The thread on the "top ten hunting handguns" has caused me to reflect. If I counted my single shots (maybe a dozen or more -- from 223 to 375) and my revolvers (plenty -- from 22 to 454) and seriously analyzed them, I have a lot of overlap and duplication. However, these have been acquired over the years and without the advantage of certain configurations that are now available.

This thought crossed my mind while I was in the shower. If you had no hunting handguns today, but with your current knowledge and experience and with the current available options, what would you choose if you could have anything that you want but could have only five? Let's limit our choices to those that would be most useful in the lower 48 (which will also cover most of the rest of the game animals in the world).

As I considered this question, the answer, for me, was very easy. Mine are listed below. I am anxious to see yours. (BTW -- I have no intention of getting rid of my small accumulation and I know that many of you have a lot more than I have. I also make no inference on yours)

My five are:

223 TC
260 Rem FA single shot
338 Federal FA single shot
454 M83 FA
41 mag M83 FA

I did not list a 22 and I do not expect you to do so. I will let everyone have one of them in addition to the five. Neither do I expect you to include your defense handguns or your packin pistols. Let us hear from you.

Actually that is easy for me.

In hunting handguns my list looks like this:

.22 LR
.223 Remington
7-30 Waters
.44 Magnum
.45 Colt / .410

Actually those represent Contender Barrels I either have (currently have 4 of those) or am in the process of acquiring. In my native South Dakota those cartridges / barrels will allow me to hunt everything I want to hunt.

For me the .22 LR is a must have for the dispatching for small vermin (namely Gophers). The .223 Remington is used for Varmints larger than Gophers on up to and including Coyotes. The 7-30 Waters would get the nod for Whitetails and Pronghorns. The .44 magnum for Whitetails in thick cover or for shorter ranges. The .45 Colt / .410 would mosly get used as a .410 with the main objective being Pheasants.

Now if you add in defensive cartridges I would have to make it 7 instead of 5 and add the 9mm and .45 ACP.

Larry

MOA 22 Long Rifle Charger Clone (semi-auto)
5.56 AR-15 handgun
6.5-284 MOA Maximum
7mm Dakota XP-100
FA 44 Mag
Since I didn't have to list the 22lr:
I would add my 338AX (338 Lapua Magnum Improved) XP-100.

Ruger or F.A..45 colt 4 5/8th or 5 1.2 inch [iron sights]
Contender .223 14 inch 2x8 Weaver or Leupold
Encore, Sav.,or REM xp 6.5x55 15 inch 2x8 Weaver or Leupold
Savage or Remington XP .338 Federal or .350 Rem mag.2x8 Wea.or L
Ruger or F.A. 475 Lin. 6 1/2 to 7 1/2

Ruger .45 has been my favorite short gun for years 6.5x55 would cover deer ,Have 2 in rifle ,dont have in pistol yet. .350 rem mag or .338 federal would cover elk nicely.

I would pick the following.

1. .454 in FA 83 with one of those small red dots that I am seeing around. 6" barrel on it.
2. .41 in FA 83 4 5/8" barrel, for packing around.
3. .500 mag in a 6" magnaported, BF$, with iron sights. which I have. Thank You, Lord.
4. .223 in a Contender. with a scope.
5. .22 lr/mag in a Ruger with a 7 1/2" barrel, and a scope.

For me, the .22 for squirrels. The .454 would probably get hunted with the most. Deer and pigs, which I do get to hunt a lot. Can't seem to make time for squirrels, that may change. Best -

Let's see, top five (revolver cartridges):

.500 JRH
.475 Linebaugh
.45 Colt
.44 Mag
.22 LR

My top five pick for lower 48; in no particular order;

1. 22lr T/C (I had to list it, it's a valuable hunting tool)
1.1. 44 mag FA
2. 308 win T/C
3. 20ga T/C
4. 454 casull FA
5. 475 linebaugh FA

I'm a little Jealous. I don't have five yet! I just caught this addiction last year so for me it's

45 Colt Ruger Bisley 5.5
45 Colt Redhawk 5.5
45 Colt SBH Hunter
44 Special
TBD

In no particular order:
1. FA model 83 .454
2. FA model 83 .475
3. Ruger blackhawk .45 Colt
4. T/C encore 7mm-08
5. XP100 6.5 WSM
and Ruger single-six in 22/22mag

.480 Ruger SRH
.45LC Ruger Bisley
7-30 Waters 'Tender
.410 'Tender
.22LR in many formats.

Browning Buckmark .22,SRH .454 Casull,RBH .357 magnum,Encore .500 magnum,RH .44 magnum

454 Casull - FA M83 (10" barrel with 2.5x8 Leupold)
41 Mag - FA M97 (7.5" barrel with 4X Leupold)
500 WE - FA M83 (4 3/4" barrel)
6.5/270 JDJ Encore (2.5x8 Leupold)
257 JDJ Contender (2.5x8 Leupold)

The 3 I have.

1. SBH 44mag 5.5.
2. S&W model 422 semi-auto 22lr with 6 inch barrel.
3. Encore 7mm 08 scoped 15inch.

The 2 I need to get.

4. Custom Redhawk in 475 six inch barrel.
5. 20 gauge encore.

Single Shots:
.17 HMR
.223 Rem
6.5 JDJ
.308
.375 JDJ

Revolvers:
.22 LR/Mag
.44 Mag
.454 Casull
.475 Linebaugh
.500 Wyoming Express

I hate to say it, but I would probably want just one for a LONG time. My 7.5" 480 SRH. With the right loads (right now I see a need for only one. 400gr hardcast @ 1150-1175fps) there is simply nothing it won't do & do well with a minimum of fuss & recoil.
I know you said to focus on the lower 48, but Alaska is home. The 480 will take care of our costal brown bear, black bear, moose,& caribou if I decide to hunt them & don't mind the challenge (don't have any locally & in my mind they aren't worth driving 4-600 miles one way to hunt). Any lower 48 critter will also be fine with appropriate loads.

I'm into revolvers right now & while I have nothing against single shots (I've owned Encores, Contenders, XPs, & Wichita) I just have no desire to own one at this time.

I am in the unenviable position of being satisfied with one gun. I just need to use it enough to be shooting it at the top of my abilities & know it as well (or better) as I know my wife of 20+ yrs.
Means my dreaming & searching turns to accessories I guess.

In long guns I've found that I'm satisfied with my worked over Marlin Guide Gun in 450 Marlin with scout scope. With a 420 hardcast at 1825 & minute of paper plate accuracy at 200yds (actually all rounds touching at 50yds.) there is simply nothing it won't handle for me here.
I have a 90% completed plain jane Mauser project rifle in 358 Norma Mag that I haven't touched in 3 yrs & may never finish. Just don't see a need.

Am I getting old???

No, just smart!

454 Casull
460 S&W
44 mag.
357 mag.
22 lr.

i'll take the FREE 22lr

....a ruger mk3 fluted hunter 22lr

XP-100 in 260 rem, rear grip, heavy barrel
TC contender in 357 maximum, 14" bull
TC contender in 6x47, 15" fluted
TC contender in 358JDJ, 14" bull
Ruger super blackhawk hunter in 44mag

those should allow me to do about anything i'd ever do(and some things i may never). it sure woulda been nice to had the .223 for prarie dogs, but the 6x47 would suffice for sure. i would need the 357 max for straightwall restrictions in nearby ohio, should i choose. in this dream world choice i chose the 260rem xp over an encore in 7mm-08. i guess an moa in 7mm-08 could be a nice option. there are some variances i could pick/change n still be happy. i did skip my great 35rem in favor of the big JDJ....n i sure hate not having a 6BR in there, along with a 30-30AI

Vance ----

WOW!!!! My father always said "Beware of the man with only one gun. He knows how to use it!"


Gregg ---

You cheated!!!!! --- 5 revolvers & 5 single shots ????????????? LOL

A handgun shopping spree?... Awesome!

1. 4" Redhawk in 45 lc ... worked over by Bowen, with his interchangable front sight system.

2. 9" G2 in 41 Rem Mag w/ 2x Leupold

3. 8" full bull Encore in 45 lc w/ ultradot

4. FA 83 in 454 with a 45lc spare cyl, 4 3/4" barrel & micarta grips.

5. Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in 480 Ruger with 5.5" barrel w/barrel band, ... blued with Ivory grips.

Man, it's fun to dream!

Since the 22 is covered I could be fine with 4

1.A custom built(bisley)500JRH or Linebaugh(4 3/4"bl)
2.Same caliber as above only with a 7 1/2" bl and a ultra dot.
3.A Ruger blackhawk bisley in 45colt(already have)
4.Same as above only 7 1/2"bl and a ultra dot.

X 2

500 S and W
454 FA
44mag Redhawk
45 Blackhawk
45 ACP Kimber

Well, if the 22LR is "free" I will ammend my list to include a centerfire 22. Maybe a center grip XP in 223.

In no particular order:

1. Contender 309JDJ
2. Contender 375JDJ
3. FA 454 Casull
4. FA 475 Linebaugh
5. Contender .22 LR

1) 15" .223 in a bolt action pistol (HS or XP)
2) 14" .309 JDJ Contender
3) 14" .375 JDJ Contender
4) 7.5" .44 Mag FA
5) 7.5" .475 Linebaugh FA

Super 14" .22 LR Match Contender ( A must Have )

1) 14" .22 "Hornet"
2) 14" .44 Mag Contender
3) 14" 375 JDJ Contender
4) 15" .260 Rem Encore-Custom Barrel
5) 15" .460 S&W Encore

Single six 22-22mag
223 TC
308 win TC
44 mag SBH hunter
500 S&W revolver

Squirrels and rabbits with the 22
Varmits with the 223
Longer range deer and prong with 308 tc
Close deer and elk with the scoped 44
And a double action 500 for things with teeth

7mm-08 15" Encore
44mag 4" S&W 327PD
357mag 4" S&W 586
22 mag 6" single six Ruger
45 ACP 4" model

This is a fairly easy exercise.

1. Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag
2. .221 Fireball on an Encore
3. .243 Win on an Encore
4. .30-06 on an Encore
5. .376 Steyr (custom from Match Grade Machine) on an Encore

I could get by #'s 1, 3, & 4 if I had too

contender
30-30
22
45/410


revolvers
single six
sbh .44 mag

all i need

Five hunting handguns (.22 semi-autos already for small game and .45 ACP can be used for deer size game and below):
1) S&W Model 57 in .41 Magnum, first deer gun, but any 6" N frame in .40 caliber or above would do, including 10 MM, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Colt.
2) Ruger Redhawk in 500 Linebaugh
3) Ruger Redhawk in .45 Colt (custom conversion by Clement)
4) Contender in 7mm TCU (what scope? decisions, decisions...
Dream Gun:
5) Encore in 376 Steyr.

1. RSBH 44mag been worked over by JD.
2. Contender in 6.5 JDJ
3. Encore pro hunter(I won) 308 worked over by JD
4. Taurus Raging bull 480 Ya YA I know!
5. BFR 45-70 topped with 4 power leuapold!

1. Encore .308 w/Burris 3-12
2. Encore .338-06 JDJ w/Burris 3-12
3. Encore 6.5 MIni Dreadnought w/Burris 3-12
4. S&W 6" 586 .357 Open Sights
5. Ruger Super Blackhawk 10-1/2" barrel (open sights or 4x Leupold)

* 1 through 3 are a tie for first-depends on the hunt
** I love & hate the .500 S&W, depends on the day

In that scenario I go with my larger calibers. If I could only pick 5, which I am still not going to do... LOL, I would make sure that I could hunt everything on the face of God’s earth with it. You would see a lot of rounds like 338-06 AI, 35 Whelen AI and even my 375 H&H AI. My squirrel gun would end up being a 270 Win. (Well, at least I wouldn’t have to use explosive bullets.) Its an interesting and provocative post, I just feel like if “I” get in this mind set I am already letting my second amendment rights slip threw my fingers.

Sorry about that, I just wanted to get that out.

With that being said it is fun to poll the favorites of users. I would do better if “I” got to pick my top five:
1. Revolver rounds
2. TC rounds
3. A mix of varmint calibers
4. A mix of large game calibers
5. Mr. Ernie’s long range favorites. LOL

My your powder stay dry and your shoots placed true

Duane

I hear you Duane. I have enough guns to satisfy my needs but hope we never get down to a situation where we can only have X amount.

For myself I don't need more guns. I have somewhere between 40 & 45 at the house I think, with most of them belonging to my brother. What I need is more time to shoot. Between working a 40 hour week & being involved in the ministry I don't have a lot of spare time.

I am even easier. If I had to pick it would be only 3

Ruger 22/45 for small games
T/C Contender in 309JDJ
Freedom Arms 44 mag

I'll just go with what I have, this combo serves me well. I do most of my hunting with my M25 though.

Ruger Bisley Blackhawk, 7.5", 44mag
S&W M25-7, 5", 45 Colt
S&W M28, 6", 357 mag
S&W M17, 6", 22lr

My pick would be easy and I don't think there would be too much of a compromise for what I do.

Ruger or Browning 22 target pistol (I just use a 22 too much not to list)
223 Rem or 22-250 Winchester on T/C Contender or Encore
6.5x30-30 or 260 Rem on T/C Contender or Encore
35x444 or 35x308 on T/C Contender or Encore
44 Mag Revolver, single or double action Ruger w/ 6" to 8" barrel