I'm looking at entering the handgun hunting field. What calibre & platform combination would you suggest. I'm leaning towards a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter in 44 mag. Impala, kudu & Blue wildebeest out to 50m?
We are a little restricted for choice in SA, please bear that in mind!

Cheers
Johan

That sounds OK but would be the minimum imo. In saying that I'm taking into consideration that I've heard that African game has generally more stamina or is tougher than what we're used to in the states. Others will correct that if wrong. But that's why I wouldn't suggest any smaller caliber.

Magnum handguns you know do come larger, .45, .454, .460, .475, .480 and .500. Any of those should do. But we don't know your recoil toleration level and ammo supply situation or if you're a handloader and most important, what guns you can acquire there.

You will need to decide on getting a scope and how to carry it and whether you want a rifle as a back up or in case of encountering a buff or ele or something...

For 50m you shouldn't need a scope unless you have an eye problem.

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
For 50m you shouldn't need a scope unless you have an eye problem.

Scopes and optics aren't just for sighting purposes. They can be helpful in adding some weight to help with recoil on heavier kicking handguns.

You will be fine with what you suggest. Learn your capability shooting off sticks and you will be fine. IME the African critters are just critters, no different than those of similar size in the US. Use a good 275-300 gr cast bullet or the 270 gr Speer GD or 300 gr plated bullet and you will be good to go.

You have a good choice. Open sights are fine or a 2X Leupold scope. I have a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454Casull with a 2X Leupold and it is fine. I have a 44Mag Ruger Redhawk(one of the very first ones) with open sights(deep V rear and gold bead front and no longer made) that I have taken game with. I prefer the Nosler Pistol 250gr Partition-HG bullet or the 240gr Swift A-Frame Partition. Another great preforming bullet is the Barnes Pistol XPB HP bullet.I use the 200gr barnes. Some people like the hard cast bullets over the jacketed. Some prefer the jacketed. So pick your posion and go hunt.

The Speer bullet you want is now called "Deep Curl" , like the standard GD but heavier construction .Heard many good reports on that . Swift A-frame is loaded by Federal.Barnes is loaded by Corbon DPX. Those two I have used and they perform well. AFAIK Nosler no longer makes handgun Partition.

quote:

Originally posted by Johanv:
I'm looking at entering the handgun hunting field. What calibre & platform combination would you suggest. I'm leaning towards a Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter in 44 mag. Impala, kudu & Blue wildebeest out to 50m?
We are a little restricted for choice in SA, please bear that in mind!

Cheers
Johan

I've hunted South Africa with a handgun twice and will be back this coming September. By "restricted for choice" I presume you mean the type of ammunition readily obtainable.

I've taken a Black Wildebeest with a 357 Herrett shooting 158 grain bullets so I don't think you would have a problem with a 44 Magnum against Impala and Kudu. The Blue Wildebeest is a bit bigger and heavier so for that and a 44 Magnum, I would go for the lungs while avoiding a shoulder shot and would use a bullet with good penetration.

What I've taken the most with in South Africa is a Thompson/Center Encore in 460 S&W Magnum. With a scope, it's easily accurate enough for shots a bit past 200 meters provided you have a good rest but I doubt you would get ammunition for it easily in RSA. Another Encore handgun I have with similar performance is in 375 H&H Magnum and I know ammunition for that is readily available. The recoil in the latter is similar to the 460 S&W Magnum but is more than many would like to tolerate.