Took my first kill with a handgun a couple of weeks ago. Took a 260+lb sow with my Ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag. Hit her right in front of the shoulders, clipping both shoulder bones, and portion of the spine, and she went down at the shot. Shot was at 30 yards while she was standing still, but was about to start running again. Found the slug, fully expanded on the far side hide. Had the distance been a little closer, or had it been from a longer barreled gun (was using the 4.5/8 model) I am sure the bullet would have completely exited. I was using the Winchester 240 grain Platinum tip factory load. Two petals had broken off during penetration (which I found while cleaning the meat, one in each shoulder), and that side of the slug was a bit deformed, but it still expanded perfectly, and the rest of the slug expanded like textbook. Very exciting, and I can't wait until I do it again. Next time will be with the 6.5" 41 Blackhawk and 210 grain Gold Dot's.

congratulations and i hope there are many more to come!!

More velocity dosen't always mean more penetration. With more velocity the bullet upsets quicker and could retard penetration.

way to go Gunman---kinda feels like your first bowkill--up close and personal. I use those Platinum Tips in my 44mag and my smokepole, wish they were available in 45colt .

Excellent!! You will always remember your first handgun kill. Hey ya know a few pics would be cool too!!

Whoot, always remember that first kill with a new system. Keep up the work

Or a bullet with better weight retension, you should weigh the bullet and see what you ended up with after expansion and contact with the bones.

Gunman,
More velocity should send it through. All I was saying was don't be surprised if it dosen't. In my opinion, the Winchester bullet you were using is the best expanding factory load going for the .41.

In the case of an expanding bullet, a little less velocity is more likely to have gotten your bullet through the hog. Unless one overmatches the bullet to the game, one usually loses expansion with increased penetration and vice versa.

You may want to consider going to a hard cast bullet in a heavy for caliber weight for increased penetration. You need not wirry about expansion as your bullet is starting at a diameter of nearly one-half inch.

sweet,i have taken deer and turkey with the encore,but im really wanting to take game with a big bore six gun!45 or 44...it dont matter!jim257