Author Topic: What .44 Mag. Factory load for deer? (Read 1686 times)

petemi · « **on:** June 10, 2009, 07:58:24 AM »

In the next few days I'll be putting together a .44 Mag. Handi. Barrel, for now, on a SB1 frame, an ATI stock set, and a Truglow red dot. I like to find the best factory bullet for the purpose, in this case deer inside 100 yards; sight it in for that and leave it there. Any suggestions out there. Thanks,

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:10:34 AM »

The 225gr LE Hornady does real good in mine with a peep sight and my old eyes, 240gr XTP was ok too.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,148853.msg1098617662.html#msg1098617662

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:13:42 AM »

Pete,

When I hunted in Michigan with a S&W Model 29 I used 180 & 240 grain, both jhp's and jsp's and on one occasion 240 Hydra-shoks - and had no occurrence of the deer going more than 30 yards or so.

I preferred the Federal 180gr JHP's. They seemed to be more readily available then and I didn't notice a difference in performance that would have pushed me to the heavier bullet.

That said, my current 44mag carbine I'm using 240gr hornady xtp reloads, just because I can massage the powder a little and I took in 500 bullets on trade. Hard to not use them.

Best of luck.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:34:41 AM »

I hate to be the buzz killer here but almost any bullet out of a 44 mag will kill a deer out of the rifle under 100 yards.
The cheap answer is the Remington / UMC 180 grain Jacked Soft points (about 1600 FPS) or the Federal / American Eagle 240 grain Jacked soft points (around 1250 FPS). Both come in a box of 50. Both speeds are out of my 6" revolver but are greatly added to out of either my 14" T/C or Ruger Deer field carbine and it is an auto so your single shot will add to that.
If you want to go low recoil the 210 grain silver tips are good. Or even one of the warm or hot 44 Specials in the 180 to 200 grain hollow points will work depending on what kind of terminal proformance you want. I only went up to the 240's if I could not find the 180's or Black bear was in season.
I found that the 180 grain either soft or Hollow points really flatten out and make huge exit holes when they exit. The 240's tend not to open up as much and tended to penitrate a lot further on deer shot from the front. With both bullets the rifle went bang the deer went flop. OK only 5 deer dead with the 44 mag so I may not be the defining athourity on what bullet to use but what ever I had on hand when i was in college seemed to work out of my friends rifle.
Good luck.

ndindy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:47:13 AM »

I've started loading speer gold dots for my .44's and .444 based purely for reasons no hunter needs to worry about.

Story:
We've got a guy walking around town that has had a .45acp round stuck in his skull for over a decade. He was involved in a shoot out at close range with LE while they danced around a car. LE finally remembered you can actually shoot THROUGH windows and put a round through both front windows and struck mr. badguy in the head. Knocked him out, however the jacket separated from the core and only the core struck him. Non-fatal, inoperable due to it's final resting spot. So after much testing by the PD we found that the Gold-dots were one of the only commercially available ammo's that would penetrate similar obstacles and still keep the core and jacket connected. I'm sure there are others out now that will do the same, but you keep to what you know. You know?

So for my bear and elk loads, I figure it's a tough enough bullet to not worry. Been pretty accurate as well.

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:00:34 AM »

Thanks guys. I like the Hornady LEs in my .45-70, so I think I'll try them. I'll also try a 240 gr. JSP. I'm shooting 180 gr. SJHPs in my .357 Max. The .44 and the Max will be next seasons woods guns.

Pete

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:02:46 AM »

Pete, I was at Wal-Mart last Sat and they are finally starting to get ammo in stock. About two weeks ago they started getting a lot of slugs, 22 rimfire and 7 boxes of 222s. Last weekend they had Win. 357 and 44 mag white 50 round boxes. The 44s were 240gr soft points. I always liked the soft points for some reason? I think the 44s were $33.00 for 50. This is the first time in a long time any stores around here had any of this type of ammo. Maybe things are getting better. I was curious if they disappear quickly. I told two friends about them for their new 44 Handis. I almost bought a couple of boxes but would like to buy bullets whenever they become available. You will only need one so to save space you may send me the other 49

Like was said I think about any bullet will kill deer at that range. Watch out for the bears up there. In my Handi I got out of my reloads 180 xtp av. 1921fps. 200 xtp 2089fps and 240 xtp 1808fps. These were NOT MAX. Good luck with the 44

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:10:49 AM »

Big, most everything on line is sold out, nice to see some recovery happening. I should pull a bear tag this year. The pair for Mr. Bruin will be the .45-70 and the .30-06.Handis. The .357 Blackhawk will be in my holster.

Pete

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:37:23 AM »

a lee hand press, and some dies will set you up nicely and inexpensively for reloading handgun ammo. Easy to use, not space prohibitive. The shorter cases are more conducive to the hand press, although I have loaded almost everything I have with it at one time or another.

(Providing you can find pistol primers)

If applicable, your wife will be appreciative of using the hand press instead of doing 12 ounce curls.

Good luck on the bear tag. I know what a pain those are to draw.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:54:32 AM »

Both my son and I have used the plain Winchester 240 gr soft points from Walley World. !00% success rate so far and no reason to change.

One word of caution, my neighbor bought a Marlin .44 mag for hunting in Ga. several years ago. The first year he used some 240 grain JHP's in it and lost a really nice deer he shot broadside at 60 yards. It seems that out of the rifle he was getting enough extra velocity so that on impact the bullet, which was made for pistol velocities came apart rather than offering proper penetration.

petemi · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:59:00 AM »

Quote from: ncsurveyor on June 10, 2009, 09:37:23 AM

If applicable, your wife will be appreciative of using the hand press instead of doing 12 ounce curls.

Good luck on the bear tag. I know what a pain those are to draw.

What a great idea. Look at the money I'd save if she quit going to Curves. At least a Handi a year.

Last year I made the mistake of doing a party application with a guy that didn't have enough preference points. I'm not doing that this year, and I've got enough points DNR ought to be just decent and surrender the bear.

Pete

murphdog · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:19:04 AM »

Winchester 240 grain JSP have always worked for me, and thats all I've ever used for deer. Through and through penetration with no bullet to recover, and the deer is dead. I have to admit though that all my shots have been broadside to the chest, so I haven't really tested their penetrating ability. The Winchesters are also the most accurate factory ammo in my handi. As others have said, probably any bullet in this caliber will kill a deer.

Duane

Default · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:19:29 PM »

I have to agree with McWood there ,

I have had great success with the remmie and winnie 240 gr JSP ammo out of a few 44s and considering the price they command for a box of 50 i wont even think about buying 20 for the same cash .. Though i have to admit my intersts in the LE Hornady 44 if for nothing more then to cure that curiousity...

But nowadays i just reload lead for my 44 .... Alot cheaper too

Default

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2009, 11:59:43 PM »

I vote for the Winchester 240 grain JSP in the white box. They shoot very well out of my 2007 Handi 44 Mag. I have not had an opportunity to shoot any Hornady LE out of it yet. Mostly I reload, but the price on the Win White box ammo was just too good to pass up and they shoot well. I was getting right at 1800 fps out of the Handi with 22" barrel. Good Luck and Good Shooting Pete.

petemi · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2009, 01:32:40 AM »

Yes, I'm going to get a box each of the Win. White Box 240 gr. JSPs, and the Hornady LEs and stick with whichever does best.

I've never used a red dot scope before, so that part is going to be interesting with my sorry right eye. We'll "see".

Pete

gstewart44 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2009, 04:12:17 AM »

Hornady 240 XTP's or LE 225's.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2009, 04:22:12 AM »

Pete, I know a few guys around here who have the Truglo red dot on their 12ga slug guns. They report Accurate & holds to p.o.a

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2009, 05:16:20 AM »

Quote from: glanceblamm on June 11, 2009, 04:22:12 AM

Pete, I know a few guys around here who have the Truglo red dot on their 12ga slug guns. They report Accurate & holds to p.o.a

Cheaper Than Dirt had ten or twelve reviews on it, and all but one was very favorable. The other guy sounded like he didn't have a clue as to what he was doing.

Pete

tiger yat · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2009, 08:37:53 AM »

The Winchester 240 grain JSP in the white box have worked great, are accurate, hit hard, and boom-flop the deer. I'm one shipment of primers short of being a new reloader; and I'd be satisfied if I can only duplicate that load.
I've heard that it's best to avoid the hollow points, but any other type of 44 load with a wide soft point should be good for their intended range of 125 or less.

petemi · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2009, 08:59:53 AM »

I went on line this morning and every one I thought should have the Win. 240s were sold out. Finally, in desperation, I bought two 20 round boxes of Hornady LEs at Sportsmans Guide cause I had coupons.

Pete

Oldshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2009, 09:26:49 AM »

Pete, I stumbled into Wally world last night and low and behold two boxes of win 240 gr SJSP were on the shelf. I got them and for $33 a box(50). Just goes to show a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while!

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2009, 03:03:45 PM »

I went to Wally's today and they still had 4 boxes of the white 44s. Thought they might be gone by now. Had two boxes of Win white box 357 110 h.p.s, I think. Bet those are fast. Sorry Pete! You prob. don't have Wally's on the corner.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2009, 05:03:21 PM »

Hey Pete, I have never used factory ammo for deer, but use the 240 XTP's handloaded with major sucess. I have one of the TruGlo 2X reddot sights on my 444 Handi and have not had a single problem with it. Got better than 200 rounds thru it now. I think you will like it when ya get used to it, draws the eye right where ya want the bullet to go. I find it pretty darn quick, faster than issue sights. I think yer gonna like that 44 mag my friend. DP

jlwilliams · « **Reply #23 on:** June 12, 2009, 01:45:32 AM »

I took one last year with an American Eagle 240 JHP. I don't normaly go for the cheapest crap available for a hunting round, but the only other ammo I was finding was lighter projectiles. I had the gun sighted in with 240s, so I picked up the red box. Took them to the range, made sure I knew where I was hitting, and hunted with them.

One shot, dropped right where he stood. Bullet didn't expand the way a better brand may have but that's the thing about big bullets. They don't shrink, even if they fail to expand.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2009, 02:02:25 AM »

Hornady 240 XTP .

petemi · « **Reply #25 on:** June 12, 2009, 02:26:46 AM »

The closest chain candy stores are Dunham Sports and Gander Mountain and they're an hour and two hours away. Tony's guns is a true, old time gun shop, and Old Tony (in his eighties) is an hour and half away. The Wal-Marts are there too.

DP, I think you're right......I'm gonna like it

I too like heavy bullets and try them first in any caliber.

I'm already thinking about the next one......45LC, if I can find one. I need to start reloading real soon, and want to start out with the straight walls.

Ya know, Tim, with a lot of help from youze guys, did this to me

Pete

teddy12b · « **Reply #26 on:** June 12, 2009, 03:17:00 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on June 12, 2009, 02:02:25 AM

Hornady 240 XTP .

+1.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2009, 03:59:12 AM »

Pete yer gonna have to start reloading for your tools. The pistol calibers are easy to start with, get a good set of Carbide dies, RCBS are good but Hornady are better. Plus with the Hornady ya get free bullets! DP

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #28 on:** June 12, 2009, 04:12:23 AM »

Redding is even better and add their profile crimp die .

petemi · « **Reply #29 on:** June 12, 2009, 04:24:08 AM »

DP, I've already got a set of Hornady .45-70 dies. Correct me if I'm wrong, most of them, Hornady, RCBS, etc., are all 5/8 thread and can interchange??

Pete