Handgun hunting is a challenging and rewarding sport that requires skill, patience and the right equipment. Hunting handguns can offer more mobility, versatility, and excitement than using a rifle or a shotgun. However, it also demands more accuracy, discipline, and knowledge of the game and the terrain.
If you are interested in handgun hunting, you might want to check out some of the new hunting handguns that were introduced or updated in 2023. These handguns offer a range of features, specifications, performance, and suitability for different game animals.
In this article, we will review four of the new hunting handguns for 2023 and provide some tips and recommendations for using them effectively and safely in the field.
Check out these new hunting handguns for 2023
Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch
The Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch is a .460 S&W Magnum revolver with a beast of a muzzle brake. This handgun is suitable for hunting bigger game, such as elk, moose, or bear. It has a 10-inch barrel that provides more velocity, accuracy, and stability than shorter barrels. It also has a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, an adjustable rear sight, and a cushioned grip.
The .460 S&W Magnum cartridge is one of the most powerful handgun cartridges in the world. It can deliver over 2,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and can penetrate thick-skinned animals with ease. However, it also has a lot of recoil and muzzle blast, which can make it difficult to shoot accurately and comfortably. The Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch has a muzzle brake that reduces recoil and muzzle rise by redirecting the gas sideways. It also has a ported barrel that vents some of the gas upward to reduce muzzle flip.
The .460 S&W Magnum cartridge can also fire .454 Casull and .45 Colt rounds, which are less powerful but more affordable and available than the .460 S&W Magnum. This gives the Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch more versatility and flexibility for different hunting situations. However, you should always check the headstamp of the cartridge before loading it into the cylinder to avoid confusion and potential damage to the firearm or yourself.
Some tips and recommendations for using the Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch are:
- Wear ear and eye protection when shooting this handgun, as the noise and flash are very loud and bright
- Use a sling or a holster to carry this handgun, as it is heavy and bulky
- Practice with different types of ammunition to find the one that works best for your handgun and your hunting preferences
- Know your limits, and don’t take shots beyond your effective range, which is typically around 100 yards or less for handgun hunting
- Follow the ethical guidelines for hunting big game with a handgun, such as using enough bullet weight, caliber, and energy to ensure a quick and humane kill
Smith & Wesson Model 350
The Smith & Wesson Model 350 is a .350 Legend revolver with a seven-round cylinder. This handgun is designed for hunting whitetails in straight wall-only states, where rifles are prohibited or restricted. It has a 4-inch barrel that balances well between maneuverability and accuracy. It also has an adjustable rear sight, a fiber optic front sight, and a synthetic grip.
The .350 Legend cartridge is a relatively new cartridge that was introduced in 2019. It is based on the .223 Remington case but has a straight wall instead of a bottleneck. It offers low recoil and flat trajectory compared to other straight wall cartridges, such as the .450 Bushmaster or the .45-70 Government. It can deliver over 900 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and can drop a whitetail deer within 200 yards.
The Smith & Wesson Model 350 can hold seven rounds of .350 Legend in its cylinder, which gives it more capacity than most other hunting revolvers. However, it also has a longer cylinder than most other revolvers, which can make it harder to fit in some holsters or scabbards. The Smith & Wesson Model 350 also has an exposed hammer that can be cocked for single-action shooting or left uncocked for double-action shooting.
Some tips and recommendations for using the Smith & Wesson Model 350 are:
- Use quality ammunition that is designed for hunting whitetails with a handgun, such as soft point or hollow point bullets
- Use a scope or a red dot sight to improve your accuracy and visibility at longer ranges
- Use a rest or a bipod to steady your aim when taking shots at distances over 50 yards
- Practice with different shooting positions and angles to prepare for various hunting scenarios
- Follow the legal regulations and ethical guidelines for hunting whitetails with a handgun in your state
Rossi RM66
The Rossi RM66 is a .357 Magnum revolver with a six-inch barrel. This handgun is a budget-friendly option for hunting medium-sized game, such as deer, hogs, or coyotes. It has a six-inch barrel that offers good accuracy and velocity for hunting purposes. It also has a fixed rear sight, a ramp front sight, and a rubber grip.
The .357 Magnum cartridge is one of the most versatile and reliable handgun cartridges in the world. It can deliver over 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and can take down most medium-sized game within 100 yards. However, it also has moderate recoil and noise, which can affect your shooting comfort and accuracy. The Rossi RM66 has a solid frame and a heavy barrel that help absorb some of the recoil and muzzle rise.
The .357 Magnum cartridge can also fire .38 Special rounds, which are less powerful but more economical and available than the .357 Magnum. This gives the Rossi RM66 more versatility and flexibility for different hunting situations. However, you should always clean the cylinder after firing .38 Special rounds to avoid fouling and jamming when switching back to .357 Magnum rounds.
Some tips and recommendations for using the Rossi RM66 are:
- Use jacketed soft point or hollow point bullets that are designed for hunting medium-sized game with a handgun
- Use a laser sight or a night sight to improve your accuracy and visibility in low-light conditions
- Use a speed loader or a speed strip to reload your cylinder faster and easier
- Practice with both .357 Magnum and .38 Special rounds to familiarize yourself with their recoil and performance
- Follow the ethical guidelines for hunting medium-sized game with a handgun, such as using enough bullet weight, caliber, and energy to ensure a quick and humane kill
Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch
The Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch are two .22 LR revolvers with longer barrels. These handguns are ideal for hunting small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, or prairie dogs. They have 6.5-inch and 7.5-inch barrels that provide more accuracy, velocity, and sight radius than shorter barrels. They also have a transfer bar safety, a blade front sight, and an integral rear sight.
The .22 LR cartridge is one of the world’s most accurate and affordable handgun cartridges. It can deliver over 100 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and can kill small game within 50 yards. However, it also has low power and penetration, which can limit its effectiveness on larger or tougher animals. The Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch have longer barrels that increase the power and penetration of the .22 LR cartridge by allowing more complete powder burn and higher muzzle velocity.
The Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch can hold six rounds of .22 LR in their cylinders, giving them enough capacity to hunt small game. However, they also have a loading gate that requires you to load and unload each round individually, which can be slow and tedious. The Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch also have a single-action trigger that requires you to cock the hammer manually before each shot.
Some tips and recommendations for using the Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch are:
- Use high-velocity or hyper-velocity ammunition that is designed for hunting small game with a handgun
- Use a scope or a magnifier to improve your accuracy and visibility at longer ranges
- Use a suppressor or a silencer to reduce the noise and report of your shots
- Practice with different types of ammunition to find the one that works best for your handgun and your hunting preferences
- Follow the ethical guidelines for hunting small game with a handgun, such as using enough bullet weight, caliber, and energy to ensure a quick and humane kill
Handgun hunting is a sport that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment. In this article, we reviewed four of the new hunting handguns for 2023 that offer a range of features, specifications, performance, and suitability for different game animals.
The Taurus Raging Hunter 10-inch is a .460 S&W Magnum revolver that is suitable for hunting bigger game, such as elk, moose, or bear.
The Smith & Wesson Model 350 is a .350 Legend revolver that is designed for hunting whitetails in straight wall-only states.
The Rossi RM66 is a .357 Magnum revolver that is a budget-friendly option for hunting medium-sized game, such as deer, hogs, or coyotes.
The Ruger Wrangler 6.5 and 7.5-inch are two .22 LR revolvers that are ideal for hunting small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, or prairie dogs.
These handguns offer different advantages and disadvantages depending on your hunting goals, preferences, and skills. You should compare and contrast them based on their features, specifications, performance, and suitability for different game animals. You should also consider your budget, availability, and legality of these handguns in your area.
Some general advice and best practices for handgun hunting are:
- Choose the right caliber, bullet weight, and energy for the game you are hunting
- Practice regularly with your handgun and ammunition to improve your accuracy and confidence
- Know your range and don’t take shots beyond your effective distance
- Follow the ethical guidelines for hunting with a handgun, such as respecting the animal, the land, and the law
Handgun hunting can be a fun and rewarding way to enjoy the outdoors and challenge yourself as a hunter. With the new hunting handguns for 2023, you have more options and opportunities to pursue your hunting passion.