Which Handgun for Hunting in Canada ?

I have a Contender in 35rem, scoped with a chest rig. I'm ready to go!:)

Other suitable guns I have,

XP-100 in 7mm-08 also scoped, but the trigger would have to be made a tad heavier.;)

A contender in 30-30, open sights.

629 classic, unfluted, also open sights.

Blackhawk in 45LC, open sights.
 
John, Alright, but you don't give up much, plus my understanding is the recoil makes the 500 S&W almost unbearable to shoot, even with 440 gr Cast my 454 is very controllable. Les

Muzzle Energy between 454 and 500 S&W,

The Winchester factory load using a 260 grain Nosler PartitionGold bullet can be taken as representative. Winchester figures show a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1800 fps with 1871 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy

the most high-powered commercial round weighing 440 grains (28.5 g) has a muzzle energy of 2600 foot·pounds force
 
Violator22 said:
John, Alright, but you don't give up much, plus my understanding is the recoil makes the 500 S&W almost unbearable to shoot, even with 440 gr Cast my 454 is very controllable. Les

Muzzle Energy between 454 and 500 S&W,

The Winchester factory load using a 260 grain Nosler PartitionGold bullet can be taken as representative. Winchester figures show a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1800 fps with 1871 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy

the most high-powered commercial round weighing 440 grains (28.5 g) has a muzzle energy of 2600 foot·pounds force
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the 454 and one day I'll get one, I'm just saying there is a pretty fair difference between the power or potential power of that and the 500. As an example, the comments of #### Metcalf of Shooting Times / April 2003 edition, "the most powerful commercial .454 Casul load reaches 1925 ft-lbs. For all intents and purposes, that gives the new .500 S&W Magnuma top energy 34 percent greater than the next most powerful handgun cartridge in existence". 34 percent is quite a difference.
You're right, the recoil does make it a 'handful' and I would liked to have seen it come out in a single action style firearm but........... As with other potent calibres in other firearms, there are ways to tame that recoil, to an extent.:)
 
Honestly, heavy loads in this SRh are monstrous, I can't imagine going even bigger. Not knocking those that do, but I reload so it is comfortable for what I want it to do. :D Les
 
Violator22 said:
Honestly, heavy loads in this SRh are monstrous, I can't imagine going even bigger. Not knocking those that do, but I reload so it is comfortable for what I want it to do. :D Les
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I know what you mean. I modified a set of jorden Trooper stocks by Herritt's for my .500 and it hepled considerably. I reload as well and in truth, I had no inclination to get a .500 until I was out with my shooting buddy to try his when he got it. A guy locally that I get my cast bullets from also has one and he gave us a load with the 440gr GC cast at 1000f/sec. Trying that load in my buddies 500 at 25 yds off of a rest, I got a target with one big ragged 1.25" hole. I had to have one!
 
Why do you need that much power? Just because it is there? As far as I'm concerned I would be just as happy (maybe more) to shoot 50 gophers with a lower power handgun as a moose. Yes the 500 S&W and other big guns are available but there are a hell of a lot of situations that don't call for it. Are you going to go hunt squirrels with a 500 S&W or 50 AE or .454 Casul? I sure hope not. I would be using .22 LR.

Yes you do need adequate power for the game you are shooting. Yes you need to have adequate power to overcome the neigh-sayers, but we do have more to shoot at than big game.

Maybe it's just me but I'm more interested in the shooting than bagging the big one.
 
I use mine on Deer and Elk, and the occasional obnoxious neighbor cat. Wax bullets do a bit of Damage coming form a 454. :grin: 15 grs blue dot and pack the shell with wax. :D Les
 
Rudy H said:
Why do you need that much power? Just because it is there? As far as I'm concerned I would be just as happy (maybe more) to shoot 50 gophers with a lower power handgun as a moose. Yes the 500 S&W and other big guns are available but there are a hell of a lot of situations that don't call for it. Are you going to go hunt squirrels with a 500 S&W or 50 AE or .454 Casul? I sure hope not. I would be using .22 LR.

Yes you do need adequate power for the game you are shooting. Yes you need to have adequate power to overcome the neigh-sayers, but we do have more to shoot at than big game.

Maybe it's just me but I'm more interested in the shooting than bagging the big one.
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I'm trying to get set-up for a Moose hunt in Alaska, 2009 or 2010. For that, my choice is the .500 S&W. I think it'll be a suitable match for the game in question. In addition, there is the 'Bear' confrontation possibility. Again, the .500 offers a margin of 'comfort'.:D
I agree, if I was interested in hunting gophers, squirrels or other similar sized game, and if allowed, I'd leave the 500 at home and take my .22 Colt Diamondback or my Remington XP-100 in .221 Fireball.;) Again, appropiate for the game in question.
 
Rudy H said:
Why do you need that much power? Just because it is there?
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As John pointed out, use the appropriate gun for the game. How many hunting rifles or shotguns do you own? Most folks don't have just "one" gun to do every thing with, at least I don't. I have rifles from .22, .243 on up to .308 Norma and same for hand guns, big and small. I use the appropriate gun for the game I'm hunting. Though now that I think about it, drawing down on a gopher with a 500 S&W may be entertaining ... for a couple of shots any way ... My point is asking "Why do you need that much power?" will get you the same reaction/answers here regarding hand guns for hunting as it would if you were to ask the same question of rifle hunters with big calibers.
 
I carry a Super Blackhawk .44 mag 4 5/8" barrel on my trap line. I do have a ATC for that revolver. I am pretty handy with that gun and I would shoot anything that would stand still for me with heavy hard cast bullets. It is stock, ie: sights and grips
cheers Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
I carry a Super Blackhawk .44 mag 4 5/8" barrel on my trap line. I do have a ATC for that revolver. I am pretty handy with that gun and I would shoot anything that would stand still for me with heavy hard cast bullets. It is stock, ie: sights and grips
cheers Darryl
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I can only dream.
 
I'd start with what I have. i'd use my 7 1/2" Ruger SBH in 44 mag for big game and 'borrow' my wife's Colt Woodsman .22 for grouse. That little sucker is accurate! The Ruger's no slouch either :cool:

But to celebrate the day that we can once again hand gun hunt in Canada I'd buy a Ruger Bisley in 45 colt with a 5 1/2" barrel and look for an old smith and wesson .22 revolver. I'd probably get a single shot pistol too.:)
 
Here's one for Coastal Brownies.........:redface:

BFR in 45-70 !!!:dancingbanana:

Wonder if it would handle some Ruger #1 Loads :D
SI-7-5L.jpg
 
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