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Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol #199188 04/24/2019 3:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
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wvhitman Offline OP
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OK, OK, I know. John Taffin coined this term. But, he applied it to small, medium caliber revolvers meant for human and game protection. I think I've "found" a handgun that fits in a new hunting category. That would be my FA 7 1/2" .454. I've taken over 800 groundhogs, over 30 turkeys, and over 200 deer with this gun. Numero uno in my hunting world.
I just completed my Groundhog Ace status with my new .44 Anaconda. I could "feel" my .454 screaming for equal time. Mission accomplished in the last 10 days. 7 groundhogs. Now a .454 Ace.
I sneaked up to this pile of railroad ties where I'd not seen anything this year. The hole was fresh. He was asleep on the ties. BogPod, PSR, 74 yards.

Neck shot. Accurate gun.
I sneaked up to the fence line in the top of the photo. The groundhog was laying on the stump. How to shoot? Easy. Rest my backpack at a 45* angle from the fence post to the top fence wire. Very stable.

58 yds. Note exit in shoulder from the AFrame. Also, my comfortable Cape buff holster. Wears easy daily.
Next, I returned to the high wall where I made the long 6mmAI shot a few weeks ago. I knew there was a hole in the field below. As soon as I start setting down a 'hogs comes slowly out of his hole below me. I slowly put my backpack on the ground, SLOWLY lay down. 4X on the Bushnell

Big exit (AFrames are nice), 48 yds. My backpack is a critical part of my hunting.
Enough of this rest shooting. Off to the airport. I sneaked along the fence close to the runway using it for partial camo. Got to a big hole that was very fresh. Did my whistle thingy. 1 minute out he comes and stands up. I was already cocked with my thumb between the hammer and frame

He was facing me. Exit in the back. 42 yds. offhand. Airport buildings in the back.
The rest of the 7 'hogs were all similar shots.
Now on to bigger things.
Last day of turkey season 2 years ago. Cold. 15-20 mph winds. I'm sitting in a hollow for protection with a small fieldlike opening ahead. Here comes 7 turkeys. #1 is a hen. #2 a nice gobbler. The hen gives me time to range them. 140 yds. Oh, my!

20#, 9" beard, 1" spurs. .454 does it again. Best turkey gun I've ever seen or used.
Deer. There are so many, but this one stands out.
Summer crop damage permits. Overlooking a large clover field with high brown grass 50 yds. deer in front of it. I sit for 45 minutes. Nothing. I get up and so do 2 does angled away in the brown grass. I drop down to my backpack that's already there. They don't move. Shoot. #1 drops. #2 doesn't move! It's very hot. Do I shoot? I'm "paid" to shoot deer. What the heck. #2 drops

Mid shoulder and high shoulder hits. 260 gr. Speer Mag HP. #1-101 yds., #2 104 yds. I sweated a lot cleaning them ,but I loved every minute of it.
This .454 is some kind of gun. It's easily my do everything, take everything revolver. As much as I love my .475 and .500s, the FA .454 has a very special place in my heart.
I love doing this kind of stuff.





Last edited by wvhitman; 04/24/2019 3:31 PM. Reason: add more
Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: wvhitman] #199189 04/24/2019 3:55 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline
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Excellent... and Doc, I can certainly agree with you about a Freedom 454...


Life member-NRA-SCI
Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067
Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s
"I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: jamesfromjersey] #199190 04/24/2019 4:35 PM
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Jeff460 Offline
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With a good .454 you can walk the earth and be prepared at all times. With a Freedom Arms .454 you can walk the earth in style.

Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: Jeff460] #199191 04/24/2019 5:27 PM
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KRal Offline
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I agree, Doc. Those FA 454?s are magical.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: KRal] #199194 04/24/2019 7:08 PM
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magman Offline
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I like my FA 454, but usually anymore when I go it's my 44.


NRA LIFE MEMBER NAHC LIFE MEMBER
Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: magman] #199196 04/24/2019 8:04 PM
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NYhandgunner Offline
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Well done Doc!!!FA 454 is crazy accurate...Love mine, 23 years and still tight.

Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: NYhandgunner] #199197 04/24/2019 8:15 PM
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45MAN Offline
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DOC, GLAD YOU ARE GETTING IN SOME MUCH NEEDED THERAPY. MY FA 454 REVOLVERS HAVE BEEN MY MAIN HUNTING HANDGUNS FOR DARN NEAR 30 YEARS NOW, YOU C AN DO A LOT WITH ONE.


"ADAPT OR DIE". I USE ALL CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD HABIT FROM MY ARMY DAYS, PLUS IT IS EASIER TO TYPE AND READ.
Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: 45MAN] #199201 04/25/2019 12:03 AM
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csherrill Offline
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Thank you. I enjoyed reading your stories

Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: csherrill] #199202 04/25/2019 12:58 AM
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racksmasher1 Offline
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Well done Doc, a Freedom in 454 is awesome!

Re: Perfect Packin' groundhog, turkey, deer pistol [Re: magman] #199211 04/25/2019 1:14 PM
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Jeff460 Offline
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A 44 magnum is also a walk-the-earth cartridge properly-loaded. Good for you!!!


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