Handgun hunting

Handgun hunting is primarily done with specialized handguns that have long barrels and are often set up with scopes (optical aiming devices).

Even the largest animals, such as elephants, can be killed with modern hunting handguns, although most handgun hunters only use handguns when hunting medium-sized game like deer and wild hogs.

The .44 Magnum, developed in 1955, was the beginning of handgun hunting for mainstream hunters. Handgun hunters consider their activity more 'sporting' than using rifles. The comparatively short sight radius of a handgun and typically less powerful ammunition than used with rifles, means that any handgun hunter must stalk closer to the prey in order to kill the animal humanely, giving said animal more chance of detecting and avoiding the hunter.

Most hunting handguns are either single-shot pistols, double-action revolvers, or single-action revolvers.

Handgun hunting differs from rifle or shotgun hunting because a significant amount of shooting practice must be undertaken in order to become and remain proficient. Hunting handguns are every bit as capable for big-game hunting as rifles, particularly if the handgun is a single-shot pistol shooting a cartridge that is typically fired from a rifle (e.g., 7-30 Waters). It is not uncommon for a skilled handgun hunter to be able to cleanly take game at ranges exceeding 100 yards, even 200+ is possible with a single-shot, scoped hunting pistol.