Thinking on picking up a pistol to try to kill a deer with this fall. Give me some recommendations please. Buddy has a tc contemder in a 308 but I believe that would be more than i want. I won't be able to shoot far in mtns of Virginia maybe 75-100 yards max. Would I be better with a 243 in a contender or get like a smith in a 41mag with a scope or a dot? All I put is Be appreciated

Ruger Blackhawk or Smith 629 in 44 mag and go kill a deer

Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter available in 44 Mag and 45 Colt. Available in Plow handle and Bisley, comes with a rib for a scope, or can be used with out one.

I've got a Contender 10"bbl. in .44 mag. that works fine at those ranges.

I really like the smith 629's. And I'd want a scope on it What would a setup like that cost? Would a 44mag be ok at 75 yards.

School me fellas idk nuttin much on pistols for hunting

75-100 yards is a long reach for a handgun for the casual shooter. That is going to take some practice plus shooting from a rest would help a lot. Using a scope gives an edge but still requires practice. You want a gun that is set of for a scope and get a descent scope of 2X and no more than that. Hard enough to find the target with more power. The Super Blackhawk Hunter is set up with a rib and rings. It comes with sights so can be used with or with out a scope. Then practice, practice, practice.

Old pic but the middle pics is a pronghorn I shot at 100 yds with a S&W Model 29 in 44 mag. No optics. Used to shoot handgun silhouette with that revolver out to 200 yds.

I have shot a few pistols but nothing hunting wise. Shoot my xd9 and my uncle has a couple 41's and 45's. Has 2 smiths in 41 mag that I've hit a 12x12" board with a target on it at about 85 yards. If I can have a rest and a little time I believe I can do it. I just don't know jack about a good setup. I've always admired a smith. The rugers are nice too.

What caliber would Be best?
Would a dot be better than a 2x scope?
I feel stainless would Be better?


If someone can give me a email I would like to Email You what I have a pic of on my phone to show you what I've found I like

Very nice sir

As much as I love revolvers, and any of the revolvers mentioned thus far would serve you well, if you don't have a great deal of time to practice you will likely do best with a TC Contender or Encore in a mild deer caliber. A TC Contender with a 7mm TCU barrel running a good 7mm rifle bullet at around 1800-2000fps would handle deer nicely and recoil is much less than a 44 Magnum revolver.

Again, nothing against revolvers, but they take time and a lot of rounds down range to master. In my opinion, the learning curve on a TC is faster and that might serve you best, unless you intend to become a dedicated handgun hunter.

I by far have nothing here like the mtns you have there in Oregon but it is becoming a thought to start handgun hunting so don't have to lug the rifle around. Would a person need to hand load for the tc in 7mm? Or could you just shoot a factory load? Sorry for the questions fellas but I don't know some Of this stuff.

You'd have to handload the 7TCU, but there are other Contender/Encore rounds you wouldn't have to load yourself. Carrying a scoped revolver and carrying a scoped TC are about equally inconvenient, and, truth be told, I'd rather carry a small carbine than a scoped TC or revolver.

If you're set on a revolver, and are willing to put in the time to get good with it, and don't want to handload, buy a Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk Hunter, 44 Magnum. There is more quality factory ammo for the 44 Magnum than any other revolver hunting round.

They seem like tey would be rather awkward to carry so I would likely just put it in my pack and take it out when I get To where I want to sit for the day. I don't hunt from a stand with a gun. Always from the ground. Far as reloading I don't have access to reloading

Ok I will look up the ruger sir. What ammo would be best to use for a deer just a good expanding bullet? No hollow point or ballistic tip I'm
Sure

If you want a lot of information in one book take a look at Gary Reeder's book on handgun hunting. I bought his original and updated book when I was visiting Arizona with Ron from the CF in 2013. A lot of good information from someone who has been there and done that.

As to "what gun", depends on you. Some people like the challenge of a open sighted revolver....some use a stockless rifle like an Encore...no right answer.

Bob

There are several factory rounds loaded with quality expanding jacketed bullets, Federal, Hornady, Winchester, etc. You don't need 300gr bullets for deer; anything between 220-250 should be sufficient.

Awesome thank you sir

Thank all Of you. If I can sell My browning silver shotgun belie ima
Half to buy me a pistol. Now scopes lol what is a good scope

Can't go wrong with the Leupold 2x if you get the Bisley Hunter. Ruger's rings, which are included with the revolver, are excellent and the Leupold has a nice field of view and is very resistant to recoil.

Already answered my next question. WAS going to ask how the scope held up to recoil. Would it help if a person got a gun with a muzzle break on it?

No. The 44 Magnum in a revolver as heavy as a scoped Ruger Bisley won't be enough to require a muzzle brake.

I just looked at a price or 2 on gunbroker. Looks like the bisley is about 700$?

They're not inexpensive, but the Ruger Hunters do come with integral scope mounts and rings. Putting a comparable mounting system on any other revolver would add at least $150 to the cost of the gun alone.

I hunt in florida frequently with a revolver,and of course my experience may not match other peoples, Ive used several calibers and revolvers I personally like the S&W 29 44 mag with either a 8 3/8 or 10 5/8" barrel the load a 310 grain lee over 21 grains of H110.


hunting with a hand gun always involves your being forced to make some compromises, a revolver with iron sites will be limited by both your eye sight and the distance between the front & rear sights. this ability to hit exactly where you want with open sights limits the effective range.
a revolver is generally going to use strait case cartridges starting with a 357 mag and dependent on the shooter preferences anywhere up to a 500 S&W , the 41-44 mags and 45 colt and 454 cassul are all very able to kill deer at 120-140 yards or so rather easily with the correct loads, most people I know have found the larger revolvers like the 445 DWSM and the 460 and 500 S&W a bit larger and heavier than ideal, but there are guys who enjoy those but it takes extensive practice and ammos much more expensive.

now if your willing to use optical sights like a scope or red dot optical sites your going to extend that range limitation but make the easy handling of a revolver noticeably less handy.
yes theres zero question that theres a few single shot break action and bolt action hand guns that will mount a scope and are more accurate , but most are at least in my opinion less handy, but also very effective IF your willing to put up with the size and weight penalty.


Ive always felt if your willing to put up with that size and weight you might as well buy and use a light carbine

Nice guns man. I'm not sure what route to go but I'm looking to just change it up so something lil different like with a pistol. I'm not sure what to get but a revolver seems more legit for ammo purposes and not halfing to hand load

If you want to hunt with a sawed off rifle, go for the contender (no offense to single shot pistol fans). Shooting a CF rifle cartridge out of a 14" barreled stockless rifle isn't quite the same as using a 4" or 6.5" revolver to hunt with. I just don't see the point, but I have not been bitten by the single shot 'handgun' bug.

If you want to hunt with something that resembles an actual handgun, get the 629. And a case of ammo. And shoot at least half of that case at various ranges using field positions to gauge your maximum effective range. Then go kill a deer.

The 10" TC Contender's aren't too ungainly for a hunting pistol--and are considerably more svelte than a S&W X-frame, for instance--but I agree with you that the 14" guns, and particularly the so called "specialty pistols" that are equipped with rifle scopes and shot from tripods or other rests, are pretty far from my conception of "handgun hunting."

Yea after the last post or 2 I see what y'all are saying. I'm going for a revolver. Would you laugh if I just shot a doe lol

^^^This^^^

Hard to beat IMO.

There is the new Glock 40 10mm to consider, with a red dot it could easily be a 100 yard deer gun.

I went through just what you are a few years ago. I very nearly bought a Blackhawk Hunter .44mag but got a 6" S&W 686 .357mag at the last minute and am glad I did. Topped with a 2X Leupold it is a hoot to shoot. My best shot to date with it was a jackrabbit shot in the head at 98 yards. .357mag is plenty for deer with a good heavy bullet. I've pretty much settled on 180gr hard cast.

They still haven't released the Glock 40 in 10mm yet. I've been waiting for the release for quite a while now. Of course, I'm sure Glock is busy cranking out the new Model 43 24-7, as they are selling like hotcakes!

That being said, I've killed a truck load of feral pigs with my Glock 20. A 200 grain Hornady XTP HP at 1350 fps is a hog killing SOB!

I really like the 686's too. Wasn't sure if I would
Be for for a deer huntin pistol tho. I'm just going to half to look and decide I guess. Smith 629's and 686 has always caught my eye. That ruger looks good tho too

Anybody need a good turkey gun lol

just a point of info!
about 20 years back I purchased a DAN WESSON 445 SUPER MAG,with a 10" barrel and added a muzzle brake its very VERY accurate!
it will push a 310 grain lee cast bullet to 1400 fps PLUS easily ,and theres zero doubt its extremely effective, but its heavy and brass expensive,
https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/445-Super-Mag-Brass/


44mag vs 445 mag


http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=93
it kills very well but don,t think the increase in power over the 44 mag makes it vastly superior , its a bit like the difference between a 308 vs a 30/06, and its noticeably larger and heavier than a S&W 29
In my elk hunt club theres now 4 guys who have taken ELK with a hand gun, three use a 44 mag, two of them used my 310 grain hard cast bullets loaded over 21 grains of H110 so a 44 mag is fully up to the job

http://dfuse.us/COhandgunhunting.html

Guy doesn't own a single handgun, wants to shoot a deer with one, and we are steering him into Contenders, 10.5" barrel revolvers, and DW 445 Super Mags. Gotta live the 'fire!

Buy a good *general purpose* magnum revolver that is built to do more than just one thing well. A 4", 5", or 6.5" .44 magnum works fine. Get a good holster and learn to shoot well with iron sights. Then you have a gun that will do many things well. If you get into it there is plenty of room for full on loonyisim, just like there is with rifles. Start with the basics and see if it is for you. A 4" 629 is never a bad choice. Although it is a tad bit harder to hit with than a longer barrel, it carries so much easier that you may find it ultimately more useful. I have both 4" and 6.5" and use the 4" more.

Let me just make this clear. I do have pistols just none to kill a deer. All 3 are 9's

I'm liking the idea Of a 44 mag. Always had the eye for a nice smith but the ruger bisley looks good to. Ao at this point I believe they are all good choices just the matter of what way I wanna go.

How far will you shoot with the 4 and 6.5" barrels?

This is what I have for hunting, though I've not used it for that yet.

I've gotten to the point I can regularly ring an 8" gong at 100 yards, so I MIGHT give it a try.






This is what I carry knockin' about, and I'm sure a thirty to forty yard shot might be doable.




Maybe by this year's season I'll be more confident in my ability, which is what I doubt right now. Both pistols are accurate enough.


I'm using the same load in each one, 300 grain Beartooth LCMN GC at 1.725" OAL, 22.5 grains 300-MP.

I would have zero reservations about shooting at a deer out to 100yds with my 5.5" Ruger. I don't shoot full power ammo most of the time either, 245 SWC at 1175fps. With practice and a rest I've shot 4" groups for 6 shots at the 100 yard line. Though the bullet won't be going too fast when it gets there, I'd bet there isn't a whitetail around that could stop it on a broadside shot. I've killed a decent sized bear and one big hog with this gun and load, both times the shot angle has been steep and I've got 3' or more of penetration along with an exit.

For deer I'd think almost any factory load would work, I've never been to where you hunt but I doubt the deer are any bigger or tougher than they are where I've hunted. A buddy of mine killed a pretty big grizzly with one shot from his 5" 629 a few years ago. His load of choice, Winchester white box 240 soft point, one shot to the chest folded him up from about 25 yards.

Exactly Bob! I've use rifles, hand rifles and revolvers.

What's yall fellers thoughts on the s&w 629 extreme hunter or hunter pistols with 7"-8" barrels? How's it compare to the ruger?

You answered your own question. If you are or were thinking of a .41 Mag, get one with a 4" to 6" barrel and you'll do just fine. Less recoil than a .44 Mag, shoots a tad flatter, kills just as well, with just as much or more penetration. You'll shoot through deer every time with a good cast bullet.

Scope or dot is great, or practice more and use iron sights. All good for 100 yards and a bit more.

Or go with a .44 Mag or .45 Colt. Of those two, the .45 Colt will do what the .44 Mag can do just as easily. No need for rip snortin' he-man loads from either. 1,200-1,300 fps will do with 240-250 gr. bullets.

Main thing is, shoot enough to learn how to shoot whatever it is you decide to go with.

S&W Performance Center Guns are very accurate. Ruger Redhawks work too. Center pronghorn pic above was with a 44 Mag Redhawk

Nice collection there Keith.

The S&W performance center revolvers are nice and generally very accurate. They are also expense and usually heavy, most of the ones I've shot were heavier than a Redhawk which is not light. Weight does aid in recoil absorption and steady holding, just makes them more of a chore to pack.

I would look for a standard 629 or 29 with no more than a 6" barrel. Or if you want to save a few nickels look for a used SuperBlackhawk. I'm not a fan of scopes on revolvers but that is up to you, FWIW all new S&Ws come drilled for scope mounts the holes are hidden under the rear sight. Aside from the Hunter models a Ruger will need to be D&T but I've seen super smoking deals on used Ruger SAs over the years, might save enough with a little shopping to get it D&Ted and still save money.

I think if you find something that you think you like and start shooting the heck out of it you'll end up liking the handiness of an iron sighted, medium weight big bore. Might become something you just like to pack around in a good holster when out hiking and goofing off that does double duty as a deer gun. I've packed my Bisleys countless hours fishing and hiking and have taken a bit of small game with them as incidental camp food over the years.

If you can't kill a deer with the 44 mag handgun then bigger isn't going to help you . The 44 mag with a 240 to 300 gr bullet will down any deer out to a 100 yards if you hit them where they live. My favorite hunting pistols is my 4 inch 629 and 4 &5/8 Ruger Blackhawk , both loaded with Keith 250 gr SWC, 20 gr of 2400 and the CC1 300 Primer. I have a bunch of longer barrel handgun but prefer the 4 inch in the deer woods. If you can't hit with the 4 inch i seriously dough 2 more inch's of barrel will help you. What you need is more practice not barrel length ,

You guys a wealth of Info and everyone addin in there thoughts and it's all different. I really appreciate it fellas. A lot of good Info here and really appreciate it. Glad you spoke about the 41 too. I have shot 1 of them several times and it was enjoyable

If you've got access to a .41 Magnum right now, and want to hunt with a revolver this season, I'd recommend borrowing the .41 and putting your money into ammunition. Practice will serve you better than a new gun, if you want to hunt this upcoming season.

There's not a dime's worth of difference between the .41 and 44 Magnum when it comes to whitetail deer.

Anybody wanna trade fr a brownin shotgun😜

The only reason i don't use the 41 for deer is because they make the 44 .

What kind of Browning to you have?

You jus get te bigger caliber cuz you can ehhh? See your in va too. I'm
Not to awful from Montgomery county!

Browning silver nwtf 3.5" mag 12ga topped with a Burris fastfire speed bead.

Ahh, I didn't see you have some other handguns.

If I were setting out to hunt deer with a handgun, I would take my 629 classic with 6.5" barrel and have no problem taking a standing shot out to 75 yards or a bit farther. Any kind of bracing of my shooting position and I would go farther (100 or so) but I would prefer 50 and under. Shave maybe 10-15 yards off those for a 4" gun of a 1911/Glock.

I put out a 9" paper plate, and the farthest distance i can keep nearly all your shots on that plate is your max range. I would say *all* your shots, but everyone misses on occasion. Say 14/15 shots. If that is 80 yards, great. If that is 30 yards, so be it.

I shoot maybe 800-1,000 rounds a month, mostly through handguns so I get quite a bit of practice. I guess I am trying to say that range limitations are a personal thing, just like they are with a rifle.

How do you get so many rounds? You hand load? Cuz I don't think I've seen any 4ags here around home in a long time

No, not that many through centerfire (sorry if I made that impression). I run a ton of .22 through my 617, single six, and MK II. I have a rimfire understudy for most of my CF handguns. No need to get beat up and spend more money on components than needed. I'll head to the range and burn a brick of rimfire and maybe 50 or so of centerfire each week. I try to go once a week, sometimes twice, sometimes not at all.

Also, I should add I only do that when in a 'handgun mood', which I have been lately. If I am working on rifle stuff, my handgun round count goes down quite a bit.

Ohhhh ok I was like dang he's a tank shooter lol

I've just talked to my uncle and cousin who are big time Into guns. Both told me to go with 629 smiths classic 6" in 41 or 44 but the 44 is easier to find components for reloading.

SO if any of y'all have that gun and interested in trading with
Me on a browning holler. Maybe we could work something out

The Smith is a good choice, although I prefer Rugers. My SS Bisley Hunter in .44 mag is maybe my very favorite handgun - and easily the most accurate. Great trigger when I got it, and I got it used. I have a 2X Weaver on it, but also like the Ruger rings and mount system that allow the scope to be removed and returned without having to re-sight it.

.44 mag is my favorite cartridge, but I reload with heavy hard cast at 1000 fps or less. My handgun hunting is for hogs, mostly. For deer I'd use a JSP or JHP of 240grs or so and a little more velocity.

Always get a chuckle out of the 41 vs 44 one is better than the other.. 0.411" vs 0.429" = 0.018" difference

Been times I wish I had about that much more😜

I would recommend meeting up with someone and trying a few different handguns out if you can. From what I've seen unless you practice quite a bit a .357 Magnum is about most people's limit. 41's and 44's are more than a lot of guys can handle unless they shoot a lot.


I really like the 44 Magnum, I have a 5.5" Redhawk, a 7.5" SBH scoped and a 6.5" 29-2. The Rugers see most of the work just because I'm a Ruger fan.

Yea I did tell my uncle yesterday after I finished working our corn ground to plant corn next week that I wanted to come over and have a lil fun with all his revolvers to see what I liked. He said well way you shot that smith 41 I think that's what you need is a smith. He said I shot it good open sighted and handled the 41 fine so he didn't see why a 44 would be any different.

Finally got pic posted of my browning in the classys after trying to figure it out for 2 dang weeks

My Va home is in Graysontown on the Little River that runs into the New River . I was hoping you would say it was a Browning HP 9MM you had for trade.

If I had a hp 9 it'd not leave the box much less my home hahaha

I had a hard time with a pistol scope because of the requirement of holding it just the right distance away from the eye in order to see through it. Your going to need a one point sling on your pistol so that it is keep at just the right distance away from your eye. I would get one of those red dots that are about the size of a thumb - Leupold delta point or Trijicon RMR.

Hey ok that's good advice there I thank ya. I wondered if there would be much change if you kinda canted ya head 1 way or other like a regular scope on a rifle but I guess so since it's still a scope

First let me say that I am biased towards the .44 mag. The .45 Colt and .41 mag, when properly loaded are excellent rounds, and could serve a person very well.


After a little bit of fiddling with big bores over the years, I prefer a 6.5" Model 29 (629 if you prefer stainless) for a dedicated hunting revolver.

The 4" guns are excellent for packing, though a bit tougher to shoot long range (for me). The added sight radius helps.

8&3/8ths" guns I have found to be just too unwieldy and I don't shoot them any more accurately than a 6.5" N frame.

The 5" guns are Goldilocks. Long enough to shoot well, short enough to be comfortable to pack all day in a proper holster.

If I was to only have one, I would choose a 5" N frame.


If I intended to acquire more than one N frame, a 6.5" gun for hunting, and a 4" or 5" gun for packing, and spend the rest on stockpiling components.



If you were interested in shooting a bunch of top end, heavy for caliber, hard cast rounds, I would look at a pair of Redhawks (not super Redhawks).

A 4" for general packing and a 7.5" for hunting. Those two would cover all your big bore needs as well.

That said, the beauty of the .44 is its versatility. You can load small game loads, mid range deer loads, and top end dinosaur stompers, all with the same cartridge.

Don't forget good leather. I recommend the 200 AW from Milt Sparks.

29N-2

A Super Blackhawk (in Bisley or standard flavor) would be my suggestion. They can be had reasonably priced, and they tend to shoot well. For me at least single-actions point better than double-action revolvers and frankly a DA doesn't offer any real advantages hunting. That said, you can load the Ruger a lot hotter as well if the need/desire arises. JMHO.

Very nice pieces fellas.

I've decided I like and will go for a smith 629 in stainless 44mag. Now I've noticed many have mentioned a lot of different loads. How do unknown really what's best. My cousin said he would hand load for me on the 44. So that's not a issue. Wish I could do it but I don't have the required space really.

If anyone has a fair deal interested in a top end gun pm me maybe we can work something out.

Again thank all of you for this help. I really do preciate it

Sir why can you load a ruger hotter than a smith?

Much stronger gun. Loads that will shoot a Smith loose the Ruger will shrug off.

It doesn't get any better than the Keith 250 gr SWC , 20 gr of 2400, CCI 300 primers for big game hunting in the 44 magnum. PS . I load the same loads in my 629 Smith that i do in my Ruger Blackhawk's

Yes, but you can safely run the Ruger much harder. Not suggesting it is necessary, but if the OP decides at some point that he wants hunt game bigger than whitetail, and puts 300+ grain bullets on the menu, he will be better served -- granted, if he doesn't feed the Smith a steady diet of heavies, he shouldn't have any issues...... I personally like the bit of additional insurance. Again, JMHO.

Looking over a Texas used gun website last night, I found a bunch of both Rugers and S&W's in .44 mag. The Smiths were more expensive, with some Performance Center models having an asking price over $1,000. The Rugers were a lot more reasonable. Saw a Super Blackhawk with 10.5" barrel for $600, A stainless Bisley Hunter for $650, a "regular" Bisley for $550. Wish I could find an excuse for another one myself!

A single action does not have a swing out cylinder and will not shoot loose as soon as a double action revolver.

for what it's worth, and there isn't much difference really between a 41 and a 44, i did finish off an elk a couple of years ago with a 41magnum using a 210grain gold dot, right behind the ear. It hit her so hard, it bulged her eyes out, and she was smoking out her nose. I was pretty impressed.
I also was fooling around a few months ago with some 310grain cast bullets in 44 magnum.
I fired into seven lined up gallon milk jugs, should have used more. It split the first three, pentrated all seven and kept on going. I am saving up jugs now, next time i try that i am going to line up about 15 of them.
I wouldn't have any hesitation about either the 45colt, 41magnum or 44magnum knocking a deer down. Assuming you can hit it.
My personal bias is towards the six inch versions. Easier to pack than the longer ones, and you get a little more velocity and sight radius than the four inch.

You will need 20 or more jugs if you intend to catch the bullet. I exited 9 gallon milk jugs full of water with a 255 grain hard cast out of a 45ACP at 960 fps.

Now this thread is really getting good. I'm learning a lot. Makes sense the single vs double and shooting loose. Definitely get that. Is it for see me hunting more than whitetail as I've never got chance to hunt a mulie or a elk yet so when I do I'm going with my best chance at hand.

And yes I've noticed smiths sell Higher than the ruger last few days I've been looking myself. Reckon cause of the smith name? I can get guns at cost but is it worth buying new when can buy good used?

I found theres really no reason to exceed the power I get from the 10" S&W with the 44 mag load I mentioned using a Lee 310 grain bullet over 21 grains of H110.
it frequently exits deer and hogs from most angles and it has been just as effective pushed at about 1300fps from the 44 mag as 250 fps faster from a hotter handload in my larger 445 DWSM

YES THE ALLOY its cast from matters, use 95% WW and 5% pure tin this results in a bullet that expands slowly but exits and won,t fragment, and while I'm sure to hear a few different opinions Ive used the same ammo in my marlin 1894 carbine with equally good results
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690227/6-Cavity-Mold-C430-310-RF-

How do you know what a good holster is. Seems some say a "good solid holster and always leather". How do you know

For what it's worth, I finished off a big old cow elk who decided not to stay down when we approached her. It was an intinctive thing and I got her in the back of the head from 30-35ft with a 40 and 180gr XTP. It hit her about 4" behind the skull and shut her off like a switch.

I've tested 310's at 1200 and 1400 in milk jugs. You'll need at least 12. I only had 10, then 11.

This was posted here before. I couldn't hear what velocity he stated on my cell phone.

I think he said "250 grain bullet at 1500 to 1800 fps".

A little optimistic with the speed.

I'd like to see 4 balloons stop a 300 grain LBT at a measly 1200 fps...

That's interesting. Be meat to see what a expanded pistol bullet looks like

If I'm hunting close (under 50 yards) I prefer a non-scoped handgun and will use my 7.5" Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum (top) or even the 7.5" Blackhawk in .357 Magnum (bottom).



If I want to shoot farther out to 100-125 yards, I'll choose a scoped handgun like my 9.5" Ruger Super Redhawk, also in .44 Magnum.


Last year I got back into the T/C Contender game and love my 14" T/C chambered in 7-30 Waters.

For 50 yards are under, I too prefer a non- scoped handgun. And I prefer one of my numerous BlackHawks or Super BlackHawks in either .44 mag or 45 LC

For scoped handguns, I prefer either my Super BlackHawk Hunter or my S&W Performance Center 629 Hunter in .44 Magnum. Both will put 5- shots in a 2" circle at 100 yards off a sandbag from my shooting bench.

To me, a scope on a handgun is not necessarily to increase the effective range, as this is mostly limited by the cartridge and barrel length in my opinion. I prefer a good, hand gun scope of 2X even for close shots - 25 yards to 65 - because I can sight much better than with open sights. My eyes are about to go on Medicare (in August), and can use all the help they can get. A red dot is good, also, but just a bit of magnification helps me with the sight picture. Shooting with both eyes open, the scope does not really "block" much out, and target acquisition is faster for me. Shot placement is very important to me when hunting.

Where is the bucks haha. Nice guns man and good shooting

That's the kinda 629 I want fo sho!!!!

Bingo. Bingo. Bingo. Though I do not believe the 629 was made in 6 1/2".

I likey that stainless pistol

629 classis was made in 6.5", as I have one I bought new.

ETA they are also currently shown on Smith's website in 6.5".

I've taken a few small bucks with the SRH, but I don't have a picture of the deer/handgun, so I don't like to post the deer only picture.

Actually, the deer taken with the T/C was a buck, but it had already dropped it's rack! Of course, I didn't know this until I went to tag it with an antlerless tag.

Ahhh sir I'm Just pokin fun with ya. You have some Nice pistols and congrats on the deer. It's not the size if the deer it's the hint that's the fun part

What's there price new? Stainless!?

MSRP $989. Mine is the 629 'Classic' (autocorrect bit me in my previous post).

Link

Second row of page 1, full under lug 6.5".

With a 'three number' smith (e.g. 629) the first number is the material. 6=sts, 3=scandium/aluminum alloy. The second numbers indicate the model. So a 629 is a model 29 in stainless. A 329 is a model 29 in scandium/aluminum. A 29 is blued carbon. All are the same basic gun (an N-frame .44 magnum).

This is why the discontinued model 357 was confusing to some. A model 57 is a .41 magnum. A model 375 is a scandium/aluminum model 57, which is chambered in .41 magnum.

Now that's some Good help there I never knew any of that. Since I want stainless I'm
Definitely after a 629. And at that retail I'm After a good used at that too hahaha. Thank you for the interesting post sir

He that's a nice looking pistol on the link you sent. I do like that a lot

Most of my deer hunting is with revolvers and you can't beat a SBH Hunter with an Ultra Dot. .44 mag is as good as it gets. Stay away from quick expanding bullets or you won't get two holes. 300 XTP is good. 240's might not exit and you will not have a blood trail. They kill good but you must be able to watch the deer. I figure my revolver kills at over 168 and the .44 has done many of them.