Handgun Hunting Discussion

I thought I would attempt to contribute here since the Sixgunner and podcast have went silent. Sure do miss that podcast!

The Savage 110 PCS (Pistol Chassis System) chambered in .308 Winchester is a compact fire-breather that punches well above its weight. With a short barrel and a bolt-action pistol layout, I bought this for suppressed pistol hunting.  It’s accurate, powerful, and surprisingly versatile.  The 10.5” barrel is a sacrifice in terms of velocity, but when running a 6” suppressor its almost mandatory so that you don’t end up with a 22” overall suppressed barrel length.

The PCS is built on Savage’s proven 110 action and housed in a robust MDT aluminum chassis. The pistol is balanced well and handles recoil better than you'd expect. Recoil with the suppressor comes straight back more than up.  Because of this I needed to keep my eye relief longer than a braked pistol.  I was running a Vortex PST 4-16 rifle scope.  I was “tapped” by the scope numerous times, and the recoil impulse was slow enough not to cause any pain. Its ergonomics and compatibility with AR-style grips and accessories also make it easily customizable and arca compatible (very nice for shooting off a tripod).

Performance and Load Testing

This summer provided the perfect opportunity to test the PCS with a variety of handloads. Loads numbers were at or near book maximum.  The results were impressive:

• 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tip – 2,560 FPS Light and fast, this load shot flat and showed excellent potential for varmints or thin-skinned game. It was snappy, but the short barrel handled it without excessive blast.

• 155gr Speer BTSP – 2,415 FPS A great all-around option, this mid-weight bullet offered solid performance and accuracy. Ideal for general hunting scenarios and shorter to mid-range shots.

• 208gr Hornady ELD-M – 2,100 FPS (single feed due to length) This load was the big surprise. Despite the long bullet needing to be fed singly, it printed 3/4-inch groups at 100 yards, showing that this little beast can shoot. The ELD-M is rated for expansion down to 1,600 FPS, making it a viable hunting round out to 450 yards — more than enough for most realistic hunting distances.

Fastest Velocity

125gr SST is the fastest, but trades off energy and loses speed fast

Most Energy

208gr ELD-M wins hands-down from 100 to 1000 yards. This heavy-for-caliber bullet maintains the most retained energy, especially important that ELDs min velocity is 1,600fps.

Flattest Trajectory

150gr Speer BTSP holds the edge past 300 yards, though the 125gr SST starts flatter out to 200.

Least Wind Drift

208gr ELD-M is the most wind-resistant across all ranges.  High BC ELD-M.

Summary of Shooting Suppressed with Savage PCS

Running a suppressor on the Savage 110 PCS transforms the shooting experience, but it’s not without its quirks. The recoil impulse is noticeably different — instead of the muzzle rise and blast you’d get with a brake, the recoil comes straight back, which unexpectedly forced me to increase my eye relief when using traditional rifle scopes. That’s the first downside.

The second tradeoff is barrel length. To maintain mobility for hunting, you really have to run a short barrel, which inevitably costs velocity. You could try to offset that with a larger caliber, but you’d likely end up dealing with increased recoil — and without a brake, it won’t be pleasant.

But let’s talk benefits, because they’re big. Shooting suppressed was an absolute joy. The noise reduction was so significant, it made going back to revolvers feel harsh and outdated. It’s better for hunting, neighbor-friendly, and frankly, just more enjoyable to shoot for me. The subsonic option would be excellent for youth or just having fun.

With the 208gr ELD-M performing well, it’s my load of choice for the upcoming season. Mostly curiosity. With muzzle velocities around 2,100 fps, I expect solid terminal performance out to 400 yards but knowing my shots will likely be within 200 yards.