handgun hunting

longwalker · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject: handgun hunting

I mentioned before, I drew double doe tags. I will be hunting with my revolver, this year. Anybody else handgun hunting?

longwalker

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

I'm going to hunt with my T/C Encore in 308 win this year. I wanted to last year, but I was still using factory ammo back then and was getting some mis-fires, so I didn't trust it. I'm really looking forward to using the Encore this year. It will be nice to carry my weapon on my hip instead of my shoulder for a change. Good luck to everyone this season.

Blaine

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Blaine...He said "handgun". Not a hand held weapon that is a cross between a rifle and a handgun. And, blelieve me. There IS a diference. Revolvers and pistols are a olt mor difficult to hunt with then a T/C Encore using a rifle calibre round. When I hear of a hunter that takes a deer with a revolver or a pistol I give him more credit, especially if he used iron sights.

Longwalker...Good luck. I have taken a 2 X 2 and a 3 X 2 using a single action Colt SAA 4 3/4" barrel in .357 magnum and it is definitely a rush...

515034s10ring · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Count me in. Cheers

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

Bushmaster,

I'm very much aware of the difference between an Encore and a revolver. I used to hunt with a S & W 357 mag (open sights). I was responding to his question of whether anyone was going to hunt with a "handgun". The Encore is classified as a "handgun". Unless you've ever hunted with an Encore/Contender, you can't appreciate what it takes to hold them steady long enough to shoot. I'm long past the stage where I'm looking for anyone's "credit". I appreciate the Encore for its simplicity and versatility. That's why I switched.

Blaine

LittleMagnum · Member Joined: Jul 05, 2005 Posts: 105 Location: Vermont

Blaine do you have a hammer extension on your Encore ? If so thats a known cause of misfires with Encores.

Flint54 · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

I'll be using several handguns this year again. I'll be using a new Glock 20 with the factory 6" barrel in 10mm. This should be an interesting set-up. Then I'll be using my old stand bys, my TC Contender in .308 Bellm, .357 Max, .35 Rem, 7mm TCU and 45-70. They all work very well and I use the diffrent calibers in various areas. Cool

515034s10ring · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Hey Flint54....I think you will be pleased with the Glocks performance (i know i've been since 1990! Although, i did a trigger job and brought it down to 2.75 pounds). Very Happy

Even though i do reload, i have found that DT ammo has a great round for hunting that i now use which is a 200gr XTP...Double Tap 200gr XTP

I'm yet to try their new 230gr Equalizer round though, Double Tap Equalizer which i think i will this year as well.

Blaine · Member Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 260 Location: Maine

Little magnum,

No I don't have a hammer extender. The problem with misfires was a result of excess head space using some factory ammo. I now hand load so I can make the head space be whatever I want. Incidently, T/C contends that hammer extenders cause mis-fires, but the real problem is a factory hammer spring that is too weak. T/C was sued over a hunting accident in which there was a hammer extender installed that they used to sell. Since then, they disavow any connection with them and caution against using them, saying they cause mis-fires. Many folks use them with no problem. If the head space is correct, there is no problem with factory ammo causing mis-fires. I measured all my factory ammo with a head space gauge and the problem ammo brands were determined.

Blaine

SakoL61R · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Noob to the board. Will be hunting deer and hogs here in GA with my Ruger SR .44 and my Contender in 375 JDJ this year.

Blaine, know what you mean on the T/C misfires. The below link explaining the problem and the fix helped me a long time ago.
www.bellmtcs.com/FAQ/c...sfires.htm
Sako

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Welcome to the site Sako sit and stay a while.

roklok · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

I have to agree with Blaine on the comment about holding a Encore steady. Unless you have a good rest it is not any easier to make a hit with one than a more traditional handgun,actually I think its more difficult. The main difference in my mind given identical sights is flatter trajectory with rifle cartridges. This is useless if you dont have the skill to pull the shot off at longer ranges.Whenever I hear someone classify the various single shots as "stockless rifles" I wonder if they ever tried to hit anything with them. I have a Encore in 358 Win that I plan to take deer hunting this year. After hunting groundhogs with it this summer its somewhat humbling not to make shots that would be easy with a rifle. My longest range handgun kill was actually with my 2 1/8" double action only S&W 640 357 with fixed sights on a groundhog at 128 yards (witnessed and later ranged by laser).Even though off sand bags I can shoot good groups at 200 yards I have yet to hit one that far with my Encore with a scope. Does this mean I suck? Maybe.At any rate I wont shoot further than woods ranges at deer with the Encore.

Flint54 · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:34 pm Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Welcome to the Forum Sako, Happy ya joined in. Be sure to pull up a chair whenever you can and warm ur feet by the fire. hehe. Cheers

grimel · Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 160

Bushmaster wrote:

Blaine...He said "handgun". Not a hand held weapon that is a cross between a rifle and a handgun. And, blelieve me. There IS a diference.

Of course this neglects such things as "handguns" started off as large single shots. Ignores the size of the horse pistols. The Howdah. But, hey don't let the facts interupt your thoughts.

SakoL61R · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:12 am Post subject: Re: handgun hunting

Thanks for the welcomes, folks! Will be sticking around. Found this site in a search for the reloading base.
Sako