mtnbkr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 294
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Post by mtnbkr on Nov 22, 2010 6:34:04 GMT -5
I know it's up to the individual hunter, but what distances do you guys frequently take deer with handguns?
Every deer I could have taken a shot at has been within 50yds and I'm a decent shot on smaller, 3d targets at 50yds (bowling pins, cans, etc...can't hit larger paper targets for some reason though).
I was at my yearly deer camp this weekend. After still-hunting through laurel thicket known to contain deer, I got within 50yds of a small buck who was oblivious to my presence. Because we were both within a clearing, I couldn't get any closer to him. I felt uncomfortable with the shot, so I let him walk. He walked downhill to my left and disappeared.
Should I put down the handgun till I can hone my skills so that such a shot wouldn't cause me to pause? Or, was that stretching things a bit and not taking the shot was the right thing? This being public land and in the middle of the day (1:30pm), the cards were stacked against me, so I'm happy that I had the opportunity to take such a shot. However, it makes me wonder if I'm ready for handgun hunting...
Chris
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,875
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Post by cubrock on Nov 22, 2010 8:54:56 GMT -5
Not all 50 yard shots are the same. There are far more important variables than distance. You did the right thing passing on the shot if you weren't comfortable. The fact that you passed on the shot tells me you are ready for handgun hunting. You made a good decision rather than forcing the shot. Keep working on your shooting and keep hunting with the handgun. That is the only way to get better.
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Post by steveb on Nov 22, 2010 9:02:11 GMT -5
You did the right thing, no doubt in my mind. I've killed a few deer with an open sighted SBH now, and missed a couple. I equate handgun hunting, with open sighted revolver, same as bowhunting. Prefer to try to set up shot for 20-30yds, 50 max.. I re-learned something yesterday, had sun at 10 oclock from target, and all shots were 2-3" right of point of aim. This due to sunlight coming into sights, more on one side, illusion that throws off how you center the front sight in the rear. steve b
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mtnbkr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 294
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Post by mtnbkr on Nov 22, 2010 14:12:55 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I wish I had thought to pull my camera out and snapped a pic for my friend since he didn't see a dang thing the entire trip.  Chris |
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Post by tas6691 on Nov 22, 2010 21:27:15 GMT -5
Since I typically hunt with open sighted, and usually short barreled(4-5 inch), revolver, my shots seem to average 30 yards or a bit more. Farther than that and I go with my rifle. I have a scoped Bisley Blackhawk Hunter, but I still dont feel comfortable shooting it at 50 yards so I'll practice more and hunt with it next year.
If you dont feel comfortable with the shot, regardless of firearm, pass on the shot. Better to let one walk than risk wounding and losing an animal. There will be other hunts.
YMMV
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c.r.
.30 Stingray
"I mainly just know about possums."
Posts: 392 
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Post by c.r. on Nov 24, 2010 23:21:29 GMT -5
Should I put down the handgun till I can hone my skills so that such a shot wouldn't cause me to pause? Or, was that stretching things a bit and not taking the shot was the right thing? This being public land and in the middle of the day (1:30pm), the cards were stacked against me, so I'm happy that I had the opportunity to take such a shot. However, it makes me wonder if I'm ready for handgun hunting... Chris I think the fact that you're asking yourself these questions and evaluating the situation does mean you're ready for handgun hunting. imho, we should all pause to evaluate a shot and decide if we feel comfortable with the circumastances............rifle, revolver, bow, or slingshot  good luck on your hunting ~c.r. |
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James
.327 Meteor
Posts: 502
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Post by James on May 8, 2011 14:42:11 GMT -5
The longest shot in Pennsylvania ,with a FA 454, was 109yds. Most of the others were from 20 out to 90 or so yards.... These shots were all taken with single or double action revolvers.
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Post by nonpcnrarn on May 8, 2011 15:16:43 GMT -5
You did the right thing, no doubt in my mind. I've killed a few deer with an open sighted SBH now, and missed a couple. I equate handgun hunting, with open sighted revolver, same as bowhunting. Prefer to try to set up shot for 20-30yds, 50 max.. I re-learned something yesterday, had sun at 10 oclock from target, and all shots were 2-3" right of point of aim. This due to sunlight coming into sights, more on one side, illusion that throws off how you center the front sight in the rear. steve b Will a brass or gold bead, or fiberoptic front sight help or alleviate this problem? Or will they make it worse than a plain blade front sight in relation to the position of the sun shining on the sight? |
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Post by steveb on Jul 19, 2011 8:53:23 GMT -5
Good question ! I don't have any of those kinda sights, except for the wife's J-frame .22. It doesn't get shot at distance, or much a'tall. steve b
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Post by whitworth on Jul 19, 2011 9:27:05 GMT -5
Typically, in West Virginia where I hunt deer every year, my shots are under 75 yards and usually closer to 40. In North Carolina where I hunt hogs, my shots are in the 50 yard range, give or take. I have taken shots on game out to 100 yards, but will try to get closer if the circumstances permit me to do so. I practice 100 yards offhand regularly as I consider this the worst case scenario.
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jwp475
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,101
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Post by jwp475 on Jul 19, 2011 21:24:07 GMT -5
Typically, in West Virginia where I hunt deer every year, my shots are under 75 yards and usually closer to 40. In North Carolina where I hunt hogs, my shots are in the 50 yard range, give or take. I have taken shots on game out to 100 yards, but will try to get closer if the circumstances permit me to do so. I practice 100 yards offhand regularly as I consider this the worst case scenario. You should consider it "Dead Meat" |
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 21, 2011 17:05:17 GMT -5
Well, with my Contender, 207 yards on this Javelina...  Kilt this cull with my #5 44 Special on Hargroves ranch at 85 steps....  |
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DR505
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 15
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Post by DR505 on Jul 23, 2011 21:20:22 GMT -5
 53 yards with my Wilson CQB .45 ACP using Black Talon ammo I had laying around. |
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nframe
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 26
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Post by nframe on Sept 21, 2011 9:37:48 GMT -5
I've been fortunate to have killed a great number of deer and hogs in my life thus far with a handgun. While I never intended to practice unethical shots, I have taken some I felt "confident" at the time I could make without wounding or crippling an animal. The longest shot I've ever taken on a whitetail was a measured 120 yards with an OM SBH about 7 years ago. I've made many prior to that from up close and personal to the range I just stated. I have always used iron sights and make it a point to keep my skill with all my handguns honed to the best of my ability. I killed my first handgun deer at 13 and have been doing so the past 35 years with great success. Good luck to you.
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Post by dougader on Sept 30, 2011 2:28:07 GMT -5
I don't shoot consistenly well enough past 50 yards to take a shot at a game animal. I have seen others take 100 yard shots successfully, but my eyes just aren't good enough anymore. I used to shoot silhouette to 200 yards on the steel rams, but those days are gone.
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