.44 Mag revolver hunting loads.

[tv1217]

Yeah, blah blah blah, my search-fu is weak, and so on.

I got a 9.5 inch Ruger Super Redhawk for target ripping and venison getting.

I got the rules down, limit myself to however far out I can keep within an 8 inch circle/paper plate. Every deer I've gotten to date has been within 60 yards so it's unlikely I'll be going out beyond that often(I'll have my Rem 870 too). I can barely see anything beyond 100 yds in S. IL woods anyway(and I don't shoot at sounds)
I'd rather not fill my tag than screw up a shot that lets a deer get away wounded to die slow and scared somewhere, I'm weird like that.

Anyway recommendations? For the range I got some Fiocchi 240 Gr. XTP-HP(nickel cases, assuming this is more for SD use) and Magtech 240 gr. Semi-jacketed softpoint. Obviously like any gun it'll probably like some brands more than others.

I don't reload but that may change soon so I won't rule those suggestions out.

 

[snapping turtle]

My old standby is basic winchester white box JSP 240 grain bullets. I use them like I do CCI mini mags in 22 LR. If it does not shoot them well than there is a problem with the firearm. Good for deer and cheap.

Hornaday has the leverevolution ammo. Does a nice job on deer in rifle or pistol. The use a majic pixi dust as powder in them.

Gold dot get a heads up.

I really think for the price the winchester white box is the winner. Deer don't know you kiiled them with 32.99 a box MEGA_LOW_MART ammo.

 

[downzero]

A stout handload with lots of H-110 is second to nothing.

 

[Reloader]

I use a 265gr gas checked bullet for deer that I hand load...I second the notion that nothing beats a good hand load for deer

 

[Bounty Hunter]

I use 180gr. and 240 gr. PMC Hollow points. Very accurate! I shoot a Taurus 44mag 8in. barrel. I have never had a deer take more than 1 more step after impact.
I killed my biggest deer ever, my first year out with it. A huge ten pointer. He jumped out of the brush following a doe and I shot and he took one more jump and collapsed. I never tried anything else. Never saw the need. Although if you eat the heart there was nothing left.

 

[fastwally]

I have 300gr XTP's with max powder load reloaded for me. I've always had good accuracy results with the XTP, 240 and 300gr.

 

[sertboy354]

Lots of good info i have a 44 mag and i am planing a bora hunt

 

[kboom524]

If you own a 44 mag you need to reload, its the only way to get the true potential from the cartridge. Factory loads are lighter than what you can handload. A good 44 mag revolver like your Redhawk will handle alot more power than factory loads produce.
For deer I use a 200gr Hornady XTP with a good load of H110 behind it. Using this lighter bullet I can load it faster, around 1500 fps, and the results on deer are devasting. Shooting a 7.5 inch Blackhawk I have shot 4 deer with this load. I watched all 4 hit the ground, all 1 shot kills.

 

[Redskinsfan]

I second that a good handload with H110 is the way to go

I have used exclusively my reloads in my Dan Wesson 44 mag that I bought 28 years ago. My load is 220 gr. Sierra Silhouette bullet with 25.0 grains of H110. This load has been very accurate in my revolver and I am not interested in any other.

I recommend that you get into reloading if you can, it is satisfying to make your handloads out perform factory ammunition.

Best regards,

Terry

 

[tv1217]

I plan to start eventually. It's just a matter of getting the money and making the space to do it.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I would NOT recommend the Winchester 240 JSP's for deer in a pistol. One of my shooting buddies shot a doe from 25 yards with his scoped Encore - witnessed the bullet enter it's left lung area, - saw the cloud of dust from the exit wound where the bullet hit the ground - and the deer ran off. The bullet was recovered from the dirt with no signs of expansion whatsoever. They spent the rest of the remaining daylight looking for the deer and saw no signs of it whatsoever.

He's since moved to a 180gr XTP handload with H110. I load 240gr XTP's under 2400 or 5744 at around 1800fps in my Rossi break action. I once heard a second hand quote from a Ruger Rep that the RedHawk can handle absolutely anything you can throw at it - so don't be afraid of stout loads using heavy bullets - just work your way up to them.

 

[buzzard pickins]

Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business

Try this in 44m +P deer won't run....If you do your part.

 

[WLW]

Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business

Try this in 44m +P deer won't run....If you do your part.

Amen.... I use BBA in 45LC on hogs in Texas. 300gr JSP hauling arse faster than over-the-counter 44 mag stuff. I can only do this because I shoot it in a Blackhawk. Its tough to hold onto, but it's worth it when you're dealing with a hog that's pissed off. To give you an example of BBA's loads... if you mix brands in your revolver as I have... you'll see the bullets slide forward on "other" brands of ammo as it's not crimped enough to deal with the BBA recoil. I've since stopped that practice of mixing rounds. Moral of the story... good stuff for killin' animals and dropping them in their tracks!

 

[tv1217]

Thanks guys.

Next quest, a nice glass hat to sit on top. I'm thinking the Leupold.

 

[JBob77]

I used American Eagle 240gr factory loads last year. Killed 2 doe, both one shot each, however they did not drop in their tracks. Either one ran about 25-30 yards befor falling. The only issue I had is that I did not even know I had hit one of them, it didn't stumble or anything, just ran off. I found her as I was leaving for the day, She just happened to run back over my left shoulder and I couldn't see her around the edge of the wood line. If the WWB are the same or better, I would probably be okay with them. I am hoping to find something this season that will take one off of its feet, so I don't have a similar situation arise. I don't know about hunting performance, but for accuracy, I was Impressed with Magtech for thier comparitive price!

 

[jghelton]

i have 3 loads that i reload ...this is my favorite 23gr of lil gun with a hornady ftx 225gr bullet , winchester primer . 2nd is 23.5 gr of h110 with a hornady 225gr ftx bullet, winchester primer 3rd is 22 gr of h110 with a 240gr hornady xtp bullet winchester primer .....but my favorite shelf ammo is magtech 240gr sjsp they shoot very well ....hope this was a help to you

 

[mwilson]

20.5 grains 2400 behind a 240 xtp hornady. son dropped 3 deer last year with his ruger. farthest was 80 yards. if you dont handload find a factory load with the xtp. so far we have shot 8 deer between us with the xtp(6 handgun 2 muzzleloader) and none have ran far before dropping. accuracy is also outstanding

 

[tv1217]

Those Fiocchi I had were XTP.

 

[Moses]

i have a 629 classic 8.375. hornady 200 gr. xtp- cci 300 lp primer- 18.9 grains of vihtavuori n-105. recoil is relatively light, very accurate. vihtavuori powder is hard to beat.

 

[Nayls47]

I have only used reloads.
240Gr. JHP, Nosler or Hornady XTP & H110 powder.
Very effective at 100 yds. I have taken deer at 125 yards with my 6" Dan Wesson.

You can't go wrong with a Leupold. I have just started trying to upgrade my scopes to Leupold.
My Dan Wesson still has a Tasco on it.