Looking at carrying a pistol for the big game hunt this year...

What are you using?

Thanks...

Revolver..41 mag Ruger 4 5/8 in 240 cast at 1100 fps
Single Shot..T/C Contender 14 inch 30-30AI 150 NBT at 2300 fps.
or 14 in 7x30 waters 120 NBT at 2450fps or 14 in ,45 win mag 260 gr HP at 1500 or Encore 13 in .300 savage 150 NBT at 2250 fps. or...well one of them outta work

As a sidearm or to actually kill the animal?

I bow hunt elk and deer all over the rockies. I've settled on a glock 29 as my favorite firearm for the kind of hunting I do. You get 10+1 shots of 10mm, and it's light and compact.

Many will say a revolver in 357 or 44, but I tried that and didn't like it. I had the scandium .44, the 329pd, and sold it. It was bigger, only had six shots, and it sucked to shoot.

*this is for a sidearm. To kill the thing, I defer to others who have done so.

I dont hunt Elk, I live in the northeast so It is deer for me. Recommendation would be a .41 mag or greater. Longer barrel length's have a better site radius for accuracy and tend to help with recoil.

That being said, I have an Encore 7mm-08 with a 10" barrel. I also use Ruger single action revolvers for hunting. I most often reach for a 5.5" barreled .44 special.

If I were to hunt elk, which I would like to do some day I would probably use my Freedom Arms .454 Casull with 5.5" barrel. I hate the recoil so handload my own rounds more to .45 long colt type pressures. But if Elk hunting I would ask around and handload for that game to be sure I had proper penetration for the game I was after.

I killed my big cow elk with a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 magnum. I was running 250 grain WFN hard cast over a big dose of W296.
My shot was just over 60 yards, and hit her through the shoulders. You couldn't have asked for a deader elk...

The original Gary Reeder Alaskan Hunter in 475L, and a S&W 657. Thomas, Is that the Cast Performance bullet? That's what I use, and it's top's in my book!

For hunting or carry/backup?

I've killed 9, I think, deer with a revolver. 4 were with a .32 H&R mag in a Ruger single six, 5 were with Ruger .44 magnums. The last of those was with a stubby Vaquero.

I'm in the process of getting rid of most of my "average" guns so I can fund fewer but better, more accurate guns.

Mostly likely, I'll wind up with a FA .44 mag or .454 Casull, probably 7-1/2 inch barrel. The smaller framed .41 is pretty tempting too.

I don't hunt elk, but I do hunt deer with a handgun. This year I'll be mainly toting my pet XP-100 in 7 BR, along with a Pachmayr Dominator in 30/30 and a S&W Model 27 in 357/44 Bain&Davis.

Brian.

Byron it sure is the cast performance bullet.
I think those things are damned near unstoppable.

This year I intend to use my Encore Pistol in .30-06.

If you are just wanting to carry a sidearm during your elk hunt, then a Glock 20 with full power 10mm loads would carry nice, as would the 329PD from S&W.
If you're wanting to hunt with a handgun, then I prefer the SRH in either .44 mag. or .454 Casull.

I like my 5" 629. It carries easy and shoots well. Standard 240 gr JHP ammo works fine on deer at about 1250 fps from the revolver. In grizzly country I carry it loaded with 300 gr bullets, just in case. I've never shot an elk with a handgun. Buddy of mine has taken at least a couple with his .454 Freedom Arms revolver. Beautiful, accurate and powerful sidearm.

240 gr JHP Federal American Eagle, recovered during testing. They can completely penetrate a deer on broadside shots:


The .500 S&W is something worth considering if it's the only gun you're going to be carrying. I've had mine for years, since they were first introduced, but have never bothered hunting with it. Powerful and accurate, but big and heavy. From the power level, 440 gr bullets at up to 1600 fps, I can only imagine that it would be effective on pretty much anything in North America. Generally though, I hunt with a rifle, and the revolver is more of a belt gun, just for the heck of it.





If I was carrying the revolver as a primary, I'd be more inclined to hunt with the .500 S&W. It's a hoot at the range!

Regards, Guy

Looks like the 500 would handle anything. Would those bullets shoot out of a 50 cal Hawken ?

Damned few based a Ruger BH .45LC won't cover. You don't even have to push it hard; 250-280 WFNs at 1000-1100 will go through anything you hit with them at wheelgun ranges, and do so without trying to break your wrists.

I've killed deer with the 10mm; 175 grain Winchester SilverTip JHPs - work well at 50 yards and less (all I've done with them).

Elk are bigger critters; never taken one. But, as much as I dote on the 10mm, I'd want more than that for purposefully hunting elk. A hot .41Mag would be my base, with the .44Mag and the .45LC being about where I'd settle in a handgun. DAMNED few people can realistically handle a .454 or up from a handcannon. Damned few... But, the .45LC and .44Magnum can be mastered with practice by most folks, and at wheelgun ranges, they'll work just fine.

Now, hand-rifles are different. The Contender, Encore, XP-100, etc, are completely different critters.

From my .454, I shoot 300's at 1650 fps...and it's a sumb!tch. I can't imagine 440's at 1600 fps. Sounds 'bout as fun as gettin' your scrotum slammed in a pickup door.

ruger bisley in 475 linebaugh or 500 linebaugh built on a srh

I've had a 10mm with me on the past few deer hunts, in case a snake or hog wanders up. I expect with the smallish deer in West Texas, the 10mm is fine at close ranges.

I've got a couple of 44 mags, and a .480 Ruger Super Redhawk. I've also shot a SRH in .454 Casull, that was running 300's at 1600+ fps and it was all I wanted to shoot without getting out my PAST gloves. The same is true with the .480 - which I have only shot with factory loads. The 44 mag 629 Classics don't bother me with full power 240 grain loads, but the 480 and bigger do get my attention. Hodgdon reports the .480 launching 370's at over 1500 fps, with max loads from a pressure barrel.

Unless you're planning to shoot expanding bullets,or at extended ranges, I don't see the point of the uber-revolvers like the .500 and the .460. With non-expanding hardcast bullets most favor, a .44 or .45 Colt is going to launch a good bullet fast enough to shoot through a deer, and probably through an elk, too. The .480 SRH makes a little bigger hole, but still holds six shots, which I find about as big as I want.

Now a Freedom Arms, of course, you also would buy for the cool factor of having a 3 pound Swiss Watch. There's a used Premier model locally in .475 Linebaugh. Ruger also had a run of #1's in .475, which is kinda tempting.

I also have used the model 29 with 8&3/8ths barrel in .44mag hunting deer with a pistol on several hunts. It works just great and plenty of power for bull elk too!

I have used my Glock 10mm using Winchester 175 grainers on goats and whitetail deer in Missouri, most of which were around 170 to 190 on the hoof. Now problem at all out to 60 yards and perhaps one could push out to 75 with the 180 Double Tap loads.

"From my .454, I shoot 300's at 1650 fps...and it's a sumb!tch. I can't imagine 440's at 1600 fps. Sounds 'bout as fun as gettin' your scrotum slammed in a pickup door."

Laughing! That's pretty good. Actually the .500 S&W isn't all that bad to shoot. Has a port to cut down on muzzle flip, heavy as all get out, and has decent padded grips. I generally handload it with the 440's loaded to a more modest 1400 fps too. Those all help with the shooting. Agree about your .454 - the only one I've shot is a Freedom Arms that belongs to a buddy. Wonderful revolver, but a cylinder of his max loads and I'd had enough fun.

Big powerful handguns are addicting.

Regards, Guy

I would use my 480R and not look back

After digging a handfull of 210gr XTP's out of the red/grey clay soil behind my target last weekend, there's very little I wouldn't shoot with a 41 magnum. Pistol was shot at 40 yards, shot a 7 RM with 150gr Partitions at the same time from 100 yards. The .410 slugs went further into the ground by a fair margin over the .284 slugs, plus they made a helluva channel thru the clay.

What GuyM said! I have taken more hogs and deer with a handgun than I care to try and count by memory. Lately, taking hogs with my 500 has been the most fun. I have not taken an elk, but I am saving for a Brownie hunt in AK.

The 500 is terrible medicine.

Like to have one of those in a little 2 inch.

Been a while, but still looking for a good deal/good gun for what I need.

This is for a back up/close range gun, instead of the using the 300Win Mag for close shots. (most of my shots have been under 100 yards...) I usually carry a .45 glock in a tactical holster on my thigh (for mtn lion, etc.) and my 300 for deer/elk. I'm looking at either just carrying the scoped pistol or scoped pistol in a holster for close shots and the .300 for longer shots.

Here's what I've found:

44M guns:
Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44m 5.5" barrel for $590.
S&W 629 classic 5" in 44m MSRP of $989.
Taurus Tracker 4" in 44m MSRP of $688
Taurus Ultralite 4" in 44m MSRP of $833
Taurus Raging bull in 44m 6.5" barrel for $600.

41M guns:
Ruger Blackhawk in 41m 4.62" barrel for $485
Taurus Tracker 4" in 41m MSRP of $655
Taurus Ragin bull in 41m 6.5" barrel for $530

Also looking at the Ruger Super Blackhawk hunter in both .41 and .44...

Suggestions on what would work well. Also, what about a good holster?

Thanks all...

I have carried either a 41, 44, 454, or 500 magnum revolver while hunting and can say that any of those work fine.

41: I use the 41 for many applications and my comfort level is high, so this is usually the first thing I grab as a backup. I mostly use a 10" Contender or a 6" Smith 657. I have taken many deer and hogs with my 41's as a primary, and with XTPs or the cast projectiles I am pleased. I have taken creatures from 10 yards to 150 yards (scoped) with my 41's.

44: My 44's were bought to see if 44 beat 41, and overall I have not come across a situation where I needed the WOW of the 44 over my 41. I shoot both a 4" and 6" Smith and while the close deer have not escaped me, the premise of 44 over 41 has. Reloading options are much better in 44 over 41.

454: I found no need for a 454 due to costly shooting and heavier frame compared to 41 and 44.

500: I bought my 500's (2.75", 4", 8.375") for bear up north after my 44 didn't drop my "breakfast buddy". The short one was easy to carry but a beast to shoot. The 4" is nice to have, with moderate recoil to a large frame revolver shooter and plenty of thump at the other end. Bear, hogs, and elk were no problem up close. The 8" was a little end heavy for me but very smooth to shoot. For my applications outside the mountains, the 500 is a little much.

I carried my larger backups in a chest rig made for each. My 44's go into a leather holster at the hip, and have not caused me any grief.

Cost wise, a 44 is hard to beat, especially since I often see 629's in the $450-500 range in really good used condition.

Of the guns you listed and what you want to do with them....one of the Ruger Hunters would fit the bill. Very accurate and easy to scope...and unscope for that matter.

I have three, two .41 Magnums, a Bisley and Super Blackhawk and a .22/.22 Magnum.

Scopes come on and off and don't loose zero.

For a holster I chose a simple well made in the USA nylon holster...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390334456918?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Can be worn as a shoulder holster, chest holster or belt holster....


Bob

45 caliber anything is the answer for me.

My personal favorites:
Revolver - 45 Colt (Ruger SBH Hunter with Burris FF2)
Semi Auto - 45 Super (Sig 1911)
Rifle - 45/70 Gov (Browning 1886)

If it were me, I'd look at a Ruger Bisley in 45 colt running a 5.5" barrel. You can run little 250's at 8-1000 ft/sec or 300+ hard cast at 12-1300 and shoot through anything.

I'm headed to the range in the AM with my colt and a 454 Casull. I suspect the casull will go down the road to raise money for a 475 Linebaugh. Love the FA revolvers.

A reasonable length barreled 44 isn't a bad choice either. Mine both shoot 240 grain cast at 950 and 240 jacketed at 1400. I've killed a few deer with the 44 using jacketed and it kills them without much fuss. I'd run a hard cast if elk was on the menu.

I am a fan of the .44. Having started with them in my teens and never having been without one since (in my 40s now). I have .45s as well, but find the chances of getting an inaccurate .44 magnum very, very slim when purchasing a Ruger or S&W.

For practical field guns in a double action(such as the Model 29/629)I prefer at least a 5" barrel. I find the 6.5" to be the best for shooting, 4" best for packing and the 5" best for a compromise of the two.

The 5" is a very easy length to shoot well at longer distances, yet can be carried in a traditional belt holster and won't dig into your side when getting into and out of a pickup.



If you want, you can always find a longer Model 29 and have it chopped to 5"s, like this former 8&3/8ths" one here:






For single actions such as the Super BlackHawk, pretty much the same story. I like the 7.5" guns for LR work and the 4&5/8ths " guns for packing, but find the 5.5" guns with a Bisley grip perfect for all around use.





There ya have it.

BTW, this last elk season, I was mixing it up, between my G21 and my 6.5 inch M29. Due to the fact we have wolves in my AO, when I went to get my plastic sled to haul meat back out with, I left the rifle at the truck and just carried the G21 and an extra mag.





The large frame Glocks have a lot to offer as an extremely practical field sidearm.

I carry a SP101 while rifle and bowhunting for back-up but have owned and packed the following:

4-5/8" Ruger SBH (44 mag, factory 240gr)
5-1/2" Ruger Bisley (45 Colt, 310gr LBT at 1250 fps)
4" S&W 625 (45 AR, 255gr hardcast at 900 fps)
4" S&W 325PD (scandium 45 AR, 255gr hardcast at 900 fps)
2-1/2" Taurus 445 (warm 44 Special loads)
Glock 30 (230gr +P loads)

Sold all the above and have fallen in love with a S&W 629, 4" 44 magnum. To me, its the best balance of all of them. Its strong "enough" to push 300gr as fast as I want, yet not so bulky like a RH or SRH. The 4" RH seems clunky in comparison, at least to me.

I load 240gr XTP with Universal for plinking, and 300gr XTP and H110 for more serious business. Recoil is not bad, even with the 300gr XTP loaded hot. And I like to shoot it a lot.

I had gotten away from Smiths for awhile and had gotten used to Rugers. Don't take it the wrong way, I love Rugers, but this Smith feels like a precision instrument compared to my Rugers. The single action trigger is awesome. I regulary hit milk jugs at 80 - 100 yards, standing. I love this revolver.

I was also one of those guys that said I'd never buy a Taurus. Well I found a good deal on a Ti 445 in 44 Special and carried it for a year. Nice to pack, but the trigger was like the Rugers plus I wanted to hot rod it so it didn't fit into my plans. Then one day it jammed shooting factory Gold Dots... the little button (spring loaded pin that locks into frame) in the extractor star got stuck in the extractor rod. Revolver would not lock. Great! I won't bash Tuari, but I'll never buy another.

As much as I love my 629, I find that 25-30 ounces is comfortable to pack. The SP101 is easy to carry all day, as was the G30. The G29 and G20 should also be good to carry. I'm tempted to play with a G20, but if I want serious power the 10mm seems a little light to me. If I were specifically wanting to hunt elk, then I'd leave the 357 & 10mm at home and pack the 44 magnum.

Now I know why Elmer liked the 4" N-frame. Linebaugh carries one in 45 Colt too, and I'm sure many others appreciate the good "balance" you get with weight, stength, and power from a 4" N-frame. I never got along with my 625 or 325 PD though. They just didn't shoot that well and I would not have minded a 255gr hardcast at 900-1000 fps. The 629 just brings a smile to my face everytime I think about it, something that none of the other did even though some of them shot lights out (Bisley was scary accurate with heavy Colt loads and 45 ACP loads).

Thanks a Lot guys!!!!! I thought I was getting somewhere. Then Y'all had to respond. [actually, truly, thanks for your help!]

So a 45LC you say? I found a ruger vaquero in a 5.5" barrel that has 2 cylinders (45LC and 45CP) for under $650... NEW I told myself a while ago to start buying the same caliber... Or just the 45LC Vaquero with a 4.62" barrel is 575 new... or a Blackhawk 4.62" barrel 45lc/45acp for $550...

I'm not looking to take just the handgun (yet) so the 300WM will do the work for the long ranges...

Mackay....I'm going to get a glock 21 (want an OD frame) sometime soon too. However, Scopes on those just don't look quite right... My glock 36 (7+1) just doesn't seem to be a good option for good one shot kills for deer and elk...

If you want a 45 Colt, in 5.5" BH configuration you might like the Bisley convertible too. The grip is great for heavy recoil, but some like the standard BH grip better. Mine shot great, but wasn't my cup of tea for packing. The worst grip to me is the SBH.

The newer 45 BH from Ruger have correctly sized chamber throats, but some of the older ones can be a little bit tight. This may or may not matter to you depending on how you feed it.

Seeing as how you said pistol and not a revolver I'd consider a hot loaded 10MM or if you are really flush the .460 Rowland. Go with a 1911 type platform in my opinion.

...in 45 Super !!!

Yea verily, verily.

No arguments out of me on the one either.

This is my solution: 5 1/2-inch Bisley in .45 Colt. You can wear it on your hip and forget it's there.

Whitworth -

I had one just like that... but with the grey laminate grips. Great shooter using the Colt cylinder and ACP cylinder. I think it was distributed by Accusport or Williams. The barrels on these were clocked so that the Ruger billboard that's normally on the side was at the bottom and less visible.

310gr LBT at 1250 fps was pretty easy to shoot. I like the Bisley grip.



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If i was going to hunt Elk with a pistol it would be my Freedom Arms 454 , but not everyone can afford or will spend the money for a FA 454 , so the Smith Model 629 or Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag would be what i would recommend with a good 250 gr Keith SW Bullet and 20 gr of 2400 and CCI 300 Primer. I also have the 5 1/2-inch Bisley in .45 Colt but when wearing it on you hip it is hard to forget it is there, it isn't the lightest pistol to carry. I can carry my Super Blackhawk 4.5 44 mag much easier than the Bisley. I installed the red insert in the front sight on the Bisley.

This one is from Williams Shooter's Supply. I have found that 335s (WLN) at 1,300 are quite lethal on all game!

I haven't hunted Elk with it, but would. Deer, pig, and Black bear are on menu around here and this is what I have for that.

Ruger SuperRedhawk with Leupold 2X. Load is a Beartooth Bullet 300 grain LMN DCG and VV N110, and runs 1330 or so fps using the back groove to seat the bullet out. This pistol/load combo is accurate, so I stocked up on components.

When did a revolver become a pistol? I'm just curious about this.

When the OP listed a bunch of revolvers !

I'm the same way. Pistol = semi-auto, and there's no such thing as a "Long Colt", just 45 Colt. But not everyone is as anal.

OOOOOOOkay!

BTW: I'm the same way with the .45 Colt and the .45 Auto.

When have you gone hunting? I'm just curious about this.

How am I ever going to build my gun fund if you keep posting pictures like this??

Stop it!! No, wait....don't. Aaargh!

Reckon about the same time a semi-auto became and automatic...as reported by the media.

Never understand it.

Haha! Okay, I'll stop.....well, maybe I won't!

Actually, pistols were always called an automatic back in the day because the pistols automatically loaded themselves after each shot from a magazine. It�s only today that terms are confusing because of poor education and a lack of firearm ability.