Well I have taken truck loads of deer with the bow, muzzle loader, centerfire rifles (even a .22rimfire), but I got my first handgun deer on saturday. It was the last day of our General firearms season here in Virgina. With about an hour of light left in the day, and the temperature in the high 60's (unusually warm) I figured I wasn't going to see anything so I slid my mat down on my backpack and was watching the con-trails(sp?) blow across the sky. I was about 5mins away from a good nap, is what I was.
Then I heard crashing in the leaves.
I rolled up on one knee, and saw a buck and a doe running in. They had just crossed a field. They started to walk about 65-70 yards away. I couldn't see the buck he was behind some holly trees. Just as they got stopped and walking, I heard another crash. I look up, and there is a doe, about 20 yards away, looking right at me. By this time I can see the other doe with the buck and she is looking right at me too. (so the gig is up, Im busted) I still can't see the buck, so I nailed the doe in front of me. She ran down the hill and out of my sight. I then turned and saw the buck running with the other doe. I threw the revolver up, but it would
have been an ill advised shot. So I passed. The buck was about a 6 or small 8 ptr with a 12-13" spread, so he will be better next year.
My doe ran about 40-50 yards, just pouring blood. No problem tracking her, just followed the "red leaved road"
I was very impressed with the preformance of the round. I was using my Ruger GP100 (.357 Mag) with a 6" barrel.
Upon the advise of the tech's at Hornady, I used their 140 grain XTP load. It was devestating at that range.
The bullet entered just to the right of the brisket/sternum, and exited the rear of the rib cage on the same side. The bullet clipped the top of the heart, and turned one lung into jelly, before exiting. All in all, about 12" or so of penetration.

I will stick to my bow and other guns for trophy hunting, but for meat hunts the revolver is going to be going out a lot more next year. That was just too much fun!

Sorry no pic's, it was just a doe. (and as warm as it was I had to quarter, and get her on ice quickly! )

Good going!! I've taken more deer with my pistols than with my shotgun or rifle.Clay

Way to go Mark! It's what I say is "More fun than eatin beans"!!! GHD

There's nothing else like it. Now yer hooked.

Mark

Nice write up

Congrat's on the deer buddy ...

My first was with a Ruger Single Action 357 mag
I used 200 grain lead's though..

it sound's like yourgoing to be enjoying some hard earned deer meat over then next few month's
lucky bugger

My first handgun deer was taken at about 45 yards on a bedded black tail buck with a 6" S&W 686 357 with iron sights and 140 grain Speer hollow point. The wound channel looked like I hit it with my 7 mag. It just took it a lot longer to actually die. I shot it again but it certainly was going to die shortly anyway. I now use 200 grain XTP's in my 44 for deer. I haven't got a chance to shoot on yet with one but I sure like the way they look and shoot. I limit myself to about 75 yards on pistol shots. Beyond that I just use my rifle. I have found the 357 to be a quite capable deer round and wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

Congrats Mark! I too took my first handgun deer this year up in WV. What a rush it is!

Congratulations i once shot a deer with a 357mag but not good results.I think it was bullet choice i don't remember what bullet i used but damm i was lucky another hunter dropped her after tracking for awhile.so now i carry a 44mag

Excellent job on the deer. I took one a couple of years ago with a 357 revolver also. It performed very well. I've seen deer run farther when hit by a 270.
congrats

Congrats!
I have killed several deer with my .44, and killed my best buck with a S&W 586 .357- dropped like it had been hit by a semi.
Can't beat a handgun for hunting deer!

As far as "tearing up something" goes, the WORST case of DESTROYING a deer goes to my Ruger RedHawk in .44Mag, using a 180 grain JHP. 60 yards, broadside, put the sight on the right shoulder!!! WISH I'D HAD A VIDEO!!!! All 4 feet were pointing at me at one point! Right shoulder was broken(understatement!!!!) Left shoulder was GONE!!!! Never again will I evershoot a deer with that bullet in the shoulder!!! Did it go anywhere? NO!!! Did it die quick? YES!!!! Was it a mess? YES!!!! I should hav opted for my "patented, GHD, neck shot!!!!!" No fuss, no bother, JUST DEAD RIGHT THERE!!!!!! 10 yrds or 1000 yards, neck shots do the deal!!!! Little humor folks!!! But to you it's humor but to me it's real!!!! 22 Magnum or 458....same shot placement!!! To hell with looking for a blood trail!!! GHD

Congrats on the first handgun deer.

Congrats Mark!!!

Nothing like using a hand gun unless it's a bow hunt!!!

I really like my SRH in .480, can be loaded for anything up to Alaska Moose.

Congratulations on your first Handgun deer.

I shot my first deer through the lungs with an S&W 44mag it went about 10ft. Next year I shot one through the side but did not hit the lungs with a Taurus 454mag it went about 200 yards.

I have learned that bullet placement is the key to a successful shot.