VLD Pilot
Well-Known Member
Definitely the 44 caliber or larger revolver pistol is the best choice for your use.
Backup handgun for surprise close hunting situations.
- Thread starter entoptics
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COBrad
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You have the perfect gun for your proposed use in your FA .454. I have one with the 7.5" barrel. Have killed two elk, 15 and 68 yards shooting 300 grain XTP mag and a Barnes 250 grain. Both boiler room shots both down within 50 yards. The 15 yard was a smooth draw from the chest holster and a one-hand shot as soon as the Vortex Venom dot was on her chest. Shot a 600ish lbs black bear with two 325 grain wide hard cast from a .44 mag as he faced me at 10 paces. Hit the right shoulder up against the neck and found both bullets in the hide at the back of the left hind quarter. About 5' of penetration. I really like the small reflex sight and it's held up to a couple hundred full power loads so far.
entoptics
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One more time for those that missed it. This is NOT ABOUT DEFENSIVE USE. Not saying you shouldn't chime in with your personal experiences on that front, just wanted to make it clear that I'm talking about handgun hunting. Specifically, situations where quick action might get you an opportunity that you'd otherwise miss with a rifle.
I was eyeballing this combo today actually. Thoughts on a mount? I see FA sells one specifically for the job. Any others I should be looking at?
I'll look at holsters at some point. Seems like you could get a custom kydex for an FA with a red dot. Not sure if I'd go chest or hip, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be appendix carry...
I was eyeballing this combo today actually. Thoughts on a mount? I see FA sells one specifically for the job. Any others I should be looking at?
I'll look at holsters at some point. Seems like you could get a custom kydex for an FA with a red dot. Not sure if I'd go chest or hip, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be appendix carry...
COBrad
Well-Known Member
I'm using the FA mount. It's worked just fine with zero issues. I'm also using the FA chest holster. The leather work is top notch, but what sold me on it was the harness system. Those thin nylon straps are wide enough not to bite through a thin shirt and are unnoticeable under a backpack. Quickly adjustable too.
I'm 65, and don't carry any more weight than I have to. I carry my rifle on a safari sling, and I'd bet I could get a shot off with my rifle faster than most people could with a pistol. I carry a S&W Titanium .357 (11 oz.) when I'm not carrying my rifle. I got charged once by a beef bull, and my reaction time was so slow that if it had continued the charge, I'd have been trampled. It takes practice to draw and shoot quickly. I've hunted javelina with a pistol, and a rifle is much better for a quick shot at a moving target. 203 × 167
D
Deleted member 107796
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Within the 80-90 yards you describe, I'd still say that a 44mag with 6.5 - 10" barrel would be the choice. I cannot see anything with a shorter barrel only to the reduction in accuracy for longer shots of >25 yards, realistically, unless scoped. I know that "realistically" is subjective there, so the 4" guys don't need to excoriate me!
Just to add something... I just tested out some Vihtavuroi N110 in my 44. Holy cow, excellent velocity and accuracy with a full sized grain powder that isn't going everywhere when metered, and way less muzzle blast than H110!
Just to add something... I just tested out some Vihtavuroi N110 in my 44. Holy cow, excellent velocity and accuracy with a full sized grain powder that isn't going everywhere when metered, and way less muzzle blast than H110!
Gamesniper19
Well-Known Member
There are a lot of well stated thoughts so let me add my 2 cents
I live in G bear country and have had a few close encounters. I read the data on multiple rounds and found for me - a Glock 10mm with 15 rounds of Buffalo Bore 220 hard cast is my go to.
Yes, some of the larger cases hold more energy and in an encounter, with adrenalin, movement, and the environment in play, I choose 3x the number of shots versus 1 or 2 well placed ones.
Its a Volkswagen with hair, running at me at full charge speed from under 100 yards. It just might take most of the 15 rounds.
AND I JUST SAW THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEFENSIVE USE. That is the only reason I carry a firearm in the field so - again, my 2 cents
I live in G bear country and have had a few close encounters. I read the data on multiple rounds and found for me - a Glock 10mm with 15 rounds of Buffalo Bore 220 hard cast is my go to.
Yes, some of the larger cases hold more energy and in an encounter, with adrenalin, movement, and the environment in play, I choose 3x the number of shots versus 1 or 2 well placed ones.
Its a Volkswagen with hair, running at me at full charge speed from under 100 yards. It just might take most of the 15 rounds.
AND I JUST SAW THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEFENSIVE USE. That is the only reason I carry a firearm in the field so - again, my 2 cents
D
Deleted member 103481
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Some states have minimum handgun energy requirements, I wouldn't hesitate with the load OP listed under 50 yards. I have not shot an elk with a handgun but did pack one on my last trip in case the opportunity arrived.
I have killed and seen a few large whitetail bucks taken with a 357. on average half or better of the hollow points stopped on the offside hide full expanded. The longest was 75 yards off hand. Put it where its supposed to be and a 454 will make the gravy.
I have killed and seen a few large whitetail bucks taken with a 357. on average half or better of the hollow points stopped on the offside hide full expanded. The longest was 75 yards off hand. Put it where its supposed to be and a 454 will make the gravy.
xsn10s
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While I'm no advocate for handgun hunting on elk I'm not experienced enough on the subject.
I seem to recall Ross Seyfried wrote some articles hunting Cape Buffulo with a hot loaded 45 Long Colt. Loads were close to a 454 Casull if I recall correctly. Might get some insights from his articles.
Marine24
Well-Known Member
My preferred caliber for handgun hunting is a 45 Colt with 255gr Keith SWC hard cast bullets. Out of a 5.5" barrel, they are running around 1400 fps. I've used them on both deer and hog inside of 60 yards. I'm confident with the load out to 100 yards.
325gr hard cast bullets is a close second
John Linebaugh has an interesting article on the topic. Here is an excerpt from his earlier writings:
"I have personally taken about 10 antelope and 1 mule deer with a .45 Colt. My boys have taken around 6 antelope and 5 mule deer with their .45 Colts. They use a 4 3/4" Colt SA and the handload is a 260 Keith cast at 900 fps. This load will shoot lengthwise of antelope and mule deer at 100 yards. In my estimation it kills as well as the .270, 30-06 class rifles if the shots are placed properly. If I were hunting heavier game I'd step up the velocity to 1200 fps and in extreme circumstances, (elk, hogs, bear) go to the 310 gr cast slug. This load, 310 at 1200 will go through elk like so much air. These loads can be managed by anyone who is serious about handgunning big game. The .45 gives them a minimum of recoil and blast. I think the .45 Colt has a lot to do with this as it gives them big bore power without big bore recoil and blast."
Full article is here: https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings
325gr hard cast bullets is a close second
John Linebaugh has an interesting article on the topic. Here is an excerpt from his earlier writings:
"I have personally taken about 10 antelope and 1 mule deer with a .45 Colt. My boys have taken around 6 antelope and 5 mule deer with their .45 Colts. They use a 4 3/4" Colt SA and the handload is a 260 Keith cast at 900 fps. This load will shoot lengthwise of antelope and mule deer at 100 yards. In my estimation it kills as well as the .270, 30-06 class rifles if the shots are placed properly. If I were hunting heavier game I'd step up the velocity to 1200 fps and in extreme circumstances, (elk, hogs, bear) go to the 310 gr cast slug. This load, 310 at 1200 will go through elk like so much air. These loads can be managed by anyone who is serious about handgunning big game. The .45 gives them a minimum of recoil and blast. I think the .45 Colt has a lot to do with this as it gives them big bore power without big bore recoil and blast."
Full article is here: https://www.johnlinebaughcustomsixguns.com/writings
Marine24
Well-Known Member
I've always been of a mind that heavier and faster was better, favoring a 360gr HC 454 Casull load but found that wasn't necessary. Even in my Ruger Super Blackhawk and Super Redhawk Alaskan, both in 454 Casull, I stick with the heavy 45 Colt loads.
I still prefer the +P loads but article above makes a strong case that standard pressure 45 Colt loads is more than sufficient.
I still prefer the +P loads but article above makes a strong case that standard pressure 45 Colt loads is more than sufficient.
When in the mountains I usually carry my Glock 21 in .460 Rowland on my hip in case I have a close/fast encounter with an elk, deer, bear, whatever. I carry one mag with 255 hard cast flat nose and one with 230 Speer Gold Dot bonded, both going over 1400 fps in my pistol. I have hunted deer with a 185 hollow point at over 1600 fps. Fast, accurate, more rounds than a wheel gun and very powerful.
SilverbulletMAG
Well-Known Member
Bravo 4 beat me to it. I'll second the 460 Rowland. I have a converted 1911 and while it's not as light as the Glock I'm sure, it shoots like a dream. 460 or the 10mm and your setup for success!
