9mm hunting bullet?

[Joe Schmo]

I'm debating wether or not to try and shoot something with a handgun this year. I'm not buying a gun for the occation, so it'll be a 9mm show. My range will be about 30 yds at Max and more likely much, much closer. I know that your average whitetail or muley shouldn't be a problem for a 9 at that range but there's and outside chance that a bear might wander along and want to get shot, so let's call that our largest possible target. There isn't really a market for 9mm hunting bullets but there seem to be quite a few newer hollow points that are meant for deep penetration and 100% retention such as the CorBon DPX. I know that velocity will be important and CorBon has got some bullets that really fly!! Just trying to get some input so I can start practicing before the season.

[baltz526]

rabbits, coyotes, digger rats, racoons, badgers, crows, but never anything larger unless your starving to death in a blizard

[leadlobber]

i wouldnt use a 9mm for hunting any big game at all. id rethink this or buy a bigger gun like a 44mag.

[Hard Cast]

Originally Posted by leadlobber

i wouldnt use a 9mm for hunting any big game at all. id rethink this or buy a bigger gun like a 44mag.

Or even a .454 casull.

[Oregonhunter]

I have to agree here with the others. I do have no doubt that if every little thing went perfect that it would kill but nothing really ever goes perfect. I have a Glock 40 S&W and do carry it sometimes when archery hunting just to have in case I need to scare off a cat or something but would never consider it a hunting weapon.

Considering the accuracy of such weapons and the small amount of actual energy the 9mm produces I would not expect it to perform very well on big game. Not all but many feel the minimum amount of energy to take deer sized game is 1000-1200 foot lbs. This is very far from the 9mm's ability. There are lots of good hunting calibers manufactured in handguns these days and if I was that set on doing it I would trade the 9 in and get into something a little more suited for it. This is my 2 anyways.

oh

[dubl_t]

yea at LEAST a 357 mag. Last season my buddy came across a bear and all he had was a 9, unfortuneatly it took 11/2 clips. An animal shouldn't have to suffer that long.

Joe, I re-read your post and I don't know what bullets he was using, but like others have said you gotta look at enrgy not velocity.

[Gus Orviston]

wrong gun, need the upgrade kit to a 357 at a minimum. gus

[leadlobber]

thats just another reason to HAVE to get another gun! you cant have to many guns can you?

[Shark Bait]

My advice (worth what you paid for it) is to use more gun.

However I can confirm that a single 124gr Gold Dot HP to the brain at ~10 yards will indeed kill a blacktail deer.

[Fish Wheels]

Originally Posted by Shark Bait

My advice (worth what you paid for it) is to use more gun.

However I can confirm that a single 124gr Gold Dot HP to the brain at ~10 yards will indeed kill a blacktail deer.

I wouldn't hunt with one, but the right bullet, properly placed, at the ranges he stated, would do the trick. It'll do at least as much damage as a broadhead arrow.

[MarlinMark]

I won't bore you with my oppinion.

Federal Hydro-shock bullets have proven their penetration abilities.


Mark

[Joe Schmo]

Ok thanks, I'm amazed that since so many people think I'm wrong...I didn't get any "shrug" or "head shake" smilies!! Awsome guys!! You're all probably right about the logistics with such a round. You really think that a whitetail doe at 12 yards wouldn't drop like a bag of rocks with even a half decent shot?? You can never have too many guns but have you checked amma prices lately...Forget it!! My new motto is about to be "Bowhunter for life" ....I can retrieve a $12 arrow but in a few years that's what one 30-06 round is gonna cost!! time to start re-loading, thanks for the help