Pistol Hunting?

[jchunter62]

I've killed mule deer with a 10 mm 1911 at 20 yards using hot Underwood stuff. Worked well. I did shoot from my tripod sticks which helped me be more precise with my iron sights. If I were to become a more dedicated pistol hunter I'd certainly mount an optic.

Got a picture of the deer two? Love mule deer hunting

Just doing some shooting myself last night.

Some people don't understand what a good hand with a pistol can do. 50 yards ain't difficult at all.

I also recommend a lower power optic or a red dot. The Ultradot are very well regarded in the handgun hunting world and that's what the pictured contender barrel wears. 12" 44 magnum

My astigmatism makes red dots no fun so i stick with crosshairs but good advice. Ill look at the 2x optics, thanks!

 

[Samson7x]

Yep, killed quite a few deer and hogs with a 10mm. Shot a few with 45acp too, always 1911 platform. Will be taking a 44mag around the mountains this season just in case.

 

[RockAndSage]

I recently acquired a Single Six Hunter in .17 HMR. Waiting on an 8-shot .17 HM2 cylinder before I get serious with it. Data I have seen online indicate a potential ±½" from 15 yards to 85 yards.

Man, that would be the coolest little game-getter...

 

[nm.otter]

Man, that would be the coolest little game-getter...

I think an adapter plate for one of these could be fabricated to fit over the Ruger rail. If so, I would have factory sights that co-witness with the optic installed.

 

[TaperPin]

I recently acquired a Single Six Hunter in .17 HMR. Waiting on an 8-shot .17 HM2 cylinder before I get serious with it. Data I have seen online indicate a potential ±½" from 15 yards to 85 yards.

You’ll have to let us know how it shoots. That seems like a great combination.

 

[TaperPin]

Just doing some shooting myself last night.

Some people don't understand what a good hand with a pistol can do. 50 yards ain't difficult at all.

I also recommend a lower power optic or a red dot. The Ultradot are very well regarded in the handgun hunting world and that's what the pictured contender barrel wears. 12" 44 magnum

That 44 mag contender of yours brought back good memories. That’s a great looking pistol that feels good in the hands. Much more comfortable to shoot than a revolver.

 

[sodaksooner]

Hunted a lot with a TC Contender in 7mm TCU. Killed a pronghorn at 180 yards with it and several deer. . I would use it in OK quite a lot for deer as it was light and easy to carry and shots were short with it. However I passed on a lot of deer with it here. Most of my hunting was on the prairie in SD. Sold it to a buddy several years ago, so I know where it's at if I ever want it back.



Dad hunted with a Super blackhawk several years and took a few deer with it. Other than a .22, first pistol I ever shot. Never had a problem with recoil on any other pistol.

 

[nm.otter]

You’ll have to let us know how it shoots. That seems like a great combination.

After spending a bit of time shooting a friend's .17 HMR rifle, I decided what I really wanted was a Ruger .17/45 Lite -- but those don't actually exist, and I couldn't find a smith willing to take on a conversion.

After putting a couple boxes of .17 HMR through the Single Six (which shot well, and had almost no muzzle jump) I don't understand the attraction of that round in a short barrel: 50% more expensive ammo, flames shooting out of the muzzle, and far more blast pressure on my face than I get from my 20" 6.5 CM.

 

[TaperPin]

After spending a bit of time shooting a friend's .17 HMR rifle, I decided what I really wanted was a Ruger .17/45 Lite -- but those don't actually exist, and I couldn't find a smith willing to take on a conversion.

After putting a couple boxes of .17 HMR through the Single Six (which shot well, and had almost no muzzle jump) I don't understand the attraction of that round in a short barrel: 50% more expensive ammo, flames shooting out of the muzzle, and far more blast pressure on my face than I get from my 20" 6.5 CM.

Interesting. I hadn’t even considered muzzle blast, but that makes sense.

 

[03mossy]

I handgun hunt a few times per year. It make seven a doe hunt exciting. Like someone mentioned above leave the rifle at home and just go for it. You’ll always reach for the rifle if given the choice. It does take a lot of practice to get confident. I took this doe a few years ago at 45 yards. Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag with an Ultradot 30. I sighted the dot in back in 2015 and have never adjusted it through literally thousands of rounds. It’s the gun I shoot the most besides my carry gun.

 

[Jpsmith1]

That 44 mag contender of yours brought back good memories. That’s a great looking pistol that feels good in the hands. Much more comfortable to shoot than a revolver.

I just picked it up this year. Practically stole it. Pre-covid price for a nearly new barrel.

Slapped the Ultradot on it ans got to shooting and boy does it like to shoot. Got my hunting handload ready.

See it I can blood it this fall. Got tags for a straightwall WMU and a group to hunt with so I'm hopeful to fill a few tags with it.

 

[jchunter62]

I've killed a few with a GP100 in 357 magnum over the years, always close what would be bow range. I recently picked up a Red Hawk 44 magnum with a 7.5 inch barrel that I plan on using to kill at least 1 deer with this season.

My hope is the 44 mag takes less room in the pickup as opposed to my bow. Also less chance of error and constant maintenance than my bow requires

 

[PAHunter777]

I’ve used a contender chambered in 375JDJ with a variable scope to kill numerous whitetails and one black bear. I would definitely lean towards getting a high quality red for than a magnified scope. The pistol eye relief scopes are kinda hard to get behind and notoriously unreliable.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Going after a whitetail doe this year with my g20 and underwood ammo.

 

[Northern-Nomad]

This is very doable. It's not easy, and your grandfather would have been a hell of a shot. But it's absolutely something you can do consistently, with enough time in dry-fire and live-fire. If you want to get yourself up to that point, it'd be a good idea to start with downloaded .44 Special and just learn to enjoy the gun without it beating on you, and just plan on putting a ton of time and ammo into it. But yes though - paper plates at 100yds is absolutely achievable.

Practicing with some 44 Special is the plan, just haven’t been able to find any locally. But I think after a few hundred rounds I should at least be good through bow range. Maybe next year we’ll get to 100 yards.

 

[Reddish]

I’ve killed a few deer with revolvers. My 44 Mag Super Blackhawk Bisley was my go to, with a reflex sight. I used scopes for a bit, but went back to the reflex.

1911 10mm is the ticket now.

 

[RockAndSage]

Practicing with some 44 Special is the plan, just haven’t been able to find any locally. But I think after a few hundred rounds I should at least be good through bow range. Maybe next year we’ll get to 100 yards.

My gift to you - it has saved me thousands of dollars over the years: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/44-special

 

[Snowwolfe]

I killed Alaskan moose, blacktails, and mule deer with revolvers.
Ditch the scope idea and go with some type of "dot" sight. Try a green one, much easier to see than the traditional red color. If you expects shots to be under 50 yards then stay with a 8 MOA dot.