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Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pistols

boacephus

boacephus

New Member
Wife says I don't need a weapon unless I have a use for it. Not law enforcement so no need for a pistol, tried to convince her for hunting. So I figured I would try the black powder pistol approach. I think it would be a blast to just plink with not even to mention hunting with. Several Cabelas models "look" and "read" like decent models. I wouldn't have a problem buying top of the line but, remember still doing the convincing so any model in the $200 price range. Kinda thought the "buffalo" 1858 model with 12" barrel would be a blast to shoot, but maybe abit front heavy to enjoy hunting with?
Any input?????
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

Unfortunately, here in my home state, they aren't legal for big game hunting.
I have a Colt Walker and an 1860 Colt. The Walker has enough energy for big game though. So I've heard.
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I've fired well over 2000 shots through the Walker in the 26 years I've owned it. It's taken six hogs, one yote, and untold numbers of rabbits and squirrels.
The 1860 is a much easier gun to handle and more accurate. Probably not enough power for deer but will surely put "Paid In Full" to small game.
Whatever revolver you decide on, I highly recommend steel frames over brass. I owned a brass framed 1858 Remington once. The frame stretched so bad it ended up with over 1/8 inch of head space. Bad.
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I had a brass frame Navy .44 revolver and I also built a Kentucky .45 single shot pistol from a kit. I never hunted with them or considered it. They were plinkers at best, mighty slow, inaccurate ones at that. Just my experience with the pistols I shot, though. I'm sure/hope technology has improved upon what I experienced thirty years ago.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

Keep the info coming guys, this is just the sorta info I was looking for.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

May be over-budget but I shot a friend's T/C Encore once. I couldn't shoot it well but it wasn't the guns fault.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

Yep, the brass framers just don't shoot good. I've got an old 45 kit pistol also. The only load that is accurate is so small that you can actually see the ball in mid flight!
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The problem with the cheap single shot pistols is that the manufactures simply cut down rifle barrels to use. The rifling is then way too slow for good accuracy.
As for the revolvers, I don't claim to be a great handgun shooter by any means, but I have no trouble keeping all six shots inside a six inch cirle at 20 yards with full house loads.
One thing that needs to be taken into consideration.......these guns shoot inherently high. 1 or 2 feet is not uncommon. There is reasoning for this. It's designed that way. In the old days, the first thing that stood out on your enemy was his belt buckle. Shoot for that and you hit hit square in the chest.
Of course, if you get one of the guns with adjustable sights, that problem no longer exists.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

Not easy to find info on hunting with the ole cap and ball, wheels. My goal was to buy one for hunting, but not reading many good things about hunting with them. Course I suppose a day of scouting and shooting squirrels with it would be fun. I just hate cleaning squirrels and can only eat them about once a year.

Love to have an encore, but my pockets aren't deep enough. Buddy bought one at an auction, and his pockets still aren't deep enough to buy a barrel, lol.

Correction TC contender, that's the pistol version.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

If you just want a handgun to hunt with, why not go with a .357 or .44 mag? I believe they would be legal in all gun seasons (except early ML), more accurate, more powerful, and less messy. Of course, you dont get all the cool smoke with them though. I would think you would be able to pick up a used .357 at a gun show somewhere in the $200-$300 range. A little more expensive for the gun but fewer accesories to buy than black powder.

I have hunted with my 6" S&W 629 several times and it is a blast. I think I will dust it off for the January doe season this year.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

My step-father has several handguns I could get for cheap if not for free. However the wife comes into play with a regular handgun
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. I bow, ML, and even shotgun hunt on occasion so I suppose I really can't use that as an argument. She's one of the types that have read to many articles on people being killed in their own house with their own handgun. I see the point, but with the proper precautions and education that would make that almost nil of a chance. Oh well, I figured I have several tree stands and didn't really need one, but a Lone Wolf sure is sounding nice for Christmas, my climber weighs a ton....or two.
 
Re: Anyone hunt with or even shot Black powder pis

I take mine out for early muz. hunting, in iowa, i wouldnt take a long shot, but its great if you drop one up close, and need a back up. pain to load and to keep cleen, i got mine at a gun auction for around $50, that is were i would get one, no one buys them there, good luck
 
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