I am considering using my 44 mag revolver w/6.5" barrel for dear hunting this fall. I guess I am a bit confused on what is the best type of load. I see some that use 240gr HP, 300gr solids, and 240gr SP. For those of you that have hunted white tail w/the 44 mag, what do you suggest? I was thinking either the 240gr HP or 300gr lead solids with H110.
44 Mag hunting load...?
- Thread starter jr45
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rockhound758
Member
JR, I don't hunt with mine so I'm sure you'll get more "hands on" info from others, but I believe I've seen both the 240 JHP and 300 JHP mentioned (Hornady's XTP are often mentioned as good bullets for this purpose). My two cents...
748
member
With thin skined game like deer I have always loaded 180gr XTP to about 1850fps out of my super redhawk.
NCsmitty
Member
I would avoid the heavy weight bullets as they have a tendency to pass through without expanding on deer at handgun velocities. 240gr HP's and under work well.
The one deer that I took with a 44 Mag was taken with a Sierra 180 JHP under 22gr of 2400.
Good luck.
NCsmitty
The one deer that I took with a 44 Mag was taken with a Sierra 180 JHP under 22gr of 2400.
Good luck.
NCsmitty
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would use 240 XTP's.
The 300 grain stuff is for bigger game then deer.
rc
The 300 grain stuff is for bigger game then deer.
rc
Thank you all for the responses. It looks like the 240gr HP is the winner. Since this will be the first time to hunt with a pistol, what are the other down sides to the 300gr solid lead? I understand that it will not expand but will provide deeper penetration...Why is it recomend for larger game?
Solid bullets for the .44 mag are used in larger game and the fact that they do not expand allows them to peneatrate through heavy muscle and bone to get the bullet into the vitals. Same reason that most large and dangerous game loads are non expanding type. The corbons' in I think it is 320 grain have taken bison and larger out of a .44 mag.
41 Mag
Member
I have hunted with and shot most of the top brand bullets from 180, through 240gr from my 44. I have found through the years that the Remington 240gr JHP has been time and time again as accurate and reliable or more so than many of the higher priced comparisons.
I use 23grs of 296 with my Ruger for a mid 1300fps load. It has through the years taken several deer and many feral hogs, and from a good rest has shot several groups around 1" or so at 50 and 100yds, depending on if the scope was installed.
For whitetail, unless you hit something pretty solid your not going to see much expansion, but still in all the .429 diameter slug is going to produce a nice sized hole in both sides.
For an all around bullet, I believe it is hard to beat both price and performance wise.
I use 23grs of 296 with my Ruger for a mid 1300fps load. It has through the years taken several deer and many feral hogs, and from a good rest has shot several groups around 1" or so at 50 and 100yds, depending on if the scope was installed.
For whitetail, unless you hit something pretty solid your not going to see much expansion, but still in all the .429 diameter slug is going to produce a nice sized hole in both sides.
For an all around bullet, I believe it is hard to beat both price and performance wise.
FredT
Member
As everyone else says a 240 with a top load of 2400, 296, H110 or #9 has always been a proven performer.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
* Lower velocity = a more rainbow trajectory at longer hunting ranges.
* Very deep penetration + low or no expansion = not needed for a thin-skinned whitetail deer.
* More abusive recoil = harder to shoot accurately for an inexperianced big-bore handgunner.
* Cost = those things, especially factory loads, cost too much to practice & get good with.
rc
Asherdan
Member
Dang, I thought I might have some input in this thread but 240g XTP's, 2400 and H110 have been mentioned and RC gave 4 good points to the question.
+1, I guess. The 240 XTP and 2400 have worked great for deer and middling hogs for me.
+1, I guess. The 240 XTP and 2400 have worked great for deer and middling hogs for me.
Bottom line is almost anything at magnum velocities out of your 44 has more than enough penetration for white tail deer. My suggestion is use whatever jacked hollow point your gun shoots the most accurate.
I have taken quite a few white tail deer with my super redhawk out to 100 yards. Most of them have been with either a 200 grain XTP or 210 grain gold dots.
I have taken quite a few white tail deer with my super redhawk out to 100 yards. Most of them have been with either a 200 grain XTP or 210 grain gold dots.
748
member
I hate to say it but the deer your going to likely see in virginia arn't what I would call large game.
A 240gr will do most of its damage to the dirt or tree it hits after going straight through the deer.
Find what ever you and your gun shoots best.
A 240gr will do most of its damage to the dirt or tree it hits after going straight through the deer.
Find what ever you and your gun shoots best.
buck460XVR
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For a huntin' load, my PC 629 likes 23.5 grns of H110 under a 240 grn HornadyXTP/Nosler JSP. For bowling pins I like 23 grns with a 240 Nosler JHP.
Clark
Member
I keep tinkering with every other cartridge but I have been shooting 44 mag 24 gr H110 240 gr JHP, roll crimp in the canalure in revolver and carbine for 10+ years.
That load is in allot of books for a reason.
That load is in allot of books for a reason.
pbearperry
Member
Every deer I ever shot with a 240 gr SWC doing 1200 fps did the job.One time I went to a 180 gr XTP and it blew up on the left shoulder on a 23 yd broadside shot.After 500 yds of tracking,I lost the deer in a swamp.I believe in the big bullet.
Remo-99
Member
The 300gr and up bullets like a slower powder to get the most out of it, the problem is the longer 300gr bullets, when seated deeper to stay within a certain OAL, occupy a lot of case capacity needed for the slower powders.
And faster powders tend to run into pressure issues, when trying to push the heavy bullets at a reasonable pace.
In my opinion the 300gr bullets would work well in a .444marlin. But for .44mag, bullets upto 240-250gr yield the best results for most situations, and 180-200gr HP's if your looking for a bit of extra expansion.
Theres not many critters that get back up and walk away after being hit well with a 180gr, 200gr or 240gr JHP from a .44mag, anyways.
GeauxTide
Member
Per 41Mag, I've used Rem 240sjhp,and 240sp under 23gr of H-110 for many years. Deadly and cheap.
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