Hey Handgun Hunters

[bbarker]

If a 7-30 waters is a good round for deer, does it meet the requirements for deer in Indiana? I see 35 rem in different stores but do not recall seeing the 7-30 waters. What would be the real gain over the 35 rem? I would assume greater range with a flatter trajectory. Would the knockdown power be comparable to the 35 rem? The longer shot I have taken a deer with is 75 yards and the areas I hunt (unless along a field), my shots should be under 100 yards. Thanks for the responses this far! Lots of good info and differing opinions.....I like it!

The 35 rem in a 14 inch contender is fine for deer. I can hit a milk jug at 160 yards with most of my ammo and hardly ever get to shoot at deer that far out. That is something most people can't do with a 44 mag contender.

I have found that the 150 grain bullets are the best at carrying the full range of the cartridge with the least drop at distance. The 180 SSP (single shot pistol bullet ) works well for being a higher weight, the 200 grainers would work well on PIGS or bear a little closer. The recoil is not brutal but it is not for someone who has not seasoned themselves up to muzzle blast and noise. It can cause flinching. The fireball at dusk and dawn is substantial.

I have found the 7-30 waters. It is a 30-30 necked down to 7mm. It is now my preference in the contender for deer. Better wider selection of bullets, a little higher velocity and very good accuracy.

 

[kludge]

Yes, it meets the requirements. Bullet at least 0.243" Case at least 1.16" long.

7-30 Waters is pretty much a handloading propsition, you probably won't find it in stores. A 120gr bullet is going to run about 2400-2450fps from a 14" barrel, so yes it will shoot quite flat compared to "handgun" loads.

A .35 Rem will run around 1900fps with a 180gr SSP from a 14" barrel. It may not sound like much, but it's more that you can get with a 180gr .357 Magnum from a rifle.

 

[sonofadoublegun]

One contender and many barels is all you realy need to handgun hunt.

+1. I have one, and I love it!

SODG.

 

[gixer454]

I don't see much advantage to the .460 S&W Mag over the .454 unless you are using the pointy Barnes bullets. Yes, the 300gr XTP in a .454 out does the 200gr FTX in the .460 IMHO. And the .454 is already "overkill" on deer.


+1 for the 454 Casull!

 

[RealTree]

I prefer to lay prone covered by leaves then jump up and lasso my deer. Haven't found a lasso small enough for the rabid chipmunks...they pack a nasty bite!

 

[bonzaiberger]

I just started handgun hunting last year and like everybody else has said, it's great! I'm using an Encore with a 15 inch .500s&w barrel and I love it! It costs way too much to shoot alot but it does some amazing things
btw, there is no such thing as overkill, just killed. imho

 

[gixer454]

I prefer to lay prone covered by leaves then jump up and lasso my deer. Haven't found a lasso small enough for the rabid chipmunks...they pack a nasty bite!

RIGHT ON!

 

[Gibson90]

Smallest caliber you can use for deer hunting is .357 mag. GP100 would be a good choice.

 

[gregtheplumber]

im using the draco for deer hunting this year the 7.62by39 is legal cartridge out of a handgun

 

[sadclownwp]

Ruger GP100 with a 6 inch barrel is the handgun for any job, and will kill just about any animal on this continent. Plus it's not just a handgun, it's a Ruger.

 

[dbd870]

Smallest caliber you can use for deer hunting is .357 mag. GP100 would be a good choice.

.243 or larger in a handgun, minimum case length 1.16"; .357 is true in a rifle though.

 

[asquires2]

Ive got a Encore 243 pistol , Tender pistol w/ a 30.30 ,223 and 22lr pistol barrel and a RSBHH in 44 mag. The 243 and 30.30 are for deer . The 223 is for yottes and the 22LR is for plinking and squirrels.

 

[joehunter]

I have a contender 14 in a 35 Rem and it is awsome when deer hunting

 

[thoroughbred]

I use a savage striker in .308 with a 2x7 burris and I can shoot it accurately out to 225, that is the farthest I've shot it at the jasper pulaski range. I'm going to have some work done on it this spring though probably a match barrel, trigger job, and custom laminate stock so it looks all nice and shiny!

 

[asquires2]

I have a contender 14 in a 35 Rem and it is awsome when deer hunting

I had one wish I wouldve kept it.