I actually carried a rifle in the woods the other day...first time in at least 5 years. Heck...last time I took one was when my .280AI Rem 700 was done and I just wanted to shoot a deer with it. Anyhow, got home from work at 4pm and had an hour to hunt...all the handguns were in the safe but my Model 7 7mm SAUM was setting out w/ the ammo. Did not even change my jeans, still had on my Columbia boots, grabbed my orange and the Model 7 then headed to the woods.

All I can say is WOW...that was weird. It felt like I was carrying an 8' 2x4 through the woods. It felt very clumsy and awkward...and Model 7 is not that long of a gun compared to some long barreled magnum rifles. Can't imagine what that would have been like!

I was wondering that very thing last week when I gut shot a doe, but after carrying a 870 for about 4 hours I return for my bisley hunter . I just love the freedom a handgun gives.
WE did get the doe but it was not a clean kill I wanted, must pratice more, and not pull the trigger when I am on trigger. Slow Squezze. But it was the first deer I attemptted to shot with a handgun.It will not be the last.

For me its the challenge and reward of getting something with a handgun.Over the years rifle hunting just got a little boring so I started handgun hunting about 12 years ago. I had an encore 308 that I had to sell years ago because I was short on money but now I would like to get another one. As far as revolver's go my 6th and most favorite is my super redhawk 44mag. Had a 454 Taurus but could not hit anything with it and the recoil messed my shooting hand up pretty bad. Shot a couple of deer with 45acp's, One was with a Kimber target II using a 185xtp and the other was with a springfield XD using a 230hst. Both worked great but you have to be close.