I was just browsing the Indiana eregulations website and found this "A new state law also legalizes a handgun that fires the 10mm Auto and 40 Smith & Wesson cartridge" retrieved from here. I did some reading around the internet and found quite a few posts from people who had successfully harvested a deer with a 40 and lots of uneducated "not a powerful enough round etc..." It seemed highway patrolmen rank high on the list of 40S&W users who have killed deer with their sidearm. I read quite a few success stories from people using the 40 on deer at bow ranges. I did not find anyone who admitted to losing an animal after shooting it with a 40, but honestly how many people would own up to it. I plan on using my .50 Beowulf this year so my p09 in 40 will probably stay at home, but I can't help but think what a challenge it would be to harvest a deer with a 40sw.... It is pretty standard operation to shoot 3 and 4 inch groups at 20 yards with the 09 at the range, but I've never tried while sitting. I do not reload and I rely (maybe mistakingly) on hornady's website for information on the ammo I shoot. They list their 40SW American Gunner ammunition, which is my go to when not shooting cheap, as a round capable of medium game.
The pistol law requires a 4" barrel so that eliminates a lot of the compact autos out there. But there are some real semi auto tack drivers out there in 40SW like the P09, G35, and Beretta 96 that are more than capable of holding 6 inch patterns at 25 yards in the right hands.
So when it comes to hunting with a 40SW during the 2017 deer season...
Would you do it? Have you done it? What round would you use, if you were going to use it?
Like I said I'm going to stick with my Beowulf this year. I lost my private hunting land spot and I have been turned away at every door I've knocked on this year so my 300blk will have sit this season out. I do think it would be a real challenge to harvest a deer with a pistol I carry frequently tho.
The pistol law requires a 4" barrel so that eliminates a lot of the compact autos out there. But there are some real semi auto tack drivers out there in 40SW like the P09, G35, and Beretta 96 that are more than capable of holding 6 inch patterns at 25 yards in the right hands.
So when it comes to hunting with a 40SW during the 2017 deer season...
Would you do it? Have you done it? What round would you use, if you were going to use it?
Like I said I'm going to stick with my Beowulf this year. I lost my private hunting land spot and I have been turned away at every door I've knocked on this year so my 300blk will have sit this season out. I do think it would be a real challenge to harvest a deer with a pistol I carry frequently tho.
