Wheel Gun Whitetail Hunting!

[Maximinus Thrax]

I've been invited to go with a friend this season on what will be my first foray into deer hunting. This being such relatively short notice, I'm turning to the collective minds to speed up my research process.

My deer hunting weapon of choice is a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Cassul with a 9.5 in barrel. Based on my current inventory, it's my best legal option. My Kenai chest holster arrived today and was actually quite comfy for the 2 minutes I wore it.

Kenai Chest Holster - Across the Chest, Fast & Efficient Draw | GunfightersINC

Carry your firearm confidently outdoors with the Kenai Chest Holster. Perfect for hiking, camping & hunting. Your ultimate outdoor companion.

gunfightersinc.com

My question is in regards to ammo choice. I have the option of .45 Colt or .454 Casull. The area we'll be in can be fairly heavy with brush so shots outside of 30 yards are unlikely. Is there a reason (besides recoil) to prefer one option over the other? Is there a projectile type I should look for over another? Is there a question I haven't thought to ask but should be asking?

I don't have time to hand load some ammo for it so it needs to be factory ammo this year and if I repeat this experience next year I'll take the time to load up something special for the trip.

 

[nascarfantoo]

I would be happy with the 45 Colt with a 325gr WFN lead bullet.

HSM 45C7N20 Bear Load 45 Colt (LC) +P 325 Gr Wide Flat Nose (WFN) 20 Round Box | Green Acres Sporting Goods

In territory that could prove to be treacherous in a heartbeat, it pays to be ever-vigilant and always ready. Each caliber's specially developed load has been

greenacressporting.com

But the Casull with the same bullet should be good as well.

 

[snapping turtle]

Let’s just say tat your buck of a lifetime (I’ve seen a first time hunter do this) comes to your stand 35 yards out.

Go with the 454.

 

[WhitleyStu]

I'd rather have more power and not need it rather than need it and not have it with what ever (or who) I am hunting.

 

[Mgderf]

The .45Colt can be loaded to very near the pressures of .44 mag.
I have used a very hot .45Colt in my Taurus Raging Bull and they will do the job every time.
That said, I actually prefer the .454, but I'm a recoil junkie.
I have had very good luck with a semi-jacketed soft point from MagTech .454's, but you might have a problem finding it right now.
Pretty much any round designed for hunting deer will suffice if your shots are under about 60 yards, and you do your part.

You should not be disappointed in the .45Colt choice as long as you stay away from the cowboy rounds.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

The gist of what I'm getting is mo powah = mo bettah. As a recoil junky, this speaks to me on a spiritual level...

Thank you all for not sleeping and coming here to answer my questions at all hours of the night.

Let’s just say tat your buck of a lifetime (I’ve seen a first time hunter do this) comes to your stand 35 yards out.

Go with the 454.

I don't have that kind of luck but I'll keep hoping. Maybe one day my dice will finally roll the way I want them to.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

I have in my ammo inventory a box of 50 300gr jacketed soft points made by these folks: I have no idea when my grandfather bought the stuff but it has their branding on the box and was still sealed. I'll roll with that.

Home | HSM Ammunition

Since 1968, HSM Ammunition has been assembling the finest rifle and handgun cartridges that could be acquired. View all of our specialized ammunition types.

hsmammunition.com

I'm inclined to think that these will do the trick but will they cause too much damage? Pardon the ignorance, I'm in full "ask all the dumb questions" mode right now.

 

[Mgderf]

I've used 300 gr jacketed soft points with great success, and no more damage than a .308 or .30-06.

 

[cg21]

454 no such thing as too much power lol

 

[cg21]

I've been invited to go with a friend this season on what will be my first foray into deer hunting. This being such relatively short notice, I'm turning to the collective minds to speed up my research process.

My deer hunting weapon of choice is a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Cassul with a 9.5 in barrel. Based on my current inventory, it's my best legal option. My Kenai chest holster arrived today and was actually quite comfy for the 2 minutes I wore it.

Kenai Chest Holster - Across the Chest, Fast & Efficient Draw | GunfightersINC

Carry your firearm confidently outdoors with the Kenai Chest Holster. Perfect for hiking, camping & hunting. Your ultimate outdoor companion.

gunfightersinc.com

My question is in regards to ammo choice. I have the option of .45 Colt or .454 Casull. The area we'll be in can be fairly heavy with brush so shots outside of 30 yards are unlikely. Is there a reason (besides recoil) to prefer one option over the other? Is there a projectile type I should look for over another? Is there a question I haven't thought to ask but should be asking?

I don't have time to hand load some ammo for it so it needs to be factory ammo this year and if I repeat this experience next year I'll take the time to load up something special for the trip.

After your first LONG track job (or lost completely) your mind changes from “oH I dOn’t wanT to daMagE mOrE mEaT” to “wow this was / is terrible and I want them to drop where they stand from here on out” lol having kids that are recoil sensitive is where it turns into a balancing act….. I let the kids practice with 38 special then slip them 357 for show time. Once adrenaline is pumping they don’t even notice a difference. I wish 44 special was cheaper for this exact reason.

Bottom line is still shot placement though. 357 mag through both shoulders you will lose as much meat as 300 winmag through both shoulders.

 

[Indyhd]

300 gr JSP would be a great load and I wouldn't hesitate to use it. My last 8 point was taken with a .44 @ about 45 yards. The 210 grain JHP only allowed it to run about 30 yards.

 

[Hookeye]

Electronic earpro. Use it.
Handgun hunting will take its toll.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

Electronic earpro. Use it.
Handgun hunting will take its toll.

I've already got freedom's ring keeping me constant company. I don't plan on making it any worse. My trusty pair of Howard Leight Impact Sports will have a fresh set of batteries installed for the day.

 

[Hookeye]

Yup, an allergy meds or NSAIDs crank it up to howling.
Sucks.
Wish they had electronic earpro for hunting way back.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I've already got freedom's ring keeping me constant company. I don't plan on making it any worse. My trusty pair of Howard Leight Impact Sports will have a fresh set of batteries installed for the day.

Yup, an allergy meds or NSAIDs crank it up to howling.
Sucks.
Wish they had electronic earpro for hunting way back.

What do you guys have against the sound of a warm summer's evening? With the cicadas, crickets and tree frogs that live in my head, it's always summertime! Gotta make lemonade.

 

[brizzad]

It always comes down to use the most powerful cartridge you have and can accurately shoot. All animals can do amazing things. Obliterated a doe’s heart and it still ran 100 yards uphill. Neighbor knocked down a buck with 20gauge slug but it got up and ran. He asked me to help track it and I have never seen so much blood come out of an animal in my life, but the wound finally sealed up about a mile away with no deer in sight. There are plenty more examples to give, but suffice to say, shot placement followed by POWER for ethical hunting.

 

[Mij]

Just my two cents, for handgun in heavy cover I know with my old eyes a red dot site sure helps. Hard for me to see those iron sites in low light. And it can be perfectly light out in the field and at the same time trip over your feet dark in the woods. Good Luck on your hunt.

 

[Jeepster48439]

Underwood makes very fine handgun hunting loads. I use their Ruger only loads in my New Model Blackhawk.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

What do you guys have against the sound of a warm summer's evening? With the cicadas, crickets and tree frogs that live in my head, it's always summertime! Gotta make lemonade.

You and I are listening to different music I assure you.

Just my two cents, for handgun in heavy cover I know with my old eyes a red dot site sure helps. Hard for me to see those iron sites in low light. And it can be perfectly light out in the field and at the same time trip over your feet dark in the woods. Good Luck on your hunt.

A red dot may follow in the next year or so but in the mean time I'll trust in my mid-30's eyeballs to do the job with stock iron sights. It worked for our grand-pappies, it'll work for me...for now.