Author Topic: Bullet Selection for 44 Mag Handi for Deer (Read 2042 times)

mkgeorgetown · « **on:** November 17, 2009, 04:36:26 PM »

Hi all,
I am back after been gone for awhile. I picked up a 44 mag handi last Feb and have now got to break it in right on two deer this modern gun season here in Ky. A doe and a sweet 9 pointer!! Anyway, the ammo I am using is Magtech 240 grain JSP. It is very accurate out of my gun even out to 100 yards. I am not happy with performance on game however. The doe went only about 20 yards before piling up (lung shot) but I had zero blood trail, nothin'. The 9 point went about 80 yards before piling, only some blood and apparently some lung tissue on the ground where I hit him initially, then a few drops as he ran then nothing. Where I hunt is quite thick so it is easy to lose an animal if they don't hit the ground quickly or their is not a decent blood trail. Anyway, I was extremly lucky to spot one drop of blood along my neighbors property which showed me he had turned and went on my neighbor which is where I found him. Upon gutting, he merely had a inch or so hole thru his lungs and that was about it, might as well shot him with a FMC bullet (just passed right on thru). I am considering Hornady XTP 240 grain, my neighbor uses Winchester Platinum Tip and swears by them. Your advice and comments please. I do love this darn rifle though!! The 44 mag is great as I seldom get a shot over 60 yards, no kick and it is light and compact to carry, great gun to use in a blind.

Mark

Oldshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:19:08 PM »

The hollow pt will definitely make a bigger hole! What was the range of the shot?

gomerdog · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:24:27 PM »

You may want to consider a little larger bullet, like say a Speer 270 grain Gold Dot. I just don't know if it is offered in a factory loading. (I am assuming you don't reload.)

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:30:38 PM »

The Win White Box 240 Soft Points are said to be good in the Handis. My buddies son shot a 7 point buck Sat with them at 60-70 yds. Through both lungs and out other side. I'll have to ask about blood trail.

yukondog · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2009, 05:41:21 PM »

I'v had good luck with speer 240 gr. gold dot soft point and gold dot hollow point.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2009, 07:13:19 PM »

The Win White box 240 gr SP works as well as my handloaded Hornady 240 XTPs in my rifle.

ndindy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:49:50 PM »

I'd have to agree, bad bullet choice for deer. From what I can tell the magtechs are designed for deep penetration. Thin skinned like deer aren't going to offer enough resistance for that kind of bullet to even think about opening up, so .44 in and .44 out. It would probably do great on bear though, or punching through elk shoulder. I'd look for a more lightly constructed sp. I have a hard time using large hollowpoints on anything I plan on eating, they can just do too much meat damage. Deer are just too easy to kill, easy to kind of 'over gun' for them.

I did the same thing with my -06 a couple years ago. I did some deer hunting while carrying my elk loads, 180 scirroco's pushed as hard as I safely can. I didn't have a chance to swap out for my 165's and a range session. Punched clean through both shoulder joints and still had a 30 caliber exit. Turned both front quarters into mush from around 300 yards, and he was a good sized mulie. He didn't go anywhere obviously, but a lung shot might have given me a runner.

Etced · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2009, 02:31:24 AM »

I just shot this dear 2 days ago , 44 mag using handloaded Remington 240 gr jacketed hollow points. They chronograph right at 1800 fps at the muzzle.
The dear was walking at a fast pace thru the woods at about 50 yards. Shot him a little further back than what I would have liked. The bullet went thru the liver, spleen and kidney and stopped just under the hide on the opposite side.
The good side is that I got to recover the bullet, the bad side, no blood trail. The deer went about 75 yards and was real messy inside upon field dressing.
The bullet started out at 240 grains, the recovered weight was 155 grains and a perfect mushroom. I have had better luck using the 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet loaded to the same velocity. One must remember that these bullets were designed for pistol velocities.

Etced · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2009, 03:24:07 AM »

The final diameter averaged .625, 240 grain Remington jhp.

Etced

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2009, 11:50:35 AM »

Hi guys,
Thanks for the feedback. Range on these shots was around 35 to 40 yards. I picked up a box of Hornady XTP 240 grain today. Will hopefully get to give them a try next time out

I agree with ndindy, I don't think a whitetail offers up enough resistance for the Magtech and it just cruised right on. Expect better from these XTPs. I will keep you all posted if I get anymore action. I have also read good things on the Speer Gold Dot as well online.

Mark

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2009, 12:14:04 PM »

I have taken several deer with the XTP's in 44 mag rifles and really like em. Haven't lost one hit with them. DP

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #11 on:** November 18, 2009, 12:21:42 PM »

Here is a pic of the 9 point, best one I have gotten in a few years. Thanks all and good luck to you all out there huntin'.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2009, 12:29:59 PM »

Nice boy, wide spread. Congrats. DP

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2009, 01:02:28 PM »

Hi all,
I have not had a chance to update until now, but was able to try my 44 mag Handi out on a small doe (I wanted another one to eat anyway!!) using one of those Hornady XTP 240 grain hollow points. Let me tell ya, big difference in damage compared to the Magtech 240 grain JSP's. It was about 55 yards and a lung shot, angled back and basically halfed the liver. The lungs were in a word destroyed. She still ran around 25 yards or so before piling up, it still amazes me how they can run at all after taking a hit like that. I like these alot. I still need to shoot these off the bench and see how they group, I did not get to do this before hunting with them, but did not expect too much difference at close range which seemed to be true. Anyway, just wanted to chime in this info. Also, my hunting buddy is now considering a Handi in what else, 45/70. Now I may have to get one of those!!!! Take care all.
Mark

RangerJ · « **Reply #14 on:** December 15, 2009, 01:07:45 PM »

I shoot the 265gr Hornady flat points through my 44 mag. Have taken deer out to 125yds with it.Only had one run on me and that was a doe but she was runnin dead.Using the 265's I have noticed that there is very little meat damage but they do a fine job of putting the deer down.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2009, 01:19:26 PM »

Quote from: gomerdog link=topic=188939.msg 1098941528#msg 1098941528 date=1258518267

You may want to consider a little larger bullet, like say a Speer 270 grain Gold Dot. I just don't know if it is offered in a factory loading. (I am assuming you don't reload.)

IMHO, This is the best advice I have read from this thread.

I do not like and never recommend a hollow point pistol bullet for big game hunting. The XTP in heaviest weights is the lone exception. Hollow points are designed for maximum and rapid expansion and minimal penetration, neither are admirable attributes in a game bullet. SURE it will work, but so will a ball peen hammer!! The thru and thru penetration afforded by a soft point bullet is what you want. 240SP is where you should begin looking. Forget about the 180's regardless of design. 265 is a great bullet and the newer 270GD has proven stellar on whitetails.

CW

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2009, 01:28:59 PM »

CW,
I have heard some good stuff on the 270 grain GD, may have to give those a try as well. Thanks guys.

Mark

spruce · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2009, 02:05:36 PM »

Interesting thread.

I shot a large doe this year with my .44 mag Handi using 240 gr. XTP hollow point. Broadside shot at about 35 yards, double lung, through and through. Lungs were pretty much all "mush", almost a tennis ball size exit wound. She ran 25 yards or so, blood everywhere.

Sure can't complain about the performance on this particular shot, but I would be concerned about having enough penetration on a less than ideal angle shot.

I think going with a heavier bullet and/or a softpoint design sounds like good advice.

By the way, I shot some of the Magtechs (on paper) and they were very accurate in my gun. Don't have a chrono, but they seem to be loaded quite mild compared to the Hornadys.

Plainsman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2009, 03:08:59 PM »

Hornady 265gr JFP's for me!

I like them for both my .44's and .444Marlin! They are the most accurate bullet in all three too!

RangerJ · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2009, 03:12:44 PM »

Quote from: Plainsman on December 15, 2009, 03:08:59 PM

Hornady 265gr JFP's for me! I like them for both my .44's and .444Marlin! They are the most accurate bullet in all three too!

You got that right. They shoot the best out mine with a near max load of Win. 296 powder.

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2009, 04:13:24 PM »

Spruce,
The Magtechs, at least so far, have been the most accurate out of my gun, I have just been disappointed on their performance on deer (no blood trails, and both animals were hit squarely in the lungs, albeit the doe I shot with Magtech didn't go 15 yards or so). I still need to shoot some of the XTP's from a bench and see what groups I get, would expect them to be adequate at the ranges I hunt at (shots not over 60 yards). The XTP decimated the lungs of the deer I shot and had ample blood on ground (it was a total pass thru).

Spanky · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2009, 05:57:46 PM »

I like the 240gr. hollow points in my 44mag.
Bad medicine.

Spanky

Dustyvance · « **Reply #22 on:** December 15, 2009, 06:30:42 PM »

I have used 300gr XTP's for years in my Red hawk and just recently bought a Handi in 44 also and I thought " Ah, mabe" and I was right I hit a doe at about 90 yrds and it was bang flop. went through both lungs at the front of them and clipped the heart ( LUCK I know).

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2009, 02:11:38 AM »

Any of you guys tried the Hornady 225gr FTX on deer. They were very accurate out of my Dad's Henry. Hornady says 1410 fps from a 7 1/2" barreled revolver. 1800-1900 out of a 22" barrel ?

av-doctor · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2009, 03:21:52 AM »

i was questioning this very thing the last few weeks,i went looking for a handi in 357mag and found a 44 it felt too good in my hands to pass up. the only ammo i had on hand was some american eagle 240gr hp that i got in a trade a few years ago after sighting in the scope i was very impressed how they shot so much that when i got the chance at a marlin 1894 in 44 i bought it without a second thought it shoots just as good as my handi. i really wanted to see what they would do on deer but couldn't get the deer to cooperate and will have to wait for next year. i remember thinking these things are going to be over-kill but it sounds like they should work quite well. i guess i have a year to play around with these guns to figure it out

i also have a question where do i find recommended velocities for bullets?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2009, 05:14:44 AM »

Quote from: valvesinmyhead on December 16, 2009, 02:11:38 AM

Any of you guts tried the Hornady 225gr FTX on deer. They were very accurate out of my Dad's Henry. Hornady says 1410 fps from a 7 1/2" barreled revolver. 1800-1900 out of a 22" barrel ?

Mad dog and his son have. I get 1760fps out of it in my Handi, excellent accuracy.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,190232.msg1098951936.html#msg1098951936

jedman · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2009, 05:32:04 AM »

I would recommend the Hornady 265 gr. SP, it was designed for up to 444 velocity and has worked well for me out of a 44 mag rifle and from a muzzleloader w/ sabot @ 17000 fps.
I have used the 240 XTP with good performance out of a 44 special @ 1400 out of a 18" rifle barrel, but have also seen it fail badly, fall apart and not penetrate on a deers chest when shot out of muzzleloaders at 1800 fps and higher.
I veiw all of the 240 gr. and lighter bullets as for use at handgun velocity only, If your going to shoot it out of a rifle use the 265 SP, 300 XTP, or a good hard cast bullet with a flat nose. Jedman

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2009, 05:41:51 AM »

Quote from: jedman on December 16, 2009, 05:32:04 AM

I would recommend the Hornady 265 gr. SP, it was designed for up to 444 velocity and has worked well for me out of a 44 mag rifle and from a muzzleloader w/ sabot @ 17000 fps.
Jedman

What powder are you using? Man, that's gotta be one tough bullet!!

Tim

jedman · « **Reply #28 on:** December 16, 2009, 09:11:31 AM »

OHhhhhhh Weeeeeee, seventeen thousand feet per second !! Sorry that was a error in my Gazinta's
to many naughts Jethro, People do call me that.

Hope you all now I meant 1700 fps. Jed

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2009, 10:30:35 AM »

Yup, just had ta rib ya!!

Tim