Hi, I am new to this and have a question that has most likley already been asked and if so, sorry.
I am wanting to use a handgun for my first deer season in Texas. I have a T/C contender with 14 inch barrel in .223 and I also have a Ruger .41mag. Both have optics. With the .223 I can keep about a dime size group at 100 yards with 50 JHP, and with the .41 about a 4 inch group also at 100. The distance I would be useing either of these would be 75 yards or under. Any thoughts suggestions on loads or am I going in the wrong direction. I am really wanting to use the .223, I just dont know about the caliber.
Thanks for the help
New guy

welcome i have seen guys take deer with 223. really pick your shot the 41 will be great. the 223 go as big as u can 60 gr the 41 180 and up will be good.

the 60 gr Nosler partition would work well if your twist rate is fast enough. Ive read good results with the Barnes X-Bullet also in 60 gr

First of all Welcome to HH!!

The 41 is a good gun for what you want to do.

The 223 is capable with the right bullet and shot placement, but (IN My Humble Opnion) is a marginal cartridge for deer. Could you get another barrel in a bigger cartridge in time for season? 7-30 Waters or 30-30 Win perhapse?

Thanks for the info. I dont have time to get a new barrel, I wish I did, I had a 375 JDJ for it and I sold it, probabley should not have done that. I called T/C today and they said that this barrel has a 1 and 12 twist, I know it is very accurate with 50 grain, 55 open up a little and I have not tried 60's yet. I am going out to the range again this weekend to try something heavier, I hope it works well, I just dont want to go to heavy so they start to tumble.

Welcome to HH!
IF you decide using the 223 the Barnes or Partition would be my choices.
Good shooting off of the bench BTW!
What kind of groups do you shoot from the field positions you would use when hunting. The 223 will certainly kill deer, but placement and the angle of entry and exit are very important.
In other words no quartering shots would be my strong suggestion.

Thanks for the info on the .223 rounds. The groups I mentioned before are not from the bench. They are from the seated position with backrest using sticks, it is very similar to the set up I will use in the stand. I figured I wouldnt get any "field" help off the bench.

Great shooting from field rest!

My thoughts exactly. The 223 with a 14in barrel is marginal. I would look at a 7-30 or similar. The 41 would be an excellent choice!! Even better yet, at the ranges you are talking about I would even consider a 14in 41 in the Contender! You would almost have to look at a MGM for that though...

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

Thanks again for all the help with this, its great! I wish I had time to get a new barrel, but that is not an option right now. What is MGM? I dont have a clue on that one. And thanx for the kind words on the shooting, it has taken a lot of range time (I'm not complaining though, and its great, I usually get to do it with my wife right at my side)

Good site. Thanks!

I'm not a fan of the .223 for deer. I know that round can kill deer, but how fast. I carried my Mini 14 once and shot a doe right through the lungs at 50 yards, and never found her. If we would have had snow that year maybe I would have never have lost her, but with no blood trail even through the marsh grass I lost her. I'm sick just thinking of it. If you have something bigger use it. But thats just me.

I'd definitely favor the 41 over the 223 although as already state the 223 will do the job if you do yours. If you can afford it and reload I'd go with the 7-30 Waters or 30-30AI other wise if you don't reload I'd pick up a 30-30 barrel and you'll be alot further ahead.

the 60gr.partition or barns 53gr bullet is made for deer also the 63gr.Sierra softpoint is made for smaller deer also,a good broadside shot under 100 yards should work good luck!

I agree with Tigger. The .223 is not the best choice for deer. The .41 is an excellent choice.