Anyone steer me in the right direction. I have around $1,000 to spend of a pistol to hunt with. Used or new and I'd prefer to put a scope on it if possible. Any caliber or gun choice would be awesome. I've heard great things about smiths and Blackhawks. Thank you!
hunting handgun
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kthunter33
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I have killed deer with 7.5" Ruger Super Redhawks in 44, 454 Casull/45 Colt and 480 Ruger and a 6" Dan Wesson 357. Initially one 44 had a Leupold scope but I couldnt shoot a scoped pistol worth a darn so I switched red dots and shoot them much better. Currently 1 44 mag and the 357 have iron sights and the other 44 has a Vortex Venom and the 454 and 480 have Ultradots. All red dots are mounted using Weigatinny mounts. Prefer the 480 the most and also usually use 45 Colt ammo in the 454. I would advise to not use fast opening personal defense hollow point ammo for hunting. Stick with XTP, Fusion, or similar bullets or hardcast
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2,110 Posts
Everyone but me and Bohnr seem to like Ruger over all others. I had a S&W 629 stainless 44 mag until the arthritus took over. Great gun, accurate and dependable with several loads.
Presently I have a S&W 686 stainless .357 magnum that is a lighter recoiling version of my old 629, but every bit as accurate and even more forgiving.....and the wrists tolerate it much better.
Presently I have a S&W 686 stainless .357 magnum that is a lighter recoiling version of my old 629, but every bit as accurate and even more forgiving.....and the wrists tolerate it much better.
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20,509 Posts
Dad has a .357 in a stainless Ruger and I have a .357 in a blued Smith & Wesson.
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41,889 Posts
my taurus has a 7.5 or 8 inch PORTED barrel, rubber grips. doesnt kick like a 44 at all.
accurate too. Killed a Groundhog at 60 yards and a nice doe at 22 yards
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There's absolutely nothing wrong with the trigger on mine or any of the Super Blackhawks I've shot... I notice no difference at all between my brother's redhawk shot single action and my SBH.
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887 Posts
Most Super Blackhawks as well as other revolvers have a half decent trigger. But you must remember they are mass production guns. If you ever get a chance to pull the trigger on a SB that’s had a trigger job you’ll wonder how you were ever satisfied with any of them.
Another S&W fan. 5" 629 Classic.
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290 Posts
I am a pretty serious handgun hunter, so I will throw in a few thoughts. Single action revolvers have a different feel to them compared to double action revolvers, so try to handle a couple of each, and see what feels better in your hand. SA's roll in your hand with recoil, DA's typically recoil more straight back into your palm. Longer barrels are popular, but can be a pain to carry. If you are using optics, then a shorter, say 4 to 6 inch barrel is easier to pack, gives up little in ballistic performance. The longer barrel sighting plane increase is not a factor with optics. You can pick up a new S&W 629 or Ruger Redhawk / Super Blackhawk for right at about $1,000, or less, depending on model. A decent red dot, like a Sig Romeo or Similar Vortex or Ultra Dot, about $150. You can spend more, but these will hold up to recoil fine.
Whatever you choose, make sure it's drilled and tapped for scope mounts, or has rib cut outs like some Rugers do - Makes mounting optics a lot easier.
Caliber? I have taken deer with the .357, but find a bigger bore like the .44 mag or handloaded .45c hits harder, and tends to drop them quicker. I like the .44 mag loaded with 240 grain XTP bullets. Good expansion, and plenty of penetration for whitetails. Hard cast bullets with a big meplat also hit hard, and typically penetrate deeper than an expanding bullet, but unless you hit the CNS, expanding bullets seem to drop them a little quicker, especially on heart/lung shots.
Red dots are quick and accurate, magnified scopes can help place your bullets better in tricky shots, but some people have a hard time finding their target, and are put off by the scope magnifying your shakes/movement. Try looking thru guns with each type and see what works better for you. If you are going with a magnified scope, 2x is fine.
My personal favorite big game handguns are a Redhawk with an Ultradot sight, a S&W 629 with a Sig Red dot, and a S&W 629 and Super Blackhawk with irons. Accuracy wise, my standard is being able to keep all six rounds on a dinner sized paper plate from a field shooting position. Usually 50 to 100 yards for me, depending on what gun/sighting combo I use.
Larry
Whatever you choose, make sure it's drilled and tapped for scope mounts, or has rib cut outs like some Rugers do - Makes mounting optics a lot easier.
Caliber? I have taken deer with the .357, but find a bigger bore like the .44 mag or handloaded .45c hits harder, and tends to drop them quicker. I like the .44 mag loaded with 240 grain XTP bullets. Good expansion, and plenty of penetration for whitetails. Hard cast bullets with a big meplat also hit hard, and typically penetrate deeper than an expanding bullet, but unless you hit the CNS, expanding bullets seem to drop them a little quicker, especially on heart/lung shots.
Red dots are quick and accurate, magnified scopes can help place your bullets better in tricky shots, but some people have a hard time finding their target, and are put off by the scope magnifying your shakes/movement. Try looking thru guns with each type and see what works better for you. If you are going with a magnified scope, 2x is fine.
My personal favorite big game handguns are a Redhawk with an Ultradot sight, a S&W 629 with a Sig Red dot, and a S&W 629 and Super Blackhawk with irons. Accuracy wise, my standard is being able to keep all six rounds on a dinner sized paper plate from a field shooting position. Usually 50 to 100 yards for me, depending on what gun/sighting combo I use.
Larry
I don't think you can go wrong with either a Ruger Redhawk or a Blackhawk. Mine are in 41 Mag. The Blackhawk has the 4 5/8 barrel and is easier to carry. The Redhawk has a 7.5 Barrel and is a bit heavier to carry. I am looking into a chest holster for the Redhawk. A Ruger in any caliber you like you cant go wrong.
Red tag hunting this afternoon but taking the 6.5x300. Theres a nice place for a 400 yard shot.red tag starts Feb 1st. giving serious thought to taking the Taurus for a walk / sit
I’ve shot these .460’s & they do shoot well & felt recoil is less than what I expected. Wicked accurate too. The ballistic are very close to my 45-70 Marlin. One hit & the deer isn’t moving much.
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