Looking to buy a handgun when I become of age in a little while and with growing up in shotgun territory I have little knowledge

[thatoneguy]

Looking to buy a handgun when I become of age in a little while and with growing up in shotgun territory I have little knowledge about rifles/ammunition/etc. I want it to be big enough to hunt whitetail with it. If anybody has any tips as to what I should be looking for or any recommendations I'd appreciate it.

[99explorer]

If you intend to hunt whitetail deer with it, I would suggest a .44 Magnum revolver, but be warned, the recoil and muzzle blast is rather severe.
You would do well to test-fire one before you buy.

[canvasbackhunter]

I would suggest .357. I have not fired one myself (I'm like you, in shotgun country), but many have said .357 has alot of recoil.

[Storm Hall]

I would have to say .357 magnum my younger cousin shot a doe last season with my uncle's .357 magnum did the job well and he weighs about 100 lbs soaking wet if you practice often enough and learn the correct way to handle the firearm the recoil it has is completely manageable it really isn't that bad. Although a test fire is never a bad idea.

[007]

Nothing less than a .357 with a .41 magnum being much better. If you're thinking purely hunting, the Ruger Blackhawk is hard to beat.

[Treestand]

Ditto~007 +1
The 41/Magnum will do every thing that the 44/Magnum will DO...With-out the Muzzle Blast & Recoil, with the 175Gr Win/Silver tip ammo.
I have taken many Deer from my T-Stand with in 35'with my Ruger Flat-top 5"Bbl. when they walk under or on the side of my stand.

[007]

Thanks Treestand, I mentioned the .41 as a nice compromise, I'm not convinced a .357 is the right tool and the beginner is not going to like a .44. Best..............

[Sourdough Dave]

Hopefully handguns will still be legal to own when you come of age to purchase one. A hunting handgun or defense against the big alpha predators should, and in my state must, produce 500 FP of energy at 100 yds. The handguns that can do that start at 10mm/.41 mag, and go up from there. I personally carry a .44 mag.

[deadeyedick]

Make sure you check your state's laws governing the use of handguns for deer hunting before you purchase one. Some states have restrictions about caliber barrel length etc. I use a Thompson Center contender single shot with 4 different calibers for the states I hunt. 44 mag 7x30 waters, 30-30 win. and 308 win

[tnrccola]

Your first handgun should be a .22. You can't afford enough centerfire ammo to learn to shoot a handgun.

[erikgilbert]

Yeah- .357 to .44 mag. though you could get a single shot T/c or similar in 30/30 or even .308