Author Topic: Best FA for Whitetail? (Read 2087 times)

HuntingGuy · « **on:** October 28, 2006, 03:36:11 PM »

Ok, so I've finally saved up enough for an FA. What are you guys using and what do you recommend for whitetail? I've been contemplating the .44 Rem Mag.. But which model?.. And out of the caliber options, will this pack enough punch for large bodied whitetail? I'll probably go with Premier grade whatever I do. Thanks for the help.

bobthenailer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2006, 03:05:25 AM »

i would opt for the 454 casull ! just more versitatly, and the 44 mag would probley not have as high of a resale value or be less desireable if you decided to trade or sell it later for some reason, as most people are looking for the 454 , 475, or 500 WE these days!
i have 3 FA 83 , in 454 casull a 6" with a aimpoint comp, a 7 1/2" with a 2x leupold and a 9" with a 1x4 burris , my favorite is the 6" more portable ,handier, and only looses 50 fps from equivlent loads from the 7 1/2 inch . i can shoot the 6 " with the aimpoint with a 7 min dot better off hand than the 7 1/2 " with the 2 x leupold . if i could find a good minature red dot sight that wiil hold up and have good crisp dots i would put it on the 6" and the aim point on the 7 1/2 " but so far ive tried the tasco optima, j point, and the docter sight , on all the red dot is to bright for accurate shooting as they have self adj dot brightness , i will soon try the pride /fowler red dot sight i hope it will work out! '

EdK · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2006, 03:12:37 AM »

I got a premier 454 - not by choice but because that't what there's a lot of in circulation. It was "used" but unfired - a "safe queen" as they say.

If all I wanted it for was deer and I was buying new I might just stick with the 44. On the other hand the 454 does not have to be loaded to full potential (if your a handloader). Actually, if you're not a handloader then definitely stick with the 44.

The 475 is everyones favorite lately. It will work for deer of course but it is pretty heavy duty - same for the 500.

Ed

Broom Rider · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2006, 07:15:03 AM »

A 44 will shoot clear through a deer on a side shot and do quite well on other shots.
Anything larger will of course work wonderfully as well.
I just took delivery of my new 83 Premier in 44 but won't be deer hunting with it this year unless a good opportunity comes along.

shilo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2006, 07:50:16 AM »

As someone else said - if you handload the 454 or 475 will have alot more versitility. If your going to have to use factory loads, then the 44 is a good choice. Another thing to keep in mind is that the 475 and 500 are more expensive to shoot with factory loads or handloads. I have 44s, 454, and 475 and the 454 is probably the best all around.

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2006, 04:21:57 AM »

Sounds great, thanks all. I'll probably look towards the 44 since I don't handload [yet]. And when I do start handloading, I'll have an excuse to get a 454

"But honey, it will save me tons in the long run!.... Should I have FA put it on the Mastercard or Visa?.."

bobthenailer- Have you looked at Bushnell HOLOsight? I've got one on my SW 686, and it has worked out great. Adjusts 1-10, perfect for any situation.. Some guys like the reticle, others don't. If you haven't seen it, its more of a crosshair than dot. Like you, I haven't had much luck with anything else. I left the Tasco on my MKII 22 just because I didn't have the money to replace it with something better. Check it out if you haven't already.

bobthenailer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2006, 01:43:47 PM »

i used a friends holo sight mounted on his gun and i dont care for the avalible reticul patterns ! i only like nice round dots and the holosights is to small, i like at least 4 0r 5 min dots

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2006, 01:55:33 PM »

It's all personal preference.. Good luck finding something that works for ya!

Spencer · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2006, 04:51:54 AM »

I purchased a Field Grade .454 with 7.5" barrel, adjustable sights, rosewood grips, and ported. I plan to use it for whitetails this season. I wanted the .454 so I could potentially hunt for moose or elk or some other large game without the need to purchase something new. I am a little recoil sensitive so I do not like full house loads. A friend did a little research for me and came up with a load for me that uses a .454 case and bullet, but at .44 mag velocity, pressures, and energy. I loaded some up, and found it to be a wonderful round. Much more manageable in the F.A. than the equivilant .44 round in my S&W 44's. I am extremely happy with it as I can use it for practice, plinking and hunting all at the same time.

EdK · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2006, 06:45:33 AM »

Quote from: Spencer on November 04, 2006, 04:51:54 AM

... A friend did a little research for me and came up with a load for me that uses a .454 case and bullet, but at .44 mag velocity, pressures, and energy. I loaded some up, and found it to be a wonderful round...

OK, let's have it... details...

Spencer · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2006, 11:49:00 AM »

Can I post it here?? I do not have the reference material he used. I believe it came from a Hornady manual. I will post it if it is OK to do so.

EdK · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2006, 04:04:28 PM »

If it is less than a published max (which it sounds it should be) there is no reason why not. I understand if you do not have a manual then you do not know that. Why don't you PM me on it.

Thanks, Ed

Spencer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2006, 12:53:39 AM »

I think it is well below max load, but just to be safe, I have PM'd you

Thanks

EdK · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2006, 05:34:54 AM »

This load is more than safe. If fact it is approximately a "starting" load for a 454 using Unique and a load that is very similar to that which other posters have often mentioned as a favorite.

While neither Alliant nor Freedom Arms publish this exact combination (250gr XTP with xx.x grains of Unique) and I too do not have a Hornady manual in hand, I won't post it either in the interest of safety. I'll just go on to say you don't have to have your arm torn off with a 454 to get a good load.

Marsh1 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2006, 05:18:31 PM »

This is a .476 Linebaugh and I show the picture to draw your attention to the extra cylinder. It's in .480 Ruger and is probably what I will use this white tail season. I load 480 cases with a 425 grain bullet at right out 1,000fps. I don't think I will need the full power Linebaugh unless I win the lottery and go to Africa.

Factory load .480's or .475's are available and will do the trick.
Marsh

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2006, 06:03:50 AM »

BEAUTIFUL gun, Marsh. *drools*

Steve P · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:38:26 PM »

I have a 353 that shoots 200 grain cast bullets very accurately. I would not be afraid to use it on white tail or black bear. My 41 or 44 would probably get the call, but If one of my daughters wanted to go with me, I would have them shoot the 353. It all depends on personal preference and how you handle the recoil.

Steve

MarkH · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2006, 01:43:23 AM »

The 454 still works pretty good. Shot this buck yesterday at 140 yards with 300 grain jacketed flatpoints at 1550 fps. He ran about 50 yards one way, then about 50 yards the other way, and wound up dropping at just about the same place that I shot him to start with:

Marsh1 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2006, 04:24:13 AM »

Great Buck!

EdK · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:06:40 AM »

I'll second that...

Great Buck!

Pixsurguy · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2006, 11:40:44 AM »

Quote from: bobthenailer on October 30, 2006, 01:43:47 PM

i used a friends holo sight mounted on his gun and i dont care for the avalible reticul patterns ! i only like nice round dots and the holosights is to small, i like at least 4 0r 5 min dots

Quote from: bobthenailer on October 30, 2006, 01:43:47 PM

i used a friends holo sight mounted on his gun and i dont care for the avalible reticul patterns ! i only like nice round dots and the holosights is to small, i like at least 4 0r 5 min dots

I've had several so-called "red dot"/holo sights and the best for the buck that I've seen so far is from Kalinka Optics (Russky outfit) that sells the Kobra. I have used it on an FAL and an Interarms Mark X .30-96 (bolt gun). Has four diff. reticles and a lot of brightness range that is user-selectable. Their ad is as follows for the quick-mount and quick-release built-in mount for Weaver bases. One of the reticlles is an upside-down "v" with a tiny dot above it. The "v" makes for fast target acquistiion and the dot is small enough to allow for very precise aiming. Uses watch-type battery that is available in drug stores.

Kobra Military Red Dot Weaver Rifle Scope, Eccentric Mount.


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Kobra Military Red Dot (EKP-8-15) Weaver Rifle Scope, Eccentric Mount. We only carry the latest generation Kobras, don't make the mistake of buying leftover stock of older versions someplace else.
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They have one more that is tritium powered (no battery needed) that I'd like to have if I could find a way to hide it in the check book. :-) The ad for it is as follows:

Rakurs-P New Military Extreme Collimating Tritium Dual Black/Green German Post Tactical Combat Sight Weaver version


Rakurs-P New Military Extreme Collimating Tritium Dual Black/Green German Post Tactical Combat Sight Weaver version
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Rod in Pa · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2006, 02:00:07 PM »

I had a Model 83 475 Linebaugh, shot a deer with it. Way too much gun. I sold it ( because of a shoulder injury) I now own a Model 83 in a 44 mag. I have killed 8 deer with a 44 mag handgun, I have never recovered a slug yet. They all shot through the deer. Also in my neck of the woods, a Freedom Arms 44 mag would command more money than a 454 or 475 Freedom Arms. I hope this helps. Rod