Handgun question

[flatland fisher]

I've been wanting to get a pistol for a while now. Always kinda wanted a .357 mag, but still not sure. I'm wanting something big enough for deer, hogs and home defense. I don't really want a cannon though. Something with a minium of 400 ft lbs @ 50yds would be legal for deer here in Ne. Not certain I will ever shoot a deer with it, but just in case.
Also been thinking about either a .41 mag or maybe a 10mm. Ammo price and avalibity is a concern, but I do have a friend with a nice reloader. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

Ryan

[Capt_John]

Get a Taurus Judge that shoots the .410 shotgun shell or .45 Long Colt. The guns are amazingly practical handguns for all around use. I have 2 of them and I love them. I've never had a need for a .45 Long Colt round for them either. I have a 3" Magnum for hunting, etc. that accepts a 3" shell or 2 1/2" shell. You can shoot a .410 slug through it with very good accuracy and it will be the same as shooting a .41 Magnum pistol cartridge. For personal defense, 000 buckshot will definately do the trick and for home defense #4 shot is even better. It will definately stop a threat and you don't have to worry about the shot going through a wall and hitting someone sleeping in another room. I have one with the 6 1/2" barrel and one with the 3" barrel. Both are stainless and go for less than $500.

Another option is a S&W 629 Classic in 10MM. This is a great hunting round for a revolver with alot of speed, flat shooting, and plenty of stopping power. If you want to fun shoot on a budget, the 10MM revolver shoots the .40 S&W ammo also. This should just meet the minimum requirements on hunting caliber for your state also.

You could also look into the Taurus Model 66 in .357 Magnum, S&W 629 in .44 Magnum, Taurus Tracker in .357 Magnum, Ruger GP100 in .357, or the S&W large frame in .45ACP

[fishn'brewis]

I'd say a .357 with a 6 inch barrel would be a minimum. There are better choices for hunting but for range use the option of shooting .38 specials is nice. If I were going to buy a pistol strictly for hunting I'd start at a .44 magnum. Big bore pistol ammo is usually available and always expensive.

[seapower]

It's a matter of choice and what you feel comfortable shooting. What I mean there is no need in buying a handgun that is too much for you, if you do you'll never shoot it good enough to be effective. I am a Smith & Wesson man 100% on revolvers, because of the extra crisp, smooth, light trigger. That is the most important thing that is most often over looked by a person that is just getting started. If you've got a "hard, stiff" trigger your shooting will be crap! I believe you will be best served with a double action revolver aswell. Use the hammer cocked and squeeze for that accurate or down range shot. Use just the trigger for up close defensive (animal or man) shots. I myself am not a fan of stainless guns, I' like the old blued ones with real wood grips. Keep it oiled and it'll last for ever, plus the stainless "stands out" too much for me in the woods. I do alot of "walk and stalk" hunting. I don't want an hour of pussy footin to go to waste because of glare off my pistol. As for calibers I used a .357mag for years bear hunting, it will do the job. You just gotta be close (3 to 4 foot) for a good no I recon about it head kill shot. I have shot deer with it, but much, much, much, (get it) prefer my S&W .44mag double action. Yes it is bigger but I have no problem what so ever shooting a deer at 50 yards. A hog I'd like to have within 30 yards. A bear within 15 feet. I want to kill, not wound. Be carefull of the rounds you use, some definitely do better than others, this you will find out quickly. I have settled on Hornady 200 grain jacketed hollow points (JHP/XTP) for the .44mag. These are fast, hard hitting rounds that have excellent weight retention (they don't go to pieces, they get in deep to do serious damage). This is something you will definitely need for hogs, they are tough and can take a punch. You can buy the cheaper boxes of 50 rounds to shoot and get good with your handgun, but break these out for hunting. By the way you will need to sight you handgun in for the rounds you're going to hunt with. I use open sites on my revolvers. I also use a Thompson Contender (single shot pistol) in .375 cal, with a "red dot" scope for stand hunting in low light conditions (no magnification). In my opinion if your gonna hunt with a handgun, get a good "hunting" handgun. If your looking for home defense by a Mossberg pump. But do know that NOTHING for defense, says love like a .44mag. Don't believe me, unload and have someone hold it on you,bet you can't look down that barrel for long. Even if you DO know it's unloaded. I'm no expert, but it's what I spend alot of time doing. Frank

[NY Bearhunter]

YOU WILL OWN MORE THAN ONE HANDGUN FOR SURE, SO START SMALL AND SEE HOW YOU DO, THEN WORK YOUR WAY UP.TRY A NICE .22,40,9MM THEN YOU CAN GO FROM THERE.

[TroutGabby]

I agree w/ Capt John, The Taurus is an awesome pistol and has been very reliable. The new Federal "410 Handgun" ammo in both 000 Buck and #4 packs a lot of power. The .45 Long Colt has been a hard find at least since the pistols were released. Good luck on your search!

[flatland fisher]

Thanks for the replies. The judges don't really interest me at this point, not for a hunting gun anyway. (In Ne. 20ga is the smallest slug that can be used.)

Today I finally made it to the shooting range to try a few different calibers. First was the 10mm, they only had a Glock20 (semi-auto) but it shot decent. They didn't have a .41 at all, and their .44 was being serviced so I couldn't shoot it. I ended up renting a .357 revolver and still like that round. Another guy there had a .44 and let me fire a few rounds through it, didn't kick as bad as I had figured it would. (not sure what kind of load he was using.)

At this point I still don't know exactly what I want...
I like the versilitity of the 10mm and .40 ammo, same with the .357 and .38 Still gotta admire the raw power of the .44 though.