what pistol do you suggest for hunting?

Question

I am working at a camp this summer and am selling my 300 mag because it is too expensive to just plink and has a big kick too. So I want something I can use at the range as well as to hunt.

Answer 1

Recommend 357 Magnum or 44 Magnum

Answer 2

I started out handgun hunting with a 44mag desert eagle w/ 10" barrel and red dot sight, but now after hunting for 12 years with handguns If I were to do it over again Id start will a Thompson center contender or encore, in 44 mag or 454 casull , keep in mind you can shoot 44spl in the 44 mag barrel and 45 colt in the 454. I have found the contender with a 10 inch barrel to be the best balanced. the nice thing about this set up is a different barrel will cost you 200 bucks and they have just about every caliber available PLUS you can change a T/C handgun into a rifle by buying the rifle stock, forearm and rifle length barrel.

In my past Ive used the ruger GP100 in 357, 44mag S&W N frame, 45 bisley ruger, desert eagle 44 mag and for small game the ruger Mk2 22 long rifle. all have served there purpose well but I just think the T/C is the best ballance of power, long range accuracy (the biggest factor), easy of use, dependable, and convertability.

The ruger bisley is my second favorite choice for deer and coyote. I scope all my guns with 2 or 4 power scopes now but red dot sights work great at ranges under 50 yards.

Answer 3

I love and swear by my Ruger Super Blackhawk 6 3/4" barrel in 44 mag. plenty of stopping power and loads are'nt to bad on the wallet ($15.99 for 20 rounds of 300 grain). I load all 6 rounds in the mag. (since it's single action) first 2 rounds are 150 grains and next 3 are 300 grains the last 1 is again 150 grains the purpose for this way of loading is the first 2 should bring down any animal if not the next 3 are the "magic bullets" heavy hitters when you gotta have them. I will not take any animal if I need more than 1 shot to bring it down and kill it quickly. I don't use my hand gun to hunt with. I carry it for those close range defensive moments. Like the charging wild boar or a bear you snuck up on and spooked. My hand gun is a last resort. I used it only once on a boar my .06 wounded and deflected. The 44 mag finished the job at 50 feet in its tracks with a 150 grain shot.
I used to carry a .50 Desert Eagle but, way to big and heavy, besides rounds are pricey.

Answer 4

Try a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 magnum, or the Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum. Both are good hunting calibers, they're solid firearms, and they're reasonably inexpensive. Most folks consider the 357 magnum too light for deer-sized game. The 41 is not at all popular (and therefore ammunition may be hard to find) but those who've tried it are a small but very loyal group. You could, of course, get a double-action revolver or a hand-cannon, but a single-action is most appropriate to your needs. If you go with the Ruger, you can take the extra money you've saved by not buying a more expensive gun and invest in some handloading tools, so you can afford to punch paper all summer.

Answer 5

I have and use a Ruger GP100 with 6 inch barrel in 357 Magnum.
And I really the flat trajectory it has over the larger calibers.
I have hunted with 44 magnums and they do good but the trajectory I did not like.
That is why I switched to the 357 magnum.
And the ammo for the 357 is usually cheaper then the 44 or 41 magnums.
There is nothing in my woods that me and my 357 cant put down.

D58

Answer 6

If you are actually going to hunt medium to large game (up to deer) try the .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum or .10mm (if you prefer an auto-loader). If you're just going to plink, get a .22 also useful for snakes & small varmint.

H

Answer 7

For good hunting and cheap plinking, I'd go with a .357. Be sure to check the barrel length restrictions in your state before you buy.

Answer 8

Most states require that the gun be a revolver at at least 6 inches. The only real choice is a .357 magnum. You can shoot .38 specials for plinking.

A .44 is a good choice, but the ammo is expensive and you are in the same boat.

Answer 9

for hunting, a good ,double action .357 or .41 mag. for plinking a .22

Answer 10

Thompson Center Encore