Author Topic: Why revolvers as a hunting sidearm? (Read 2400 times)

pathfinder74 · « **on:** August 03, 2004, 03:52:21 AM »

Since I'm in the neighborhood I thought I would ask this as well.

I have been reading around and it seems that revolvers are the choice sidearms when hunting, hiking, etc. Why is that?

I've always had a semi-auto preference so I'm not sure what the rationale is behind this.

Does it has to do with being able to load a longer cartidge in a revolver than in the mag of a handgun and therefore having substantially more stopping power when coming up against something "more" than a man (ie. bear, boar, moutain cat, etc). I'm not a hunter, but I'd like to know just the same.

Thanks guys

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2004, 04:04:39 AM »

Most states do not allow the use of semi-autos for hunting. Check your state codes.

pathfinder74 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2004, 04:12:25 AM »

Quote from: PA-Joe

Most states do not allow the use of semi-autos for hunting. Check your state codes.

That would certainly explain it. But that doesn't mean that you can carry a revolver around anywhere... CCW laws cover all handguns, correct?

What is the reasoning behind revolvers but not semi-autos? Seems to me some revolvers hold as much ammo and pack more or a punch than some semi-autos... just another mindless gun law on the books?

PA-Joe · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2004, 05:23:44 AM »

In PA if you are target shooting you do not need a lic providing the gun is unloaded and cased while transporting to and from.

We also have a sportmans gun lic for carrying a loaded gun while hunting, fishing and trapping.

CCW is another lic if you have to carry loaded while not hunting.

Most revolvers only hold six rounds while semi-autos can hold 15-30?

pathfinder74 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2004, 06:32:16 AM »

Quote from: PA-Joe

CCW is another lic if you have to carry loaded while not hunting.
Most revolvers only hold six rounds while semi-autos can hold 15-30?

That's what I figured.

Yeah...a couple of the wheel guns I was looking at was a 7 or 8 rounds. I'm thinking out of the box the most you'll find in a semi- is a 10 rounder, but I know you cn buy high cap mags depending on where you live and all.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2004, 06:40:13 AM »

Carrying a semi while hunting even if not used would be considered prefacing of the evidence in most states, you could run into problems with F&G and loose you gun and a fine ect... to go along with it. Check your state laws. Another reason most people don't carry semi handguns for hunting situations even if they were ok to use, is that most are acp's...they don't really push the power the revolvers can for the most part, there are a few out there that do, like the Desert Eagle 44mag, In NH you can use the 44mag semi, but only with five shots in the clip, don't get caught with more or else. I have a friend that does just that, they also allow the 45acp to be used as well. In most states you can not use Full metal jackets for hunting situations either. Some states have a list of handguns/carts that are legal for hunting, F&G divide sections(zones) up as well, like in NH you can use a 454 casull for deer hunting up north,but only can use 45LC in your 454 down southern area's...every state has there own laws, check into them better safe than sorry, I would rather not hear some official saying something like, ignorance of the law is no excuse son, and thats what you would here, if you were unaware of the laws governed bye the state. Just a heads up. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

unspellable · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2004, 07:41:27 AM »

Legal issues in the various areas aside, the revolver rules the roost as far as high horsepower accuracy is concerned. Sure there are a couple of 44 mag self loaders around, but they are not notoriously accurate. (Nor pretty, the last pretty big bore self loader was the Automag.) And when you get to Super Mags, 454 Casull, and such like the self-loader gets left behind. It's also simpler to mount a scope on a revolver.

On the other hand I do use 22 LR, 7.65 mm Parabellum, and 9mm Parabellum in self loaders for small game.

Here in Iowa the self loader is legal but we are not allowed bottle necked cartridges for deer.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2004, 10:01:46 PM »

All good reasons listed by Chris (as usual) but one thing no one has mentioned is the versatility a revolver offers. When I'm out woods bummin', I generally carry a 357 or 44 revolver, and an MTM ammo wallet, that holds 12 to 18 rounds. So in just a few seconds, I can change my ammo as needed. Shotcaps for snakes/edibles, Glasers for 2-legged predators, softpoints for medium game (In season, naturally), even low-powered SWC's for small game. Hollow points are generally carried in the gun, and are fine for most applications. And as Chuck said, most people shoot revolvers more accurately than autos. I know I'm one of those people. I tried shooting soda cans at 50 yards at my range Monday with my Witness 40, which I've had for 13 years, and shot a lot. Used up 100 rounds, hit three cans. Switched to the S&W M-65 I've had a few weeks, and hit at least three out of every six. I can't explain why, it's just a fact in my neck of the woods. A little practice here and there, and nothing smaller than a breadbox is safe out to 125 yards or so!

PJ the Practicing Oxymoron

cbagman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2004, 05:25:31 AM »

My 2 cents worth.. You can get two good revolvers for the price of a fairly accurate Semi auto pistol.. If you reload, on the semis you need to stick close to book loadings to shoot reliably and not damage the frame.. Revolvers can be loaded with lite loads and hunting loads and function well.. cbagman

Litefoot · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2004, 10:18:41 AM »

Personally, any revolver with .44 Mag levels of power (and is light enough to carry), has just too much thump to control. My favorite would be a cartridge not yet mentioned here...the 10mm. It DOES give you magnum performance close to a .41 Mag and, as a semi-auto, is more controllable. Just offering another opinion.

Old Griz · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2004, 07:01:44 AM »

:cb2: I hate trying to find my brass at the range. Let alone in the woods with tall grass, leaves, mud, etc. :eek:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2004, 07:50:20 AM »

Quote from: Litefoot

Personally, any revolver with .44 Mag levels of power (and is light enough to carry), has just too much thump to control. My favorite would be a cartridge not yet mentioned here...the 10mm. It DOES give you magnum performance close to a .41 Mag and, as a semi-auto, is more controllable. Just offering another opinion.

I have a Ruger Redhawk 454 Casull with a 3 inch barrel, I do not find it hard to handle or even a control issue.

TScottO · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2004, 12:28:06 PM »

Revolvers are generally stronger and more reliable shot to shot than a semi-auto of the same caliber. Semi-autos have a narrow bandwidth of power to reliability ratio. Lighter loads with standard springs do not cycle the action reliably and heavier loads with standard springs will tatter metal parts with prolonged usage. There are a few autos that were designed to handle hunting calibers: Automag, Grizzly, Desert Eagle, Coonan and I believe AMT. Of these, I think, the Desert Eagle is the only one still being produced. The 10mm is an acceptable round for deer sized game and smaller which are still available. However with autoloaders bullet designs with a wide Meplat, which is preferred by a large majority of handgun hunters, do not feed reliably.

Just a few more tid bits.

Be Safe,
Scott

jhm · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2004, 02:24:51 PM »

Just a side note reguarding the CCW issue earlier mentioned, here if you qualify with a revolver thats all you can carry, but if you qualify with a auto you can carry either one of them.

JIM

Old Griz · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2004, 05:38:52 PM »

:cb2: That varies form state to state. In Tennessee you can qualify with any gun you legally own or possess, and you can carry any gun you legally own or possess.

unspellable · « **Reply #15 on:** August 24, 2004, 01:50:26 AM »

The qualification thing can get silly. Here in Iowa, once qualified, you can carry what ever legal weapon you like, including a Bowie knife, or an elephant rifle. (Bit tricky to conceal, that last.)

To qualify you must use a centerfire handgun loaded with full power factory ammo. This means I could use a S&W Outdoorsman on an N frame and chambered for 38 Special. On the other hand, if I use a J frame 357, it has to have full house 357 loads in it. I qualified with a 6.5 inch S&W 624, an N frame for the 44 Special. 44 Special factory loads are notoriously wimpy. I'd never use such a combnation for CCW.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2004, 03:58:06 AM »

Live in NH, Live Free Or Die, carry what ever you want

you can also carry a handgun without a conceal license as long as you are carry your handgun exposed(outside your body in plan site) to get a conceal it takes a month,just fill out the paper work, no questions asked, just as Long as you don't have a felony and you are from this country, you are good to go;) Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

pastorp · « **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2004, 08:39:59 PM »

IMO reliability with softpoint or hollowpoint amo is not as much and issue with recent mfg. semi-autos as it was in some of the older guns. I have had three(3) colt deltas, one glock 20, and a new kimber all in 10mm. All were totally reliable out of the box. The only gun I ever had break in the field was a revolver,yes it can happen and it was a colt not a cheep brand. IME revolvers are more versatile, Contenders more accurate, and semi-autos easier to conceal. so I like them all. Regards, Byron

FrankCommes · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2004, 08:42:44 AM »

Revolvers are dependable, quick follow up and very accurate is all I got to say

Mohawk · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2004, 03:30:58 AM »

When I heard of the New York cop that killed a polar bear with a .38 Spl 158gr. LRN behind the shoulder I figured a revolver was good for just about anything. Bear was on his feet for a few seconds and dropped. It saved the man the bear was chewing on. :shock: