Handgun Hunting Loads

[SJB358]

What are you all shooting for your handgun hunting loads this year? I am shooting the 240gr Nosler JHP, 23.5gr H110, CCI350's and WW cases. Shoots pretty decent in my Ruger SBH and should be a good stopper on these small Va deer. I have some 250gr Beartooth WFN hard casts that I would like to try, but right now, I am staying Nosler! Scotty

 

[Guy Miner]

I don't know that I'm going to deliberately hunt with a handgun this year. I did have it with me while we were bear hunting, a .44 mag S&W 629, loaded with factory Federal American Eagle 240 grain hollow points. I've found those are surprisingly good bullets, in budget priced ammo that is pretty doggone accurate as well. Brought down a mule deer last year that had been wounded by a rifle hunter. Two quick shots through the chest dropped it in an instant. Couldn't help myself, just automatically triggered two shots one right after the other when I shot.

This one was recovered from my water-jug testing - it retained 100% weight, penetrated very well and obviously expanded well. The two I shot into the deer passed through, doing tremendous damage. One went through the chest cavity, ribs on entry and exit. The other went through one shoulder blade, then out through the rib cage on exit. I'm pretty impressed, figured the 240 hollow point would expand a lot and stay in the deer. Nope. Muzzle velocity was about 1225 fps from the 5" revolver I believe.

 

[velvetant]

S&W 629DX with 2X Burris scope loaded with 18.5gr 296 with a Nosler 300gr JHP
T/C Contender in 358 JDJ with 220gr speer@2200fps
T/C Contender in 308 Bellm with 150gr Hornady@2400fps
T/C Contender in 7mmX444 with 140 NBT@2400fps
All my T/C are scoped with a 2x-7x Burris
If I was hunting.......... I got no tags this year

 

[SJB358]

Velvetant, that is a pretty serious collection of handguns! That 358JDJ has to be a monster!

Guy, I would have never thought that ammo was as good as it is! That is some great performance from budget priced ammo. Almost makes it hard to load at the price and performance you are getting out of those! Scotty

 

[onesonek]

The Encore in a 6.5X57AIR and .454 Casull with 125 gr NP's and 300 gr. cast.
Dave

 

[JD338]

When I hunt behind the house, the go to hand gun is my SW 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag loaded with the Nosler 250 gr PT ahead of 21.0 grs H110, W-W case and CCI 350 Mag primers.

If the opportunity allows, I will hunt with my T/C Contender 6.5 JDJ loaded with a 120 gr BT.

JD338

 

[normo]

Using the Contender this year in 30 Herrett, Fed210, H4227 at 24gr, and 125gr BT. Groups just under 3/4 inch at 100 yards.

 

[1Shot]

I will be using my new MGM 14" 30-30AI barrel on my Contender this year. 125 Nosler ballistic tip, 33 grs IMR 4198, WW case, Wolf LR primer, 2670 fps average and under 1" groups at 100 yards accuracy.

 

[HeathSexton]

Ruger 4 5/8" SBH with either a SWC + 11.0grs Unique or a 310gr WFNGC + 21.0grs H110.

T/C Super 14 30/30 with Rem 170 Factory Core-Lokts

 

[Guy Miner]

Those grips look great!

What kind of wood is that?

 

[HeathSexton]

Guy, those are curly maple grips. I got them from libertyferall on ebay: http://shop.ebay.com/libertyferall/m.ht ... m=&_ipg=25

He was excellent to deal with, I love them. They are a tab fatter than factory and they feel great in the hand.

Here is a pic that is a touch darker and shows more figure in the wood.

 

[Guy Miner]

Thanks, I thought they might be maple... Had a maple stocked varmint rifle once - not as nice as that wood, but good looking all the same.

I may have to get some maple grips for one of my handguns...

 

[JD338]

Heath,

Beautiful wood!

JD338