Author Topic: First Hunting Handgun (Read 1134 times)

44 Phanatic · « **on:** June 16, 2004, 12:04:12 PM »

I hunt exclusively with a 44 Magnum lever action. I am interested in starting to hunt with a handgun. Would the Super Blackhawk Hunter be a good gun to start with?
I never shoot past 125 yards, and have become very fond of the 44 Magnum. I just cannot see the reason to shoot the long range calibers when all my shots are so close.
Is the Hunter too much gun for a new handgun hunter?
I have a 38 and a 22 mag. pistol that I shoot just for fun.
Also, is a red dot appropriate for hunting?
Thanks

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2004, 01:54:26 PM »

If you shoot your 22MAG and 38 well and are use to handguns, a 44MAG is a good gun. You will want to start out a little light, like a 44 special and work up to the heaver 44MAG loads. The key is practice and working up to stronger loads. You do not want to develope a flinch. Also a red dot is a good choice for 100 yards and under. Some prefer a scope for the magnification. I shoot with both.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2004, 02:12:15 PM »

44 Phanatic
You didn't mention if you hand loaded or not, If you do you can custom your loads to where they can be increased according to you desire. and if you don't load your own you can start out with 44spl loads. since you have been shooting thr 44 mag. fifle you have good idea how they will act.
And to answer your question about the hunter,,, I think that would be a good choice, I have great luck with mine. Good luck and stay safe.
Joe

HappyHunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2004, 03:10:38 PM »

44 Mag is a good hunting round, will do whitetale with out too much damage. I prefer a 41 mag, but you will need to handload to get the most from this caliber. Also a 357 can be effective but probably not over 75 yds, and shot placement is even more critical.

As others will tell you, start small and work up: 22, 38 spcl, 357 mag, and then 44 mag. Sounds as if you have done this important step. This will reduce the potential for developing a flinch.

Single action vs. double action? Personal preference, I recommend shooting both before plunking down the money.

As far as the red dot sight goes, they are ok for other than dusk and dawn. If it is a low light application you will do better with an optical scope (2 or 4 power).

44 Phanatic · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2004, 03:04:41 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I do not reload, so 44 specials will be my route. I have never shot a handgun with a scope, and wonder how difficult it is to achieve gun control. (Reduced wobble effect) Will a 4X scope make the wobble to intense for a beginner? I have heard that the 2X scopes appear to be very little if any magnification.

Wlscott · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2004, 03:24:46 AM »

I just put a 2X Leupold on my Super Redhawk. There really isn't much magnification, but I went with the 2X because I have never shot a pistol with a scope. I was kind of thinking about better field of view, and less scope wobble.

So far I like this scope a lot. Anytime I hunt I carry my shooting sticks, and I can shoot pretty decent groups off of the sticks.

Questor · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2004, 03:51:19 AM »

44 Phanatic:

If you like the ergonomics of the single action revolver, that is a fine gun. Try and handle both a single action and double action revolver and see which you like best. You don't necessarily need to shoot each, but you should handle each.

The 2x Leupold is a great scope on a 44. That's what I use and recommend.

If you can get a red dot that self-adjusts its brightness level-- like the Docter sight-- then it ought to be alright. Where I hunt the light levels vary quite a bit and I need to readjust the intensity of the dot. This is bad in my opinion. I like the red dots above all others for target shooting at the range, but I do not like it as a hunting sight.

Get plenty of practice ammo to develop proficiency. For factory ammo, Federal's promotional American Eagle 240 grain hollow points are really good and they are moderately priced. Don't get the lighter bullets. You get too much muzzle blast and they're no good for hunting deer. If you can get some light loads or 44 specials to practice with, it's more fun. The 44 has quite a bit of recoil, and you'll probably start flinching at some point during your shooting sessions. When that happens, and it may be just a few rounds at first, quit and do something else. It's a good idea to take another gun or two with you so do more at the range than just fire a few shots and leave.

dave375hh · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2004, 04:01:37 AM »

I use a Ruger SB Hunter model with a Millet red dot. I have found it to be faster on target and much steadier than a pistol scope. I originally used a B&L Elite 2X6 power. But had trouble picking up the field of view quickly and or holding it still offhand at anything over 2 power. With the red dot I just focus on the target and raise the dot to it. I can do this just as fast as with iron sights, maybe faster.

daddywpb · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2004, 01:43:26 PM »

Be sure to check your state's regs before you hunt with a red dot. It is not legal to hunt with any kind of electronic sight in Florida.

Bullseye · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2004, 01:49:33 PM »

2X is all I use on my deer hunting guns. Plenty of magnification out to the 100 yards I would take a shot at and less wobble effect as you called it. More magnification can be good sometimes, but the price you pay is every little move shows up more and eye alignment becomes more critical. That is why I use 2x's on my deer guns.

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2004, 05:45:27 PM »

Phanatic,
I think that the Super Blackhawk Hunter would be an excellent choice for your hunting handgun. You might want to get the feel of both the Bisley hunter and the Super BH hunter. They are the same except for the grip frame. Those that use either one seem to have strong preferences for the one that they use. Red dots are great as long as the batteries are good. If you are not used to a scoped handgun, I would recommend a lower magnification (2X). A 2X is plenty for 44 mag ranges, and you won't end up finding yourself "chasing" the crosshairs around.
Best of luck with your choice.
TnNuc