handgun hunting...

[magnumwheelman]

of coarse on this forum, it seems to be primarily a Single Action revolver sport... & I think that's what "most" people think... I know there are several that hunt with single shots, as I have also done several times, with several calibers of Contenders... what we don't hear about much is hunting double action revolvers or semi autos... the 1st handgun hunting of big game, that I knew about ( deer ) was by my FIL, who took a nice Wisconsin white tail buck, with his scoped Dan Wesson 357 Maximum ( this was like 30ish years ago )... & it was about a 150 yard shot... I'm now the caretaker of that gun, but it's never been in the woods with me, yet... I tend to take Contenders & Single action revolvers..., before I sold off my Automag collection, they were all set up for hunting, I just never took them to the woods, my rational back then, was I didn't want to lose the brass...

so anyway... any of you handgun hunters that use a double action revolver, or a semi auto... what gun & caliber did you use, & what were you hunting???

FIL's 357 Max, just as he used it 30 years ago...

[bigbrowndog]

I used a very nice S&W 657 until recently, it became the wife’s. It original intent was for that to happen though, I also use a couple of Super RedHawks a 454C and a 500L, I’ll be using both in a couple weeks as I donate venison to needy family’s by way of Texas Parks and Wildlife local game wardens. I hunted with my AutoMag when I had it, took a few pigs. My concern was breaking something expensive and irreparable.

Trapr

[magnumwheelman]

I'm not very good at keeping up with the S&W model numbers... are all 657's in 41 Magnum???

[x101airborne]

Jan 17, 2024 10:08:20 GMT -5 magnumwheelman said:

I'm not very good at keeping up with the S&W model numbers... are all 657's in 41 Magnum???

Yessir. Model 657 is stainless with adjustable sights, 41 Magnum cartridge.

[seminolewind]

I hunted with 1911s for a few years. The 6 point was taken with a long slide Baer in 45 Super and a 255 WFN @ 1100 fps. The coyote was taken while deer hunting with a Kimber 10mm. The load was a 180 gr XTP @ 1300 fps. Both guns have a red dot sight. The 1911s have stayed in the safe for a few years because I really like hunting with single action revolvers.

imgur.com/a/2ZZtjer

[squigz]

Original S&W 57 no dash, 2x leupold. Taken this year, was my grandfathers gifted to me. 

[handgunhuntingafield]

The Smith and Wesson grip design has always been what fits me best. 90%+ of my hunting has been with a smith. I used single actions a bit….not really my cup of tea. Single shots were ok for a bit….but it’s so close to rifle hunting that I have found myself leaving them at home.

Then I found Korth……perfection right out of the box.

[James]

Here`s a few............... I am enjoying the 7 1/2" X frame. Something new that`s accurate.... That`s a 1970`s Python with the whitetail...

[bigbrowndog]

James if you’re not gonna use that DW 357max you may as well sell it to me?? 😎

Trapr

[James]

Jan 17, 2024 15:10:19 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

James if you’re not gonna use that DW 357max you may as well sell it to me?? 😎

Trapr

[blackmamba]

I have used single actions, double actions and an Encore with a custom Bullberry barrel in 44 magnum. The DA is a 629 Classic 6½ inch. I've used Hornady 240 XTP, Speer 270 GD and 300 gr. WFN cast from a couple different companies. All are more than capable of taking whitetails at the ranges I like (inside 50 yards). My preferred sight is the UltraDot 30 with 5 minute dot, although I used a 2x Leupold scope on the Encore for a nice buck kill from a tree stand. The UltraDot is so much lighter than a scope it makes off-hand shooting so much easier.

[hgunhtr]

orginally started with a S&W 657 41 mag back in the early 80's. ruger SRH 44 mag late 80's through present along with a ruger redhawk 44 mag. lately have been on a single action kick with a SS 44 special flattop. always have had a double action ready for use.

[hgunhtr]

mistake on the 41 mag- model 57 nickel 8 3/8"

[harold89]

I got my LB LS 10MM back from the great folks at NHC just in time to run a few test loads across my Xero and take this huge doe at the end of season. 
In hindsight, I wish I had field dressed her before hanging her up in the barn. The XTP moving along at 1,310 fps obliterated her lungs at 35 yards broad side. A lot more clean up than expected but I have no complaints about the gun, load or the results. It was over fast and she most definitely didn’t get out of sight. I much prefer the grip of the 1911. 

[rangersedge]

Probable top four for me in order of critters harvested... Ruger mk 2 target, ruger redhawk, s&w 629 pv vcomp, and glock 26.