Just joined this site. Our deer season is just about over here in NH and I'm thinking I would like to hunt with a handgun next year. I have a ruger SP101 in 357 that I carry as a sidearm when bowhunting. I'm real interested in the TC G2, but don't know what to buy for a deer hunting. I'm heavy into bowhunting so my setups would be close (50 yards max). If possible I would like to carry the G2 instead of the ruger. My first though is the G2 with a 12" barrel in a 44. ANy help would be much appreciated.

There's nothing wrong with selecting the .44 Mag. or the G-2 for use in the conditions you describe.

Scout,
Welcome to HH!
As 500 mentioned, the 44 mag is very capable in that distance range.
Actually, a number of cartridges will work great at that range.

For the conditions you describe, and the lean toward the 44, I'd suggest a SA revolver like the SBH. The Hunter version also accommodates a scope when needed, and use of irons when not. The advantage of the 'Tender is the versatility, you could have a 44 10"er for close in and a 7-30 Waters barrel for far out, using the same frame. If you reload I'd entertain the 357 Maximum in a 10"er for an all-around option to 125 yards+.

Welcome Scout! The others all gave great advise. Does your state have any regulations on handgun hunting? You might want to check with them before picking up a gun.

Welcome to site! I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said. Go with the 44.

My state has no regulations against handgun hunting. Another question for you guys. I'm going to bear hunt over bait with my bow next year. I would like to carry this as a backup. I would like to holster it. It will have optics on it I just haven't decided what yet. Does this all sound logical or am I way off base here.

I too would have to agree with the others who have stated that the .44mag in a good single or double action would serve you well. It will handle the conditions you have described and then some with the proper loads you can hunt anything from groundhogs to moose. everything except the big bears.

44mag is fine.....but my choice would be to reload my own ammo and use the 357maximum....no doubt about it.

if you wanted a 12"er....it could be a simple rechamber of a factory 12" 357mag.

Welcome to HHM
Scout!

The G2 is a great gun, but for what you describe, close distance and mostly backup I would suggest something a little smaller. Like others have stated a good single or double action revolver would be alot handier than a 12 barreled G2.

This is just my personal opinion so do what you want... I don’t like having a scope on my back up. If you are going to need it I feel like the game is going to be close enough that it will be a hindrance more than it will help. As for holstering it, I can’t help you. I like my LiL 4 5/8 SBH on my strong side but it will fit comfortably ¾ the way back on my belt and out of the way. Maybe some one else can give you more help.

+1

I'd leave off the scope and wear it on your strong side, just behind the hip, but then that's how I wore one every day for 31yrs, so it's habit to reach there if I need one in a hurry.

I agree...go with the .44 and don't carry scoped for back-up...could get ugly quick and you will need fast sight acquisition.

Way to go KYODE with the recomendation for the 357 maxi!!! Welcome to the site scout, and the maxi would be a great choice for your first. It will knock em down very well, and is pretty easy on your wrist's.

Lars

Ok a little confused here. I have a 357 that I carry as a backup while bowhunting. While at the range sighting in my pro hunter I shot it and foun out I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Some of you have mention a revolver. Can you recommend brands and caliber to look at.

Let's start with your needs. It seems you are wanting a do-it-all handgun for whitetail hunting and black bear backup. For hunting purposes you will need a scope and for backup purposes your gun's scope needs to be a red dot for quick target aquisition. Many say a .44 is adequate for a black bear, many say it just pisses them off. I wouldn't know and really hope I never have to find out. One thing I do know, I can't out run 'em. Therefore, I'm going to recommend a .454 Casull with a 7.5" barrel topped with a GOOD red dot scope and holstered with a bandolera holster which will keep it out of the way of a drawn bow. I've bowhunted many times with my .460 on the side of my chest and had no problems, although the law kinda frowns upon that in Alabama. JUST DON'T TELL!

I think that kingfisher is right. You are trying to get a do all handgun. The 44 mag, or 45 lc will stop a bear in its tracks with the write ammo, and will also kill deer out to 125 ytds or so. Scope or no scope is up to you. I know alot of guy's that hunt with iron sights and do fine. What is your limit? Do you get close or are you in an area that has little cover? I just cant advise starting out with a hand cannon, because pardon the pun, But thats a handful for anyone. Maybe find out if your freinds have something in the 44-45 range you can test out.

A good 45 lc is all you need in North America as far as I'm concerned. But I think you need to go shoot some different pistols and see what you like. You don't want to get the wrong one that you are unhappy with. Also a ruger blackhawk in 41 mag is a very good deer-bear round.

Lars

I realize that I can't find a gun that will do everything. My problem is the SP101 is not a cutting it as a backup gun since I think it is a close range shooter. I didn't buy it as a gun to hunt with, but more as a gun to have for self defense against coyote and bears. This past season I have seen nine bears from my stands. Just today I was blood trailing a deer and walk right up on a bear. I thought that since I was going to try and hunt with a pistol that the TC would be a good choice. I was hoping to find a caliber that would be able to handle both animals. Again all my shooting is close range 50 yards or less. I hunt primarily from a stand. I shot a 454 and thought it was just a brutal gun to shoot.

I have a 12" G2 44 mag and have been very happy with the way it shoots. The new T/C 44 barrels are cut a bit different then the old ones they have a bit more freebore this allows me to shoot the 300 XTP loaded out on the 2nd crimp. I could not do this wih my old 10" 44 mag barrel. The gun groups well with both cast and jacketed bullets. This has turned out to be a great hunting barrel for south LA. I think the 12" g2 44 is a great option

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1333&limit=recent

This was shot with a load of 2400 @ 15.5 grains loaded on the first crimp. I am now shooting 18.0 on the second crimp
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=900&limit=views

The True Shot 310 Cast bullet shoot very good too
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=901&limit=views

You'll notice the majority are recomending the 44/45 Colt. I agree in spades w/the 41 an under appreciated honorable metion. No offense but you need to practice more if your not hitting at reasonable ranges w/the 357. Moving up in recoil will confound the problem. Find an advanced handgunner who wants to help (not show off) & practice w/some 38 loads (or a 22 if you have one) from field positions until hitting the bull is boring & move up from there. All the while you can shop for the double/single action, S&W, Ruger, FA, BFR, Colt that suits you. These are all personal preferences & you'll know when you pick it up.

I love the T/C G2, but do you really want to fire ONLY ONE SHOT at a pissed off bear?

Sobering thought!

Scout if you're going to limit your shots to 50 yards or less for hunting then a T/C offers no advantage over a revolver and in the case of personal defense against bears it's a poor choice since there will only be one shot. In certain guns with certain loads the 454 is brutal to shoot. There will be a certain trade off between portability and barrel length and if you get a gun that carries easily on the belt then it will give you more felt recoil but if you get a gun with a long barrel you won't want to carry it when you're bowhunting. If I was in your shoes I would get a .44 Magnum, .45 Colt or .454 Casull in a gun with a 4.5 to 6 inch barrel. Any longer and you won't want to carry it when bow hunting. You can always shoot 44 spl. loads or reduced loads for the 45 Colt or the 454 when you don't need full-house loads for protection. I shot a very nice buck and a doe this year with a 4 3/4 inch 454 shooting reduced loads from Winchester. My personal preference for a gun that you describe is the Freedom Arms with the 4 3/4" barrel but they are pricey. Even used you can expect to pay 1200 and up depending on the exact model and features. On the other hand a new Smith & Wesson 629 (44 Mag) will run you about 700 and a Redhawk about 600 or slightly more. I find the Redhawk heavy for my liking as a belt gun however. Of the 3 in relatively short barrels the Freedom arms is the easiest to scope and has some different sighting systems that you may prefer. Going to longer barrels opens up a number of options for optics but again with optics added you lose that packin' pistol feeling that I'm sure you enjoy with your 101.

Well the caliber/gun/optics/non-optics all are personal choices.Like others have said find folks who have something you think will work and shoot it.Every body likes different things.However if you don't shoot whatever it is enough(and if you don't like it you won't shoot it enough) it won't matter.Practice,practice and more practice after all it may be the reason you aren't some bears lunch.Good Luck and welcome to the site!