Well it has been the 45 Colt but I recently got quite a deal on a 5 shot Ruger Bisely in 475 Linebaugh that I am really enjoying. I am shooting loads in the 480 Ruger class which seem about ideal. Accurate and reasonable recoil. The full tilt Linebaugh loads are too brutal for me to enjoy.
Posts: 1580 | Location: Either far north Idaho or Hill Country Texas depending upon the weather | Registered: 26 March 2005
I have to go with the 44 mag. It has worked for me 3 times in the past and since I don't hunt Armored deer I guess it will continue to work for me.
The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
Posts: 347 | Location: Ogden, Utah (Home of John M. Browning) | Registered: 08 September 2002
If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Member of the Delaware Destroyers Member Reeders Misfits NRA Life Member ENDOWMENT MEMBER NAHC Life Member DSA Life Member
That is an impossible question to answer. I have .44mag, .45 Colt, .475 BFR, 45-70 BFR and a Ruger Old Army C&B. They all do the same job on deer. I have killed a pile of deer with each and really can't tell a difference.
.41 Mag in a S & W Mod 57 and a 14" Contender in .375 JDJ. Excellent combination that I was able to use very successfully on a "handguns only" hunt in Africa. The Smith on my left hip, the Contender under my right arm in a shoulder rig....sort of "balances me out"...
Posts: 953 | Location: Florida | Registered: 17 March 2005
Without a doubt it's the .41Magnum. I've taken everything from "picket pins" to elk and elk-sized+ African game with the caliber. The only thing I won't shoot with one in the lower 48 is a grizz. Then, I'll switch to another .41 caliber firearm for that, too. Second would be the .475Linebaugh followed by the .307Winchester in an Encore.
JOE MACK aka The .41FAN
HAVE MORE FUN AND GET THE JOB DONE WITH A .41
I am the punishment of God… If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you. (GENGHIS KHAN)
Posts: 403 | Location: PRK | Registered: 20 April 2003
Although not good for revolvers and autos, something in 6.5, depending on which type of action you are ahooting. As Bobby said, the 6.5 JDJ comes to mind for the Contender. The Encore can handle anything from the 260 Rem to the 6.5 x 270 JDJ or even the 264 Win Mag. Bolt guns can start with the 6.5 BR, go to the 260 Rem, and usually finish up with the 6.5 x 284, which is about as good as it gets accuracy and velocity wise in 15 to 16 inch barrels.
The 6.5 bullets have unique qualities: The ability to fly straight and true over a large velocity range; they maintaining their velocity better than larger or smaller calibers because of their superior ballistic coeficients, and they expand wonderfully at handgun velocities, which is a pretty hard combination to beat...Rusty.
Posts: 280 | Location: Fresno, California | Registered: 27 August 2005
I prefer Levers, but for the short ranges we have, a good .44 Special M24-3 with 240 SWC's should do fine this year. And even if I don't get a deer, it is still beautiful out there. Well, OK, bringing something home is better..
A team of Specials:
John Retired husband & grandpa
"Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
Posts: 87 | Location: On permanent vacation in the South West | Registered: 02 January 2004
I really like .357 Magnum and have 3 revolvers and 2 contender barrels in it. I burn up a lot of ammo in it and within it's limitations it will take whitetail just fine. But if I really want to bring home the vension, the .35 Remington is the tool of choice. 200 grains at 1900fps is powerful medicine. I've also been known to take to the field with a 6.5 tcu, .30-30, 10mm, .44 magnum or a .45 Colt too.
The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it. -- Thomas Jefferson http://tcbunch.com
I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?
Out to 75 yards I'll take a 6" barreled 44 mag with 240 gr bullets. Beyond that, I use a Contender in 6.5mm Bullberry Improved. Most Accurate pistol I have fired. It gets 1/2" groups at 100 yards with several loads. Results on deer is exceptional. Longest shot was 275 yards. I use 120 gr Nosler ballistic tips with 4064 powder.
God, guns, & guts made us free. Let's keep all three!
Posts: 169 | Location: Midwest | Registered: 30 August 2002
Mostly depends where I'm hunting and what terrain is and what sort of opportunity that I expect. Mostly it will be with Ruger BH in 41M with Burris 2x for short to medium range, for longer ranges and from stand over greenfields it will be Encore in 308 Win with Leupold 2x7 EER. I have actually shot more deer with a S&W586, but have also used CZ in 40S&W and Ruger 44, but the 41 will do more often than not.
I have to go along with BFRshooter. With one exception all calibers and others have been used from 10 feet to a very long ways away. Depends on the distances you will be hunting at. That is why I switched from the .444 Marlin to the 35 Whelan Ackley Improved. Not one rimrock deer taken out of 4 was shot at less than 200 yards.
