Revolver Hunting Tips

[Grumpy]

several of the local guys have recently seemed to become rather interested in in fact infatuated with hand gun hunting.
Because Ive been doing this since the early & mid 1960s, (thats nearly 60 years ago)
I get asked a good many questions and certainly, my hobby of reloading, and cast bullet manufacturing certainly adds to the alure of asking me for advice,
as they can learn that rather interlocked companion skill set.
the more experience I get the more its become convinced that many people select a handgun and cartridge that may be a bit too large or powerful for them to easily control and use accurately.
now if you handload this is a factor you can control, through your custom hand loaded ammo.
power is great, but as power increases generally recoil and muzzle blast that is detrimental to consistent accuracy, also increases.
keep in mind that even a properly loaded 357 magnum revolver in skilled hands and with accurate shot placement is 100% lethal.
that does not mean that there is not marked advantages in pushing a larger and heavier and greater diameter projectile to higher velocities.
what it does mean, is that your much more likely to become a consistently good shot if you hand load the ammo you use to a power level you can control rather easily, in most cases beginning hand gunners will be very well armed with a longer barrel length revolver in 357-41-or 44 mag caliber.
for many people, iron sights are hard to use especially as age and your eye sight might cause problems at extended ranges,pistol scopes can be bulky and a P.I.T.A., but the new compact red dot sights are far less of a problem to use on a revolver
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-pistol-red-dot-sights/

https://www.shootingandsafety.com/best-pistol-red-dot-sights-reviews/

suggested bullet weights
357 mag= 158 grain-180 grain
41 mag= 220 grain-250 grain
44 mag= 270 grain-320 grain
45 caliber -300 grain-350 grain
480 caliber 350 grain-400 grain
50 caliber 400 grain-480 grain

Id suggest you hand load to produce the best accuracy and highest velocity you can control ,
and practice consistently,
within the range your particular hand gun
will maintain accuracy in your hands.
practice until you can put all your shots in a 3" orange dot sticker,
then move the target out an additional 10-15 yards and repeat the process.
but try for the suggested bullet weights listed above pushed to at least 1250-1500 fps,
if you want consistently effective results, and yes this will frequently mandate a longer barrel length to achieve.


https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2014/07/hunting-handguns-0/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-hunting-revolver-should-concentrate-on.3744/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-a-handgun-for-hunting-hogs-deer-elk.1864/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/best-6-heavy-pistols.15198/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/44-mag.7500/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-hunting-hogs-deer-elk.1864/page-2#post-88572

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/445-dan-wesson-revolvers.1992/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/1-2in-holes.14800/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-a-handgun-for-hunting-hogs-deer-elk.1864/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ns-power-accuracy-effective-range-cost.13280/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/44-mag-reload-info.3409/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...do-i-need-here-for-a-500-s-w-reloading.11917/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tance-to-use-hard-cast-lead-projectiles.9875/
yeah that suggestion to use a shoulder or chest holster does have a lot of merits
especially with the 6"-10" barrel length handguns

I used a 21 grain charge of H110 under a LEE 310 grain hard cast 44 cal. bullet seated out to the lower crimp groove
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...cf-430-diameter-310-grain-flat-nose-gas-check
MOLD DC C 430-310-RF

with a 500 mag revolver
just a bit of info on these lee "440 grain" 500 S&W bullet molds ,
with the gas check and lube on these cast bullets,
at least using my 95% WW alloy and 5% tin, mix,
the projectiles actually weigh about 470 grains
they are quite accurate (WITH THE GAS CHECKS)
http://www.sagesoutdoors.com/500-s-w...tor-gas-checks
the best load for accuracy, after a great deal of testing.. 22 grains of blue dot
Its certainly not a max load but its very accurate and it certainly hammers hogs

YES IT REQUIRES a shoulder holster to use comfortably

 

[Grumpy]

the 44 mag silhouette with adjustable front site and 10 5/8" barrel is what I carried on most hunts, loaded with the LEE 310 grain hard cast bullet over 21 grains of H110 powder use 95% WW alloy and 5% pure tin by weight, and drop hot bullets out of the mold in a 5-7 gallon bucket of cold water size and lube .430-.431 ( check your 44 mags bore diam.) practice and find the best results and accuracy

remember RAPID & RAPIDLY REPEATED and accurate shot placement to the GAMES VITAL ORGANS, at RANGES UNDER 30 yards
and a knowledge of the games anatomy is ALWAYS critical to defensive use and success at keeping your butt UN- CHEWED
THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT PRACTICE and DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVERS IN GOOD CONDITION, WITH EXCELLENT HAND-LOADED AMMO
yes your skill and consistent accuracy MATTERS

Double Cavity Mold C430-310-RF​

Double Cavity Mold C430-310-RF by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTS430 Grain 310 Grain Round with Flat Requires Gas Check handles and sprue plate are included with mold

www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
(I know from personal experience it will shoot through an elks chest at 50 yards and exit , with that bullet and load, providing a lethal one shot kill) the heavier hard cast gas check bullet design's pushed to max safe pressures, usually provides BOTH the exit and entrance wound and the tissue damage shattered bone and more rapid blood loss, between those open wounds that you want for rapid kills

hard cast gas check bullets of heavy for caliber design and pushed to the upper safe pressure limits, can almost always provide that deep penetration consistently, you can't wait for an attacking bear to bleed out, you need to bust bone, shred muscle and destroy organs, and break him down rapidly and reliably

YES IT REQUIRES a shoulder holster to use comfortably

 

[Grumpy]