Health probs predicate a hand guin for elk and mulies + whitetails in the east. What would be the mose effective caliber with t

[paulboyer2]

Health probs predicate a hand guin for elk and mulies + whitetails in the east. What would be the mose effective caliber with the least recoil and the ability to harvest and elk at a reasonable range. Also is a variable or fixed scope the best option. Gimpy, TN

[Reid Jones]

wait, you're talking about a handgun?

[Del in KS]

I'm thinking big, heavy, Ruger Super Redhawk with a 2X fixed power scope. A high quality fixed power scope is more rugged than a variable and will certainly do the job. Most folks go for too much power in the scope and then you can't see anything but hair on a close shot. As far as caliber 44 mag is minimum and something bigger like a 460 is better. Use heavy bullets

[007Dom]

I dont know I dont really use handguns.

[idduckhntr]

Like del said the 460,it actualy does'nt have that much recoil and with a good 2x your range is about 250 yards.

[Ed J]

My hand gun is a 7mm-08

[slothman]

A good red hawk in 44mag will do just fine at reasonable distances for all those animals, with a fixed 2 power scope - just make shure you use heavy well constructed bullets for the elk. This combo lets u take shots out to 100 yards or alil more if you practise enough, and wont have all that much recoil, also ammo for the 44 is extremely easy to find and much more economical to use than most other large bore pistol loads.

[ishawooa]

Like Del says the Redhawk .44 will work just fine. A guy who once bought a house from me used this weapon exclusively for elk and deer with great satisfaction. He gave up on rifles by preference. I know he killed 5 or 6 bulls with it and many deer. I believe I remember him saying he had killed a few antelope as well. He has since moved away to somewhere in Montana. I don't know what bullet or load he used. I have killed two mule deer and one antelope buck with a Old Model Super Blackhawk that was worked over by Linebaugh back in the eighties. I used hot loaded 265 gr. hard cast bullets with a lot of meplat. All my kills were incidental as I am not a hand gunner by choice.

[shane]

.480 Ruger might be worth a look. Good jump in power from the .44 Mag, but not much jump in recoil.

[hunt_fish_sleep]

.41 Remington Magnum is form fit for your needs.

[MLH]

You might research a 6.7 Rem SPC in a Contender/Encore, Striker, or XP-100.

[MLH]

You might research a 6.8 Rem SPC in a Contender/Encore, Striker, or XP-100.

[platte river rat]

hard to beat the TC Encore in 308 win. use the 15 inch barrel and ear protection. great selection of bullets for this pistol.

[blackdawgz]

Forget about big Elk. The T/C Encore is great, but experience has taught me that you don't want to shoot anything bigger than a .243.

[rudyglove27]

Agreed with Del in KS answer above and A + 1 for you sir!!!