I know i like to talk about the guns and loads i use and i am constantly experimenting, bet you guys do to. I would like to hear what some of you guys will be trying out this season. could be anything gun, optics, load, new gear... i will be going out in the morning to hopefully try out a new load for my super redhawk 44 magnum on a white tail. im trying a long loaded 300 grain xtp on top of 23.5gr H110 coal is 1.750" thats important to note! in the past i have used 240 grain xtps but never could get them to shoot under 4 in at 100 the 300 grain load shoots about 2" at 100.

I am hoping to get the new Reeder Big Bore black powder revolver next week. Hoping to spend time wringing out loads to use it on whitetail deer. I have allot of fun this time of year my family usually brings me thier guns to wring out new loads for hunting. I get to shoot a variety guns and loads.

This year should be fun even if the deer do not cooperate the events leading up to the hunt make it worth while.

I picked up a SRH in .454 just about spring time and haven't had a chance to really see what it will do, aside from a 10# pig. That really wasn't a fair test. It looked like something from a foreign horror movie.

It's wearing a FF3 and I'm shooting hand loaded XTPs over H110. Be perfect for our big hogs and whitetails; can't wait.

I will be hunting with a new CVA Optima V2 muzzleloader pistol during our muzzleloader deer season. It is topped with a Traditions 2X scope.

I am shooting a 240 grain XTP over 90 grains of Jim Shockey's Gold.

I will also be hunting with a new Ruger Blackhawk 357 mag with a Ultradot 25mm during our deer gun season.

I have also mounted a Ultradot 30mm to my old Redhawk in 44 mag.

I hope to harvest a deer with each this season. You get (6) deer tags with your big game license here in North Carolina.

I'll be hunting deer with an Encore handgun and an open sighted revolver. I've had a scope on my 460 these past few seasons, but I took it off to put on my Encore.

Also trying out a new relatively light load for my 460 since I won't need to shoot it at longer ranges. Whether or not I use it hinges on how accurate it is at 25 to 30 yards. Early results are promising.

I've got a few to wring out. Two new encore pistol barrels in 480 Ruger, and 338 Federal. I also must use my 44 Special and 41 Magnum this year. I've had the 41 two years and have no kills to its credit.

I have a new 445 Super Mag rifle barrel for the Encore as well. It will see a work out if nothing comes within range of the wheel guns.

I love to pistol hunt, but it's meat first fun second.

Brenden

Picked up this .44 Super Blackhawk this summer. I am going to use it this fall for deer.

This will be my first year hunting deer with a handgun. I just picked up a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag just like the one above but without the scope. I might put a red dot/scope on it.

I have acquired a few handguns this year I intend to use for hunting this season.
5" SRH Toklat in .454 Casull
7.5" Redhawk in .44 Mag
6" SBH in .454 Casull
10" Contender in .357 Mag
6" GP-100 in .357 Mag
15" Encore in .30-06 Spr

If I get lucky to score with all those, I've got a second string to pull out as well.

I'm trying some new and some old. My .454 SBH has already gotten a hog this year, but I will be using it on deer this season as well. Probably the .480 SBH as well. I am also possibly going to drag out the .500 Maximum this year cause I miss the bruiser.

Tell me more about the 338 Federal I love that cartridge wish I would have kept my AR platform in that caliber.

Franchise is using 23.0grs of H-110 and 300 XTP in bottom crimp in his Super Red and was rewarded with and excellent 100yd group

I'm letting my friend use my shotgun while his son uses his (hunting in shotgun zone in Minnesota) and I use my contender in 30-30 (strangely, you can use a center fire pistol anywhere in the state). This will be my first season hunting deer with a pistol and I'm looking forward to it. Another trip to the range to check zeros and consistency and we should be good to go.

Changed out barrel on savage striker with a 260 Remington so it's new this year so it's coming along this deer season and my T/C in 41 magnum hasn't connected with anything yet.

The Super Blackhawk Hunter with Ultradot. The Glock 20 with SeeAll Sight. Both of those combos will get hunted this year. None of those pesky rifle things with their long barrels and stability enhancing stocks and such. :).

Yeah, I'm going to try to at least see a deer this year...

Or at least a "legal" deer. I know the feeling, it's been a tough last couple seasons here.

Just put a stand last night, spooked a buck that was standing maybe 10 yards from the tree I'm going to be sitting in. since I bow hunt I set it up for close shots and this should work perfect for my Blackhawk

I've got a Ruger Old Army that I worked up some loads for last year, but never got an opportunity to light one off while hunting. I hope to get one or two with it this year....



I've also got an OM Ruger Super Blackhawk that I purchased for a project gun, but haven't done anything with it yet.



I just received some new powder coated cast hollowpoint bullets that I'm anxious to try, as well. My intent was to use them in my 4 3/4" FA 44mag, but the shoulder is a tad to high on them and they won't chamber in the FA. So, I pulled out the OM Super Blackhawk...they fit fine in it.


...and it should be good enough for whitetail. I'm not crazy about the sights, but that'll get taken care of when it heads to the chop shop. First five round I've fired through this gun since I've had it; not bad for a 42 year old gun and the first load I've worked up for it. It's gonna take some time getting use to a plowhandle grip after shoot'n FA's and Bisley for so long.

Looks like you got a handle on that handle ;-)

I never did care for the plowhandle, but then I started out on a Bisley.

Just picked up a great deal on a 7mm-08 Encore 15" barrel. Put It on my frame and loaded up some Nosler 140 grain Accubond over good dose of IMR4350 . Running 2400 10 feet from the barrel. I am really impressed with accuracy of the cartridge and think it shou,d make dandy deer cartridge for this year.

Just shot my 15" 7-08 today. Had some loaded with Nosler 140gr and some with Sierra 140gr. Both we're sitting on top of 39gr of H4895. I hope to get some time afield with it this year.

Also going to bring my pietta 58 remmie and a SA XD Service in 45. Of course at different times. I'll bring those when my boys are the trigger men with their rifles.

How did that 7MM-08 shoot my groups were 2" at 100 yards and the gun shoots better than me.

Used both the .454 SBH and the .500 Max on some really big critters in Texas last week and let's just say that I have renewed my love for the .500 Max!

I have shot some nice sub 1" groups with 120 grain BTs in my 7-08 but haven't been pleased with their performance on game. Last year I was shooting factory Remington Extended Range (139?). At 50 yards I had almost complete lengthwise penetration on a 170# buck; shot him quartering to me and cut the bullet out from beneath his skin just in front of his opposite flank. DRT'd him.

Oh boy that's impressive

Was trying to use some cast HPs in my 44 Special. That was a bust, accuracy was terrible. Back to the drawing board.

If that doesn't work out, just revert to the tried and true 44mag with jacketed bullets.

Don't feel bad Magman, the hollow points in the 44 Special were a bust for me too. With 5 grains of Bullseye, they shot pretty good but not enough "umph" for my liking.

Back to the 250 Keith and 8 grains of Unique for me.

Brenden

Not a handgun but I'm going out tomorrow to see if I can find an accurate load for my .62 cal smoothbore flintlock. I've had the gun for a few years but never hunted with it or spent any time working up an accurate load. Probably limited to 50 yards for consistent hunting accuracy. That's what I've experienced with my .56 cal smoothbores.

I just got an email saying my 480 SBH is ready to ship. I hope to have a load worked up for the season.

Mike

For the last 8 or 9 years all I did was bow hunt and got burnt out. This year I will strictly be using a handgun. For the line up my 460 XVR will be with me every time for shots under 100 and will also be carrying an encore in 460 or 308 or possibly my contender in 7-30 waters

Eastex, you have an impressive collection of long range handguns there.

I too have bow hunted for years, started out with a recurve, switched to a compound and back to a long bow. I killed deer with all of them.

My shoulder is about worn out now and I am shooting a crossbow. I shot a mature doe yesterday afternoon at a measured 54 yards and she hit the ground right there.

Bow hunting is loosing its excitement. I much prefer my handguns now but I have to wait two more weeks here in the piedmont of North Carolina.

Thanks RedHawks I have always been a handgun nut and I have always taken my 44 RedHawk bow hunting with me for hogs

1/2" at 50 yards, but then I'm embarrassed to say 4-5" at 100. It's all me though. The gun will do it for sure. I need a lot more trigger time at longer ranges. I'm limiting myself to 50ish yards this year.

It's all me though. l do it for sure. I need a lot more trigger time at longer ranges. I'm limiting myself to 50ish yards this year. [/quote]
Thats what being an ethical hunter is all about. Knowing your limitations and sticking to them . It shows your respect for the game you hunt,and that you know your limitations[for now].
Practice will make you a better shot, you already have the right mindset. My hat is off to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not to mention the fact that up-close and personal is just fun!

Thanks for the support guys. I have two boys 13 and 10, and two girls 2 and 7 months that need a good example. It keeps me in check having their eyes on my every move.

Does a different bullet count? This fall I will try Sierra?s 225gr SBT out of my 35-06 JDJ. Accuracy and wet media trails have been outstanding. For those that like ballistic data as follows. I found the best accuracy at these velocities.
Hornady 180 SSSP = 2675fs ? N135
Speer 220FP = 2550fs ? N150
Sierra 225SBT = 2515fs ? N140 & N150 run neck and neck.

The barrel is a SSK 15? + the Brake - Burris 3x12 pistol scope
Good hunting -
B..

Nice rig there buck that outta be good for anything you may encounter