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Early in Spring bear season I hunt with a handgun so I can cover a lot of ground. Once I start seeing more sign later in the season, I switch to my .300 Weatherby Mag.

I hunt grouse primarily with a handgun, and manage to collect quite a few throughout the season. I use a S&W Victory quite a bit, but my "go-to" is a Ruger Charger. I even break the Colt out occasionally (see photo).

For elk and deer, I hunt with a bow.

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Have always hunted with a handgun (and just about everything else. yes, atlatl). As to big game, took a couple Whitetails with a Ruger Security Six (.357), Muleys, Antelope and Whitetail with a Colt Trooper and Smith 57 (.41 Magnum) and an Antelope with a Contender in .25 Bullberry. The Security Six also dropped a wounded and trotting away Caribou.

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Have always hunted with a handgun (and just about everything else. yes, atlatl). As to big game, took a couple Whitetails with a Ruger Security Six (.357), Muleys, Antelope and Whitetail with a Colt Trooper and Smith 57 (.41 Magnum) and an Antelope with a Contender in .25 Bullberry. The Security Six also dropped a wounded and trotting away Caribou.

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Nice. All be hunting with a m&p 10mm . No more then 50 yards
 
I may use my 460XVR with Leupold scope at some point. Can consistently hit small metal plate at 200 yards.
 
I've shot Grouse with my Buckmark and Rabbits with my 45 Colt Blackhawk. No big game, but I figure my 44 Mag Redhawk would make a dandy 100 yd and less brush gun.
 
I've hunted deer and elk with a handgun. Unfortunately, I never got a shot with either the 41 Mag or the 357 Max.
There was the time that I got caught flatfooted without a rifle during deer season and I drew my 1911 on a small buck. I had my sights on him, but by the time I got into place to legally shoot him (across a road and off of the shoulder), he moved out of sight.
 
Got a Blacktail with my Anaconda several years ago. Wanted to use it this year but the Bushnell Elete scope finally gave in to the recoil. I contacted Bushnell and they said send it in, so I did. They said it was discontinued but they were sending an alternative product. A couple weeks later I got an open red dot sight that sells for $150! NOT happy! I sent an email expressing my displeasure and asked for another resolution and got crickets. Really wish I had gotten the Leupold. I have not found anyone currently making a handgun scope!
 
There have been multiple times when hunting that Ive come within 10-15 yards of deer and elk and I've thought to myself about handgun hunting.
I plan on picking up a large caliber handgun to carry with me while hunting with a rifle in order to use it on game up close for the sport of it.
 
Blacktail deer with a 4" Colt .357 mag, my edc in that era. Six, one each on the opening morning of six different deer seasons, all in Alsea area, Coastal Mountains west of Corvallis. Lotsa deer there, and I was really familiar with the area, having camped out there about half a year. Lots of rabbits for the pot while hiking and camping. Various revolvers, all 357s. By the time I got into .44s my heavy hiking and camping days were over. It wasn't exactly hunting, but also dozens of raccoons and possums, about half a dozen skunks, and a couple of foxes. All duck flock protection with Buddy, my current edc, a 686 snubby. I like hunting with my edc...and carrying an EDC that is accurate enough for handgun hunting or livestock protection.
 
Blacktail deer with a 4" Colt .357 mag, my edc in that era. Six, one each on the opening morning of six different deer seasons, all in Alsea area, Coastal Mountains west of Corvallis. Lotsa deer there, and I was really familiar with the area, having camped out there about half a year. Lots of rabbits for the pot while hiking and camping. Various revolvers, all 357s. By the time I got into .44s my heavy hiking and camping days were over. It wasn't exactly hunting, but also dozens of raccoons and possums, about half a dozen skunks, and a couple of foxes. All duck flock protection with Buddy, my current edc, a 686 snubby. I like hunting with my edc...and carrying an EDC that is accurate enough for handgun hunting or livestock protection.
With the type of deer hunting I've been doing the last several years, I believe a 4" 357 would have worked. The longest shot was maybe 40 yards, with the two closest ones 15 yards or less. I would think the 357 would be acceptable for that kind of use.
I've thought about handgun hunting from my stand on occasion, but I have a rifle I want to "put to use" first.

I too, like to have a carry gun that is capable for other things besides personal defense.
 

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