After years of saying I was going to deer hunt with handgun only, I finally did it this year. I used a .44 mag S&W 629 6 inch barrel and was shooting Lyman 429421 cast from water dropped wheel weights. They were pushed by 9 grains of unique, which I have been told is plenty for whitetails. After several days of frustration I finally got a nice 10 point buck within about 40 yards. I aimed right behind the shoulder and fired. The bullet struck him a little low, but right behind the shoulder. I felt like it was a good shot. He jumped and took off. He ran about 75 to 100 yards before lying down, and required a follow up shot to finish him off. Then that evening I shot a doe with the same rounds at approximately the same distance, 40 yards. This shot was slightly further back than It should have been, but still in her ribcage and she was not gutshot. She ran about 100 yards before lying down. She also required a follow up shot to finish her off.
I have never killed any large game with a handgun and was wondering if this is normal or if I should try something different next year. It was very satisfying harvesting two deer with a handgun and bullets I made myself, but I am used to them falling immediately or within a few seconds after the shot with a rifle. I know the keith bullet has killed lots of deer over the years. Will pushing it faster with 2400 make it kill deer faster, or will it just pass through faster and not make any difference? Should I try a lyman devastator hollow point? Anyone have any experience with them on deer? Thanks,