Author Topic: Who hunts deer with their .44 mag Handi???? (Read 1923 times)

oo_buck · « **on:** July 08, 2011, 09:13:46 AM »

If so, what's your setup?

I'm thinkin right now that according to my pc software a 100yd Zero would also make me dead on at 25yds, and no more than an inch high in between....

Thoughts on that?

Squib · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2011, 09:23:46 AM »

25yds is close enough it probably won't rise much with a distant zero.... I don't know about 1inch high in between though. I think if using iron sights it varies a lot up close due to your P.O.V. and that can change how you aim it... with a scope you might be within 2'' though?

what loads are you planning on using?

oo_buck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2011, 09:41:57 AM »

I'm open to suggestions on the exact load...

I was tinkering with the Remington Ballistic Calc and ran the 240gr JHP with a 100yd Zero it was dead on at 25yds, and just a bit over an inch high at 50 and 75... I know that's not exact, but its a start.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2011, 09:58:27 AM »

I'm using a load from the Alliant website. Right now my loads are 1 grain off max with a 240 grain Hornady JHP... If I can sort my sight issues out by fall, I will be hunting with my .44 Handi otherwise I will be carrying my M94 Winchester...

Tony

murphdog · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2011, 12:40:40 PM »

00 buck,
I've used a 44mag for deer the last 3 years, and based on local gun sales I would guess a lot of other folks are in southern Indiana. Mine has a scope with high rings, which does affect the ballistics. I'd say your ballistic calculator is about right. I use WW 240 grain JSP factory loads, and sight in at 100. Hits about 1" high at 50, +/- depending on temp, wind, etc. Don't know where the near zero is, but probably around 25. I figure at that range, an inch this way or that won't matter. I highly recommend the WW JSP's. Good accuracy, always a pass through, always a dead deer. Hornady XTP's are also fine, from what I here, but I know some folks have been disappointed by terminal performance of other hollowpoints.
Duane

yukondog · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2011, 01:00:15 PM »

I've taken 3 deer with mine useing 240 gr. speer gold dot soft point.

dave29 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2011, 02:08:39 PM »

I used my .44 mag Handi some last year. It was equipped with a 2-7x33 Redfield, Burris Zee rings, and I used LeverEvolution factory ammo. (it also shoots 240gr JSP WWB good too).

It is dead on from 25-100 yards.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2011, 03:24:17 PM »

When sighting in a new rifle or changing scopes, I bore sight and then sight in at 25 yards. It is amazing how many different calibers are dead on at 100 or close to it zeroed at 25.

My Handi .44 and I got skunked last season, for the first time in nineteen years. She had grown up into a .445, but I didn't find any brass til the last day or two of the season, so she was loaded with Hornady LEs. The only shootable deer I saw was well over 200 yards, so I watched it walk. I'd have made venison with the .45-70.

Pete

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:35:28 PM »

I broke down and bought a Handi Rifle last year in .44 Remington Magnum, about a week into deer season. I couldn't afford to shell out $500 to $750 on a Marlin lever action or an AR-15 in .458 SOCOM. I got the synthetic stock version. I'm glad I did because it seemed to rain or snow everyday I hunted last year.

It was a great decision that I wish I'd done as soon as PCR guns were made legal in Indiana.

I scoped it with a Centerpoint 2x7x32 from Walmart for $68. When I bought the gun, I bought a box of Hornady Custom ammo loaded with 240 gr XTP bullets. These bullets leave the muzzle at 1350 fps, at 50 yards they are traveling 1231 fps, and at 100 yards they are still going 1134 fps. I sighted it in 1 inch high at about 25 yards.

I hunted several days with my slug gun before getting my Handi Rifle. I had a couple does overrun my position and couldn't get a shot because the scope on my slug gun was way overpowered for the thick cover I was hunting in. I also lost the opportunity to take a shot at a decent 6 pointer on a State Park hunt for the same reason, too much magnification.

I started hunting with the Handi and was getting worried because I wasn't seeing deer like I normally do. I got permission to hunt a new area near my home and started hunting it pretty religiously. I finally got the deer patterned and started hunting one stand pretty exclusively. I had a small 3 pointer come meandering along and I decided a deer was better than no deer. He got within 23 yards when I settled the cross hairs on him, just behind the front shoulder. I squeezed the trigger and Kaboom ! He kicked out his back feet, took off down over a small hill, stopped about 35 yards from where I shot him, and fell over dead!

There's no recoil to deal with. You can purchase inexpensive ammo to practice with in the off season. You can handload. It's great ! I want to experiment with cast lead bullets using a "Keith Style" bullet this year. I would agree with you that dead on at 25 should be good to hold all the way out to 100 yards.

Let me know if you have questions or need help ?

parson48 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:44:51 AM »

I like the .44 mag for deer. I use both, 240 gr. jacketed flat point, or 265 gr. cast from a Ranch Dog mold. Great 100 yard deer rifle.

For Fred McIntire: I think that I may have sold you that gun if you you bought if on INGO. If so, I'm glad that you like it!

BBF · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2011, 07:42:05 AM »

Fred Mc

Those velocities you posted appear to be from a pistol barrel, you ought to get 1700-1800 ft/sec from a rifle barrel if this is factory ammo.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2011, 09:19:11 AM »

Haven't had the chance for deer yet with the 44 mag Handi but I have harvested several hundred pounds of pork with 240gr XTPs over stout loads of 2400.

I have no doubt venison would succumb as well.

Ganjiro · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2011, 06:04:55 AM »

I personally prefer JSPs over JHPs 240 grains (usually Sierra or Speer) on top of 24 grains of H110. Popped allot of piggies over the past 35 years with this load.

Squib · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:09:06 AM »

I sort of support ganjiro's statement.... I don't have 35yrs experience though. I shot a deer with a 300gr jhp sierra almost max 45-70 load last year and the thing tore up the buck good but disintegrated in the offside shoulder, my new loads are 350gr jacketed lead round nose hornady interlock. remember that a semi-max load will stress a thin jacket badly so once it opens up on impact it's likely to go POOF, maybe back off the charge if you'll be hitting your deer within 50yds???

or try a jsp that won't open as much and blow to pieces if it hits bone

cjrjck · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:19:39 AM »

44 mag - I use both a 320 grain LBT LFN hard cast bullet and the 300 grain Speer Unicore soft point. I like my big caliber bullets to be of tough construction. The LBT will penetrate anything. The Speer is the best of the jacketed big bullets I have seen. It's bonded construction is indestructible. Both have big meplats (frontal diameter) and punch a good hole without much expansion needed. I would not hesitate to use them on anything from deer, to hogs, to moose. I have used them in my muzzleloader too.

Squib · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:51:01 AM »

this is a bit off topic but how do they do with a sabot on a mz round? does it keep enough stress off the jacket that it deforms less on impact- relative to performance from a centerfire?

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2011, 08:00:01 AM »

Quote from: parson48 on July 09, 2011, 06:44:51 AM

I like the .44 mag for deer. I use both, 240 gr. jacketed flat point, or 265 gr. cast from a Ranch Dog mold. Great 100 yard deer rifle.

For Fred McIntire: I think that I may have sold you that gun if you you bought if on INGO. If so, I'm glad that you like it!

Hey Preacher Man !

How are you ? Good to see you on here. Actually, the one I bought off of you is still in the box, unused. I'm hoping to talk my 18 year old daughter into deer hunting with me this year, or at least doing some shooting with me this year. I think that will make a great little gun for her if she decides to go along.

Take care,

Fred

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2011, 08:03:23 AM »

Quote from: scatterbrain on July 09, 2011, 07:42:05 AM

Fred Mc

Those velocities you posted appear to be from a pistol barrel, you ought to get 1700-1800 ft/sec from a rifle barrel if this is factory ammo.

Scatterbrain,

Now that I think about it, you may be right. I quoted those velocities off the box. I need to run the ballistics calculator to see what I come up with. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Fred

cjrjck · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2011, 08:35:56 AM »

Quote from: Squib on July 10, 2011, 07:51:01 AM

this is a bit off topic but how do they do with a sabot on a mz round? does it keep enough stress off the jacket that it deforms less on impact- relative to performance from a centerfire?

I notice no difference in ballistics and terminal performance when used in a rifle or in a MZ with sabot.

Squib · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2011, 08:50:58 AM »

thanks

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2011, 11:07:16 AM »

Nosler makes a 250 gr PT. That ought to hold up IMO.

ihookem · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2011, 01:15:28 PM »

I used a Remington 240 sp for muzzy and a sabot and 80 gr 777. At 25yds it went through the heart. The deer died 80 yds later. No big deal at all.

spruce · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2011, 02:37:50 PM »

Only shot 2 deer with my .44 mag Handi. One doe with a 240xtp, broadside thru and thru double lung shot. She ran about 30-35 yds.
The other was a 6 point with a 240 WWB SP, walking towards me, entered left front shoulder, found it under hide just in front of right rear leg. He stumbled about 5 yards and went down.

Both deer were only 25 yards or so away when I shot them.

oo_buck · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2011, 06:04:15 AM »

THanks for all the replies.... I'm gettin excited...

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2011, 06:37:15 AM »

Fred, I finally found my little brown book, the Hornady Custom 240gr XTPs average 1758fps in my 22" 44mag Handi.

Tim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2011, 08:28:01 AM »

btt

jloehm · « **Reply #26 on:** August 04, 2011, 09:10:58 AM »

This one was taken last year with the .44. Hornady Leverevolution225 gr. @ 40 yds. High shoulder shot (he was getting ready to skate and was behind a tree, so it was the shot I had,) Went through both shoulder blades and stopped underneath the hide on the opposite side. He didn't take a step. Here's also a pic. of the recovered bullet. bushnell elite 3200 1.5- 4.5x scope.

flinthead · « **Reply #27 on:** August 04, 2011, 12:28:17 PM »

Awesome! I'll be hunting with my .44 Talo Trapper most of the deer season this year... maybe all of it.

I'm shooting 240 grain Winchester Dual Bond bullets,,, I'll let you guys know how they perform. At the range, three shots are touching at 50 yards.

BBF · « **Reply #28 on:** August 04, 2011, 01:28:59 PM »

What is the OAL of the Talo Trapper?

jloehm · « **Reply #29 on:** August 05, 2011, 02:53:16 PM »

I don't have a TALO, but I'd estimate the OAL at 34-35", since the standard 22" barreled rifle is 38" OAL.