44 Mag 300gr Hunting Bullet

[WrongHanded]

I did get an Elk tag this year, and was planning to use my rifle. But, there's a good possibility I may end up in dark timber "still" hunting. I haven't yet managed to get a good look at the ground in my Game Unit because of all the late snow and wet weather. There are open areas up there, but many are small pockets along creeks and I don't know exactly where I'm going to end up. But basically, I might be in the trees quite a bit and a scoped rifle doesn't seem ideal for that.

I was going to take a revolver along anyway, so I figured it might be worth carrying a load I can take an Elk with, in the event I stumble upon one at close range. But I have to have an expanding bullet, so hardcast lead is out. I'd also prefer a 300gr (or there about) projectile, because both my 44s have taller front sights on for that grain weight.

So, Hornady XTP? Something else? I could handload, or just buy a factory offering. Both have pros and cons. I just want something legal and that's going to perform should I have the opportunity. The gun will mostly likely be my Redhawk with 5.5" barrel.

 

[Jessesky]

I don’t see anything wrong with a nice flat nosed hard cast. That should pass through well very well

 

[WrongHanded]

I don’t see anything wrong with a nice flat nosed hard cast. That should pass through well very well

Sorry, I should have explained more clearly. My state requires an expanding bullet for handgun hunting. If I could use hard cast, that'd be no problem as I already have a 300gr WFN load worked up at around 1,100fps that shoots as well as I do from both my 44s. Unfortunately, as I understand the regulations, I can't use it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I would not use an XTP. They have a bad reputation for performance on heavier game. I’ve had unsatisfactory results with a 240 gr XTP out of a muzzleloader on deer. Maybe because of the increased velocity. IDK.

I would use a Nosler Partition with a hollow or protected point. Swift makes an A Frame bullet in 300 as well that I would look at close. You can get factory ammo with these loads as well.

 

[WrongHanded]

I would not use an XTP. They have a bad reputation for performance on heavier game. I’ve had unsatisfactory results with a 240 gr XTP out of a muzzleloader on deer. Maybe because of the increased velocity. IDK.

I would use a Nosler Partition with a hollow or protected point. Swift makes an A Frame bullet in 300 as well that I would look at close. You can get factory ammo with these loads as well.

Thank you. I was just looking at the Swift A frame. I'll check the Nosler Partition too.

 

[Patocazador]

The Nosler Partition handgun bullets did not group well in my hunting handguns. I love Nosler Partitions in rifle bullets but not so much in their handgun line.
I have never used an A-frame but have never heard any knock against them.

 

[Keyfer 55]

Speer 270 gr. is a good choice the lead is harder than the Hornady XTP.I've used the
xtp on hogs for a long time ,the 300 gr xtp
Is no slouch it's my go to bullet for hogs in my T/C encore 12 inch barrel.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've never killed any game with them, but I have read good things about the Swift A frame's performance on large game.
Too bad you can't use hard cast.

 

[buck460XVR]

The Hornady 300 gr .44 caliber XTP is rated for velocities up to 1900FPS. You ain't gonna get anywhere close to that with a 5.5" Redhawk.

 

[Varminterror]

For elk, Swift A-frame. Not an XTP.

 

[WrongHanded]

Well, I did buy a box of 50 Swift A-frame 300gr. I'll see how they run with 2400 in my RH, before I buy more.

 

[MaxP]

I would use the 280 grain A-frame. By far the best expanding bullet for a revolver made. The XTP, not so much.

 

[CraigC]

Cast bullets are considered expanding bullets.

 

[WrongHanded]

Cast bullets are considered expanding bullets.

I'm not sure how CPW feels about that, Craig. And I'd rather not take the chance and get fined.

 

[WrongHanded]

I would use the 280 grain A-frame. By far the best expanding bullet for a revolver made. The XTP, not so much.

Max, have you seen much difference in performance between the 280gr and the 300gr?

 

[Hookeye]

Id take a rifle w a 1-5x scope.......over any handgun.

 

[CraigC]

I'm not sure how CPW feels about that, Craig. And I'd rather not take the chance and get fined.

They are legally considered expanding bullets. Such laws are designed to prevent people from hunting with FMJ's out of rifles. Call your game department.

 

[MaxP]

Max, have you seen much difference in performance between the 280gr and the 300gr?

No, but any velocity increase you may gain can’t hurt. It’s probably not significant enough between the two, but...

 

[MaxP]

Id take a rifle w a 1-5x scope.......over any handgun.

And I'd take a handgun over any rifle. Might as well make the hunt challenging and fun.

 

[WrongHanded]

They are legally considered expanding bullets. Such laws are designed to prevent people from hunting with FMJ's out of rifles. Call your game department.

I appreciate what you're saying, but I think their intent is clear. I believe they want a bullet that will mushroom. I can call them, but arguing about the definition of "expanding bullet" with them would be futile. The best I can hope for is that they have a clear list of what they consider acceptable and what they don't. And I seriously doubt they have a list like that.

I'll call them.

 

[horsey300]

I appreciate what you're saying, but I think their intent is clear. I believe they want a bullet that will mushroom. I can call them, but arguing about the definition of "expanding bullet" with them would be futile. The best I can hope for is that they have a clear list of what they consider acceptable and what they don't. And I seriously doubt they have a list like that.

I'll call them.

In my state, there is a rule for expanding bullets too (as well as no incendiary bullets, shotguns must fire a single slug, minimum broad head diameters and no explosive arrows etc etc) cast lead bullets are acceptable, but leave the armor piercing and fmj bullets at home for hunting season.
Eta, a cast bullet still mushrooms, just properly match the bhn to the job. I've shot "match" .22lr lead bullets that wouldn't expand for anything, then picked up another box that expanded ridiculously (exits on the Prairie dogs were hilariously exaggerated for a .22) just make sure you're grabbing the right bullet for the job.

 

[MaxP]

I appreciate what you're saying, but I think their intent is clear. I believe they want a bullet that will mushroom. I can call them, but arguing about the definition of "expanding bullet" with them would be futile. The best I can hope for is that they have a clear list of what they consider acceptable and what they don't. And I seriously doubt they have a list like that.

I'll call them.

Don’t bother. The A-frame should serve you well.

 

[WrongHanded]

Just so you guys all know, this is what the game guide has to say:

 

[CraigC]

I appreciate what you're saying, but I think their intent is clear. I believe they want a bullet that will mushroom. I can call them, but arguing about the definition of "expanding bullet" with them would be futile. The best I can hope for is that they have a clear list of what they consider acceptable and what they don't. And I seriously doubt they have a list like that.

I'll call them.

Their intent is to prohibit FMJ rifle ammo. Not cast bullet handgun ammo. If it was intended to prohibit cast bullets, no one could hunt with a muzzleloader loaded with a patched round ball.

And as I said, a cast bullet is considered an expanding bullet. Why would they allow and specifically mention patched round ball but prohibit cast handgun bullets? They wouldn't.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/C...em_14-Issue-Ch_W2-Big_Game-Nov2017-PWCMtg.pdf

 

[Patocazador]

Their intent is to prohibit FMJ rifle ammo. Not cast bullet handgun ammo. If it was intended to prohibit cast bullets, no one could hunt with a muzzleloader loaded with a patched round ball.

And as I said, a cast bullet is considered an expanding bullet. Why would they allow and specifically mention patched round ball but prohibit cast handgun bullets? They wouldn't.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/C...em_14-Issue-Ch_W2-Big_Game-Nov2017-PWCMtg.pdf

However, cast bullets generally use harder lead (a mixture/alloy of lead + antimony, tin, etc.) and therefore don't expand as much as pure round ball lead does.

But the main thing here is that game departments and game wardens don't use logic. Their brains seem to be wired to "the letter of the law". That means you will get a ticket and have to 'logically' explain to the judge that cast bullets do, in fact, expand.
Good luck with that.