Handgun For Deer

[lient]

i was thinking about buying a revolver to carry deer hunting, I think I would just plan holstering the gun and still carrying my shotgun, but if I had the chance at a deer in range for the revolver I would use that. I guess my question is what caliber would you use. I am thinking .357 instead of the .44 because the cost of ammo, and I would like to just go out and shoot the gun sometimes to, and for that I could just shoot .38 specials which would make it even cheaper. So the question would be would the .357 be affective enough, and what would my range be with open sights.

Thanks,

Tim

[DitchPickle13]

I agree with your logic as far as caliber for what you described. The fact you're able to shoot .38 special loads is very valuable, in my opinion. They (.38 spc) are so much cheaper, making target shooting much more reasonable and you can get a wide variety of rounds to shoot. You're looking around 1300 fps and 650 lbs of energy (muzzle) with a 158 or 180 grain hunting round, which is adequate for taking deer.

You lose power and it's probably not the best idea to take shots over 30 yards. Also, the accuracy varies quite a bit from gun to gun. I shoot a Taurus new-model 66 with a 6 inch barrel and it's consistently in the 10-ring using a red dot sight at 30 yards.

I will say that your energy will approximately double with a 44 mag, getting upwards of 1400 lbs of energy. But, if you're a competent shooter taking selective shots and are using the gun on a limited basis for deer hunting, the .357 can do the trick. Hope this helps!

[lient]

Thanks for the help, the gun I am looking at is a Taurus as well, but i believe it has a 4 1/2 in barrel on it. The info you provided helped out. THanks again

[lawdog]

I've carried my .44 many times but never had a shot with it. Twice I've left it (once in the truck and once at home) and had great shots I could have taken with it. Never there when you need it, HA!

The .357 is an adequate deer cartridge though, my bro carries one some times. Its a nice shooter. You will want a longer barrel for increased accuracy but 4 1/2 will work. Don't go any shorter though.

[lient]

For those of you who do carry as a sidearm while hunting, do you carry it on your hip or a chest holster. And while making drives do you think it would be ok to just carry the hand gun and leave the shotgun in the truck, or would it be better to take the shotty with me.

[lawdog]

I always wanted a shoulder holster but I don't have one so I've carried it on my hip. I don't think on a drive is when you'll ever get use out of it though. I bring it when I sit and hope I'll get a nice short shot. You aren't going to be able to jump something and have much chance shooting it with a pistolla.

As to having both on a drive, you surely wouldn't be able to switch back and forth comfortably in 99% of occasions. I'd not try that. Now when I sit with it, I do have both there.

[lient]

On a drive I was thinking of having it in my hand and not holstered, but I'm not sure how well it would work.

[DitchPickle13]

Yeah, I'm not sure how about the drive.

I use a chest/underarm holster...carry it instead of a heavy rifle if I'm helping track a deer or something like that. You can get a camo holster like that for 30 or 40 bucks and Gander/Cabelas, et cetera.

[BobT]

I agree with your thoughts about the .357 vs .44 even though I use a .44. I carry mine on my hip but there are issues to be aware of. This past year we had a pretty heavy, wet snowfall one morning and the snow was heavy on the evergreens and other trees. With mine on my hip it got very wet, and when a holster gets wet it is not good for the weapon because now the weapon is sitting in my wet holster. I caught it early but when I removed it from my holster I noticed a small area of rustiness on it. It didn't do any serious damage but it could have.

Just something to keep in mind if you carry on your hip.

Bob

[Neighbor_guy]

I carry a 6.5" taurus .357 in the whitetail woods. I have yet to shoot a deer with it, but I use it when I am in bowhunting stands shooting at bowhunting ranges. At less than 30 yards it will be more than enough to kill a deer. It also comes in handy in tracking situations when the brush is thick and the rifle gets cumbersome.

If I hunted in a shotgun only zone it would be the only gun I carried. I am that confident in it.

The only handgun that will do you anygood is one you can shoot confidently. That means one you can spend range time with. For me that means a .357 that I can shoot boxes of 38 in to get the trigger time.

[spd522]

I am really not a big fan of the .357 for deer. I have watched many deer run off after others have shot them with .357 rounds, and some never recovered. Usually too light of a bullet was used but often it was shot placement. Realize that a .357 round placed in the same spot as a 30.06 bullet will not necessarily have the same result. Often a hit that is fatal with a rifle is only slightly disabling with a pistol. Meaning the deer can survive or possibly just have a very slow painful death.

The .357 will work on deer but you really need to keep some things in mind if using it. Personal experience here.

Use 158-180 gr bullets, hard cast lead or Soft point Jacketed are best. Most Hollowpoints open too quickly for the penetration you need. The exception would be a Barnes X or Hornady XTP. Stay away from light bullets. They frag if you clip bone.

Keep velocity up by getting at least a 6" barrel. This also gives you a better sight radius if using the iron sights. A red dot is better.

Keep the range of your shots close and the 30 yards suggested by others is a good rule to follow. 50 yards would work but only if you are proficient enough to place the shot exactly where it needs to be.

Also remember it is more difficult to hit a moving deer with a pistol than a rifle or shotgun. Unless you are extremely proficient with a pistol or pro competition shooter who shoots moving targets regularly, you will also be limiting your chance of taking a deer.

I have killed a deer with a head shot at 40 yards with a 1911 in 38 Super. It had a red dot sight and a handload of 124 gr Hornady XTP bullet at 1480 fps. I don't recommend shooting head shots at that distance normally but the deer was stationary and I had a solid rest. The gun was also specially built for that kind of extra hot ammo. And I have shot the gun for years and know where it hits.

There are some manufacturers that load handgun hunting ammo. Most will use a premium bullet suitable for the job.

Practice with the gun you get. You mentioned being able to practice cheaper with 38 specials. This is true but realize that your point of impact will be different with the 38 special loads than with the .357 loads you hunt with. Be sure to sight in your pistol with your hunting load before heading out.

Good luck,

Craig

[tealitup]

I have used a 10mm to take one doe. It brought her down with one shot at decent range. practice is a key