Handguns are advantageous when you want to pack light while hunting for wild game or as protection against dangerous animals you might encounter.
But, with so many calibers, how can you know which one will have the stopping power you need?
So, What Is “Caliber” Anyway?
Caliber usually is measured as the diameter of the bore. This measurement can be expressed in various ways, including hundredths of an inch, thousandths of an inch, or millimeters.
Popular Handgun Calibers For Hunting
Choosing the correct handgun caliber depends on the kind of game you’ll be hunting (not to mention the right kind of handgun). Here’s a comparison of some of the most popular handgun calibers for hunting and the game they’re designed to take down.
.22 Long Rifle
[Not to be confused with the .22 long, its parent caliber.]
The .22 LR’s low recoil makes it a good choice for hunting small game.
Despite its name, the .22 Long Rifle (LR) can be fired from various semi automatic pistol models. Introduced in 1887 originally as a rimfire cartridge for rifles, the .22 LR is among the most produced and widely used rounds for target shooting and small game hunting.
| Bullet Diameter | Overall Bullet Length | Bullet Mass | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
| 0.223 – 0.2255 inches | 1.000 inch | 30 – 40 grain (1.9 – 2.6 g) | 1,200 – 1,750 ft/sec | 131 – 204 ft/lbf (178 – 277 J) |
The .22 LR round’s small size makes for low recoil and low noise. And, because of the caliber’s low recoil, novice or first-time hunters can benefit from increased control and accuracy. It’s also one of the most affordable on the market, with a block of 50 rounds costing a couple of dollars on average.
However, having a low recoil also means it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as others in this list, at least when taking down big animals. Because of this, the .22 LR is more suited to hunting small game that’s no more than 30 lbs. in weight. Experts recommend high-velocity hollow point rounds to maximize the caliber’s stopping power.
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10mm Auto
The 10mm auto is a smaller cartridge that can pack a punch.
Adopted by law enforcement agencies until the 1990s, the 10mm Auto isn’t as mainstream as the other pistol calibers in this guide. However, its power and reduced ballistic drop still see a niche following among gun enthusiasts and hunters.
| Bullet Diameter | Overall Bullet Length | Bullet Mass | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
| 0.400 inches | 1.260 inches | 77 – 180 grain (5.0 – 12.0 g) | 1,290 – 2,420 ft/sec | 649 – 1,001 ft/lbf (880 – 1,357 J) |
While ideal for taking down deer and other deer-sized game, the caliber is also sometimes used for hunting larger game animals like elk and wild hogs (though at closer ranges). It imparts more energy than the .357 Magnum, which also means more time in flight to stay on target compared to the .45 ACP. In other words, it’s a small cartridge that can go big when you need it to.
However, being a niche caliber, the 10mm Auto can be expensive compared to other, more common rounds. Experts say the cost difference isn’t significant, but it’s worth considering when shopping for guns and ammo.
.357 Magnum
Bears can run fast for their lumbering physique when they want to. Even the polar bear, the slowest of the three common species of bears in North America, can reach land speeds of up to 25 mph. By comparison, the average human can only run one-fifth as fast.
The .357 magnum caliber can be loaded in revolvers as well as semi-automatic handguns.
So, if you needed to fend off a bear attack, the .357 Magnum caliber cartridge would be one to consider. It’s a derivative of the .38 Super designed to punch through doors of 1920s automobiles, which cartels and gangs would use as cover during firefights against law enforcement.
| Bullet Diameter | Overall Bullet Length | Bullet Mass | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
| 0.357 inches | 1.590 inches | 125 – 200 grain (8.0 – 13.0 g) | 1,200 – 1,450 ft/sec | 539 – 783 ft/lbf (584 – 640 J) |
Although the caliber is synonymous with revolver-type handguns, it can also be loaded on semiautomatic pistols. It’s one of the smallest cartridges that Desert Eagle semiautomatic pistols can chamber and fire.
.45 Automatic Colt Pistol (.45 ACP)
Not to be confused with the .45 Colt/Long Colt, a similar caliber but made for revolvers.
The .45 ACP can be a good choice for handgun hunters on a tight budget.
Experiences from the Philippine-American War (also known as the Philippine Insurrection) urged the U.S. military to implement a rule that future service pistols should be at least .45 caliber. Soldiers found that the standard-issue .38 Long Colt lacked the stopping power to put down frenzied charges by Moros of the southern Philippines.
The result is the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP), a caliber most commonly fired from the old but reliable M1911 pistol. If a .45 caliber is enough to defeat banzai-like attacks, surely it’s enough for taking down game, right?
Yes, but at closer ranges and if you’re a good shot.
| Bullet Diameter | Overall Bullet Length | Bullet Mass | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
| 0.452 inches | 1.275 inches | 90 – 230 grain (6.0 – 15.0 g) | 835 – 2,036 ft/sec | 356 – 829 ft/lbf (483 – 1,124 J) |
Some argue that the .45 ACP doesn’t impart enough energy to take down deer and larger animals. While true to some extent, the caliber is ubiquitous enough to be affordable for hunters on a tight budget. Manufacturers understand this, which is why they design the cartridge with various tips and stuff it with stiffer charges to enhance its stopping power.
.50 Action Express
As one of the most powerful handgun calibers commercially available, the .50 Action Express (AE) won’t have any problem downing virtually any kind of game that exists in North America. It can take down bears and large animals, though it may be overkill for animals that can be taken down with smaller firearm calibers.
| Bullet Diameter | Overall Bullet Length | Bullet Mass | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy |
| 0.500 inches | 1.610 inches | 300 – 460 grain (19.0 – 30.0 g) | 1,050 – 1,550 ft/sec | 1,126 – 1,600 ft/lbf (1,527 – 2,200 J) |
Whereas the .357 Magnum is the smallest round a Desert Eagle pistol can fire, the .50 AE is the largest. In fact, the Desert Eagle was primarily designed to accept this cartridge. Due to its power, hunters can safely target their game from as far as 200 meters.
However, with great power comes great recoil. Even with a steady hand and firm grip, you can expect the gun to raise 30 degrees after firing. The loud noise it generates will surely startle nearby wildlife, which could further limit your chances of getting a kill.
Final Thoughts On Handgun Calibers
Long story short, you wouldn’t want to pack a .50 AE on a small game animal for the same reason you wouldn’t want to carry a .22 LR on a hunt for boars. Knowing the kind of game to hunt is key in packing the best handgun caliber.
Be sure to check your state’s laws as they pertain to handgun hunting, and… safe shooting!