Handgun Hunters

[LeftySixgun]

I’m new here and I’m curious as to who are my handgun huntin brothers on this site? Let’s hear from ya.
What handgun do you normally grab and go hunt with?
For me it’s been atleast a 45colt, in a Ruger Bisley Vaquero, Bisley Blackhawk. Some custom Rugers in 475 Linebaugh and 500 Linebaugh. In the past year I have been fortunate enough to pick up some Freedom Arms M97s and M83s. Hard to say which FA is my favorite though. I’m planning to take my 475 Linebaugh on my first trip to Africa next year.

 

[Justhunt]

Welcome to AH! Handgun is not always my first choice, but do enjoy hunting with them.
Several 44 mags, favorite is a Ruger Bisley Hunter. Freedom Arms 83 454, which I am just getting handloads worked out for, killed a whitetail buck with it. Ruger Super Redhawk, deer and MT. Lion.
Lone Eagle single shot 7mm-08, and Lone Eagle 30-30 that I am using for spring bear this year here in Montana. Haven't hunting Africa yet with a handgun, but will for sure someday. Would love to have more Freedom Arms, jealous. Son just pickup up a nice model 97.

 

[coreydb]

I think I'm missing out on this.....I've had a scoped 44 mag S&W for 8 yrs and never had the inclination to hunt any game. I got it from my brother when he passed away. I should at least honor him by using it in a hunt.

 

[LeftySixgun]

Heck yeah, I agree

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’ve killed a couple whitetail meat does with a 41 mag.

 

[LeftySixgun]

Welcome to AH! Handgun is not always my first choice, but do enjoy hunting with them.
Several 44 mags, favorite is a Ruger Bisley Hunter. Freedom Arms 83 454, which I am just getting handloads worked out for, killed a whitetail buck with it. Ruger Super Redhawk, deer and MT. Lion.
Lone Eagle single shot 7mm-08, and Lone Eagle 30-30 that I am using for spring bear this year here in Montana. Haven't hunting Africa yet with a handgun, but will for sure someday. Would love to have more Freedom Arms, jealous. Son just pickup up a nice model 97.

The 97s are little sweethearts of a gun! But they sure turn LIVELY with a spicey load!

 

[Olvast09]

A Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull with a 7.5” barrel. I’ve had it for eight years. It’s killed whitetail, hogs, and one very unlucky black bear. The reason I keep going back to it over the bigger calibers is simple: I can actually shoot it well. The .454 gives me 95% of the .475’s power with noticeably less muzzle rise and a flatter trajectory out to 100 yards. With a good cast bullet (335gr LFN at 1,450 fps), it penetrates like a freight train. I’ve never had an animal take a step farther than 30 yards.

 

[LeftySixgun]

A Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull with a 7.5” barrel. I’ve had it for eight years. It’s killed whitetail, hogs, and one very unlucky black bear. The reason I keep going back to it over the bigger calibers is simple: I can actually shoot it well. The .454 gives me 95% of the .475’s power with noticeably less muzzle rise and a flatter trajectory out to 100 yards. With a good cast bullet (335gr LFN at 1,450 fps), it penetrates like a freight train. I’ve never had an animal take a step farther than 30 yards.

I cast an awesome 330gr solid (300gr HP) 45cal LFN, but the nose is too long for the Casull case. I guess I could stand on the H-110 a bit more and just use 45colt cases in my FA 454.

 

[Ray B]

When I "hunt" with my S&W M 29 6", Leupold 2x scope in a cross the chest flap holster it is because I'm driving the pickup vehicle to drop off family and friends at their various sites. I could take along a rifle but I've found that i spend so much time as taxi driver that it's better to have the readily available 44 mag.

 

[Leadwood]

Hello @Lefty
I started out with a Super Redhawk 44 Mag for a few years in the bushveld early 90's.
Very comfortable and accurate enough at 50 yards off-hand.
Moved on to a S&W 460 XVR.
Hunted quite a bit with it....being from South Africa ammunition was/is very limited.
Loading was only moderately succesful using local powders.
Extremely accurate....1 inch at 100m scoped with 200gr FTX.

 

[RLP]

@ Lefty
Welcome to AH! I started handgun hunting last year. So far whitetails and pigs have been my target. Furthest successful shot whitetail doe 73 yards with Ruger Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with a Burris 2X in Texas. Other game taken with 41 mag & 350 Legend. I am also scheduled for SA in Aug 2027. I am unsure which guns will take the trip, 500 S&W X Frame), 475 Linebaugh (FA)or 454 Casul (FA). Good luck.

 

[LeftySixgun]

@ Lefty
Welcome to AH! I started handgun hunting last year. So far whitetails and pigs have been my target. Furthest successful shot whitetail doe 73 yards with Ruger Blackhawk Hunter 44 mag with a Burris 2X in Texas. Other game taken with 41 mag & 350 Legend. I am also scheduled for SA in Aug 2027. I am unsure which guns will take the trip, 500 S&W X Frame), 475 Linebaugh (FA)or 454 Casul (FA). Good luck.

That sounds like it may be the same hunt Im going on next year. Are you going with the HHI group? and hunting under Russ Field Safari?
Ive been handgun hunting for several years now. I do mix in the "cool" rifle every now and then. I still have some nice rifles I enjoy. Its a waste not to use them.
Furthest big game shot was a doe at 52yds, open sights with my custom Ruger 475 Linebaugh. Ive taken several coyotes, a hog, picket pins (ground squirrel) rockchucks, prairie dogs, rabbits, grey squirrels, etc.
Big game hunting is very rewarding, but vermin and small game is so much fun!! And it sharpens your handgun skills.

 

[RLP]

That sounds like it may be the same hunt Im going on next year. Are you going with the HHI group? and hunting under Russ Field Safari?
Ive been handgun hunting for several years now. I do mix in the "cool" rifle every now and then. I still have some nice rifles I enjoy. Its a waste not to use them.
Furthest big game shot was a doe at 52yds, open sights with my custom Ruger 475 Linebaugh. Ive taken several coyotes, a hog, picket pins (ground squirrel) rockchucks, prairie dogs, rabbits, grey squirrels, etc.
Big game hunting is very rewarding, but vermin and small game is so much fun!! And it sharpens your handgun skills.

I am very interested in small game, just don't have many opportunities. Second time I have heard about the HHI group, will have to investigate. Good luck.

 

[LeftySixgun]

I am very interested in small game, just don't have many opportunities. Second time I have heard about the HHI group, will have to investigate. Good luck.

Who are you hunting with when you go next year?

 

[meigsbucks]

Back in the early ‘80’s, Ohio legalized handgun hunting for deer. Ever since then, until recently I never carried a shotgun or rifle for OH deer. I mainly carried a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag, but have also taken deer with a S&W 28 .357 mag, Ruger Blackhawk .41 mag, S&W 27 .41 mag, Ruger Blackhawk .45 LC, T/C Contender .45/70 and BFR .475 Linebaugh.
Also, have taken deer and antelope with T/C Encores and Contenders in 7x30 Waters, .357 Herrett, .25/06 and .308.
Unfortunately, due to hand tremors, had to give up handgun hunting. (Doesn’t help my rifle shooting either)

 

[LeftySixgun]

I need to get a little serious about my Contenders this coming deer season

 

[RLP]

Who are you hunting with when you go next year?

Nick Bowker on the Eastern Cape

 

[Captain Jack]

I’m fairly new to handgun hunting, but have been bringing either my FA M97 7.5” .357 mag, or my ‘80s Blackhawk 4 5/8” in .45 Colt on my hunting adventures of late. I got really close to getting a nice Mouflon ram with the .357 but I just couldn’t find the shot through the brush.

Glad to see all the Freedom Arms fans on here. They definitely make my favorite short guns, and I plan on acquiring more in the future.

 

[Brickman301]

i haven’t hunted with a handgun for several years. But in years past I’ve taken 2 whitetails with a TC contender in 30-30, and 2 with a repro 1858 Remington .44 cal cap and ball revolver. I’ve also taken 1 feral hog with that same cap and ball revolver. I’m able to stuff 38 grains of FFFG and a round ball into the cylinders. My 1858, does have target sights. Both of the deer and the hog I’ve taken with the cap and ball revolver were within 20 yards. I’m able to reach out a lot farther with the contender.

 

[mgstucson]

In times past Dan Wessons in 357mag, 44mag, and 445supermag. Smith&Wesson 500s&w, TC Contenders in 6x45, and 35rem. Mostly deer and pigs. Head shot a rabbit or 2 for the camp pot. I don't handgun hunt much anymore. I am getting to old to shoot from long range handgun positions, and the sights are a challenge for my aging eyes. Enjoy them while you are young. I did.