This forum seems to have the most experienced handgun hunters ever. My question is,,,,,what handgun and load has been the most outstanding deer slayer over time? I think we all have one handgun that has risen to the top of the list for you. In my case it's a 475 Linebaugh BFR with 400 gr WFN at 1150 fps with HS-6. I don't have a 480 but, it would probably do the same.

GOOD TOPIC, THE INQUIRY BEING "WHAT HANDGUN LOAD HAS BEEN [OUR] MOST OUTSTANDING DEER SLAYER OVER TIME". I CAN'T GIVE YOU JUST ONE AS I HAVE USED MANY TYPES OF HANDGUNS AND LOADS OVER THE YEARS. I AM TRYING TO DEVELOP MY IDEAL DEER LOAD WITH 265 SWIFT AF's IN A FA 454 CASULL. FAST ENUFF TO STRETCH MY RANGE, STRONG ENUFF TO GET TO THE VITALS NO MATTER THE ANGLE, AND PROVIDING SOME EXPANSION AND BULLET INTEGRITY.

I'll go along with Rey. 265 Swifts in .454 are THE bullet.
If you want to use your .475, might want to try 275 gr. Xs. I've done 5 deer with these. None ran. I've use 400 gr. and 325 gr. leads, 325, 400 g. XTPs and Speer Gold Dots. Deer don't offer enough resistance for the last bullets to do very well. Xs are far superior.

I've always handgun hunted like I bow hunt, get as close as I can, then a little closer. My favorite all round 'deerslayer is a .45 colt shooting a 255-260 grain cast bullet running 850-900fps. It'll shoot through our Okla deer front to rear and side to side.

I've bounced back and forth from .44 and .45 caliber cartridges, but I would have to say the O'le .44 Remmy Mag has been my constant. 250 to 300 grain slugs ridding on a stiff charge of IMR 4227 has sent many critters, steel gongs and paper bullseyes on to The Promise Land for me. I can't think of one negative thing to say about the .44 Mag. The runner up for me would go to the .45 Colt. . .and a strong runner up it is!

23 grains of H-110 has always worked well in my revolvers, 24 grains in the single shots, all in the 44 mag.

My early "whitetail load" was 27.4grs of H-4227 under the older 300gr double crimp groove XTP. That was before the newer 300gr Mag bullet was made for 454 velocities. The heavier weight allowed me to take almost any angle shot, out to 100, and hitting the lungs... Used the top groove for 1450fps from my FA`s 454. I took around 13 buck and about that many doe...Used my FA`s 41 mag on my last deer... Photo shows PA buck taken with 454 and "whitetail load" a few years back....no cammo day`s...

I have shot deer with many calibers. The deer I have shot with my FA83 .454 were all one shot kills. One of the first loads I used was a 250 Horn XTP with 30 gr IMR4227 [chrono'd 1470 fps] and this was a bang flop combination,but later switched to a 350 WFN [Matts] with 26 gr IMR4227 [chrono'd 1330 fps] that is very accurate. The deer usually run to 30 yds tops. I actually like the cast load better and it can be used in just about any situation.

Hard question to answer. A few nights ago I was rethinking deer kills. I have only seen one load that I never had a deer take a step from. The 370gr CPB from my 480. Using Hodgdon's little gun data it is running over 1500fps from my SRH. With a sample of 3 deer not one has taken a step.As far as the largest number of deer killed my 45 Colt Blackhawk with 300gr XTPs. Never lost one and they don't go far. I have actually lost count of kills with that bullet.

Reflex, what velocity are you running your 45 Colt 300 XTPs?

I have used that bullet from 1100fps to 1275fps from my Ruger. If needed it punches right through both shoulders. I usually shoot for the top of the heart.

Everything I have ever used within its limits has worked well.

The right bullet in the right place within the operational perameters of the entire system have resulted in successful endeavors for me.

Step outside the left and right limit and interesting things happen.

I get bored or distracted using one cartridge/platform too much. I prefer to switch around or try new things.