I didn't want to hijack the revolver thread.

Due to health issues, primarily pacemaker placement, I will be unable to shoot a rifle anymore. I can use a crossbow but would like to participate in our firearms season. I'm thinking that I should get a pistol of some sort with a red dot scope since my old eyes are not open sight friendly. A few years ago I shot a wild boar with a .45LC Ruger revolver so I'm not completely ignorant about handgun hunting but that's the extent of my experience.

I will be hunting from a blind with all shots under 100 yards and most would be 30 -50 yards. I could steady my aim with shooting sticks. Is what I am thinking doable? The less recoil the better. If anybody has any recommendations for gun, caliber, scope, Etc. it would be appreciated. I would hate to have to give up my season. We are usually allowed one deer so I would like to keep the cost manageable, hopefully under $ 1,000 for the package.

My dad went thru the same thing. He first bought a rem XP-100 . Hated it. You do know you can still shoot a 222 or 223. That's what he ended up doing. If your shots are under 100 yards then ask your Dr about a low recoil rifle. They first tell you no because some people would grab a 375 H&H and rip the leads off the heart.....

HEY you can even turkey hunt with a KOOLAID cannon. I just take back all I have said about the 410 for turkey. One application it would be the only choice.

He's on his 5th pace maker. Last 2 have been pacemaker / difibralator. Last one put in was 2 years ago this june. Year ago in august his heart stopped 4 times in 20 minutes. Difib shocked him back...Still plodding around at 83 !!

I can tell you what my dad uses , he has a pistol in 357 but his hand is busted up also , fused knuckle joint middle finger strong hand so it hurts to shoot the 357 , he does shoot it some with 38spl at targets

this is where the AR platform is very cool , you should find a friend with one and try it

he uses an AR pistol , well with a 16 inch barrel so he gets full velocity he has a foam pad on his buffer tube , he holds it up to his cheek and the recoil is so minimal it never even touches his shoulder

he is running a basic 300black out upper , on an Anderson lower and a lower parts kit he has a stabilizing brace but only uses it for it's sling attachment

you could easily just buy an AR upper and lower , put an optic on it , red dot , LPVO or 2-7 leave the stock all the way in or slide it off if you want and go shoot deer.

he was impressed with how little recoil on mine when he tried it , then we ordered up the parts and a complete upper with BCG

he is using a 2-7x32 vortex has shot a few deer since building it , he liked to neck shoot them any way and the gun does that well

his first time out he was making 3 round 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards , something his slug gun would never do

he hadn't even shot at a deer in several years he has has a shoulder replacement , neck fusion , back fusions , shooting the slug gun made him hurt
he has since had a heart attack but after they roto reuttered him out he is doing well.

Is that the long version of what I just said ? LOL

I would look at a TC Encore or Contender that has interchangeable barrels. A scoped 30-30 with pointed bullets would be a good option or you can look at 7mm-08, 243, 44 mag......the list is endless.

I had a thread here awhile back where I came into a lot of 41 magnum reloading supplies

I shot 2 deer this year with the 41 magnum. 215 grain Sierra JHC bullets. Neither one ran more than 30 or 40 yards before piling up. I'm by no means an expert, but if you come into a 41 magnum by any chance it is more than capable and the recoil is not as bad as a 44

Those TC Contenders are the best. You can get them in about any caliber

I have a contender in 7X30 Waters (30/30 necked down to 7mm) and a remington XP100 in 260 rem. I like the XP 100 better, but nothing wrong with the contender either. I have taken deer with both and they have performed well. I have also taken deer with a Glock 10mm and S&W 41 mag. I really like the 41 mag as well. I recently acquired a BOG Death Grip bipod and that thing is the ticket for longer range hand guns out of a blind. You can clamp the gun up in it and it will remain at the ready just have to move it right/left up/down on the tripod. I think it helps with recoil as well

The biggest challenge at your price point is that the XP 100 is no longer made and is commanding a premium and TC is no more so contenders and encores are sky rocketing in price as well. Prior to going out of business Remington also released another bolt action pistol in 223 and 308 but its name escapes me at the moment (I really wanted on in 223 but drug my feet and they are nonexistent or commanding a premium as well).

I have really had my eye on the Kauger Arms Tomahawk 410 pistol for turkey, but really can bring myself to shell out the money.

sort of , and I started typing before you posted but you beat me too it

I also suggested a direct impingement gas system to further reduce reoil and not even putting the stock to shoulder as an option

I had a model 29 with 8 3/8” barrel, 44 mag. I could hit well out to 100 yards. I had a 4 power Leupold on it. It was effective in taking deer. They rarely ran far and bled well. I only shot 3 does with it from 25-75 yards. A rest is really helpful. Quite a bit more difficult to aim than a rifle when hunting in my experience….

What are your restrictions legally? Caliber, barrel length, etc...

in WI unless it is one of a few townships there is no restriction at all
in those townships they could keep the old shotgun and pistol only option or go full rifle.
but they can't restrict based on caliber

it used to be minimum barrel length 5 inches from the firing pin now our WI regs only read reasonable equipment , no caliber restriction exists

this is why the 300 blackout my dad uses with a 16 inch barrel is built as a pistol , we hunt one of those townships

I don't know how hard they are to find now. But CVA makes a single shot pistol. Not sure what all calibers they make it in now. I have one in .243 and .350 legend. We have killed several deer with the .243 and a few with the .350. Both have very good accuracy.

Depends on format you want. I've used a 10mm Glock Model 40 MOS with a red dot. Also used a Ruger Blackhawk but old eyes have trouble with iron sights. I've never tried the hinge or AR type pistols. My experience, unless you go to rifle style cartridge, you need to limit shots to around 50 yards. Most pistols have a huge trajectory and loss of energy beyond 50 yards

460 S&W Performance Center Revolver 10 inch barrel. I also have a Taurus Raging Bull with a 10 inch barrel in a 44 magnum. both are devastating on deer and hogs. Let a good friend take the 460 mangrum up to Ohio two years ago during Thanksgiving or Christmas. He shot one of those big agriculture bucks at 108 yards with one of my handloads. It was a Sig Sauer 200 grain Crown something or other bullet pushing 2470 fps. It did some really bad things to that buck.

A 357 mag is also a good choice in the right platform. Just remember, it isnt a rifle. if you have bowhunted. Just hunt like you do with a bow. Crap, They aint gonna survive getting shot with either. just be smart about whatever you choose.

Killed a bunch with 44 super red hawk 9 inch barrel and a halo sight

Now I know why Savell adopted you…you’ve got a way of paraphrasing that says something totally different!

I have a generation 1 contender but they are not very safe. If you pull the trigger without the hammer back and then pull the hammer back and let it go it goes bang. If I could pick any of them it would be the s&w 460

Thanks all for the info. I can see I have a lot to learn.

I took five deer with a TC Contender in 7-30W after shoulder surgeries. Shot most left-handed from a rest.

When my grandson was younger, he shot a few with the TC but with a .223 bull barrel.