What caliber for hunting

WearyTraveler

I’ve got a friend that’s thinking about getting a pistol for hunting.  He wants to hunt deer and such.  He’s considering 10m, 40 and 45.
Can anyone advise which is best / better and why?  What do you use and why?  Let’s please not start a religious argument... 🤓

savage170

460 rowland very close to 44 mag and conversion kits for 1911's and Glocks. 

Rocky Raab

Pistol? Or handgun. Caliber? Or cartridge. WE can't provide a cogent answer unless you can properly pose the question.

SCOUT5

I've killed deer with several different handguns including single shot Thompsons in center fire rifle rounds.   The .357 mag is adequate with good shot selection.   The .44 mag is good and does more damage than the .357 generally resulting in a quicker kill.    I currently carry a .454 casull which can also shoot 45 colt.   The 45 colt in modern loads is in par with the ,44mag,   The .454 has more power than the .44 mag but of most use is it also has more range with a flatter trajectory.   I shoot 260gr rounds for deer out of the .454 at 1900 fps out of a 7" Ruger with a 7" barrel.   I can shoot through the front shoulder of a front quartering deer with the 454, something I wouldn't do with the 357.   

I've killed (IIRC) six deer with a .357 mag, it works but I prefer a larger round.    You can kill deer (if legal) with a .38 special but I wouldn't carry one for that intended purpose.    I've never hunted with a 10mm but I would choose it over the 40.  Power matters as it allows for more shot options, such as the quartering in shot for example.

A round with more power than the .44mag but less recoil than the .454 is the .480 Ruger.   

NeoBlackdog

Of the three you listed, I'd go with the 10mm in a Glock 40.  Shoots flatter and hits harder than either of the other two.  
Interesting article here;
https://www.wideopenspaces.com/10mm-vs-45-acp-which-one-is-right-for-you/

Grasshopper

In Illinois, you HAVE TO USE a revolver at least 4" barrel and longer or single shot. Eliminates a lot and you must have at least 500 ft. lbs at muzzle. The old 44 magnum is king around here. And I think would be a great choice for my state. I have twice and worked fine for me.

hillbille

I may be wrong weary but I thought you had to use revolver to hunt WVa. not a semi-auto pistol.  and I think the barrell has to be over 4", or at least it used to be that way years ago, they may have changed the regulations by now but I would have him check to make sure before buying anything along with caliber also....... I do know they require a pistol stamp in addition to a hunting liscence, it used to only be $5 though

SCOUT5

Here in Indiana there are cartridge requirements but not platform requirements.   The 10mm is a legal cartridge but the .40 isn't.

tsavo303

Only the 10mm is capable of the ones you mentioned. .44 mag is a better choice

WearyTraveler

hillbille said:

I may be wrong weary but I thought you had to use revolver to hunt WVa. not a semi-auto pistol.  and I think the barrell has to be over 4", or at least it used to be that way years ago, they may have changed the regulations by now but I would have him check to make sure before buying anything along with caliber also....... I do know they require a pistol stamp in addition to a hunting liscence, it used to only be $5 though

Thanks for that answer.  I hadn’t thought of that.  I looked it up - here’s the information:

PISTOL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Individuals who possess a valid concealed weapon permit, may carry a concealed handgun while afield hunting, hiking, camping, fishing, or in a motor vehicle for self defense only.

Only persons 21 years old or older are eligible for a Class A-1 license.

A Class A-1 license entitles the licensee to hunt with a pistol having a barrel at least 4 inches in length. While hunting, the licensee shall carry the pistol outside his outer clothing, in an unconcealed and easily visible place.

A pistol may be used only during established hunting seasons. If you use a pistol to hunt deer, you can only use a single shot muzzleloading pistol during the muzzleloading season.

It is legal to hunt groundhogs in open fields with a pistol.

http://www.wvweb.com/page/category.detail/nav/5023/Hunting-regulations.html#pistol

WearyTraveler

Rocky Raab said:

Pistol? Or handgun. Caliber? Or cartridge. WE can't provide a cogent answer unless you can properly pose the question.

He’s leaning toward Glock - no revolvers in their line - hence the 10/40/45 question.  There may be other calibers available but those are the ones he mentioned.

While I didn’t specifically ask, I’m ASSuming he’s going to hunt deer or bear.  He does a yearly hunt camp (is that similar to “band camp” ?)

toad67

If he does go the wheel gun route, remember that there are different pressure limits in certain chamberings, between certain brands of guns. In 45 Colt for example, S&W's can't be loaded as hot as a Ruger. T/C's are probably the most versatile, in terms of chamberings, but they are only a single shot. I'd look at a 41 magnum.

Rocky Raab

I can provide no help about hunting deer with a semi-auto pistol of any kind. My opinion is that none of them are suitable as a primary weapon for hunting.

SCOUT5

If he wants a Glock platform then he is limited to what legal cartridge set ups Glock manufactures or a Glock conversions in a suitable cartridge.   Here in Indiana as far as I know the only cartridge Glock chambers that would be a legal deer cartridge is the 10mm and the gun itself would need at least a 4" barrel.

roswellnative

 I vote for a ruger in 41   

What is the hunting like. If it’s shots anywhere near 50+ the big fat Glock autoloaded round will be dropping fast 

and if hes he’s shooting from an elevated stand the angle is hard to compensate. I had a ruger 44 lever that had a longer 20 inch barrel and my first shot broke the deers leg. I was horrified as it tried to walk away. Ended up shooting it 3 more times. Was a mess. I went straight back to a rifle. 

William81

I have taken Whitetail with both the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum.  A buddy has taken a couple with a S&W 610 in 10mm.  All three of these did the job with good shot placement, within reasonable distances and proper bullet type....  

Your buddy will need to check the game laws as there will be minimum requirements for both firearm and legal cartridge

mohawk600

.44 mag and get a lever action to go with it.

JimmyJack

I prefer the .44 mag. and have killed several deer with different models.  Of the ones you mentioned Id use the .45 Long Colt.  I shot several with a Thompson Contender.  Most of the handguns I hunt with are scoped. I have .357 but never attempted to use it for deer,  although it obviously will do the job.  Probably more deer shot with a .22 than all the ones mentioned.

Chief Shaway

I’ve shot them with .44 mag and .41 Mag.

Longest shot was with my Super Redhawk at 93 yards.

I prefer my 41 though. Its just a pleasure to shoot.

montanajoe

While I didn’t specifically ask, I’m ASSuming he’s going to hunt deer or bear.


Deer -vs-Bear,,,,,  at two opposite ends there. 

bustedknee

Compared to available rifles, handguns are relatively puny.

However, I have taken deer, turkey and moose with a string and stick.  It don't get much punier than that.

I have also taken black bear, mtn goat, hogs, many deer, etc, with a variety of handguns.

Elmer Keith once talked about getting only one shot at 1 elk to collect his winter supply of meat.  If the only shot you get is the south-end of a northbound elk as he jumps and runs directly away from you; you best be shooting at least a .338 magnum!

For an end-to-end kill shot on an elk, a handgun is not the tool.  But if the hunter is willing to pass up 100 yard shots - that would be duck soup with an ought-6, shoulder shots, quick shots, brush shots, moving shots, any shot that is not perfect, in accordance with his skill, he shouldn't hunt with a handgun.

However, if a hunter has the skill and willingness to wait for the the perfect shot, handgun hunting can be extremely satisfying.

Shot placement is key.  When handgun hunting I try to concentrate on the kill zones for archery - heart and lungs.

Handgun hunting requires stalking, stealth and patience to wait for the proper shot and the willingness to pass up anything less than a perfect. shot.

My first advice is pick the legal caliber handgun that the hunter is most proficient with. 10mm, 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag, 40, 45 even 9mm will kill deer if the lungs and/or heart is punctured with quality hunting ammunition.  It takes a disciplined shooter to handle the 500/454 class of handguns.  Single-shot pistols firing rifle cartridges can extend the range and killing power but are still less efficient than a rifle.

My other piece of advise is leave the rifle at home if serious about handgun hunting. 

10mm S&W 1006

9mm Glock 17

serf

45-70 pistol would do the job nicely!

                serf

asop

Illinois had/has a doe only handgun season in mid Jan.  Used Ruger Blackawk 44 mag.   Killed all (12) with 1st shot with the exception of one and got her the following morning.  Exactly what William said, goes along ways.

chiefr

Of the ones mentioned, there is only one choice: 10 MM.

waltermoe

I have a 41mag.  I feel that it has plenty enough power, if the shot is placed right.  Now if the choice of calibers is only what you mentioned, I would have to go with the 45 Long Colt.  

Smitty500mag

Hunting with handguns:

Pistol - .50AE Desert Eagle
Revolver - S&W 500 Mag