Shooters Forum banner
Cancel

Hunting with handgun cartriges

5710 Views 27 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  miestro_jerry, 
thegrandenigma
I'm fascinated by handgun hunting (probably the whole "forbidden fruit" thing) and I got thinking, what can you take with various handgun rounds? There are some VERY powerful handguns out there, like the .500 S&W, but I'm curious about the other staples. Rounds you may not think about when you think handgun hunting. Are there any hunting applications the following cartridges could be used for? What would they be good for and at what ranges? Would it make a difference if it was from a pistol/revolver/contender/carbine?

9mm Luger
.40 S&W
10mm Auto
.45 ACP
.357 SIG
.45 GAP
.45 Colt
.357 Magnum
.44 Magnum
.41 Magnum
.50 AE
.454 Casul
.327 Federal Magnum

There's others that I am forgetting for sure. A bunch of .32 or .38 caliber rounds for example. I expect that rounds like the 9mm would not be used for hunting at all, and rounds like .45 ACP only from close range, but if I knew, I wouldn't be asking. :p

What can you tell me?
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 2 of 28 Posts
C
"NC allows hunting whitetail with handguns with straight wall ammo at least .357Mag (excluding 38SPL) with a barrel at least 5.5". All handgun hunting must have the 5.5" or better." by fcfirearms


Not so anymore. There is no barrel length restriction except on 22s,they must be 5.5. And 357centerfire has been changed to .24 according to fish and wildlife book from 2009. Got to accomidate the sp and encores.

That said you never specify small game,varmits,big game or dangerous game,but you have calibers listed that at least one could do the job.
Reply
Save
Like
C
"not as high on the food chain as a properly loaded 45 Colt IMHO "quote by jwp475

"way higher in the food chain" quote by soontobewildcat

jwp didn't say way higher,he just said higher.I agree.Unless my eyes and ears lie to my brain there is visible differences on game and audible differences on steel.Maybe they do lie ,but the difference to me was enough to make me sell all but one of my 44s and revamp.And that 44 was a wedding present,and if everything goes good it will be WAY HIGHER on the food chain next year this time.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 2 of 28 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Shooters Forum
A forum community dedicated to Sport shooters, owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hand casting bullets, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Rifles and Rifle Cartridges Handloading Procedures/Practices General Discussion Handguns Gunsmithing
Top