As we know, Handgun is a pretty broad term when it comes to well..... Handgun Hunting:D It encompasses pistols, revolvers and what I call short barreled rifles without a stock.

It seems to me that most Handgun Hunters on this forum are using single shot handguns chambered in rifle calibers. Does that seem to be the norm for Handgun Hunting these days or are my observations wrong?

I'm curious to know how many around here hunt with revolvers only?

I'm a noob revolver hunter at this point. May end up with a short barreled stockless rifle someday though. A 454 might be a nice sheep hunting rig.

Hey snyd.

I started with revolvers, went to single shots, back to revolvers, back to single shots (Archery & muzzleloaders took up blocks of yrs in between) & am now back to revolvers & don't see that changing soon (if ever).

I hunt almost exclusively with a revolver nowadays -- occasionally with a rifle, but mostly with a revolver.

I started with single shots, then moved to revolvers. Used them exclusively for a while. However, I now find myself moving back toward single shots. I live in pretty open country and when hunting, have opportunities at shots beyond my comfort level with a revolver. I also find them more forgiving (easier to shoot straight (for me) and more powerful). When I was using only revolvers, I shot a lot. Have shot less over the past couple of years. Definitely, revolvers are more of a challenge & provide a greater level of satisfaction.

Revolver only for me. I have never owned a single shot handgun.

This will be my first year handgun hunting Ive got a 44 sbhh that I like real well,it likes me too very accurate and nice shooting gun,years ago I had a Savage Striker in 308 win that I shot a doe with with but it seemed more like a rifle than a handgun.

I own and shoot all 3, revolvers, single-shots and the 'speciality' handguns. I started out with revolvers almost 50yrs ago, and find myself gravitating back to the revolvers.

My first hunting handgun was a Contender, because it was cheap to expand. Now I reach for the wheelguns whenever practical. There is always the 45LC on my belt, whether or not I am carrying a kicker.

I have both Contender & Encore, setup both rifle and pistol configurations.I also have a 45c blhk and sbhh in 44mag. The wheelguns are what I find on my hip the most when I'm in the woods

Revolver only,here.

I have owned single shots, but they are for entertainment purposes only. If I hunt, it's with a revolver or a rifle.

The blast from the short barreled rifle calibers is more than I want to deal with in the woods. Most shots are close here anyway - like 50yds.

I have a always hunted with a revolver except during muzzle loader season then I hunt with an Encore muzzle loader handgun.

I use both, revolver for close and moderate ranges, and the single shots for longer ranges, usually I carry both when hunting.

I'm strictly a revolver guy and it may be only because I've never tried a single shot. But, to me its just as much about the classic lines of the gun as it is about whether or not I kill anything. I hunt with either a side by side or a lever .410 Marlin for birds and just the boring .308 bolt or the Marlin .308MX if I use a rifle.

There are a few of us for sure.

PH

mostly revolver,used my new Encore in .500 mag last year.

I'm with racksmasher as I hunt with both. Open sighted revolvers for short work and follow up, and single shot or bolt for the longer ranges ,50 yds. on out. I like both really well ,so I carry both. Circumstances dictate which one I use.

I'm about 90% revolver at this point but I started with single shots and still haul one out now and then.

That "revolvers only" category puts almost everybody here that answered, completely out. The more common answer was that revolvers were NOT the exclusive hunting weapon, handgun or not.

And I feel that is fine.

Why? Because I am a HUNTER. Hunting for me is a passion as well as a lifestyle.

For that very reason, I hunt with whatever weapon I need to or WANT TO, at the moment. So as not to go into too much more "explaining," let me say it more simply:

Let us take one of America's most sought after trophy: Bull Elk.

To make my point simple: I have hunted and killed bull elk with: rifles, revolvers (iron sights and scoped,) single shot handguns, muzzleloader rifles, muzzleloader handgun (iron sights), and bow and arrow.

I am a hunter, and I choose to hunt.

I love hunting with revolvers, and that will be my primary elk weapon this year for a video I am filming.

But I choose not to limit myself to one weapon only.

But, that is just me, and my burden; I was born a hunter.

Well said Gregg! Well said.

Revolver only. I almost forgot I shot a goat with a 30-30TC just to say I did it. For some reason I just cannot get myself to use a single shot and leave my Freedom Arms behind. I get this feeling in my stomach like I`am wasting a shot if I use a SS....

I carry both, and use what I need to depending on the distance. But, once I have a buck down, and am hunting skinheads only, I leave the single shot at home.

We can't cross tag in MN which kinda sucks, because if I down a buck with my bow before the gun season starts, it's does only.

Last year I shot a buck with my Encore, and a doe with my SBH.

I like using both, but I have to admit, it's more fun walking around the woods with nothing but a six shooter on my hip.

MN

Oh so true!

I hunt deer with revolvers including a Clements custom .50 cal Ruger Old Army for muzzle loader season, but antelope and coyote with rifles.

Hunter yes....successful hunter...not yet.

I may have not written the initial post correctly. I meant Handgun Hunters that hunt with revolvers instead of other handguns, mainly single shots. I was just curious. It sounds like most Handgun Hunters that have been at it for awhile have used both but lean towards the ol revolver.

I hear you about hunting and choice of weapons. I too pursue one of the most sought after game animals, Dall Sheep. I use my rifle for those rascals because of the nature of the hunt and love my Kimber 325. Lot's of hiking long distances in tough terrain with heavy packs just get to them. Then to have a full curl ram at 300yds in open terrain on day 9 of a 10 day hunt would be enough to make this grown man cry

Especially since each time I'm in the sheep mountains I don't know that it may be my last. But, maybe someday..... Dall Sheep with revolver.... I just need to get psyched up for the fact that I may have to watch a ram walk away at 150-400yds. I've never shot or seen a shot closer than 165yds and have never been in a position to be able to close the gap. But, it can be done. Guys have taken them with bows.

I've shot lots of moose with rifles but really want to get one with my revolver. Once that's done, the next pursuit may have to be Moose/Griz with the 454 levergun with open sites and sheep with 45 Colt.

Good luck on your Elk hunt.

Hunt with a SBH in 45 colt and a 357 mag. Started out hunting with long guns and use them when necessary, but nothing more fun than a revolver strapped on in the woods. I am currently assembling an Encore in 460. It will let me go long or lighter and give my SBH less time banging around the woods. I want to keep it in good condition since there are only a few over 600 in existence. Good hunting to all.

Revolver only for me so far, and I love revolvers. But this is more due to the legal stuff back home - it's difficult to get a license (which is a must here) for a single shot - than to my personal preferences, I have nothing against single shots. I would actually like a single shot in a goofy caliber (like the .375H&H) for those really long shots during that distant African safari...

Must be one of these huh

Naw, there are only 300 of those ;-)

Nice piece.

I too started with revolvers then went to a single shot then back to revolvers. I'm here to stay with revolvers now. I like my wheel guns too much, especially my 454.

I use both, just depends on what and where I am hunting.

Started out as revolver hunter - used revolvers primarily in my bow setups or as an "accessory" to the rifle hunt, depending on how distant game was spotted. Didn't have much interest in the Contender and Encores and other SP's. Then I started to leave the rifle at home more during gun season, and I shot an SP...

Fast forward to multiple frames, barrels, platforms (Encores, Tenders, XP's), more revolvers, and these dang Internet forums.

Gregg put it much more eloquently...but I'm a hunter. This year I'll carry a bow, muzzleloader, handgun, rifle and shotgun. I will hunt during all of the seasons here locally, while trying to stay gainfully employed and happily married. With liberal bag limits and bountiful deer and hog population here in the Carolinas, it has enabled me to use multiple guns/weapons during a single season, a benefit some other states and hunters don't get to enjoy. However, I prefer to use handguns for my big game hunting during modern firearms season, and will probably only carry one rifle this year to "break it in" - custom build from last year that is virginal. But I consider myself a handgun hunter first. And that includes "stockless rifles".

I do hold a special place in my heart (and my gun safe) for my wheelguns, scoped and unscoped. (See my Freedom Arms addiction for further explanation) But I like them all, whether it be my iron-sighted .45LC or my newest addition .300 Whisper Contender. They all have their place in the rotation and place in my woods...

My 500WE and 257JDJ get to take a stroll this very afternoon - hogs and whitetails on the menu. The WE gets the nod out to 100...wish me luck!

Yes, it looks very much like that. Lipseys made 603 with the standard grip and about 297 with the Bisley grip for Ruger. I prefer the standard grip, but in either platform it is a great firearm.

Like Greg and others I hunt with lots of different things. I bowhunt a little with a Dale Dye Trails End, and a couple White River recurves with Snuffer 3 Blades, and wood arrows I make myself. I have been leaving my 35 BullBerry Super 14 Contender in the safe more, since I have discovered the 480 Super RedHawk. I am planning on hunting this firearm deer season with my 480 Ruger. If I have a tag left after firearms season I will use it during the December Muzzleloader season. I have an exact copy of an original Hawkens Rifle that was in the Hawkens Shop collection years ago in 54 Cal that needs used on deer now and again. It will be loaded from my Possibles Bag with 2F Black Powder and 535 round balls.
I even drag out my Octagon barrel 1899 Savage in 303 Savage every once in a while. I think it had a 100 year birthday this year. It still drives tacks, and I have enough brass for it to keep it running for longer than I will need it.
I do have modern stuff, I just do not hunt with it very often anymore. The wife goes back and forth between a 6.5 X 30 Super 14 Contender, and her 270 Browning BBR with a Leupold 3.5 - 10 scope depending on where she is hunting.

I really like hunting with my 9.5 Inch 480 Super RedHawk. I have it just like I want it with a Marble Fiber Optic front sight. Hogue Tamer grips, and a 30mm UltraDot. I had a custom carry case fabricated to carry it in with a shoulder strap. I have been rolling my own from the start. I have never fired a factory round of 480 Ruger so far. Infact most of my shooting has been with bullets I have cast myself in a Lee 400 grain mold.
I have been packing my 7.5 Inch one with Fiber Optic front sight in my Ranger UTV for general purpose use. I have really been wanting a target to try out my new 480 shotshells on. I have been carrying my spare ammo in a couple Tuff Products Speed Strip. I like revolvers, what more can I say.

Bob

Like Greg I too am not "above" grabbing a long gun at times. I love my Marlin Guide Gun in 450. It's my go to (for the last 4 yrs now) long gun.
We have 5 days left of moose season here, & antler restrictions are such that simply seeing a legal moose will be a miracle to brag about (on the whole Kenai Peninsula (Approx 16,000 sq miles, maybe 1/3 of that moose habitat) a local F&G bilogist told me he knows of only 2 bulls harvested so far, & thyat's in over 3 weeks of hunting)so I will probably take the Guide Gun as a primary weapon if I get out for a day.
BUT, when it comes to hndgun hunting, I'm revolvers all the way.

I am a revolver hunter (480 SRH and 45 Colt BH), just not a very good one.

I use SS and revolving type. Last 5 years or so I've been more partial to the wheelgun.

I was lucky enough to score one of them. A friend and I were looking for them and he called one day from a dealer about 60 miles from me and said he had two and he was buying one. I said put the dealer on the phone. I told him to hold it and I would be there in an hour. Lucky I did not get arrested on the way.

I recently picked up a custom made long bow and plan to hunt with it this year a bunch. That said during rifle season I carry two handguns. A single shot in my hand and a revolver on the hip. It allows me to cover close and far.

From the tree stand in the oaks its an Encore or a contender, on the ground in the cedars its a wheel gun, in the canoe its a stainless wheelgun, if i'm walkin' I'll carry both- one in a holster, one in my hand.

We leave on Thursday for our annual handgun hunt at the Y O Ranch. I had convinced myself that I was only going to take a couple of guns (FA SS in 338 Fed & 260). Plenty for hunting anything that I might want & playing on the long range down there.

This morning, I got cold feet. Could not imagine not taking a revolver. Just finished stuffing a box of 44s with 250 gr Nosler partitions. I feel better now. LOL

Revolver! 5.5 44 sbh with a one ragged hole sight. I think about a contender in 30-30AI but haven't betrayed my wheel gun.....yet.

Dont let my username fool you, I shot a tree rat with my SRH in 44 at 40 yards today. I felt SO underguned... LOL

wheel gun only
Pistol grip rifles are alright, but for me its a wheelie.

Did the tree rat charge you?

hey Bluecow what size aperature are you using. I ordered the ORH for my 5.5 redhawk because I could get the round fiberoptic for the front. The ORH was supposed to come with a large and small aperature, unfortunately the package had two of the small aperatures, and no large one-but after hearing some of the other comments, I think I made out okay-

Whit, yes it did. LOL All i saw coming at me was a bler of brown fer. The 240 swc-k bullet did the job though.

Thank God you're safe!

Got hooked on handgun hunting with a .460 revolver, and have never hunted with anything else since then! Being that I just sold my TC .44 yesterday, and am about to get a .460 AGAIN, it will be the ONLY handgun I have hunted with! However, that will probably change within the next few weeks as I plan on getting a .22 of some sort to ventilate some squirrels with.

HOGHUNTER got the lg on the 44 & sm on the singlesix to be honest i dont notice the dif when shooting.

Greg, when you finish your revolver hunting video, PLEASE put my name on one!! I've read your articles and I'm sure that I can learn ALOT by watching you in action!! By the way, can you tell me what knid of revolver(s) that you are useing - make & caliber?

Thank you, sixgunner454.

I am sending you a PM.

Greg, I guess I missed the announcement about a revolver video. If you are making one I WANT IT!!!

Get me the scoop please!

Me, too!

Only revolvers here. Have owned a Contender in a lot of hunting calibers, 6mm TCU, .41 Mag, .41/.445SM, .309 JDJ, but don't think I have ever hunted a day with them in the field...just shooting...

I did once shoot a crow with a Remington XP100 .221 Fireball but that was just in the backyard..not really out "hunting"...

Bob

As I have posted here a few times in the past couple years, I am slowly but surely working on my "Handgunning Elk" Video.

Apparently due to this post:

http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/91747/page/1/fpart/2

and the words in this post:

"I love hunting with revolvers, and that will be my primary elk weapon this year for a video I am filming."

it has been misinterpreted that the video is revolver only. But what it actually says is that I am hunting elk this year with a revolver as a primary weapon, and that footage (if successful) will be a part of the video.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Gregg
http://www.hunterseyevideo.com

Can't wait to see your video Gregg, please keep me in the loop. I'm strictly a revolver guy. I love my Ruger SRH in 454 cal. It can be a pussycat or a beast, depends on how you load it... Greg

If it shoots a projectile I like it! If I could have only 1 gun it would be my SBH .44

I think I would be pretty safe in saying that, everyone on this board concider's themselves a "Hunter". Even go one step further and say a very high percent is even a gun nut.
Having said this, we all invent reasons or challenge's,to buy a new gun in what ever configuration, to try out. Now, having said this, how else could we find out what we like and don't like?
It's all part of the invented game we as hunters and gun nuts play. It's what keeps us coming back to play again and again.

Hey, we don't know it, but the manfactures keep coming up with new products to keep the game going.

For the record, Count me in on the revolver team. At least for 99% of the time.

I can see that this thread could go in many directions but I will confine myself to "revolver Hunter" for this post. I have owned and used single shot handguns in the past in various calibers as I have owned high tech bolt action rifles and compound bows. I find that nowdays I enjoy keeping things simple. When I bow hunt it is with either an old Herters take-down recurve that is whisper quiet, no sights as I shoot instictively, or a no-name longbow that I picked up at an archery show a couple of years ago. Most of the bolt guns have been replaced with leveractions in various calibers (22,30-30, 35Rem, 300Sav, 444)and I no longer have any single shot handguns (and only a few semi-autos). Plenty of revolvers in the safe. I started using the Ruger BH 41 mag a couple of years ago and prefer that gun for deer hunting. Where I hunt most of my shots are within 50 yards so the revolver works well for me. I really like the revolver for hunting as do several of my friends, especially in the heavily wooded,swampy areas where we hunt.

Bo

One for this Louisiana guy....Ruger SuperRedHawke with 9 1/2" barrel.

Does this qualify? .475 Linebaugh, 420 gr. Cast Performance

I would say most definitely!

Depending on where I am hunting I am one. Ruger 45lc 4 5/8" has taken a few deer.

This will be first year hunting with a handgun, it is a ruger super redhawk

Beautiful Rhino!
What was the velocity on that load & how was penetration/performance?

revolvers is all i have used for 15/ 16 years its all i own for big game . i do have some single shot 22. and 17. but love wheel guns the best and its all i carry for big game ..

nice rhino and handgun

9 1/2 SRH with Burris Fast Fire reddot. Paper plate freehand out to 100 yards. Keep it inside 80 is good for me with my eyesight. Don't care for powerlines or wide open spaces to much, to much stray lead to worry about. Plenty of thick places where nobody else wants to go.

First shot on rhino broadside at 30 yards! , went to opposite shoulder. Turned st. away, put one at base of tail, just missed spine, went about 4 feet. He ran aways, then finished with another double shoulder, bullet in off shoulder. His buddy charged me, had his horn 3 FEET from my rectum. PH threw me in a 8' high thorn bush, then he got thrown 10 feet up by the rhino. Second closest I came to dying while hunting. #1 was when I got shot by 7mm Mag that missed my heart by 2"!!
My notes are not close, but I think the 420 Cast Performance was 1350 fps

Somethings been getting in the bird feeder at night but I don't think it's a Rhino. If it is though I would use my Freedom Arms to get rid of it.

Joe W

You should set up a game cam -- it just might be a rhino -- you never know!

...with a fluffy little tail!

Exactly! LOL!

I share the love. I hunt with revolvers, I have a 45 Bisely and 44 SBH. But I also have a few Contenders and Encores as well.

I have yet to take any game of significance with my revolver (have taken a couple of grouse and one BIG cyote with my .44 SBH) and I cant wait until I am proficient enough to hunt exclusively with a pistol. If I am low or out of meat in the freezer the rifle still goes with me. Family gets fed before my ego!

saz if your shooting grouse and cyotes at any distance your doing good put that 44 to work on some big critters.

Scoped Ruger Super Redhawk in .44mag for me.

Started out with a Ruger Blackhawk in 357mag and now use a Blackhawk in 41 mag.

5.5" Bisley 45 Colt here

Does the Regal American Bull Elk count?