Pistol Hunting?

[Steve300xcw]

I’ve vowed that I’ll be carrying this S&W 44mag 7.5inch on every hunt this year. Any deer or hog within 100 yards and I use the pistol.

That is not how it normally works. By the time it registers that "I can make that shot with my pistol" You've already killed it with your rifle. You want to kill with that pistol, I'd leave all your other artillery at home.

 

[Steve300xcw]

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.

44 is a round that is worth loading for.

 

[Quandary]

Where we go Elk hunting in Colorado it’s very thick timber. For years I carried that 44 mag S&W Hunter for the possible 50 and under shot. Of course the last time we hunted this property I rounded a corner, on an ATV track while walking to a spot I wanted to still hunt, and there were two nice bulls 50 yards in front of me. My rifle was strapped to my pack. Of course after 10 or more years of carrying that 44 and never unholstering it I decided not to take it…… Tried to edge behind some pine trees to unstrap my rifle, got busted and off they went. Only 2 elk any of the 4 of us hunting saw that week.

 

[Upstateram]

I’m personally a big fan of the 10mm

 

[Boon321]

What 10mm ammo do you use? I have a mess of underwood 180gr XTP but I have only killed paper with it so far. I got excited when I heard about Hornady and a 10mm Leverevolution but it is 150gr and less than 500ft/lb at the muzzle.

 

[KenLee]

This is my current favorite hunting handgun. It is chambered in 7-30 Waters and as long as I get a good rest, I am comfortable with it to 300 yards.
Obviously that didn't happen overnight. I have been shooting and hunting with handguns for over 20 years now. I shot IHMSA for many years as well.

In regards to optics, it really depends on the type of hunting you plan on doing. If it going to be spot and stalk where the shots will be close and quick, then a "dot" optic is preferable. If you are going to be stand hunting or ambush hunting where you will have time to get a good rest and set up well, then a fixed 4X or a good 2-6X scope will be best.

A couple things to remember, especially when using a revolver. Resist the urge to put your off hand on the optic to steady the firearm. Cylinder gap blast is real and it is dangerous. Also, while practicing with 44 special or lighter recoiling ammo is good for your wrists, it will tend to mask some things if you have some bad habits going on, so make sure to also do plenty of practice with whatever ammo you plan to hunt with. BTW, my personal recommendation for .44 mag hunting is plain ol' Hornady Custom with the 240 grain XTP. I have yet to find a better overall performer in that particular caliber than the XTP when it comes to handgun hunting. Last thing to remember is that if you are hunting before the sun comes up or after it goes down (during the legal shooting time, of course), when you touch one off it is going to be bright. To the point where it may temporarily remove your low light vision. That is one of the main reasons I have gone to putting a can on my single shot handguns now. Just something to keep in mind.

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Now I feel primitive. My 7-30 Waters.