I was thinking of getting into the handgun game for Javelina and maybe deer sized game. I have a lot of handgunning experience but not with hunting. Mostly with 1911's, Glocks, etc. what calibers and makes and models would you guys recommend and what questions am I not asking?
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Handgun Hunting in AZ
- Thread starter augnmike
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Are you looking to hunt with a revolver or a single-shot handgun?
Distances?
Preferred style(s) of hunting?
Distances?
Preferred style(s) of hunting?
I'm not against either SS or revolver at this point. I will likely be glassing and planning stalks on game. I kind of like the TC guns but frankly I don't know why, looks I guess. I used to own S/W .41 mags but sold them all (stupid). Distances I am not in the know on with handgun hunting but I would guess averages are 25-75 yards, again I have never done it.
If you like the TC's, then Contender/G-2 or Encore?
With the Contender, the 14" 7x30 Waters will give you way beyond 150 yards on deer sized game.
The Encore while heavier will allow you to shoot almost any bottleneck cartridge.
Both action design let you still use straight wall cartridges as well.
With the Contender, the 14" 7x30 Waters will give you way beyond 150 yards on deer sized game.
The Encore while heavier will allow you to shoot almost any bottleneck cartridge.
Both action design let you still use straight wall cartridges as well.
Do you reload?
Yes I have in the past but not lately. I do have Corbon do some reloading for me though and anything is possible with them. I don't shoot a lot so when I get a rifle dialed in with the right load a hundred rounds of ammo lasts me a long time. I sent a 6x47 bolt gun to Pete at Corbon and he rechambered it to 6x47 and sent me 100 rounds of what he determined to be the best load for it. It shoots one ragged hole at 100 yards now. I was wondering if I should consider getting a caliber pistol the same as what I own in rifles but I guess that would not matter since it would not likely shoot the same configuration round given the barrel length difference.
Yes you can buy factory ammo for it
It would be better for longer distances if you reload it, say like 120 grain Nosler ballistic tip
It would be better for longer distances if you reload it, say like 120 grain Nosler ballistic tip
Good comment above.
I would first decide whether you want to use a straight wall cartridge, like those in a revolver or a bottleneck cartridge, like those used in rifles.
I would first decide whether you want to use a straight wall cartridge, like those in a revolver or a bottleneck cartridge, like those used in rifles.
You are going to have more range/distance capability with the 7x30 Waters and or the 30-30 than you will with revolver cartridges.
Is that important for you?
The rifle cartridges will also shoot flatter, since they are lighter in weight and have a higher BC (More aerodynamic).
The revolver bullets will have a larger diameter.
It really comes down to preference-Your preference.
How far would you like to be able to shoot and practice at?
By nature, do you prefer straight wall cartridges over bottleneck?
Do you intend to reload, or do you strictly want to purchase ammo?
How much will the ammunition cost and how available is it?
How recoil sensitive are you?
With the Contender using the 30-30 or the Waters, I would suggest the 125 NBT for the 30-30 and the 120 NBT for the Waters, IF you choose to reload.
I have no recommendations on factory ammo, since I rarely use it.
Is that important for you?
The rifle cartridges will also shoot flatter, since they are lighter in weight and have a higher BC (More aerodynamic).
The revolver bullets will have a larger diameter.
It really comes down to preference-Your preference.
How far would you like to be able to shoot and practice at?
By nature, do you prefer straight wall cartridges over bottleneck?
Do you intend to reload, or do you strictly want to purchase ammo?
How much will the ammunition cost and how available is it?
How recoil sensitive are you?
With the Contender using the 30-30 or the Waters, I would suggest the 125 NBT for the 30-30 and the 120 NBT for the Waters, IF you choose to reload.
I have no recommendations on factory ammo, since I rarely use it.
I am probably leaning toward the rifle rounds over the straight case pistol rounds. I am interested in shooting up to 100 yards or beyond for deer or pigs. I will do my research on the 30-30 (I actually have an old marlin lever gun) that has been fired five times in 30 years. I was wondering what optics I should look at for a pistol. I have all US Optics scopes on all my rifles and could likely get them to build me something custom (I do consulting work for them) but what attributes are important for a pistol scope? Obviously eye relief is way different.
Give me a call tomorrow 307-257-7431 and I will walk you through several options in terms of glass, FOV, reticle options, FFP vs. SFP, etc.
With your working relationship, you may have more options than most of us.
I have a couple of long eye relief scopes left, but I primarily use rifle scopes on my specialty handguns, since I like to play at distance.
This will give you some reading material:
Handgun Hunter Magazine - Rifle Scopes On Specialty Handguns
With your working relationship, you may have more options than most of us.
I have a couple of long eye relief scopes left, but I primarily use rifle scopes on my specialty handguns, since I like to play at distance.
This will give you some reading material:
Handgun Hunter Magazine - Rifle Scopes On Specialty Handguns
