?Best long range varmint pistol w/scope?

[jssbastiat]

I need some help on finding teh correct handgun for this coming season....so, all opinions appreciated...

I would like to try something this coming year for caribou and varmint hunting....i have been hunting the coastal areas near shaktoolik, etc and have found that i need a varmint caliber, either handgun or rifle...

i used my 7 mag and ran into alot of fox/lynx and that is way too much gun...i have found some 100 grain loads, full metal jacket, but, i really need at least a semi-auto in a rifel....some of teh locals used the AR15, .223 calib, FMJ adn that seeme to work fine...

BUT, i would like to use a pistol with a scope on it...then all i have to do is duct tape the holster to my snowgo steering handles adn go!...

I would like to get an opinion on what type of scope also...would a laser work? Red dot?...or just a regular scoped handgun?

I would like something either a double action revolver or a semi-auto and that has the ability to shot as long a range as possible for the caribou..but still be able to shoot a fox/lynx without blowing a hole in it!...

this way i do not have to carry a rifle on my snowgo...

any suggestions...i know i will spend some money...but itis worth it..

 

[rimfirematt]

In your post it soundslike you want to use only one gun for caribou and fur?
I really dont see that as being really feasable. Are you saying the locals load up theyre AR's with FMJ and shoot caribou with those? HOw many shots does that take?
If you really have to have a pistol then I suggest an encore. Get two barrels for it. One in a fur cartridge and the other in a big game cartridge. Now these pistols are single shot, but, you will be hunting with the appropriate cartridge for the game intended so one shot is all you should need. Ayway you can reload them pretty fast with practice
Bagging your game with one shot should be anyones goal IMO

 

[AKmud]

Pistol

Pistol

Another gun you might look at is the Savage Stryker. My father in law has one in .300 WSM. I'm not sure what other cal's it comes in but it might be a good one if you can get it in .243 or something like that.

 

[AlleninAlaska]

Thompson Center Encore in either 260 Remington or 7mm-08. Both shooting 120 grain projectiles.

 

[Paul H]

I've played quite a bit with the long range pistols, mostly contenders, and have some developed some opinions on the. With a rock solid bench rest they can be shot as accurately as a rifle. With my 218 mashburn barrel I could consistantly make head shots on a turkey silouette at 150 yds.

With a less than solid rest they take tremendous practice to shoot with any accuracy at all, ie I'd be hard pressed to make body shots on a ram silouette at 200 yds. To me, when you set up a handgun as a long range weapon, you loose all the benefits of a handgun, ie easy to bring into action, and don't gain all the benefits of a rifle. Also as far as having a round that will reliable drop a caribou, but won't tear up a firbearer, I can't think of one. I'd say the 357 maximum with a 180-200 gr hardcast bullet would be about the best comprise I can think of. With about 2000 fps at the muzzle, it's fairly flat shooting, hard hitting, and won't tear up the fir.

I'd say keep to carrying a rifle for the longer pokes, and put a 357 mag in a cross draw chest holster for the close stuff.

Lasers are illegal for hunting, red dots are an option. I like iron sights, nothing the break, no batteries to die on you.

 

[7STW]

Handgun Hunting

Handgun Hunting

The post above outlines many of the real world disadvantages of scoped or even optic sighted handguns.Been there and done that since 1972.

At this point, I've sold or traded off all of them.They are a not very elegant solution to a non-existant problem.

Even with a Leupold up top, light transmission sucks.Target definition is greatly dimished.Field of view is minimal and if the animal is moving at all, almost impossible to keep in the field of view.

From a rest, all the good single shots will shoot very well.Even my 375 JDJ would produce groups close to 1"@100 from the bench.Other chamberings will likely shade that.

But a scoped Encore runs around 4.5 pounds, depending.That is a lot of weight to hold steady...keep your eye aligned with a miniscule field of view...and hit something with.Offhand.

Given you are going to tote this on some kind of vehicle, why not just get a Rem 7 SS or maybe an all weather 77 in say 260 or 7/08..carry both FMJs and hunting loads...and call it a day?

 

[AKWannabe]

Yup

Yup

The post above outlines many of the real world disadvantages of scoped or even optic sighted handguns.Been there and done that since 1972.

At this point, I've sold or traded off all of them.They are a not very elegant solution to a non-existant problem.

Even with a Leupold up top, light transmission sucks.Target definition is greatly dimished.Field of view is minimal and if the animal is moving at all, almost impossible to keep in the field of view.

From a rest, all the good single shots will shoot very well.Even my 375 JDJ would produce groups close to 1"@100 from the bench.Other chamberings will likely shade that.

But a scoped Encore runs around 4.5 pounds, depending.That is a lot of weight to hold steady...keep your eye aligned with a miniscule field of view...and hit something with.Offhand.

Given you are going to tote this on some kind of vehicle, why not just get a Rem 7 SS or maybe an all weather 77 in say 260 or 7/08..carry both FMJs and hunting loads...and call it a day?

Amen brother!
I had an Encore pistol frame for 7 1/2 years and never got a barrel for it. For some reason, I just couldn't justify the expense. I always decided to go with a rifle...not in a good enough area nor having had enough prior success to need the added challenge!

For those who do enjoy the challenge, more power to ya. I do really like the caliber choices available through Fox Ridge Outfitters (the T/C custom shop).

Dave

 

[danattherock]

Suggestion For Small And Large Game With Same Caliber

Suggestion For Small And Large Game With Same Caliber

The Only Way I Can Think Of For You To Take Caribou And Small Game With The Same Rifle/pisol With Any Kind Of Efficacy Is To Load Your Own. Pick A Caliber That Is In The Middle, Perhaps A 22-250, 220 Swift, Or The Such. Load Some Lighter Rounds For The Small Game And Heavier Bullets For The Caribou. One Inherent Problem In Doing This Is The Point Of Impact Fluctuations. It Would Make Sense To Carry A Gun Dedicated For Caribou, And Perhaps Buy An Additional Pistol That You Could Strap Onto Your Snowmobile For The Smaller Game. It Is Going To Be Tough To Have One Gun Pull Double Duty. Reloading Would Be The Only Way In My Opinion. And If You Are Not Already Reloading, The Expense Of Getting Set Up Would Be About The Same As Buying A New Gun. Tough Call.

 

[tomhorn]

for coyotes I use a ruger blackhawk 30 carbine cheap to shoot use hard ball bullets , does not tear up the fur .