What Handgun To Use For Deer Hunting?

[johncinquo]

I stand corrected.  I thought anything in the 22 caliber was not allowed for hunting large game.  Several years ago the 243 was a very popular cartridge being used because it was big enough to be allowed to hunt with and still on the small side. 

I still say, its a bad idea.  As bad of a shot as some of the deer I find that were wounded and ran off and died, I would hope the yahoos that are shooting them had at least something big enough to bring down a deer faster.   

The 30-30, and .22 fall behind the F150 and Suburban. :D

[dnalley]

Not to stir the pot but a 17HMR (17Hornady Magnum Rimfire) I think shoots something like a 17 gr bullet.  That's probably great for 100 yd shots at prairie dogs, but that's just not deer medicine.  Just MHO.   Dwight 

[beenthere]

I was under the impression that rimfire cartridges were not legal...just centerfire.  : : ???

[Corley5]

Not to stir the pot but a 17HMR (17Hornady Magnum Rimfire) I think shoots something like a 17 gr bullet.  That's probably great for 100 yd shots at prairie dogs, but that's just not deer medicine.  Just MHO.   Dwight 

 I was thinking earlier today that I was wrong about the .17HMR.  ;) ;D  So we can use the .204 Ruger in Michigan for deer  Not that it's a good idea    

 Reminds me of the hunter from the southern part of the state that drew an elk permit.  He came up with his prize 30-06 and some 175gr rounds.  Plenty for elk.  He wounded two that were never recovered and the one he finally got was tracked for a two days before he was able to put it down.  After the first two he bought some different ammo that had a 220gr bullet as I remember.  He didn't resight his rifle for the new rounds and didn't tell his guide what he'd done until he shot at an animal the next day and kicked up chunks of sod well short of the target.  When he finally brought his animal into the check station all he could talk about was how he was gonna get some Weatherby Mag because the 06 couldn't get it done  : >:(  That same season an elderly woman shot a nice bull with her trusty Model 94 Winchester 30-30 with iron sights.  The gun she'd grown up with  8) 8) 8) 8) 8)  Our neighbor in Da UP uses an old bolt action pistol that's chambered for .221 Remington Fireball for deer hunting and he's killed more than a few with it ;).  

[WILDSAWMILL]

I USE A 12" Barrled 44 CAL Cap & Ball revoliver, its an 1858 remingtion copy with 30 grains of 3F Goex Black Powder & a lubed felt wad & .451 soft lead round ball.
kills deer leaves cool smoke & you got 6 shots

[beenthere]

..............
kills deer leaves cool smoke & you got 6 shots

Cool.........is that 6 per day??    ;D

[Weekend_Sawyer]

I carry a S&W 686 357mag. In WV it is an $8 addition to hunt with a handgun.
I have not had a chance to try it out yet.

I shoot better with a revolver. The action of an automatic seems to throw off my 2nd shot.

Jon

[WILDSAWMILL]

..............
kills deer leaves cool smoke & you got 6 shots

Cool.........is that 6 per day??    ;D

thats 6 shots with out having to reload, i have fired 60 rounds in a day before i had to clean the action

[DWM II]

What production rounds are you handgunners hunting with out there? I've done all my target practice with my .44 mag with hand loaded swc, but i have been looking at the Federal Vita-Shocks to hunt with. Has anybody had any results with these?

[jrob]

Norm,
I know it's a little late now, but a former co-worker of mine in Eldora has done well on your local deer for 7 or 8 years with a heavy frame Taurus revolver in .357 Mag.  Most shots 75 yds. or less with factory-load hollow points.

[Norm]

Well it is a small world jrob, I grew up on a farm outside of Eldora and went to school there. 

Eldora's claim to fame is that it's the home of the state training school for boys which is actually the juvenile detention center. Twice while growing up on the farm we had escapees visit. Once they stole my dad's pickup and made it almost out of state which was amazing as we couldn't make it to town in it. The other time one knocked on the door at midnight while my older brother who just got home was eating a snack. It was cold and raining and the kid wanted to turn himself in. Of course my brother invites him in and makes him a sandwich while they waited for the sheriff to show up. My folks knew nothing about it until the next day when people in town asked about it. :D

[jrob]

It truly is a small world, Norm.  I worked in Eldora for almost 9 years and lived north of New Providence, near Lawn Hill.  Lots of nice deer and pheasant in the area.  I never knew anyone took deer with shotgun slugs until moving to Iowa.  The slugs do take care of business but I still prefer a .270.     

[Norm]

Yes slugs are pretty deadly but I'd much prefer to hunt with my 30-06. 1 ounce of lead does some major meat damage.

I got my new handgun in today. The forecast for opening day is freezing rain, think I'll probably work on my new shop instead.

[Ron Scott]

Nice!!