Considering the astronomical number of handgun calibers in existence, it’s understandable that it might be a little frustrating to choose one for handgun hunting. Of course, there isn’t only one handgun caliber that’s good for hunting, but there are a few that offer more benefits or versatility than others. If you’re considering adding handgun hunting to your repertoire, or are interested in broadening your caliber horizons, we have suggestions. Check out our top five handgun hunting calibers we think you should try next time you hit the woods.
10mm Auto
If you’re questioning why 10mm Auto is front and center, it’s because it’s a beautifully versatile cartridge. This round hit the market in 1983, partly but not only because the late Col. Jeff Cooper wanted a faster, ballistically superior handgun option. It spend a brief time being used by the FBI in the aftermath of the 1986 FBI Miami Shootout, but at that time agents had issues controlling it—that and barrels burned out too fast. Of course, that was decades ago, and a lot has changed.
Today, 10mm Auto is a round that covers its bases well enough it could function as your only handgun if you wanted. It can be used for target shooting, self-defense, home defense, and hunting. Let’s face it, owning a pile of handguns for specific purposes is awesome, but it’s more realistic to need some of those guns to be capable of multitasking.
10mm Auto is great for predators, varmints, and game animals such as whitetail deer. It isn’t an ideal caliber for something as big as a moose, but it’s perfect for small to moderate-sized animals. 10mm is also a great option for defense against bears. Why? Because it’s smarter to carry a gun you can keep on target for accurate, rapid-fire shots than one that’s bigger but impossible to control when you’re being charged by an angry bear. It’s all well and good to say you want a massive magnum revolver until you find out target acquisition and follow-up shots can be a real challenge.
Best of all, this cartridge can be found in everything from 1911s to Glocks to revolvers. Whatever your preferred platform is, there’s a 10mm for it.
460 Smith & Wesson
This one’s a cartridge that was specifically designed for handgun hunters. Smith & Wesson created the 460 Smith & Wesson in 2005, and although it hasn’t reached the heights of popularity it likely deserves, it does have a following. It might surprise you to know the parent cartridge of the 460 Smith & Wesson is the 454 Casull. This is a magnum round that pushes bullets down range at significantly higher speeds than many revolver cartridges can manage.
Now, it can take a bit more effort to find a revolver chambered in 460 Smith & Wesson, but it’s neither impossible nor too limited. Smith & Wesson themselves manufacture quality guns in this chambering as do Magnum Research and Taurus. It’s a good cartridge to get in a gun with a longer barrel both to get as much out of it as possible ballistically and to offset muzzle rise somewhat. This is a cartridge that’s capable of taking all manner of animals. It’s popular among hunters after elk and has even been used on moose. Dangerous game is another common target. If you’re into magnum handguns, you should get to know the 460 Smith & Wesson.
44 Magnum
The 44 Magnum doesn’t really need any introduction. It’s been popular since day one, even before Clint Eastwood wielded it in “Dirty Harry” (although that did give it a boost). There is a slew of guns out there chambered in 44 Magnum, so whether you prefer a long-barreled revolver, a snubby, or even a semi-auto, they’re out there.
You might be surprised my how minimal the recoil is from many guns chambered in 44 Magnum. They can also be impressively precise. For example, the Korth NXR Hunter pictured above and the Ruger Super Redhawk are both wonderfully precise guns, which makes them perfect for hunting. Your 44 Magnum can be used for animals as small as coyotes or as big as an elk. Just be aware that the smaller the animal, the greater the wound cavity, which will destroy a hide if you’re interested in keeping it. And if you’re using your 44 Magnum handgun on elk or moose, make sure those shots are taken at distances within the gun and ammo combination’s capabilities. That means no truly long handgun shots.
429 DE and 50 AE
It might come as a shock, especially if you’re part of the uber-dedicated revolver club, but there’s more to handgun hunting than wheel guns. There’s even more to it than your standard semi-auto. Although many people ignore the Desert Eagle platform as a legit option for hunting, it actually has fantastic hunting applications. If you want a more eclectic handgun hunting experience and enjoy trying something new, the Desert Eagle and its behemoth chamberings are for you.
The Desert Eagle is usually associated with 50 AE (Action Express) which is a sizeable cartridge topped by a .500-inch diameter bullet. Yes, it’s big, and yes, it will put a substantial hole in whatever it’s aimed at. Then there’s the 429 DE (Desert Eagle) which utilizes a necked-down 50 AE case. That one’s a little smaller than the 50 AE, with a .429-inch diameter bullet, but still big. The fantastic thing about this platform is that it’s unique and fun to shoot. And it’s heavy (about five pounds, loaded). That weight does quite a lot to mitigate felt recoil and muzzle rise.
Now, this is not an ideal gun for any type of rapid fire, and although it’s accurate, it isn’t precise. This is the gun you take your time with and one you don’t use on any animal you don’t want a massive wound cavity in. Don’t ignore it, though. Desert Eagles aren’t just a novelty, they have a lot of applications if you just put the time into learning about them.
40 Smith & Wesson
If you were startled by the appearance of the 429 DE and 50 AE, this one might be even more of a shock. However, the 40 Smith & Wesson can work quite well on varmints and predators up to feral hog size. It’s done a fantastic job of dropping 300-pound hogs time and again, proving it is, indeed, a capable hunting option.
Here’s why this is such an important caliber to consider. Getting into handgun hunting can be far simpler if you’re able to use a gun you already have on hand. If you feel forced to invest in an entirely new setup just to go shoot something, you’re way less likely to do it. And as long as you stick to appropriately-sized game, the 40 Smith & Wesson is excellent. Many people see it as only for competitive shooters nowadays, but in reality, it remains a relevant caliber.
The pictured revolver is a Smith & Wesson Model 610 which is capable of running both 10mm and 40 Smith & Wesson. Of course, there are a ton of semi-autos out there for 40 Smith & Wesson as well. Do your homework, familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the gun, ammo, and your own skills, and hit the woods. Handgun hunting is a lot of fun and also a great way to sharpen skills.
What’s your favorite handgun hunting caliber? Share your experiences in the comments section.
