.

Handgun hunting is not for everyone.It takes a large amount of determination and perseverance to become proficient with a handgun.For every round my son and I, and most of the people on here fire at game several thousand practice rounds go down range.We love to shoot and do so year round to stay proficient.About all you can do is show people that you are dedicated,serious, and confidant with your choice of firearm and let the results speak for themselves.

Very well said.

On 2 days this week I went shooting with my SBH just fine tuning zero and checking a new load. Last week I was doing the same with my Glock 20 ... next week it's Encore's turn. A trip to the camp to shoot is an awesome day!!

I honestly believe I'm the only dedicated Handgun Hunter in this county. In fact, I've had more than one situation where I was asked point blank "are you really killing those good deer with a pistol?" A guy told my Step-Dad he'd let me shoot at him at 100 yards with just a pistol ... to which my Step-Dad responded "you really don't want to do that!" LOL

I honestly believe I'm the only dedicated Handgun Hunter in this county. In fact, I've had more than one situation where I was asked point blank "are you really killing those good deer with a pistol?" A guy told my Step-Dad he'd let me shoot at him at 100 yards with just a pistol ... to which my Step-Dad responded "you really don't want to do that!" LOL [/quote]

People are always skeptical about things they know nothing about. Offer to take him shooting ,then show him what pistols are capable of doing.Have a good friend who had a warped stock on his rifle and could not get it sighted in. He swore up and down it was not the problem. I stuck a paper match between barrel and stock and in three shots with him shooting convinced him. He believed you couldn't hit at extended range with a handgun either. Three or four shots at 150 yds. and he just said damn! I didn't believe you. Now he doesn't question why I always hunt with a pistol. Some people you just have to show to get the point across.

Same here. I love the looks I get when I bring a deer to the check in station and mention I got it with a handgun.

It is plumb foolish that some "uneducated" people think that we are "stuntmen." Yet they don't think twice about folks that hunt with a "stick and string."

Yet, what is kinda funny is that some of those outrageous "hollywood" handgun shots they see made on the bad guys seem to be believable!

Hello,
Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. Ruger has staked their notoriety on building extreme, dependable guns at a sensible cost throughout recent years. ... You can't show signs of improvement support on strength than yet, maybe shockingly, the Super Blackhawk (SBH) isn't simply intense, it can likewise be super enjoyable to shoot!

Guncritic
https://www.guncritic.com/

In the right hands you have all the practical range of a rifle in a package that weighs half as much and is more fun to shoot and carry what's not to love? Lol

Where I hunt here in Ohio I have to intentionally set myself up to shoot over 150 yards anyway unless we got a decent snow on

That's true in a lot of locations here in Pennsylvania as well. Most of the places I hunt rarely offer a shot much past 100 yards - ideal places for handgun hunting in my opinion.

I have discovered the same thing about my shooting distances here in the Missouri Ozarks.
My stand behind the house on the lease has a maximum shot of about 115 yards.
My stand on the South West side of the property has a maximum range of again around 115 yards.
The stand on the South East side of the property my brother hunts has a maximum range of 135 yards.
The wife's Platform Stand on the North East side of the property has a maximum range of probably 250 yards, but you would be shooting back towards the house, and the small lot we put the horses in during deer season. That puts us back to around 150 yards as the maximum in a direction safe to shoot.

I stay amazed how limited most people you encounter think you are with a handgun. I shot a couple rounds at the 200 yard steel in front of a couple rifle shooters the other day. I asked if they could see where I hit. One of them said he saw dust fly below the target, and thought I hit the bottom of the steel with the other shot. I did not think so. I took a couple paint cans down range and repainted the target. When I looked at the target two new splash marks were in the center. After repainting I made one more shot in front of the rifle shooters on the 200 yard target. At the shot the RED Dot went BLACK. I then moved to the 300 yard steel and dinged it twice in the center.

I handgun hunter off and on for years. I have several nice rifles that I liked to hunt with also. That was the reason for the off and on. I started with Contenders in the early 1990's. My first deer barrel was a 7x30 Waters. Then Mark Hampton ordered me a 6.5X30 JDJ, and a 375 JDJ from his friend JD Jones at SSK. Then I picked up my 35 Bullberry barrel from Bullberry Barrel Works. I am now on my second 480 Ruger Super RedHawk. Then we have the CVA Optima Muzzle Loader and a Scout 357 Maximum, and another 357 Maximum Contender barrel.

Then I decided to go bigger and got an Encore Action, then a 260 Remington BullBerry barrel and a 7.62x54R MGM barrel.

Now my problem is deciding which handgun and barrel to hunt with. I have not taken a rifle out in years. I had to decide that I was a handgun hunter, and hunt only with handguns. Thinking back over all the years of deer hunting. Very few deer were taken with a rifle that I could not NOW have made that shot with a handgun.

I really like spending a couple months before season giving the handguns a real work out. Working up loads, casting bullets, etc. You can get way more enjoyment from your hunting handguns than just hunting with them a few days. Then we have hunting site preparations, work on stands, etc. that is also part of the hunting experience.

We like to hear about your hunting preparation. Food Plots, Stands, Rests, Reloading, Wildcats. You name it we enjoy reading about it if it involves handgun hunting.

The better written the story, and the more details given the better. Your hunting story's are even better when we can visualize the hunt from the story you write. We are not all natural writers like Mark Hampton, but give it a try you will keep getting better with your stories.

Bob R

I am new to this site but not to handgun hunting. I'm 67 years old and been handgun shooting and hunting for years. I've hunted deer, groundhogs, crows, fox, coyotes, etc. Never joined a site before but this one seems different. Nobody seems to think they are an expert on every aspect of hunting and reloading like I've seen in others. People seem to want to help and encourage others. Howdy to y'all !

Welcome RAW. I think you described this group very well.

Typo I was talking to RSW.

RSW: I HAVE INCREASED MY KNOWLEDGE IN MANY WAYS ON THIS FORUM.

I only joined a few months ago and found this place to AWESOME. Great folks that are willing to share their knowledge with no pretense whatsoever. I have learned a bunch and hopefully have provided info to help others as well. You will be hard pressed in this day and age of the "social media quagmire" to find a better bunch of folks sharing and caring about what they love to do.

Just my 2 cents

Time to give this thread a bump, and come out of the shadows. I have lurked here for a couple years, and still lurked after registering a couple months ago. C'mon lurkers join me with all the rest here.

I'm a major lurker! I've probably been lurking here for about 10 years. I really enjoy reading the post and successfull hunts. I'll never be able to do some of the hunts that you all do; However, I like living vicariously through all of you. I'm a reloader, I load rifle and handgun cartridges. I've never killed an animal, other than rimfire, with factory ammo, I reload all my stuff.

I've been handgun hunting all my life, mostly small game. I was raised hunting snowshoe hares with beagles since I was 8, I'm 37 now. I do most of my hare hunting with a Ruger 22/45 and a ruger single ten. I don't take enough pictures. But here are some with my best beagle tank. These were shot with my 4 inch single ten, the one I'm pointing at was an eye shot at 30 yards.
https://i.postimg.cc/5tMQspc9/48982a03-874f-458a-b2a8-ad1588d42f8f.png

https://i.postimg.cc/zGhRw6cP/c44bef55-1758-47de-a268-6f47198548ff.png

I've also had some luck with predator hunting with a handgun.
This is a bobcat that I called and shot with my ruger 22/45 at about 15 yards in the right eye.

https://i.postimg.cc/ryhWqS4g/FB-IMG-1551973977911.jpg

This next one even though it was a very sick coyote, was blind in both eyes and full of porcupine quills. This is my best bragging shot. I called it In and yes hit on first shot, i was in prone position, and coyote was shot through the shoulders at 105 yards, ranged it with finder after it was dead, with my 40 s&w 180 grain gold dots reloads,Glock 27. I was probably very lucky but I'll take it!
https://i.postimg.cc/QxwTTh0T/FB-IMG-1551974220832.jpg

I've shot bigger moose with my rifle but this is my only big game kill with a handgun. A small bull but shot on last day at 12 yards with my M29-3 8 3/8" using 240 grain xtp reloads. Only weighed 700 lbs but what a rush. If I get drawn this year my next Maine moose will be with a handgun again. Hit him in the neck dropped in his tracks.
https://i.postimg.cc/CLz85zH0/FB-IMG-1551973791274.jpg

I'm still after my first Maine buck with a handgun hope it goes 200lbs be my third patch if I do.

Don't know how often I'll post but I'm always lurking. Great forum and cool group of Joe's.

I've done my share of lurking, I just recently joined the forum. I used to belong to HHI back in the 90's when I first got the handgun bug. I enjoyed reading "The Sixgunner" and now I enjoy reading everything on the forum. Most of my hunting is whitetails here in NY, and the occasional black bear. However I did make it to Alaska to hunt caribou with my FA 454, and my 305gr BRP handloads.. I began my handgun hunting with a Smith 629, 8 3/8" bbl. But that was just the beginning because pistols are like potato chips, can't have just one. After that I had John Linebaugh build a 45 with bowen rear sight and an Elmer Keith front sight with gold bars, then a FA 454 topped with a 2x Leupold, 20 years later I added a Glock 20, 10mm topped with an RMR. Now I got bit again and I found out that MR's BFR are now being made in 500 Linebaugh, always wanted one of those, but they were a little steep for me going the custom route. So, I now have one on order so hopefully in 2-3 months that should be coming in. That will be topped with an Ultra dot Matchdot II.