October 23ed had me picked up at Albuqueque Airport for a few hours drive in the rain that was caused by the outer bands of a storm up from Mexico. It continued to rain till the next afternoon at which time I asked to check my Freedom M-83 in .41 Mag... They know how to do it in New Mexico with steel targets from 50 out to 1200 yards. After I was sure my 41 was on at 100yds I was asked if I wanted to shoot a long range rifle chambered in 6.5x 284 shooting Berger bullets. "How far?" I asked... "1000 yards" was the answer.
The 1st shot was a little high with the 2nd even with the orange bull but a few inches left. 3ed shot splashed the base of orange."A darn handgunner smoked us" was all I heard so I checked the gun was empty and placed it on the bench. I know when I`am lucky and this was a perfect example... That afternoon had us in a ground blind with nothing coming in... Up at 5am Thursday morning and then going to a two man tree stand overlooking a water hole about 160yds away...Plenty of movement at the water but hard to tell what was what because of the branches.. Deer moved in and out but always staying in the cover and not coming into my 100 yard limit until a little after 8am when a doe came out with a buck not far behind. He was walking towards the doe when my guide gave a grunt that stopped him at an even 80 yards...BOOM... five steps later he dropped.. Quickest deer kill ever. The 210gr Swift entered lower shoulder area, smashed some lung, took off top of heart, stopping under offside hide. As is so typical of a Swift, with its consistent expansion and weight retention, I was pleased to later find out that the bullet weighed 191.9grs losing just 8.1grs while expanding to 0.715". Who could ask for more...? The taking of that buck Thursday morning turned out to be a stroke of luck because sometime during that evening a lion moved into the area and the deer disappeared... Fresh lion tracks along with coyote were found on the sandy soil.. The following day we jumped into a 4-wheeler and went to about 7 or 8 different snake dens and at the first was a small Western Diamondback which was fascinating to watch until the guys said "shoot that son of a bitch" which I promptly shot with a 250 Partition from my S&W 29. There was more activity at the next den with a 3 footer coiled and ready to strike with its rattles buzzing. Without being told I tried to hit the head but hit just below...Sometimes life does not turn out as we would like and you learn to live with it, however, the one constant that can give us total pleasure is our ability to hunt with a handgun. Get out and enjoy as much as you can because this is a short ride... Thank you guys for reading. [/img]

Good work!
Looks like you had a great time.

Way to go James! Getting some respect for handgunners from the rifle crowd. Did you use a rest for the 80 yard shot?

Well done James!!! Congrats

Very nice, James. Congrats again.

Great hunt, James! Thanks for sharing.

James,, Way to go!!! I like the Herrett stocks on the Snake charming 29... Nice to have some shot loads handy sometimes. and that 41 is gaining on the 454 in Kills isn't it? Congrats on a good looking deer.

I am glad your western excursion went so well. Thanks for taking on the challenge of western big game with a revolver, and sharing the results with us.

Congratulations on a beautiful deer.

Nice going James. You continue to amaze with your hunting and shooting. Well Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Story, and a very nice handgun buck.
You are representing us handgun hunters well.

Bob R

Beautiful trophy and great story. While I've not hunted there, New Mexico is one of my favorite places. Congrats!

Awesome James, a hell of a hunt!

well done! congrats!

Way to go James. Beautiful buck.

Very nice buck ... looks like you had a great trip!!

Nice buck, Congrats!

JAMES: ANY INFO ON OUTFITTER/PRICE, ACOMMODATIONS, ETC.?

Nice work James as always!

That 41 tally is catchin' up on the 454 at a steady pace!

Very well done James, you are putting a lot of notches in the stocks of that lovely 41 magnum, just have to get you using the "right" bullets!! Congratulations!

Dick

Nice buck, great story.

Great goin' on the rattlers also!

Sounds like great trip, James!

Great story and hunt JAMES.

Great story and hunt James! Congrats!

Awesome buck James! Congratulations!

Nice buck James, congratulations. Our state is a good one for the hunter.

want to thank everyone for their good words

Congrats James.

Awesome James. Really nice buck and good shooting.