From time to time, we get new people on here interested in handgun hunting, which is GREAT!! Sooner or later "What caliber do you recommend?" is asked, which is to be expected. I asked the same question when I started on here myself, and if everyone is honest, I would venture to bet that 99% of everyone else did too. (I don't think Whitworth asked that question. I think he probably asked, "How heavy of a bullet can I use?")

I know people can do a search and find the info by looking at all the posts concerning a first handgun, but why not make this easy for new shooters, and collect our recommendations in one spot? It would be an easy way to do "side by side" comparisons, and I myself would like to know more about some of the calibers you guys are using.

What is your recommended caliber to start handgun hunting big game with, and why? Maybe even give a "pros and cons" of the caliber you recommend.

My pick is the 45 Colt. (Not the cowboy action guns, but Rugers, Thompson Center's, and Colt revolvers. I'm talking about the guns that can handle the hopped up loads in the reloading manuals.) Even my wife, with weaker than normal wrists, can shoot the light loads accurately, but yet it can be loaded heavy enough to take elk. I haven't taken one yet, but its not from the lack of trying!!:-) I have full confidence in my 45 Colt, and won't hesitate at all if I get within 100 yards.

The thing I don't like about it is the availability of ammo here. There used to be a ton of it, but now its not being carried much. I reload, so its not much of an issue for me, but without reloading, someone just getting started around these parts might have a hard time getting ammo.

Mine as well, but for the newby who likely doesn't handload the 44 magnum is probably a better option as you can find hunting ammo in every SG store on the planet. For the recoil shy, there is the Special which can be fired in the same gun.

.44 magnum.

could not have said it better!

Should it be broken down into revolvers/ single shots break opens/ bolt guns etc? If so
Revolver 44
Encore 7mm-08/308
Bolt gun 7mm-07/308

Should it be broken down into revolvers/ single shots break opens/ bolt guns etc? If so
Revolver 44
Encore 7mm-08/308
Bolt gun 7mm-07/308

.44 Magnum

time to think about reloading

Sorry guys I have no idea why in dual posting from my phone

Sorry guys I have no idea why in dual posting from my phone

I would also do a whole hearted '.44 mag' vote. I'll add one more wrinkle too.
What if they don't like it? What if they do like the challange, but want more, and go with a bow? What if they can't hit squat with a big hand gun?
It is much easier to unload (sell) a .44 mag gun/holster/ammo then a more esoteric single shot type gun. I know we love 'em, and drool over them, but the #1 stolen car is the Toyota Carola (or was, might trade with the Civic). Why? It is easy to unload. You are more likely to get a greater percentage of your investment out of a s/w 629 or Ruger Super Blackhawk than a single shot. More likely to be able to sell it to a co-worker and not have to wholesale it.

I'm sure any gun listed here, if the shooter does his part, will bring in that first handgun kill. But I also know I missed my first deer (5 times, it climed the tree and dope slapped me, and I still missed it), but kept at it, and love it.
My s/w 29 6" is still my favorite gun for anything except swimming.

Dogsbreath

44mag gets my vote. Especially in a Bisleyhawk Hunter.

My answer is a 44 Magnum with reloads or dual cylinder Ruger Blackhawk in 45 ACP and 45 Colt if they don't reload. Proper practice is critical so some provision for low cost / low recoil ammo must be made.

44 mag for sure. It is a time proven deer hunting caliber, in nearly every loading, it is available just about everywhere that sells ammo.

.44 mag. You can start shooting specials and when you are ready for more recoil just move to the magnums. If you handload the .45 Colt in a ruger blackhawk. A 250-260 grain cast bullet at 900fps will go completely through a deer then when you need it 360grs at 1200fps are no problem. reflex264

WOW!!!! I had NO IDEA it would be so heavily favored for the 44 mag. Don't get me wrong, from what I've heard / researched about it, I think it is a great caliber. I just thought there would be some other suggestions!

When you consider the ease of finding 44 Magnum ammo, revolvers, and components, coupled with its performance and shootability (for want of a better word), it doesn't really surprise me how many would recommend it, especially if you consider how relatively hard it is to find appropriate hunting loads for the 357, 41, and 45 Colt.

If components, loaded ammo, and revolvers chambered in it weren't so hard to come by, I'd wager the 41 Magnum would be up there in popularity.

Revolvers? Don't forget auto-loaders, lever guns, and single shot pistols and even the hard to find Ruger deerfield carbine too! :-)

DB

Raptor,

keep in mind that this forum is mostly frequented by folks who are sensible. There are plenty of other places where many threads mostly devolve into loads that are really suited to T-rex's, and any thread that mentions self defence against humans, black bears or mountain lions ends up in a pissing match about grizzlies. many folks that hunt with handguns will never see a T-rex or grizzly, and are likely to be hunting hogs and whitetails on the large size.

Although I do hope Whitt is around if I ever run into a T-Rex. I can stand behind him as he will will be properly heeled........

Craig

For the non-reloader, the .44 Magnum is the most logical choice in my estimation. That said, you don't have to load everything to the max as it just isn't necessary. Yeah, I know I am a bit of a horsepower junkie, but I think that I do recognize when and where it should be applied.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Craig -- LOL!

I agree that the 44 mag is the logical choice for the vast majority of revolver hunters.
Living in Alaska where black bear is the smallest big game animal I will hunt I like a little more gun so I went with the 480 & heavy cast bullets, but I only load it to about 1200fps. Comfortable to shoot & with 400-420gr bullets all I need for the biggest critters. LOTS of 9-10' brown bear in our area & the saying is "carry a gun that's not only big enough for what you are hunting, but for what may be hunting you!".

I didn't mean to sound like I expected larger calibers to be recommended, I just expected a wider assortment of calibers. But you guys are right -- when you take into account the availability of stock ammo, reloading components, price, etc... Why WOULDN'T you go with it??!! I will still recommend the 45 Colt, but my SECOND recommendation, will be the 44 mag, even though I have never owned one. Well, except for the one that was turned into a 500JRH, but I never fired it as a 44mag.

I'll be the first to admit that the large bores aren't needed for 99.9% of the things we hunt in the lower 48, but for some reason, I've always been drawn to them.

I would also recomend the old 44. My SBH is my constant companion I lad and cast my own so shooting it a lot is fairly cheep (just over $5.00 a box of 50).
I'm also a fan of Contender and Encore when I have to strech out the distance you can't beat a 30-30 for some one who doesn't reload.
One thing to remember is pratice is KING and when you think you are good enough pratice some more. Your max range is where you are able to put all 6 in a 10" paper plate not just once or twice but all 6.
Good luck have fun hunting with a Bow or a Pistol is king in my book.
Flip

I would nearly also always say 44 mag due to bullet availability and cost. However if ya dont mind going up a touch innprice and will reload ive started all my kiddos and friends out with the 454 since we do reload. When thats the case and ya reload its really no more expensive. Use a trailboss load and its original black powder 45 colt territory, tight group will get ya mid range 45 colt and 44 mag territory. My daughter kills stuff with these loads. Then hs6 will take ya to upper 44 and 45 colt levels and h110= my cape buffalo loads i used this summer. All in one pistol. It doesnt have to be savage and can kill anything at a long range per handguns. If ya dont reload really 44 is perfect

All very true!

While I love my 41 magnums, it almost has to be reloaded to be appreciated and it is hard to find on the shelves. So my vote for the beginner handgun hunter is also the 44 mag. Easy to find many types of guns and ammo for them. I do favor the 454 Casull over the 44 mag but again you must reload for it to be enjoyed.
As it has been said before, the 44 mag is the 30-06 of the handgun world.

I think it should be the contender in either 30-30 or 35 remington. They can buy one gun and never have to step up. The 44 magnum is great but doesn't have the range of the rifle calibers. I started with 44 then stepped up to 30-30. Wish I had went with 35 remington later but that's another story.

44 Mag

Why assume a new handgun hunter is not already an accomplished handloader and or rifle hunter? I hunted and handloaded for 15 years with my rifles before I fell victim to the challenge of using a handgun. First deer fell to my 41 mag blackhawk and I have never owned a 44mag just because everyone else has one. Nothing against the standard calibers I know they work great but I love the oddballs!

Well I be the odd one and say 357mag. Start with small game then pratice getting within 40 yards on deer. After that move on up if you want to keep it up.

I'm going to side with the 30-30 fans. I shoot mostly wildcats or obscure calibers that are difficult to find on most store shelves. I chose the 30-30 as my tag along go to barrel because it had a broader range of available options and WAS generally available from coast to coast and north to south. I thought long and hard over this topic and the 44 mag, although a great caliber in its own right, falls short of the 30-30 when both are fired from a 14" contender. I mainly hunt my home state of Colorado and Arizona so I'm more focused on trajectory. I guess if I were back in the eastern hardwoods and more limited to whitetails I might lean toward the 44, but as it stands the 30-30 gets my nod.

I started with the T/C platforms for all the available handgun & rifle cartridges. If it is a handgun caliber my first choice is the 41 mag and it does a great job on deer. True it is a lot easier to buy ammo and components in the 44 mag. In the T/C's I enjoy the extra range that the 7-30 Waters gives me and is very pleasant and accurate to shoot but I have several rifle calibers also that consist of 30 Herret, 7mm-08, & 308 to name just a few that handle nicely in a single shot handgun.

The word "beginner" could be used pretty loosely??? But a "true" beginner really has little chance of enjoying (or being succesful) with a gun as powerful fullhouse 44 Magnum.

I love the modern Big Bores very much. Have been shooting revolvers for about as long as I can remember ..Started hunting with the 44mag 28 years ago, I was 13.

In this sport accuracy trumps EVERYTHING. I once killed an Elk with a 22lr Single Six revolver. Not a stunt, just proper bullet placement. 2 to the lungs; it went 30 yards...dirt!

It is hard to shoot accurately with both eyes shut and your head out of the way

With that knowledge, the big N frame M27 S&W 357 magnum with a 6", or better yet, an 8 3/8" barrel, is just about as perfect as a beginner could ever ask for. Buy an old one and you get a really cool wooden box too!

In 1935 when the 357mag was introduced, all the old timers were just shaking there heads saying "Why on earth would anyone need something so God-awful powerful?!! (Probly had something to do with the fact that no-one wore earplugs back then

This is from Col. Wessons promotional hunting hunting trip into Wyoming and Canada...

Year: 1935

Hunter: Major Douglas Wesson

Game & Ranges:

Antelope - 200 yards, 2 shots.

Elk - 130 yards, 1 shot.

Moose - 100 yards, 1 shot.

Grizzly Bear - 135 yards, 1 shot.

Antelope was first hit at 125 yards. It ran & stopped and was shot the second time at 200 yards, The second shot killed it!

Bull Elk was killed with one shot! (through the lungs).

Moose was hit in the chest near the base of the neck, It cut the second rib and passed through both lungs, shearing the 8th rib on the off side and stopped just under the hide. No follow-up shot was needed!

Animals were taken on a Fall hunt, near Yellowstone Park, in Wyoming.
The Grizzly was taken in Canada at a later date.

All game was taken using factory loads, of the day, which were a 158 grain bullet at 1515 fps. from a 8 3/4 inch (not 8-3/8 inch) barreled Smith & Wesson Large frame revolver, that produced 812 ft. lbs of muzzle energy.

Those who criticized were told by the Major, they "had not the slightest conception of what we have accomplished in ballistics". A statement that still applies today!

Noooooo. You must use the lastest huge magnum. Those were the same animals that were able to be downed with a 30/30. These same species are now bullet proof to a 30/30 and need to be shot with mich more powerful calibers. I know i read guns n ammo

In revolvers, I have used the 454 Casull more than anything. I now have a 44 Mag, and I would also use the 45 Colt or even the 41 Mag any day.

For deer sized game the 7x30 Waters or the 30-30AI would be my choice when using a Contender. I don't have any TC products.

For an Encore, I personally would limit a case to a .473 head diameter.

For XP's and or MOA Maximum's the options are impressive and the actions are way stronger than anything listed above.
All depends on the critter(s) and the distances you want to use them at.
For me, the main two reasons I go with a larger capacity is to have the proper impact velocity for the bullet to do it's job, and to reduce drop/drift at distance.
Other reasons could be: it's fun, it's different, I can, I want to use that cartridge.

There are no magic cartridges or bullets.
Good field marksmanship and choosing a bullet that will perform on that animal within the limits of that cartridge will fill your tag every time.

I want to say the .41 Magnum, all the power you need with less recoil than a .44 Mag. I mean even if they don't handload they can still buy ammo for it online, not so much from say walmart. If they do handload, it's a handloaders dream. I see new .41 Mag Blackhawks going for less than $450.

But, I'd also suggest the .45 Colt. A Blackhawk .45 Colt was my first single action, and overall it's still my favorite cartridge. So for me, it would be a toss up between these two, as either one can be loaded mild and still be effective, or hot enough for whenever more power is wanted.

I will start by saying that the first thing to do is learn how to shoot a handgun very well. A cartridge with low to moderate recoil works best for this. You must learn how to hold a good sight picture until the barrel is moved away by recoil. No flinching allowed.

After that I recommend a 44 magnum. If all you have is factory ammo then dry fire often, holding the sight picture on target at 25 to 50 yards. Your sight picture needs to stay on target through the hammer fall. Shoot enough factory ammo to feel good about your accuracy. Mix is practice with your lower powered gun.

If you reload (and I recommend it) you can start with 240 at 1000 and gradually build to 240 at 1200+. You can stop at any power level you need to avoid the flinch. It will only change your effective range.

45 colt is good too but you really need to reload for this to make sense. Even then, Most 45 Colts need to be pushed pretty hard to get top accuracy (I think it's because of the high volume case). It's easier to get accurate loads at various power levels in the 44 magnum in my experience (I am sure there are exceptions to this).

I vote a Phase Plasma Rifle in a 40 Watt Range. Just to keep it interesting.
Really, I think Oscar got it right. It's practical, inexpensive compared to others and ethical. Hey, what do I know.

I'd vote for the .44 Magnum. Like others have said, the availability and the option to shoot .44 Special loads makes it very flexible plus capable of taking most every critter in North America. For a beginner, the weight of a steel gun and light loading of a .44 Special makes it a real sweet and comfortable shooting gun. Besides, it's quite fun to see the really big .44 caliber holes show up in the target!