Handgun Hunting Deer in PA

[gsokk]

The subject of handgun hunting came up in the dad circle at travel ball tryouts and I think it’s something I might try. Deer hunting in Pennsylvania with a handgun to be specific. I have FA 97s in 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 special, and 45 colt but not in the legal barrel length. Was going to my FA install a 7.5 inch barrel. Alternatively I can use my 83 in 454.

im thinking 357 mag in M97 7.5 would be the way to go with a 2x7 scope.

any thoughts from the hunters?

[Odin]

What is the legal minimum barrel length and does it include the chamber? One state (can't remember which) has a 5-inch minimum, but it includes the chamber, making short-barreled revolvers legal.

We're it my choice, I'd just roll with some easy shootin' loads in the M83.

Good luck!

[gsokk]

Nov 7, 2024 19:11:45 GMT -5 Odin said:

What is the legal minimum barrel length and does it include the chamber? One state (can't remember which) has a 5-inch minimum, but it includes the chamber, making short-barreled revolvers legal.

We're it my choice, I'd just roll with some easy shootin' loads in the M83.

Good luck!

I assumed at least 5 inches but I looked online and PA has no barrel length restriction, must be at least 22 cal and not semi auto need some type of permit along with a hunting licenses, that’s I just read.

[Odin]

Out here on the prairie the regs simply say "any center-fire handgun". I'm beginning to believe the authorities have come to realize that a slob hunter is a slob hunter, regardless of the firearm used. So, use what you feel is appropriate.

[contender]

If you don't have any regulations that restrict your choices of handguns, then it comes down to what YOU shoot well, AND accurately. Select proper ammo for the intended animal, (deer) and make sure you practice,, and KNOW your limitations. Know when to NOT take a shot is very, very important.
Personally,, I'd try that .41 Magnum as a very solid choice to hunt with.

[bula]

I believe Penn had a barrel length, and it went away some time back ? I've taken a couple of deer in Ohio with a SBH 44mag., Ohio other than the forests down south, are 2nd growth, swamp, or grown over farmland. Shorter ranges than the Penn woods I hunt now. By all means, pick one and hunt it. Where in Penn, roughly, are we talking ? Between hunting, backpacking, grousin', I'm comfortable in Elk, Jefferson, Cameron and Forest and Warren counties. Potter, many years ago a bit. 

[squigz]

I handgun hunt in NEPA yearly for the past.. 10 years or so now.

There was a min barrel length, it was 4", that is no longer listed or mentioned.

There was a min caliber restriction, it was .357" and centerfire, that is no longer listed or mentioned.

The only thing I can see that is truly a firearm restriction is it must be 22 caliber or larger and manually operated.

You must also be in possession of either a Sportsman firearms permit or a license to carry/conceal a weapon.


Personally for me, I don't trust myself enough with a 357mag to hunt whitetails. My personal minimum in the state has been 41mag and generally speaking I carry my 480 Ruger everywhere with me because it's the one I'm most comfortable with. I've taken both deer and bear.

I would not hesitate to hunt with a 4 5/8" barrel for "fear" of barrel restrictions if those are the sizes that I'm assuming you have based off your comment.

[richard]

This is interesting to me because I will eventually move to PA from WV and it sounds like pretty much the same rules apply except that PA doesn’t allow semi-auto.

[squigz]

Nov 8, 2024 12:01:01 GMT -5 richard said:

This is interesting to me because I will eventually move to PA from WV and it sounds like pretty much the same rules apply except that PA doesn’t allow semi-auto.

That's pretty much it.

They did pass where you can use semi-auto for varmint and predator hunting though. But it's illegal for big game. 

[LeverGunner]

Interesting. Here in Kentucky it simply says "any centerfire handgun or rifle" for deer. For bear and elk it states calibers larger than 270 and case length 1.285 or longer. So my 44 Special Blackhawk will not be legal for bear or elk should I get the chance. But my 44 Magnum Winchester 92 will be.

Sadly, the state of Ky says that for small game, it must be a rimfire gun, muzzleloading blackpowder, or shotgun. So... a 50 caliber hawken is legal for squirrel, but a reduced 44 Special is not - ridiculous.

[pete]

Nov 8, 2024 14:49:29 GMT -5 LeverGunner said:

Interesting. Here in Kentucky it simply says "any centerfire handgun or rifle" for deer. For bear and elk it states calibers larger than 270 and case length 1.285 or longer. So my 44 Special Blackhawk will not be legal for bear or elk should I get the chance. But my 44 Magnum Winchester 92 will be.

Sadly, the state of Ky says that for small game, it must be a rimfire gun, muzzleloading blackpowder, or shotgun. So... a 50 caliber hawken is legal for squirrel, but a reduced 44 Special is not - rediculous.

Not much sense in game laws. Here in Michigan, a 45 acp is too short to hunt with in a long gun, but acceptable in a handgun with mag capacity of less than 10. Huh?
It's the same most places, no common sense.

[rangersedge]

I think any of those calibers would do it with good shot placement so I'd pick the one you like best. Can't argue against the 41 mag suggestion though. Consider whether you want scope, iron sights, or dot / tube. If ranges will be short / deer likely moving, you may not want a scope due to lesser field of view and usually slower acquisition. Each situation is different. Might give you an excuse for carrying two. One for out there and one for up close.

[bigbore5]

While I often pursue deer and even black bear with a 357mag of one sort or the other, I will not recommend it to a newer handgun hunter. It requires remaining calm and careful shot placement with any handgun for hunting, but much more so for the 357.

I would suggest using a larger caliber with an accurate load that you are both comfortable and precise with. My most accurate gun is a 45 Colt Blackhawk custom with Linebaugh's heavy load and the NEI 315gr swc. Extremely powerful and precise, but not fun for a long practice session.

[freeze]

Any of your selections would be fine.
Pick one that you have confidence in and matches the shot opportunity you expect.

I have taken PA deer with FA 83s in 357 Mag (loaded to modest 353 Casull levels), 45 Win Mag, and 454 Casull (loaded moderately).

I will start my season this year with a FA 83 in 41 Mag.

Good luck this season!


-Freeze

[gsokk]

Nov 8, 2024 8:08:51 GMT -5 bula said:

I believe Penn had a barrel length, and it went away some time back ? I've taken a couple of deer in Ohio with a SBH 44mag., Ohio other than the forests down south, are 2nd growth, swamp, or grown over farmland. Shorter ranges than the Penn woods I hunt now. By all means, pick one and hunt it. Where in Penn, roughly, are we talking ? Between hunting, backpacking, grousin', I'm comfortable in Elk, Jefferson, Cameron and Forest and Warren counties. Potter, many years ago a bit. 

Luzurne, Lackawanna, and maybe Lehigh county