hunting pistol single shot or revolver ?

[silent sniper]

what would you guys say is better for a hunting pistol. revolver or single shot. what would be better for small game and large game ? I just wondered what you guys thought. I would say the single shot would probably be more accurate but the revolver has more then one shot. So what do you guys think ? thanks sniper

 

[Blizzard of '93]

the single shot cappers of large bore have some power for sure.
I have hunted feral hog with a '58 Remmy and an ROA.
3 shots - 2 hogs (big one I hit too far back and high for DRT and had to track the rascal aways and blow another slug into head/neck when found it piled up in thicket)
they are more powerful than you might think loaded to the max with slugs.
I had my nephew with me in the ground blind he had his 20ga mag H&R loaded w/3" #4 buck just in case.

 

[Dphar]

For hunting anything larger than maybe porcupines I would prefer a 50-54 caliber pistol. At least for deer. Probably my limit. For Elk and larger I would want something with more velocity and a bigger hole.
The Colt Walker would be a decent choice for deer with a heavy load and a rb or a short FP bullet. Then the Dragoon. The rest are to light in powder charge to suit me.

Dan

 

[crockett]

That depends on what you are doing. If you already have a rifle and you are carrying the sidearm for an additional weapon then a Navy or 36 caliber revolver would be handy for rabbits, etc you may see while you use the rifle for deer, etc. Just make sure it is a legal weapon.

 

[brad adams]

The large bore cap pistol would probably be best for most. 50 cal or larger for whitetails. Remember placement = stoping power, always has always will. It's the hunters responsibility to make a clean kill. and according to ones personal abilities (markmanship)some will be fine with smaller calibers. Go to the photos forum and let Ron show you what can be done with Blackpowder on a Buffalo. Keep the Tradition alive!! Brad

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

BRING ENOUGH GUN!

After 300-500 rounds through any given firearm, you should know where it hits and what loads it likes. Then take it hunting! A big Dragoon or Walker is what's called for for deer-sized game. It takes a while to really get used to the big wheel guns--I have both!

Good luck!

Dave

 

[flintlock75]

I have taken two whitetail deer with a .44 remmington C/B and a turkey, as well as small game. Big game requires close shots 25 yards or less. I carry a smoothbore flint pistol now .67 cal. it works good on grouse out to 20yds with 35 gr of 3F and an ounce of 7 1/2 shot.If i were going to hunt big game today i would go with a large caliber single shot at least .54 cal.Be sure to check the regs about using a handgun to hunt with.

 

[Tinker2]

silent sniper

Are you looking for one gun to do it all? Or one for small game, one for big game?



Tinker2

 

[FishDFly]

With the cold I have been shooting close to the house and I have learned a couple of things. Some good, some not so good.

I have been shooting into my firewood stack for a back stop (target frame in front), step out the door and shoot, go inside and reload, it's warm in the house. Nice fire in the fire place.

The single shot pistol balls (percussion and flintlock) do not rebound and hit the house. The revolvers will rebound and hit the house. This was an observation by the other half and it was immediatley a concern when the re-bounding revolver ball hit my truck.

What is the lesson learned, single shot pistols have a bit more energy, the gas escaping from the cylinder to the barrel is lost energy.

When hunting, think non-revolver, lost energy with revolver.

RDE

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

If I was seriously considering a dedicated hunting pistol, I would build a single shot pistol with a bore of ample size for the game I planned on hunting. I'd also go with a nice long barrel, too. Some early pistols had very long tubes--at least by our standards. With the right twist, a decent sized slug could be used.

 

[silent sniper]

well I was just wondering what you guys suggested. I have a 32 cal crocket pistol or I could use either of my dads 2 36 cal C/B revolvers. I thought the 32 would probably have better accuracy but the 36's have more fire power. here in ohio we are not allowed to use black powder pistols for deer hunting. If we were allowed I would certinally use one.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

So you're basically talking about small game hunting--rabbits and squirrels and such. I think I'd go with the .32, but the revolvers would probably work too.

 

[Tinker2]

silent sniper

For small game, I would be happy with what you have.
I would use the one that shoots the best and practice more with the other one.

In the Dakota’s where I live, to hunt deer with a muzzleloader, it must be .44 caliber or larger and fired from the shoulder. No exceptions.

Of course I can put a shoulder stock on my pistols, then it is legal.
Then again, no pistol would be my first choice for deer and such.



Tinker2

 

[Raider2000]

In Virginia it would be illegal, but for anything larger than say a Coyote, I wouldn't want anything smaller then maybe a Remington NMA Copy in .44 caliber & still would keep my shots at under 40 yards.

 

[slowpokebr549]

A Ruger Old Army will kill a deer, I can testify to that, but it is a little light for the job.The does I have taken were within spear range. Get one of Lymans Great Plains Pistols in .54 and practice, practice, practice.