I have a T/C Encore Pistol with a 44 mag 12" barrel. I tried using a 2.5 x 7 x 28 scope, but the woods are so thick her in the Florida panhandle I changed to a Burris FastFire. This year I am going to shoot Hornady LeverRevolution. It is dead on at 50 yards. I was wondering if I was lucky enough to see a deer at 75 to 100 yards would I be able to make the shot?

I would think it would do this at 75 yds

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=901&ppuser=2724

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=900&ppuser=2724

Mine liked big long bullets

If it is dead on at 50yds, given the 6" +/- target area of a deer. I think that you would be okay out 100yds with a little higher hold.JMO

Oh, and all of my .44's seem to prefer the heavier bullets as well.

the gun/cartridge is capable.

With that sight being about an inch or so above bore, if you are on @ 50 you will be near or on @ 100 with your 44. Step a target out there and squeeze a few off and see.

I don't think so. Assuming he could get full velocity out of his 12 inch TC with Leverution ammo it should be about 2.2 inches low at 100 yds. If I was plnning on taking 100 yd shots I would sight it in for about 1.5 inch high at 50 and it should be close at 100.

2.2 inches low @ 100 is dead deer accurate, IMHO.

I did say "near or on" and to step it out there and see. I don't trust ballistic tables on their own. If he sighted 1.5" above line of sight, which is already 1.5" above bore due to the scope mounting, at 50 yards I believe he would be a bit high @ 100. But, you gotta shoot it there and see.

well i have no video of doing this but i do have three wirnesses.
i have shot mine at bowling pins off hand at 100 yards and got sucessive hits,i then shot off a rest at 100 yards and got three clay pidgeons that were on the hillside also at 100 yards.
i have shot 7 deer,2 bucks and 5 doe at ranges out to 50 yards with only one not dropping in its tracks,the one that did run went about 15 yards.
horandy 240 grain xtp,reloads.i dont know the charge,but it was with unique powder which no one recommends i would bet.
i have also made some 270 flatnose reloads for blackbear,the point of impact from the 240,to the 270,s was about a inch different,no need to re sight in for hunting.
the gun is a colt anaconda with a 8"barrel and a luepold 2.5-8x scope.
i would only shoot what your abilities and confidence permit.

I always sighted my 44s in 1.5-2" high at 50 which put it dead on the money at just a shade over 100 yards. That was a 10" Ruger and a 10" FA so the TC may be alittle different but not enough to know it. The big thing is to shoot at those distances and not "guess" where it will land. You need to be confident in yourself making the shot, not the gun. IT is very capable but the driver has to be also.......

Bob Munden hit a 10" baloon at 600 yards with a S&W 44 mag revolver and Elmer Keith killed a buck at 600 yards with a S&W 44 mag.

So will the gun/caliber do it..........?

I will say that it is capable of more than the average handgunner..Personally I'm comfortable to 100 yards, but I'm no Bob or Elmer............

Billy,
In all likelihood, your barrel is capable from the accuracy stand point. The performance of the cartridge is capable at that distance.
The other factor is what you can do in the field.
If, you are up to the task, then, go for it.

This is the factor that I see so many hunters overlook. They sight their guns in at the range on the bench and then go hunting and wonder why they miss. You should practice by simulating how you are going to shoot in the field even if it is only dry fire practice.

On a recent antelope hunt a friend of mine was having problems becase he had never shot except of a bench. I had him practice dry firing of crossed sticks at a fence post for about 30 minutes and he went back out and got a nice buck at 275 yds.

Hank,
I encourage guys, that once they get load development done and zeroed, to stay off of the bench (Unless you are hunting off of a bench

).
I encourage folks to actually shoot from field positions so they can see how well or poor they shoot at different distances and field positions. I am all for practical dry firing, but I do not believe their is a substitute for practicing with your hunting loads from field positions.
Where were you hunting antelope?

I also believe in shooting hunting loads from hunting positions, but sometimes range rules don't allow it so at least dry firing can be a better than nothing subsitute.

That hunt was about 35 miles NE of Cheyenne. I was able to take speed goat at 804 yds there. Not with a handgun though.

Good shooting-804 yards gets past mid-range hunting into LR for me.
I do 99% of my hunting with handguns (primarily single-shots).
No real LR hunting for me this year.

Sometimes dry-firing is all you can do, and I agree, it is far better than nothing.

The cartridge and the gun are long proven.
The rest is up to YOU:)

I shot the Hornady 200 gr. XTP hollowpoints from my 629 classic. I had it sighted in dead on at 50 yds. and at 100 yds. it shot about 3 in. low.

Set up targets at 50, 75, and 100 yards,see what the drop is as well as the group size. The targets will show you the adjustments you have to make,2" high at 50 yards will keep you in the ballgame.

I know of a buck taken at a 100 yds a while back. So I know it will take game at that range as long as you can make the shot

when you dry fire do you use snap caps to practice with ? sorry for hijak

It is not really needed on modern revolvers except for rimfires. The older revolvers had the firing pin attached to the hammer and could be damaged. It is possible to have some damage to the chamber with the firing pin on a rimfire.

thank you !