Bullets for Handgun Hunting

[Elmer]

Handgun Ammo for Hunting

Hey folks,
When hunting big game (deer, wild hog, black bear) with a handgun what type of bullet do you prefer: hard cast, jhp, fmj or something else? I plan on trying it out this fall and am leaning toward hard cast but that's based solely on what I've read as I have no experience with handgun hunting. Please share you preference, along with some of your personal experiences, if you'd like.

Thanks
Elmer

 

[Ghost1]

No experience but...maybe something like this https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/8830/4515-dia-45-cal-300-gr-JSP

 

[Tailhunter]

Hard cast.
I want a hole going in and one coming out.
Hand gun hunting is similar to bow hunting, they die from leaking.
Most of my “handgun” kills have been from handgun calibers in a Marlin platform.
I have found Gold Dots to preform out of an actual handgun and kill deer nicely also.

 

[Tailhunter]

Ps ... with a name like Elmer, why would you even ask such a question?

Next you’ll be telling us your favorite caliber is the .44 special.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Handgun Ammo for Hunting

Hey folks,
When hunting big game (deer, wild hog, black bear) with a handgun what type of bullet do you prefer: hard cast, jhp, fmj or something else? I plan on trying it out this fall and am leaning toward hard cast but that's based solely on what I've read as I have no experience with handgun hunting. Please share you preference, along with some of your personal experiences, if you'd like.

Thanks
Elmer

What cartridge? I've found 44 mag 230g Nosler HP's have dropped them in place.

 

[Bailey Boat]

I've shot a fair number of deer with my 629 (44 mag) and the load that works for me is a Hornady 180 gr soft point running about 1450/1500. it is close to a max load so I shoot it sparingly to ease the load on the gun but it's highly effective. Rarely do deer move more than 20 or so feet and drop....

 

[RR]

Hardcast with a flat meplat is my preference. Either a Keith SWC or a WFN profile work.

I've had success with Hornady XTPs as well in hollow points. But that was out of a .454 where pretty much anything would have worked lol.

 

[Ikarus1]

I've used XTPs in everything from .357 to .44 to .50 cal (.452 in sabots) and they alway work.

Hard Cast if you are using something slower than 1200fps, because an XTP needs some speed.

 

[Elmer]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I plan on using a 7.5 inch Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. Most of what I've read favors a hard cast bullet (Keith style) but there are many who seem to favor hollow points or jacketed soft points. I thought it a good idea to ask here as we hunt pretty much the same game under similar conditions, for the most part. Thanks for sharing your ideas, thoughts and experiences.

Re: the name---it's not my fault!
My favorite caliber is .45 Colt.

 

[RR]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I plan on using a 7.5 inch Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. Most of what I've read favors a hard cast bullet (Keith style) but there are many who seem to favor hollow points or jacketed soft points. I thought it a good idea to ask here as we hunt pretty much the same game under similar conditions, for the most part. Thanks for sharing your ideas, thoughts and experiences.

Re: the name---it's not my fault!

Hornadys 240 gr XTP factory load absolutely hammers whitetails out of that gun.

 

[Elmer]

Hornadys 240 gr XTP factory load absolutely hammers whitetails out of that gun.

I just bought a boat load of 240 gr XTP MAG bullets. I'll get busy and load up a few and see if I can hit anything with them. Thanks.

 

[FishHunt]

Heavy Hornday XTP bullets if the ranges are moderate and the bullet is moving 1200+ fps at the muzzle. 180gr in .357, 240gr in .44 and 250gr or higher in .45 have worked for me. I'm also a fan of the hard cast WFN/LBT style bullets. Any of them will work if you place them in the vitals. Be prepared to hone up your tracking skills if you make a poor shot.

Here is what a 240gr XTP looks like after traveling on a quartering shot through a whitetail deer and the bullet coming a stop under the hide in front of the shoulder on the opposing side. It was about a 45-50 yard shot from a 10.5" Super Blackhawk. Muzzle velocity just over 1400 fps on this load.

<>< Fish

 

[Elmer]

Here is what a 240gr XTP looks like after traveling on a quartering shot through a whitetail deer and the bullet coming a stop under the hide in front of the shoulder on the opposing side. It was about a 45-50 yard shot from a 10.5" Super Blackhawk. Muzzle velocity just over 1400 fps on this load.

Nice expansion! Thanks for the info & image.