Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Preference For Hunting Handgun/Cartridge Combo.

For starters, both the gun and cartridge needs to be something you can comfortably hit with at the specified range limit.

Next, you probably want the bullet to work well, or at least consistently, over that entire specified range. Sure, there are bullets that readily expand inside certain velocity windows, but may be less than ideal outside of them.

For general big game hunting, I think most can handle cartridges like the 9mms and 38s well with bullets above 150 grains and provided bullets are up to the task, are a start or even ending for some.

I like to be a bit above that and like a 40 or larger. I'm most content with wheelguns in the 4-5.5 inch barrels because I'm average height and like to carry on the hip. I've used barrels fro 6 to 8, but they aren't handy. I also don't like the brass chasing required as a 38 Super and 10mm owner, albeit they can be fun on occasion.

The cartridge can be a 41,44 or 45, single or double action, but I do need decent target sights. They all seem to work well for deer and hogs.

For my purposes, I like my hunting loads to be the same thing I'd shoot targets or a pop can with, so they are generally fairly wide cast bullets above 1,000 fps but not anything above 1,200, simply because for game under a hundred yards and certainly any target doesn't require more. I've hunted with loads with heavies beyond 1400 and really have seen little, if any increase in killing effect. If you can handle them without missing a step, they do offer a flatter trajectory that aids in hitting, but limits most with round counts on the range as far as fatigue.

I'm in a Smith N frame/Colt Anaconda stage that I haven't seen the need to leave, 41 Mag to 45 Colt cartridges, 220-280gr. cast bullets at 1000-1150 velocity range with 4-5 inch barrels.

Pretty nice!
I've debated on the red dot, probably better for older eyes but I just can't get over the battery thing, I'm old school curmudgeon.
What kind of speeds are you getting out of that long slide/barrel combo?

I may have to find some of that powder coat. Nothing like shooting Marylin Monroe Lipstick at 1k fps!

My first handgun, was the same as yours, also bought in 1978.

Along the way I cut it back to 4 5/8", added a Belt Mtn locking pin, Bowen rear sight, and a steel ejector rod housing,

It's still a solid revolver and could be a hunter too, but I'd favor the longer sight radius on the 7.5"

The Dragoon triggerguard is kind of a hint that it was once a 7.5".

From the moment my daughters first saw my loaded test rounds, they said "Dad, your bullets look like lipstick!" And, I've called them my "lipstick bullets" ever since. Even buddies at the range call them that--so much so that it's not really even funny anymore. Some guy will be saying he needs to get some 300 gr bullets and somebody else will say, "You should take a look at Wade's lipstick bullets. Hey Wade, you got any of them lipstick bullets with you?"

It just is what it is. Lipstick Bullets...

This 5" Model 29 will absolutely shoot far beyond my abilities.





It certainly meets my needs for most any handgun hunting chores.

[quote=chlinstructor][quote=MontanaMarine]
My first handgun, was the same as yours, also bought in 1978.

Along the way I cut it back to 4 5/8", added a Belt Mtn locking pin, Bowen rear sight, and a steel ejector rod housing,

It's still a solid revolver and could be a hunter too, but I'd favor the longer sight radius on the 7.5"

The Dragoon triggerguard is kind of a hint that it was once a 7.5".

Wow! I'd say your abilities aren't too far behind (I'm guessing that target was a little further away than 7 yrds.?).
I like the stocks too, enough meat for recoil management but not too bulky.

Wow! I'd say your abilities aren't too far behind (I'm guessing that target was a little further away than 7 yrds.?).
I like the stocks too, enough meat for recoil management but not too bulky.