Best pistol for deer??????

[Aaron Bartlett]

Thinking about purchasing a pistol for deer hunting next year for something different and a new challenge. Dont know much about pistols and I think Illinois has a maximum and minimum caliber size but im not even sure what it is without looking. Just wanted to see what everyone recommends. Like I said I dont know much about pistols but I think I want one with a fairly long barrel. Nothing fancy and something that is realible. Any recommedations?

[Aaron Bartlett]

Here is the regulations for pistols in IL.

Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches.
For handguns, a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.Note:There is no case length limit for straight-walled cartridges.
Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/ copper-alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.

[just for fun beagler]

i use a ruger red hawk 44mag. good take down gun. my buddy use a 500 s&w

[rabbitrunner33]

encore by tc you can get a lot of different barrels for them. i like the 270

[beaglecrazy-scott]

i have contender in .45-70, it shoots great havent got to shoot a deer with it yet, but it is legal here in ohio because it is a straight walled cartridge......lots of power....BOOOOOOOOMMMMM

[blackdirt beagles]

hey stony- if you want a good basic setup get a S&W 686 with a 6" barrel in .357 mag. put a BUSHNELL HOLOSIGHT on it if you want to jazz it up... otherwise just use the iron sights. use 125gr. JHP and you would have a pretty sweet setup.

[sgc]

44 Magnum - 5" or 6' barrel.

[stavemillbeagles]

i have a remington xp-100 custom in a 7mm-08 that shoots unbelievable

[Aaron Bartlett]

Ive been looking at the Tarus "Raging Bull" in a .41 or a .44 caliber with a 8" barrel. Whats everyone thoughts? Anyone shot one or does anyone own one?

[blackdirt beagles]

ive owned a few taurus revolvers in the past and had no troubles... but on some of the other boards there is a LOT of people who arent as lucky and their customer service sounds very slow and not real helpful. spend an extra $100 or so and get a S&W-colt-or ruger.

[fulcount]

TC Encore with 15 in bbl in 7mm08 with a 2 pwr scope

[ringtail]

i have a handi rifle that is chambered in s&w 500 bad azz cartridge, it will knock them down at 250+ yards,,,,,,,,but what is legal in indiana may not be legal in ill, or vise versa,,,,,

[mitch2266]

No doubt in my mind, Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag. Killed deer and Hogs with it. They don't go far when you hit right!