Buzz
Senior Member
LOL - well put...
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40 S&W for deer
- Thread starter tullisfireball
- Start date
LOL - well put...
siberian1
Senior Member
I dont think you are losing your sport. 99% of us know better than to hunt a deer with a 38sp or a 25 auto. If anything I think your sport may be growing. I have seen lots of interest in the contender pistols and big bore revolvers. I think common sense with prevail in this circumstance!
hawgrider1200
Senior Member
I have seen deer shot close up with a 44 magnum that didn't leave a blood trail. I would not even try a 40S&W on a deer. Maybe for a back u shot on one that was already spraying the foliage with red stuff, but usually when they are doing that u don't need a second shot just wait for em to lay down and bleed out. Any deer that runs away from you after being shot should be waited out for at least 30 mins b4 u blood trail.
Parker Phoenix
Senior Member
That is a fact. Now they are practicing their chops on offshore fishing, hunters are a little more organized, but it is coming.
tullisfireball
Senior Member
Funny according to this post we shouldn't chance a deer on any weapon. I have or know people who had lost deer with bows, shotguns, and rifles. If you patrol this forum you will see post made by people who have lost deer with every caliber available, so why should we risk it.
RipperIII
Senior Member
I was coming out of the woods last evening about 30 minutes before sundown. I had been doing a little work on my stand, not hunting, but I always carry my 40 s&w into the woods for yotes and such.
I approached a small opening and saw a young doe at 40 yds., it took me 10 minutes to close the distance to about 15 yds, I slowly cocked my pistol and raised to shoot.
I aimed just behind the shoulder and high to account for bullet drop...I shot just over her back, and she was gone in a flash.
I am glad that it was a clean miss.
I had plenty of light to track her, and know that area well.
I can routinely hit water bottles at 20 yds, but I missed her.
I've never before attempted a handgun shot, maybe I had doe fever...I felt that it was a good opportunity so I took it.
I approached a small opening and saw a young doe at 40 yds., it took me 10 minutes to close the distance to about 15 yds, I slowly cocked my pistol and raised to shoot.
I aimed just behind the shoulder and high to account for bullet drop...I shot just over her back, and she was gone in a flash.
I am glad that it was a clean miss.
I had plenty of light to track her, and know that area well.
I can routinely hit water bottles at 20 yds, but I missed her.
I've never before attempted a handgun shot, maybe I had doe fever...I felt that it was a good opportunity so I took it.
HandgunHTR
Steelringin' Mod
If you were at 15 yards, you don't have to compensate for bullet drop. It will hit exactly where you are aiming.
Randy
Senior Member
Funny according to this post we shouldn't chance a deer on any weapon. I have or know people who had lost deer with bows, shotguns, and rifles. If you patrol this forum you will see post made by people who have lost deer with every caliber available, so why should we risk it.
That is not the point. You know the 40 is marginal to begin with. If you start off with a weapon that you know has a good chance you will be better off in the end...............but hey as I said it's legal, shoot what you want to. Why worry about ethical kill shots. Our legislature does not care why should we?
bowbuck
Senior Member
I toted my glock 22 tonight and hunted in some thick pines with lots of buck sign. With enough time, I hope to bust something with it and then get to use my blood trailing skills. I feel good out to 40 yards or so. I can hit a paper plate with all my shots at that distance. Good luck to all you handgunners out there.
RipperIII
Senior Member
I have a question...
I shot my .40 s&w into a 3.5" thick industrial products catalogue at 30 paces.
The bullet penetrated just over 3" inches into the thick book and opened a hole about an inch and a half across.
Will that not take out the heart, or at least one lung, to say the least of the spine or brachial nerve cluster?
Many bow shots do not penetrate deeper than 3"...just asking.
I shot my .40 s&w into a 3.5" thick industrial products catalogue at 30 paces.
The bullet penetrated just over 3" inches into the thick book and opened a hole about an inch and a half across.
Will that not take out the heart, or at least one lung, to say the least of the spine or brachial nerve cluster?
Many bow shots do not penetrate deeper than 3"...just asking.
deerslayer357
Senior Member
I have killed a deer with a 40 S&W. that being said, I shot it at about 20 yards and put it straight through the heart. The bullet passed all of the way through and the deer only went about 15 yards before it fell.
I won't tell you that a 40 isn't enough to kill a deer, because it is. It just isn't one of the best calibers for handgun hunting for deer.
I say don't use a HP or JHP because they won't penetrate and if the deer runs you will be lucky to find it, but if you shoot it in the neck that won't be a problem I don't guess.
I won't tell you that a 40 isn't enough to kill a deer, because it is. It just isn't one of the best calibers for handgun hunting for deer.
I say don't use a HP or JHP because they won't penetrate and if the deer runs you will be lucky to find it, but if you shoot it in the neck that won't be a problem I don't guess.
deerslayer357
Senior Member
hikerbum- yes, I lost a deer that I shot with my 44 magnum this weekend, but I didn't lose the 2 I killed with my 357 or the one that I killed with my 40. are you saying that that makes the 40 a more suitable deer caliber than the 44 magnum?
as you said, people lose deer with all calibers, but I think that it is only right that we do what we can to minimize the risk of wounding or losing deer that we have shot. with that being said, the 40 is fine for backup shots or tracking wounded game, but I would not use it as my primary deer pistol because I have shot a deer with it and saw the performance first hand and was not impressed.
as you said, people lose deer with all calibers, but I think that it is only right that we do what we can to minimize the risk of wounding or losing deer that we have shot. with that being said, the 40 is fine for backup shots or tracking wounded game, but I would not use it as my primary deer pistol because I have shot a deer with it and saw the performance first hand and was not impressed.
chainshaw
Senior Member
The biggest reason that the law was changed was that it was very difficult to determine what ammo had 500lbs. of energy and what didn't. No officer could actually tell in the field what was legal and what wasn't. With the invention of better powders, stronger guns, and more advanced projectiles, it was very difficult to accurately guess what had enough power and what didn't. Also, with the decline in hunters, it opened up more opportunities for folks to control the deer population.
Throwback
Chief Big Taw
Randy,
The old reg was unenforceable. THe post above this one does a good job of explaining most of it.
Ever met someone with a .25 hunting? I haven't.
There's not a minimum ft pounds on a bow any more either. Hasn't caused a problem.
Crossbows are legal--hasn't caused a problem.
Scopes on muzzleloaders are legal--again, no problem.
T
Just for information....THis weekend I was at the rifle range and decided to sling a bullet down range with my glock model 35, 40 S&W tactical pistol. I posted a mannequin target at 100 meters and aimed at the neck/shoulder line. I had the gun resting on a sand bag. I was really surprised that the bullet drop was only 20-24". The spread was around 14-18". Obviously not a tight enough group for shooting an animal that far nor would it have had enough energy, but it did show me that the gun had more accuracy than I thought it would at that range. If I am ever in a gun fight a person better not stop within 100 meters and let me get a good steady rest!!!
ironhead7544
Senior Member
If I had to use a 40 S&W on deer Id get the Double Tap 200 gr WFNGC load. And the right barrel for lead bullets. This load should shoot through and leave a good blood trail. With the longer Glock barrels this load is getting near a 38/40 rifle load.
repoman34
Banned
.40 cal is more than sufficient to stop a deer dead in it's tracks. Took my last deer with a High Point 9mm carbine, 147gr winchester hollowpoints. Only took one shot at about 50yds. She dropped immediately. .40 cal has a lot more knockdown power than that 9mm. Barrel length may be an issue though if you're using a sidearm.
RLFaler
Senior Member
Personally, I think it is irresponsible to use a .40 or much less a 9mm for deer hunting. I think it is a hunter's responsibility to use an adequate weapon.
Parker Phoenix
Senior Member
I agree.
