Any pistol hunters out there???

KingFisher85 · 06-24-2003, 03:38 PM

Well, if it's not a dry hunting season this year, I'm gonna pistol hunt. Pistol hunt for deer that is. Only problem is that this would be my first year pistol hunting.
I'll be pistol hunting with a T/C contender with a super 14 inch 35 rem barrel with a variable powered redfield 2-7 pistol scope.
I shoot this pistol a few times a week depending on weather so I know how the gun feels, shoots and all that. But,....anyone ever did this before? Any thing that you learned that did not work or did work? Any words of wisdom?

You may ask why I'm pistol hunting. Well, all the shootings up close and I like that. I would bow hunt...but, I'm not a bow hunter. I would use a smoke pole but I don't have a smoke pole. I figured with a pistol, when I do shoot my game, I'll be just as close as if I was hunting with bow or smoke pole.

But how about it. Anyone ever or still do pistol hunt? How about for elk? Ever taken an elk with a pistol?
I'm itchin for this years hunting season. :grin:

Gus Orviston · 06-24-2003, 04:54 PM

YEP, I got a couple of goodies...44 SRH and a .454 Cas both in 7 1/2", and I love to hunt with them although have not harvested with one yet. only been doing it for 2 years. We do a good share of glassing clear cuts but when tactics require a walk down an old cat road I like having a pistol with me :grin:

We have taken a lot of deer on cat roads in less than 100 yards, being an archer as well I like the up close stuff and I like the challenge of a pistol. Although in close quarters I think the pistol is an advantage.

gus

skein · 06-24-2003, 07:48 PM

Kingfisher,

One thing you might do to sharpen your skills and build your confidence is hunt coyotes with your pistol between now and the big season. Coyotes will startle you, show up where you least expect them, and run-stop-run, just like a deer. If you can connect with them, you can connect with a buck.

Besides, it's a lot of off-season fun.

Good luck - obviously you enjoy a challenge.

Skein

KingFisher85 · 06-24-2003, 10:24 PM

Yea I've been trying to get a yote with that T/C pistol. Looking to buy a 223 barrel for it to hunt yotes. Been seeing them but they are out of range for my 22 barrel. But I got my good ol trusty 22 mag sniper rifle sitting right next to me. :grin:
I've been trying for other small game also with it. I have a 14 inch match bold barrel 22 lr barrel and a Leupold 2x pistol scope for my T/C also. I'm able to pull up real quick and get a starling(shitbird) at about 25 yards.
Buy the way, coyote a few weeks ago, 230 yards, 22 mag, lucky head shot

SniperDan · 07-12-2003, 03:46 PM

Have hunted McDonald Forest with my .06 Magnum Research but did not take a deer..am hunting my doe this year with it though. It is not much for quick shooting but if you get a rest it will do the job well. I use Light Magnum 150gr loads and they shoot VERY well...1" groups with rest.

night stocker · 07-12-2003, 05:16 PM

yes this year i am a bear hunter with my 357Herret,10inch contender barreled,2x leupold.i didn't draw a rifle buck tag.but,my son was in my party.so,we are going to apply for youth first time tag.at least my son gets a tag.i am going to do the best i can to bird dog one into him because it is important to bag a buck.from what i can read from the regulations,i can have a bear tag and walk around with that Herret during buck season?i have had it for over 15 years and with the 180gr speer i believe it to be a good 120 yds or so killer of bears.always wanted to shoot something with that hand cannon but found it to be rather dificult to master.when it goes off,you really know.this is legal isn't it?as long as it isn't a centerfire rifle or muzzleloader?

brshooter · 07-14-2003, 08:26 AM

I've taken several deer with handguns. From distances of 30 yards to 175 yards. One was taken with a MOA Maximum in 7mm BR and the other two were taken with a Dan Wesson 357 SuperMag. All were one shot kills. I guess all those years of shooting IHMSA silhouette payed off.

bllelk · 07-29-2003, 09:55 AM

You're making a good choice in your hand gun selection. I've used T/C's for several years elk hunting. And used to pack a briefcase into camp with a number of barrels and scopes. The quick detach scope mounts work well. The 35 rem will bring down an elk so it will work well on deer. I moved up to the 45/70 after killing an elk with the .35 because the kill was not as clean as I would like. Believe it or not the 45/70 with the super 16 hunter barrel and muzzle brake is easier to shoot than the .35, at least for me. Cut way down on my flinching. :shocked:

KingFisher85 · 07-29-2003, 12:25 PM

I love shooting my 35 rem. Think its a fun caliber to shoot. I don't even think the recoil is bad at all.
Never have shot a T/C with a 45/70 barrel so don't know how the recoil is going to be. I'm not to worried about it. I like big caliber guns and heavy recoil. But how do they shoot compared to that 35 rem?
Also, anyone want to get together before hunting season and do a little target shooting?

bllelk · 07-29-2003, 04:29 PM

Kingfisher:
In answer to your email. The 35 is capable of killing a deer or an elk at 200 yds. However, the combination of short barrel length, 2x scope, marginal control of the weapon, poor trajectory and loss of velocity and energy would prevent me from trying it. I only hunted with a hand gun up close and personal. You would probably knock a deer down at 200 yd. but an elk packs a lot of lead and would possibly just wander off to die.
For me the 35 Rem seemed to have a more violent recoil. Kind of a wrist breaker. I frequently had a cut knuckle from the trigger guard. The 45/70 in the 16 inch with muzzle porting is more of a upward arc with rotation at the shoulder instead of the wrist. I do use the Pachmayer grip. To me neither caliber is "A pleasure to shoot" but they were the right tool. :shocked:

KingFisher85 · 07-31-2003, 07:34 PM

I also cut my knuckle from the trigger guard. But I found a better way to hold it without that problem.
So you think the 45/70 would be more then enough for an elk (under 150 yards)? I was thinking of getting one but be sticking with open sights. At least get one to have fun with and scare my buds with :grin:

[ 07-31-2003, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]