Which 44 Magmun Ammo for Deer

[rws2]

Ok I asked awhile back what seemed to shoot best in the Handi 44 Mag. Now I would like to ask what ammo/bullets have worked best on whitetailed deer?

I'd like to hear about successes and failures. Close range, medium and long range!

I'm somewhat concerned that the pistol bullets might be too soft at close range. I still haven't had time to shoot my Handi SB1 44mag due to a family illness and a couple deaths in my family been keeping me busy doing the family thing. Did manage to top it with a Leupold VXII 2-7 though. Just haven't got to shoot it yet.

I have in hand (all factory stuff) Hornady 240gr XTP, Win white Box 240gr JSP and Federal American Eagle 240gr JHP. But willing to get others to try if theres better choices.

My main concern is on game performance from 10yds to maybe 125-150yds. I got an invite to hunt Indiana and I have been told shots of 150yds are possible. While I realize this is probably stretching the 44 mag I'd still like any info on on game performance out to that range or even farther if you done it.

thanks

[revbc]

I deer hunted (with dogs) for over 20 years with a 1894 marlin 44 mag carbine.  100-125 yds was not a problem for factory Federal 240gr SHP, not American eagle stuff.  Handloaded some 200 gr hornady SHP with a max load of 2400 this load proved that 150 yrds for the 44 was well with in its capabilities.  As far as game performance goes.........if I drew blood, I brought home the deer.  NEVER lost a deer here in the jungles of Louisiana with her.  She's retired now, just don't need the lever anymore.  Who knows now that I think about her......she may have to go back to work!

Bobby

[gendoc]

hey revbc, i grew up in those jungle's  (fouchon, golden meadows) too many,many years ago...
today in these bama jungle swamps i like the 240xtp wifa dash of 24gr imr-4227,
it'll get the job done right there from a ladder stand ona cypress tree 

[xhare]

I have killed several deer with Winchester 240 grain soft points, white box from Wal-Mart.  All happened to be within 50 yards or so.  I prefer soft points with the 44 magnum from a rifle, but the tougher hollowpoints (xtp, barnes, leverevolution) should work too. 

[rws2]

Ok thanks!

Keep'm coming fellers!

[cult .44]

My hunting load for my Marlin is Hornady 240 gr HP-XTP pushed by 21.5 gr of 2400. This is very close in power to Hornady's factory loads with the same bullet. I've killed exactly one deer with it, DRT but it was neck shot. I recently began to worry that I was pushing it too fast. According to the manual it pushes the bullet about 1700 fps from a rifle. When you go to the Hornady site, the general info provided on XTP pistol bullets says they are designed to perform well between 900 and 1500 fps. So I worried the extra velocity might break the bullet apart if I shot a deer at close range. But, digging a little deeper, I found this pdf from Hornady ...

http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/catalog/2009/19-22_bullets_handgun.pdf

The chart indicates an effective velocity range for the .44 mag 240 gr HP-XTP to be 900-1800 fps.

I'm not so worried any more.

[wreckhog]

That is kinda funny because that is under my cat sneeze 2400 load for plinking with my 45-70.

[AtlLaw]

My hunting load for my Marlin is Hornady 240 gr HP-XTP pushed by 21.5 gr of 2400.

That's the exact load I have settled on!     Shoots great in my hunting buddy's Ruger carbine and my Rossi M92.  I wanna try it in my Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter.  I wonder though, isn't that a pretty stout load for a pistol?   

[Oldshooter]

Richard I used 21.5 gr of 2400 in my S&W(240 gr hp) model 29 for years and took deer and hogs with that load. It is a stout load but 44 mag in a revolver is not for the faint of heart anyway.

[AtlLaw]

Richard I used 21.5 gr of 2400 in my S&W(240 gr hp) model 29 ...

Great!  That puts my mind at ease.  Thanks!    

[cult .44]

 

isn't that a pretty stout load for a pistol?

In the Hornady manual, it is .3 grains over the listed maximum for handguns but 1.4 grains short of maximum listed for rifles (the test rifle is the Ruger carbine). I've shot it from my SBH and it works fine, no adverse pressure signs or anything, maybe a little heavy on the muzzle flash from my 5.5" barrel, and, yes, it is pretty stout but not Buffalo Bore stout. I tend to prefer N-110 in my revolver but my rifle really seems to like 2400.

Happy shooting!

[dpe.ahoy]

I've knocked down a lotta deer with 24.0 gr H-110 under the Hornady 240 gr XTP-HP in the 44 mag.  That is a max load and does talk back to ya when ya touch it off.  I've used it in Blackhawks, Marlins, Rossi's and my HR, shoots good in all of em.  DP

[rws2]

Great Info! Thanks All!

[gstewart44]

My hunting load for my Marlin is Hornady 240 gr HP-XTP pushed by 21.5 gr of 2400.

This load is the one I use in my Ruger carbine, Win92, and now in my Handi.   The load in very accurate and performance on deer and hog has been superb.   

[teddy12b]

I shoot the hornady 240gr XTP/HP over 24.0 of H110.  I've only taken one deer with that load, but it did the job like a champ.  I'm taking that load hunting again this year.