I am about to buy a handgun specifcally for hunting, but I just can't decide. I find the single shots too much like legnth impared rifles to be called pistols, but they are technically superior. Also they are very hard to find here in Italy as it is illegal to hunt with a handgun here. So I have swung toward the revolver. If your gonna hunt with a handgun, you might as well use a real, normal handgun, no? I like the Ruger Super Redhawk, whats the opinion of it? What are some of the pistols you guys like to use for hunting, singles and revolvers. What are the very accurate revolvers in big, hard hitting calibers?

Express, I guess my views on handgun hunting are the same as they are on muzzleloader hunting--If you are curious about swimming, you have to get into the water, not just take a step toward it. So, I like revolvers and sidelocks as opposed to hand rifles and centerfire rifles with black powder barrels! I would assume your reason in trying handgun hunting is to increase the challenge--my experience is that revolvers will provide that challenge best. (Where will you hunt?)I am partial to single actions, particularily the Ruger Bisly. I would choose my caliber based on availability of ammo/components in your area. I would, if hunting big game, get a .41 mag, .44 mag, .45 colt. Mine is a 44 mag with trigger/action work and is accurate and fun to shoot. The Bisly grip really works for recoil control and folks like me with very large hands. I think you will find the redhawk is nice too, although I dont see a point to double action hunting guns. I nearly bought one a month ago, having said that! Well, I'll leave space for others to respond. Regards, Chuck

Even with medium-sized hands (US Large to XL gloves), the Bisley grip is quite superior to the Blackhawk grip frame when firing heavy loads, like .44 Mag Winchester Partition, or Federal 300 gr.

Obviously, best to try for yourself if you can.

What is the situation in Italy?

When I think of a sixgun, I think of the American West, and cowboys. I have several fine Rugers, and they have proven to be strong, reliable, and I am very fond of them. I also have one of the finest production .454 Casulls available, and it cost me many, many Rugers! It's quality is unparalleled- I reload it as if it was a strong .45 Colt- which I can handle well.

Several friends of mine have bought Italian copies of Colt revolvers, and had a gunsmith rework them for Cowboy Action shooting. I think you should buy a Ruger single action in .45 Colt and have an Italian gunsmith rework it! There must be a fine Italian gunsmith working on revolvers somewhere, if only you can find him. It would be fine good turnabout.

On a practical note, I think the Thompson Center Contender is the best gun to start handgun hunting with. You can not go wrong with .44 Magnum. I use the .357 Maximum, but I reload. I also like the .45 Colt, but the T/C offering is presently unacceptable to me, as it is really designed to shoot the .410 shotgun shell. I have an old .45 Colt barrel that shoots well, and I reload to get the most from it.

If you can only have one handgun, the T/C Contender is the way to go. If you must shoot something that the .45/70 or .375 JDJ can not handle- don't shoot, run away!

Pete

I have quite a few handguns, but my absolute favorite for hunting is the Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in .45 Colt. Mine has a 5.5" barrel, handles recoil well because of the Bisley gripframe, and will fire a 325 gr. cast bullet at about 1300 fps. Not much on this planet that the .45 Colt loaded hot wont handle.

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"If it ain't a 45/70, it's just a passing fad"

Express,

There are advantages to both the single shot and the revolver.

First the single shot:

-Generally much more accurate.
-Can be loaded to higher performance then most revolvers
-Safer then most other handgun actions.
-Chambered in a wide variaty of rounds, from normal to monster hammers.

Revolvers:
-Greater number of back-up shots.
-Easier to carry.

I guess it comes down to the type of hunting you will be doing. If you get a revolver, no matter the caliber or sight system, better accept the fact that 150 yards will be your max range. Of course within this range the big bore revolvers work great. My favorite, just like alot of hunters is the 45 Colt in the Ruger revolvers. Plenty of power to hunt most critters on the planet.

I do love the big single shots handcannons though. The accuracy and power of these guns are hard to beat. With good loads and a good shot, 300 yards is not a hard shot.

I guess that if I were you though, I would go with a revolver in at least a 44 mag. Of course the 45 Colt, 454 and 480 are all good big game rounds and all are in quality revolvers which are generally very accurate.

Good Shooting!!!

50

Express as you probably know that it is also illegal to hunt with Handguns in Australia.
However, I have a 686 6" (Smith & Wesson .357 magnum) and IF it had been used for hunting I could tell you it is terrific for pigs, great penetration, cheap and available ammo, .38 target loads for plinking are $11 per 50..
But it hasn't so I can't

Hey hunter-downunder, i got a question. IF you were to use that .357 for pigs, and i aint saying that you are, what load would you be using? See, here in Indiana, USA where i live, the minimum legal revolver is a .357 with a 4inch barrel (mine qualifies, COlt Python with 4inch barrel), and i was just curious as to what you WOULD use IF you COULD go hunting with your handgun.

Cyberhick, Do you reload?
If not, I would recommend a good 180 gr. factory load from someone like Federal. If you reload I could give you some suggestions.

quote:

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Originally posted by cyberhick:
Hey hunter-downunder, i got a question. IF you were to use that .357 for pigs, and i aint saying that you are, what load would you be using? See, here in Indiana, USA where i live, the minimum legal revolver is a .357 with a 4inch barrel (mine qualifies, COlt Python with 4inch barrel), and i was just curious as to what you WOULD use IF you COULD go hunting with your handgun.

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I sure do reload. For hunting this fall i was thinking of loading either a 180gr XTP or another quick expanding bullet under a good bit of 2400. This would be for deer and under 100yds. But as usual, i'm always interested in getting info on heavier .357 loads because i like to load some heavy stuff to have fun with at my range (ie, back yard).

One of the important advantages of the revolver that was not addressed is that for offhand use, and quick shots, it is vastly superiour to the single shot.

When I think of handgun hunting, I think of an iron sighted revolver, and shots inside 75 yds. I do also have a contender, but consider its use as more similar to that I'd use a rifle for, though with more limitations.

CyberHick,
158gn Flatnose softpoint factory ammo would work a treat if I were allowed to use it. I'm sure that if I had hunted with my handgun I could tell you that it hadn't failed me to date.
An interesting side note is that I bought 300 hornady 158gn (All lead) hollowpoints. Driven mildly to prevent barrel fouling, I am sure that I would have found them an excellent round for finishing off wounded game. They would provide excellent expansion and very little chance of a richochet. Many people will probably knock my suggestion of a big heavy lead bullet pointing out it's lack of penetration, however I stand by claim and recommend you see how it performs on a carcass.
If I were to go handgun hunting in a country that allowed it, I would carry 3 speed loaders, 1 with lead projectiles, the others with flatnose softpoints. Those lead projectiles do provide a lot of "hitting power" on a hog up close. Not most of the hogs I hunt are the smaller true wild pigs and would average around 140lbs. If I were further north hunting 220lb + pigs with a heap of mud protecting their abdomen, I suggest sticking entirely to the flatnose softpoints.
I'm sure I would not ever have felt undergunned using my .357 and if allowed would walk confidently through Lingum (Scrub that pigs use to shelter in) with total confidence.

For those who have never hunted in AUstralia, Lingum hunting is brilliant. Visability is limited to only a few feet and it's like a maze. Most people hunt with .30-30 's or shotguns with 00 or slugs. You creep around and find yourself 1 yard away from a boar just as suprised to see you as you are him. Thats about the time your stomach drops, your adrennaline kicks in and it hopefully starts getting noisy!
Last trip away I stumbled into a small 15" wallow in the middle of the Lingum bush to find a cranky sow and a few juvinile boars (guessing about 60-70lbs) sharing the small clearing with me.
It was a pretty nervous 30 seconds as I was firing flatout and trying to make sure I wasn't going to get charged from any direction at the same time.
A mate was about 10 yards back, still in the lingum "maze" covering my butt and nearly got trampled by a rather large boar who was spooked by the shooting and was heading for parts unknown. I'd missed him in the melee and he scooted back down the track I'd walked up.

I'm back to this property in 6 days time and counting If I get my act together I'll take some pics, scan them and post them up here if I'm able.

I hunt w/ both & it really depends on your type of hunting. The revolver w/ iron sights is more traditional, but I consider it a 60yd or less gun. The single shots w/ scopes are good out to 200yds for me, but bulky to carry. I would start w/ a good revolver in .41mag, .44mag or .45colt w/ a 5-6" bbl.