Shot 30 some deer with rifles but this new year I made a promise
to myself to never carry another rife unless I shoot deer with the
two hand guns I have. One is S&W 460 with 8 3/8 barrel and the other is Taurus 44 mag with 6 1/2 barrel. Any help in the new area
would be appreciated

Best advice I can offer is to shoot, and shoot, and shoot some more. Trigger time is quality time with the shortgun. If you don't load it can expensive, a 22 pistol can make for cheap quality time.

Welcome aboard!

I shoot thousands of "rounds" a year in my reloading room. I use fired cases with dead primers and dry fire.....daily. Concentrate on grip tension, sight picture and squeeze. You will "learn" to shoot with a little bit of wobble.

thanks for the replies on my newest shooting. I did shoot I.D.P.A.
for two years and I loved it. That is what really prompted me to
try this. From what I've been reading from mostly everyone so far
I may have found a new way to hunt a may never go back to long guns.

Now that sounds like a good "exercise". It would also "polish" the action, correct? Very slowly, but surely?

Ditto. Shoot,shoot, shoot. I started in 1978. First few years weren't pretty. Missed some nice deer. I got hooked. I don't even own a rifle now. Been a 100% handgunner since '78. Challanging and exciting. I love it!

I have the same S&W 460 as you and its a cannon. It may be to your advantage to start with your 44. I cut pictures of game from magazines, tape them on the wall, and dry fire while aiming at the vital area. Otherwise, shoot that gun as much as you can. A hunting handgun can be a most unforgiving weapon....Good luck.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD BOTH OF THESE GUNS FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW AND HAVE APPROX. 150 ROUNDS THRU THE 460 (AND IT
TRULY IS A HAND CANNON) BUT A REAL ....BLAST... TO SHOOT. COUPLE OF
HUNDRED OUT THE 44 BUT ENJOY IT AS WELL.
I WILL TAKE THE ADVICE AND START A REGIMENT OF PRACTICE. AGAIN THANKS.

I will give you my experience with an S&W .460 without giving you advice. I went from shooting the 275 gr & 325 gr. factory loads to the "wimpy" Hornady 200 gr. SST, and it made all the difference in world as far as accuracy and enjoyment was concerned. Took a 305 lb. Illinois whitetail at 175 yards with .460/200 gr. combo. It was a great experience, I might add....

You've already made the biggest decision in becoming successful and that's leaving the rifle at home and I totally agree with the others, practice, practice, practice.

A lot of great advice here...

Practice = confidence,get there and go get em.

Practice does in deed build confidence. Plan on only shooting within your practical range with which ever gun you choose.

Think of it as archery hunting with the potential for a bit more range if you can shoot well enough. But certainly you can become proficient at archery ranges.

Leave the rifle at home and be willing to pass on a shot or simply fail to get your deer even if you "could have" with a rifle. It feels really good toting a powerful revolver.

Same as the boys above. Practice till it hurts. Buy a good .22 and wear it out. One weekend of shooting would pay for it. reflex264

Practice till it hurts, I love it.