Handgun hunting

[Robert Rowland]

Any other handgun hunters out there?
My current deer hunting handgun in a Ruger Super Blackhawk. I have not taken a deer with this particular gun, but have taken several with a Super Redhawk that I used to have.

[Corey Graff]

I am an avid handgun hunter, shooting a S&W M629 .44 4-inch. Handloads are Keith-style leadhead bullets loaded hot. I've taken several deer using open sights and it puts deer down right now. This year I have mounted an aimpoint red-dot scope to the set-up. The holster is a safariland competition-style. I believe if more folks would try handgun hunting they would find it adds a new dimension and challenge to deer hunting.

[JPH]

I fostered the idea of killing a deer with a handgun for sevearl years. I had killed deer with rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow, so a handgun seemed to be the logical next step.
 
What I found (the hard way), was that I lack the skill necessary and I lack the time it would take to get there. I have given up on the idea for the time being. I have a lot of respect for those of you proficent enough to pull it off.
 
For me, discretion is the better part of valor. 

[howhill1]

i have hunted the late season here in illinois for about 5 or 6 years. originally it was a pistol only season, i have carried a 4" .357 and a 7" redhawk in .454 casull. i agree with dan that it can add a new and challenging dimension to your deer hunting but i also agree with jph that as with any weapon you should make sure of your proficiency with it before heading to woods.

[JPH]

ORIGINAL: howhill1

...i also agree with jph that as with any weapon you should make sure of your proficiency with it before heading to woods.

 
In my case, I was very deadly on the range. I've got the paper to proove it.
 
When leaning over a deadfall or after sitting in a sub-freezing treestand for four hours...not so much.

[OHhunter]

My step dad hunts with .357 , and has had some success.  I would like to try it, but like was stated earlier, I would need the time + money to spend many hours practicing.  Both are very limited.

[howhill1]

as handgun shooting goes i was blessed to grow up with a shooting grandfather. i had two .22 pistols as a kid i would spend countless hours honing my skills. illinois now allows the use of handguns in the regular firearm seasons. i always liked being different, kinda why i took to bowhunting so much.

[fasteddie]

I have a 44 mag Super redHawk but I prefer the Contender 7-30 waters . Shot a doe at about 55 yards a few years ago . I don't shoot a pistol enough to be proficient with it . Getting the doe made my day !

[Robert Rowland]

I used to have a stainless Super Redhawk, 9-1/2" barrell, scoped.
Great deer gun. Wish I had it back but it was just too awkward to carry along with a rifle so I sold it and got the Super Blackhawk that would hip holster.

[fasteddie]

The only reason I have a Ruger 44 mag Super redhawk is because a guy at work was selling his for $350 (in 1998) with a 2X Leopold scope . He was buying a .454 Casul ( sp ) pistol and needed cash quick . I don't like shooting it !
I have a 14 inch 44 mag barrel for my Contender . It's the hunter barrel and is ported . I won't shoot it at the range if anyone is on either side of me .