Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 9mm for deer hunting?

I have done a lot of handgun hunting in my 54 years ,22 Rimfire for small game ,Contender,Auto,single and double action revolvers.
The only reason I say this is because I dont want someone to think I am a neophyte slinging rounds all over at redicoulous ranges.
Also deer but always with a 44 Mag whether it was used in Contender,Double or single action revolver.Killed a couple with a 50 cal single shot(black powder).But I have never Tried a centerfire auto pistol.
I do remember reading about Lee Jurras and Georgr Nonte handgun hunting with 38 specials,9mm and 45 autos(deer and black bear) but wanting some current experience.
Shots would definetly be under 50 yards and PREFER 25 yards or so.
If farther than 50 then its a no shoot for me.Fact of the matter probably wouldn,t shoot over 35 yards.Glock 26 or 19
I would be hunting with a rifle and only taking a shot with the 9mm that was as close to broadside and clear as possible.

I would appreciate info about this from those who have DONE it.
Taken deer with the 9mm Luger-Parrabellum.
What load did you use and what was the results ?Penetration,damage etc.

I realize I could get a 10 mm etc.
But that is not what I am asking here.Just EXPERIENCE from those who have used the 9mm to take deer .
Thanks
Craig

Not recommend !

One with a niner, a few with .357, more with .45auto, .41mag, and .44.

You could with a nine, though I won't recommend it.
Mine was a big blacktail (one brow tine short of B&C Awards, and only a 3-ptr), unaware at 35 yds. I hit him, I say with some shame, too far back-- broken rib in liver, broken rib out, bullet under off hide.
He ran into a gully and out of my sight, but I neither heard much nor saw him leave. I waited an hour, found him 40 yds from the shot, alive but bedded. A rifle shot finished him.
115-gr JHP @ 1300 fps. 104 grains as recovered, perfect mushroom.
I can't say that any other pistol round would have done better, given the placement. I'd do it again, but now that I have one under my belt I doubt I'll go primary with a niner again; I'd considered it a 'stunt' from the get-go (but I've been influenced by years of pooh-poohing from the 'experts').

I have plenty of confidence, proven, in my .45 185 JHP @ 1100.

Expressly illeagle in MO. along with 38 special

Thanks macrabbit for sharing the details of your EXPERIENCE. IF I decided to do it I would use a deeper penetrating bullet,maybe a good 147 grain and might even shoot for the shoulder.
Have to run some penetration and expansion test to see if it was up to the job.
I haven,t but know several guys that used the 45 with good results.
One with hardball!
I would be hunting with the rifle and only use the 9mm handgun if everything was Just right.
Might even kill one with rifle and the shoot it with the 9mm to see what kind of penetration and expansion I get.
Thanks for your input.

I can't knock a broken rib on each side, with liver and whatever other hydro-ful organs in between. It lost only eleven grains, yet was well expanded.
I'd worry that a heavier and slower bullet might just pencil through. And I'm sure I'd try to avoid a shoulder shot, and so get into the boiler room with as much energy as possible.

I have no experience on deer with a 9mm, but I have taken hogs with the 9mm. The 9mm never ever impressed me when I used it on hogs.

Maybe take a Red Rider BB gun with you and if it gets close enough and turns just right you can shoot its eye out

Do the deer a favor and forget the 9.

Haven't and wouldn't.

Gunner

Come on guys the right bullet in the correct location will indeed kill a deer. After all many use a recommend the 9mm for a personnel protection pistol. The 2 legged aggressors are bigger than most deer and much more deadly.

My Grandpappy wouldn't use anything on a two legger he wouldn't use on a four legger ie: 30-30, 308, '06 and 12 gauge.

Gunner

Deer are tougher than most 2 legged aggressors and aggressors are usually shot at 10 ft or less not 25 yds to 50yds like the OP was talkin

Where in the hell did you deduce that deer are tougher than aggressive two legged predictors, in fact I would argue other wise.

Wise man

Incorrect... MDC changed those regulations several years ago.

The 9 would work on deer if you keep your shots at Bowhunting range. The light bullet would loose energy really quick out to 50 yards . Bullet weight makes all the difference in a handgun for hunting. If i was using one of my 9mm i would use the Federal HST 9mm +P 147 grain and not shoot past 30 yards

Where in the hell did you deduce that deer are tougher than aggressive two legged predictors, in fact I would argue other
Everyone knows a deer is tougher see for yourself

LOL, crack a straight [non drug fueled] human with a bat 95% will fall and cry, crack a buck deer with a bat, he'll kick or gore the hell out ya then run off.

Gunner

you break your bat on a negro's head