James
.327 Meteor
Posts: 502
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Post by James on May 8, 2011 14:26:02 GMT -5
Took 13 whitetail with handguns before I finally shot one with a 270 rifle...
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Post by nonpcnrarn on May 8, 2011 16:34:05 GMT -5
Like most, I started with a rifle. After a while I became bored with the routine kill provided by the rifle. I then hunted exclusiviely with handguns for about 7-8 years. I used a revolver and then a Contender with a scope. I managed to take all of the animals I sought with a handgun, Deer, Elk ,Antelope. Once I scratched that itch I moved on to lever action rifles and that is where I currently place my interests as far as hunting goes. Sometimes I still carry a single action revolver with me "just in case" a close shot develops. Nothing seems more natural than a carbine and revolver combo shooting the same pistol round. |
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Post by 45spades on May 9, 2011 23:05:34 GMT -5
I stopped hunting with a rifle about 6 or 7 years ago. Nothing against rifles but I always wanted to hunt with a pistol ever since I was a kid. I've managed 9 or 10 deer since I started. When I started I had to wait for a shot of less than 25 yards to feel comfortable. Now my range is extended from that. I'm going to do a little bow hunting this year but my love is for handgun hunting with the mid calibers. (ex .45 Colt, etc.) Just something about having a sixgun on my hip sitting in a blind or treestand. It just feels right. I plan on going black bear hunting in a year or two. I want to go to Idaho. I've been twice and have seen two bears. Haven't brought one home yet. But that's another story. I'm not sure if I'll pick up a rifle anytime soon for big game. Nothing wrong with it all but that sixgun in a Thad Rybka holster........well it just feels right
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45colt
.30 Stingray
Posts: 109
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Post by 45colt on Jun 26, 2011 21:13:20 GMT -5
With handgunning talk,yes,I'd love to do it again.
I have never connected,so it's called hunting.
At the range,I prefer to see where my handguns hit at 100 yards.
I mean,25 yards,can get you into the ballpark,at sight in.
To me,realistically 50 yards on out to 100,is more in tune of where I sight in with open sights.
But, a couple months back, a mini stroke and diabetes had thrown my life up-side-down.
I can't walk too far anymore. Maybe down the road a piece,I can be able to walk farther.
For now,all is from the comfort of a computer office chair.
To get out, and really enjoy with what nature has provided ? Yeah,I do miss it !
To strap on my old West high ride gunleather,and a 45 Colt be it Ruger.....And ammo that is loaded,and capable of nailing wild pig,deer or bear.
Yep,miss that.One day,I'll be out there.
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nframe
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 26
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Post by nframe on Sept 21, 2011 10:16:11 GMT -5
I "ALWAYS" carry a handgun afield...regardless of the hunting scenario. Heck, I "ALWAYS" carry a handgun period:-) Killed a lot of game over the years. Have a lot of what I deem nice trophies as well. My most cherished hunt was a handgun hunt...they provide me the most enjoyment. I still rifle hunt and like to take game with my lever action rifles. I'm also an avid coyote hunter and like the scoped rifles ability to reach out and touch them as well, but I have killed them with a sixgun and that too is quite a thrill. I love to squirrel hunt and can say I primarily use a handgun for that as well.
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Post by dougader on Sept 30, 2011 2:20:01 GMT -5
If I go with a buddy, it's usually to eastern Oregon and I take a rifle. But usually I stay westside and take a handgun. I started handguns with a Super 14 Contender in 30/30. That was about 1994. I still think contenders are neat, but a couple years ago I took a revolver. Found out I really don't need a 454 to hunt deer in the thick woods. I'd like to take a deer with the Lipseys Bisley 44 Special flat top or the 45 Colt Montado that Alan Harton slicked up for me.
I took a Glock set up for 45 Super last year. Didn't get a deer, but I really liked scouting around without the weight of a scoped rifle.
A bunch of the guys I used to hunt with have taken up bow hunting. I have always sucked canal water when it comes to bows.
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kt57
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 14
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Post by kt57 on Oct 5, 2011 22:30:30 GMT -5
Well I started this thread back in March. I just wanted to share with everyone that I just took my first large game with a handgun. It was a black bear here in California. Also my first bear. Not a big one but since I was by myself I was thankful that it wasn't a monster. I used a Gary Reeder Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt. The load was a Cor Bon 225 grain Barnes X (condor zone). It was everything I expected. A great experience. I am definitely hooked and and gonna try and fill a deer tag in a couple of weeks. I'll try and learn how to post a picture. Thanks for all the responses. By the way, I might just have a per 64 featherweight for sale  |
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Post by Robster on Oct 6, 2011 3:47:04 GMT -5
Congratulations on scoring with the handgun!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is fantastic!!!!
Definitely need pics. so learn how to post them soon!!!
What are you doing with the hide? Rug, full mount?
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Post by whitworth on Oct 6, 2011 7:57:33 GMT -5
Well I started this thread back in March. I just wanted to share with everyone that I just took my first large game with a handgun. It was a black bear here in California. Also my first bear. Not a big one but since I was by myself I was thankful that it wasn't a monster. I used a Gary Reeder Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt. The load was a Cor Bon 225 grain Barnes X (condor zone). It was everything I expected. A great experience. I am definitely hooked and and gonna try and fill a deer tag in a couple of weeks. I'll try and learn how to post a picture. Thanks for all the responses. By the way, I might just have a per 64 featherweight for sale Well that's great news! Congratulations! You definitely need to post some pictures! If you need help, let us know. |
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Post by ss30378 on Oct 8, 2011 9:51:48 GMT -5
Where im at its legal to hunt with a shotgun or handgun only during firearm season unless i head a couple hours north. After lugging a slugger around for a few season i decided to try carrying my dads old model 66. Walking through the woods not even noticing the little sixgun was great i thought. That season i got a nice little sixpoint and i was hooked after that. Now the only rifles i have anymore are a 10/22, a 22 k-hornet and an encore 45-70. Ill add the to it that im an iron sight only (until my eyes get worse) hunter. Just doesnt seem right to put a scope on a handgun in my mind as of yet. Ive taken big game with my glock 17l (loaded to major spec level btw so dont flame!) my blackhawk 357 my bfr 475 and soon hopefully this season my springfield longslide with a comped 6.75in barrel loaded with super brass to rowland specs (265gr at 1250fps) its gonna be a great season!
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Post by Robster on Oct 8, 2011 17:59:41 GMT -5
ss30378. Are you from NY? sounds just like where I hunt. Shotgun or handgun only. Hour or two north and it is rifle.
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Post by ss30378 on Oct 9, 2011 0:48:24 GMT -5
Nope i'm in lower MI. The rifle line goes right across the middle of the lower peninsula. But even up north i carry a handgun usually.
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DR505
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 15 
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Post by DR505 on Oct 17, 2011 12:14:00 GMT -5
Great thread! I enjoy reading of others' exploits and the hardware they use.
I will use either a rifle or a handgun depending on what and where I am hunting. Out here in the southwest you can find about any terrain you like.
A handgun ALWAYS rests on my hip though. I like a stout .45 Colt hand load with a heavy Keith style bullet, or a .44 Mag with a 270 grain Speer loaded near maximum, depending on my mood! My favorite bear/elk rifle is a Rem Model 673 guide Rifle in .350 Remington Magnum...real small, light, and handy rig.
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cmnash
.30 Stingray
Posts: 119
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Post by cmnash on Nov 28, 2011 17:30:00 GMT -5
I am a dedicated handgun hunter. As a teenager I read articles in Petersons Hunting by Bob Milek and John Wooters and thought that was just the ultimate. I took my first deer with a handgun when I was 17 and haven't been back to a rifle since. I even pistol hunt turkeys where legal. Most of my hunting has been with a scoped Contender with an occasional fling with a revolver but as of late I am really enjoying the sixgun.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Nov 29, 2011 8:14:12 GMT -5
Today, I only use handguns. I first began to hunt with them in Pa. in the early '60's, but back then there were many states that didn't permit handgun hunting. So, I used a rifle when I had to, because hunting was important to me.
Later, when I was able to hunt internationally, there were many countries that I wanted to see and hunt in, that did not permit their use, so when hunting in them, I also used a rifle.
Things are much better today, with handgun hunting permitted in almost every state, and in many foreign countries. I have hunted only with handguns for a number of years. For me, the satisfaction is greater with handguns; call it a sense of achievement, pride, whatever .... handgun hunting simply demands more dedication and weapons mastery than rifle hunting.
My friend sixshot makes the same point I have made often: It's just fine with me if you choose to do so, but if you carry both a rifle and a handgun, you'll never become a handgun hunter. Once again, that's fine with me.
I'm even more of a shooter than I am a hunter, and serious handgunning requires frequent practice so handgun hunting is a good reason to enjoy / force yourself (?) to shoot regularly and often at various distances. I like that.
To be honest, I think I began hunting with a handgun all those years ago because I thought it was "easier" than carrying a long gun. It's true that they weigh less and you can do more things with both hands, but I'm glad I was wrong about the "easier" part.
Why handgunning? To me, shooting well and stalking closer make for more rewarding hunting.
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