New hunting handguns in 2023

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.

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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.