Need Help! Handgun Hunting?

[Wheelgun Dunn]

I have this "gun itch" I can't seem to scratch.  Please help.  Who hunts with a handgun?  And why?  I have this desire to get a Raging Hornet or BFR in .22 hornet but keep telling myself a rifle is better but the bug won't go away.  What are some of your experiences with varmint handgunning?  Advantages, disadvantages?  Loss of velocity?  Etc. 

Thanks!

Wheelgun

[Rob10ring]

Sounds like you just want a different challenge. Maybe you can find a friend with a similar gun and you can see if it's worth pursuing before plopping down your cash.

[fightingquaker13]

Not so sure what type of varmints you're gunning for. As far as advantages there are none. You lose accuracy and velocity. The only exception is if you live in a screwed up state like Indiana that would let me hunt deer with a .270 handgun, but not a .44 mag carbine (sorry Ping but its true).  However, it is more of a challenge. Its like going from rifle hunting to bow hunting. You do it to test yourself and accept the limitations. I have killed a fair number of squirrells and rabbits with a .22 handgun, but those were at close range. Twenty five yards seated (with iron sights) was about as far as I would go on a squirrell. Throw in scopes, hotter cartridges, longer barrels, bigger targets, its up to you. Do elaborate though, as it is an interesting topic. Good luck, and let us know.
FQ13

[MikeBjerum]

My first hunting handgun was a Ruger Single Six .22 (and .22 magnum).  I then added a single action American Western Arms - Longhorn .357.  Next came the S&W 22a with a Burris red dot.  The 22a was traded this winter for a second Ruger Mark III Competition Target that is getting redone for hunting and steel.  My current big game handgun, replacing the .357, is a S&W 500 PC.  This gun is waiting for an optic that I haven't decided on yet and can't afford yet, however I am able to pound a 20 lb. lp tank at 100 yards off hand and 150 to 200 yards off a rest all day with iron sights.  Note - All day does not mean boxes and boxes of ammo.  After 25 - 30 rounds in an hour my elbows have had their limit for the day.

Just like picking a caliber, action and optic in rifle hunting, handgun choices are dictated by what you are after and personal preferences.  I like my .22's for little critters, and I have taken fox at about 35 yards with well placed shots.  I have taken whitetails with the .357, but in our area where we can't use rifles for deer I like the range the 500 gives me.

I suggest you make a list of what you want to do with the gun (what game and what range), what options you want with it (optics, holster, and carry preference), if hunting a wide variety do you want one gun or different guns for different game and situations, and do you want a gun that is forgiving or one that tests your skills (a .22 requires marksmanship, where a .357 will give you a little forgiveness, and the 500 will knock most anything off their feet by just breezing the lead past them).  Talk to hunters, ask us on here (scary thought right there), and look at what is available ... Did I mention price?

For me the research and prep is just as enjoyable as the actual hunting itself.  Hours, days, weeks and months of reading, talking to hunters, and thinking about what I want to do followed by many hours of practice with the gun is all just fore play ... Now I know why she likes that so much 

[m25operator]

M58 that was as good as an example as I could come up with, I'm just going to hide and watch. Great Job.

[Sponsor]

[shooter32]

M58 that was as good as an example as I could come up with, I'm just going to hide and watch. Great Job.

+1 m58

[Badgersmilk]

"vamit hunting" conjures images of long range shooting in most cases...  But then I've had red fox get close enough that they stepped on me! (long story).

I love hand gun hunting!  I used a Mark III with open sights for squirrel all last season, and have been using a scoped Super Redhawk for deer for years.  It's great fun, and a great challenge. We need details on what you've got in mind.

One thing I'd warn people about hand gun hunting is to not forget the guns limits!  You WILL find yourself in the field at one point with game beyond your comftorble shooting distance, and you need to have the self control to not shoot.  Taking a bad shot and wounding an animal that will get away and die a slow painfull death is about the worst thing a hunter will ever do.

[Badgersmilk]

T/C Contender, available in about every caliber there is including Ruger .204, 22-250, & .223 if your idea of "varmit hunting" is similar to mine.

[shooter32]

Larry Weishun "Mr. Whitetail" uses the T/C contender on EVERTHING. Another good choice.

[TAB]

I like 218 bee...

my grand father use to have one with a 12" barrel.  it was a older colt, only prob was it was built to light, every 1000 rounds or so it wouldhave to have the timing reset.