44 MAG Deer rifle Bullet Selection

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varmint917v

New member
I am going to be hunting with a 44 MAG for deer season this year here in Indiana the max range I will have is about 100 yards and I am really lost on what weight of bullet I should be looking at. The rifle I am using has a 22" barrel if that matters. I am thinking of using a 270gr Speer Gold Dot or a 300gr Speer Uni Cor for a heavy bullet or for a lighter bullet I was thinking about using a 200 gr XTP. Im not really into using cast bullets mostly because I have never used any. Let me know what you think would be a good choice.
 
I use a 44 mag Super Redhawk and I use 240 gr. Hornady XTP's. I have used the 300 gr. XTP's once and lost a lot meat on the exit hole. I have found that the deer don't know the difference and have not had one problem with the 240's. We live in Ohio so we can't use a rifle but I thought I would at least let you know what I was using in my 44 mag.
 
I would use a 240 sp by Mag Tech or Win. I am not a fan of a hp for hunting deer at short range. I shoot a 16" lever and consider it as a 50yd shooter with a 44mag.
Jim
 
Ive been looking through different forums and its about unanimous that the 240 gr is the way to go. I have also seen that most of the people shooting jacketed bullets are using the XTP. I think that I will give them a try my barrel should be here by the end of next week and hopefully by Middle of next week I can get out to start working some loads up.
 
Quote:
I use a 44 mag Super Redhawk and I use 240 gr. Hornady XTP's. I have used the 300 gr. XTP's once and lost a lot meat on the exit hole. I have found that the deer don't know the difference and have not had one problem with the 240's. We live in Ohio so we can't use a rifle but I thought I would at least let you know what I was using in my 44 mag.



There you go /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif, I had the same results.
 
The Nosler 250 gr. and Speer Gold Dot 270 gr. are excellent rifle bullets for deer and even larger game in the .44 Magnum case. Both are accurate, expand reliably, and hold together at rifle velocities.
 
I really liked the old Hornady 240gr HP's before the XTP's out of my Model 29 Smith. I have shot alot the 44 bullets over the years and liked the 240gr HP's the best. They worked very well out of my Marlin 1894. XTP's are a good bullet as well but I liked the old style better. I would not use the 300's unless you have very large deer.
 
Well I ordered some 240 gr Mag tech jacketed soft points and some 270 gr Speer gold dot. Midway was out of the XTP's. Now Im curious as to what powder to use in a rifle since all of the data that I have is for a pistol?
 
I'm having very good results with 240 XTP with 24 grs. Win 296 in my Ruger 96/44, Redhawk & T/C 10" Contender.
A 44 mag is a known deer killer with a 240 bullet. Now, if I were to ever be after bear, elk or moose or whatever BIG animal than a 300 gr would get the call. Probably not needed but in my mind I'd maybe feel better.
Hows that for 'indecision'? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I am worried that the fast burning pistol powder will be burnt up by the 10 or 12" mark and I am going to not get the full benefit of having a rifle. I am thinking about using one of the slower burning powders that I have load data on but I dont have my book with me a the current time. Anyone have any good ideas on some slower burning pistol powder? Is this even in the right train of thought?
 
I have got to back e eryone else. 240 XTP.

Try H110 or Hercules 2400. It has worked wel in my Marlin 94.


That bullet will body slam a deer.
 
240 grn JSP or if you can find them the 265 grn JSP Remington used to market both BTW the 265 was designed for rifles. I find the hollow points esspecialy the lighter ones tend to fall apart to fast I do not like the ballistics of the heavier bullets so the standard original 240 and 265 are the best option in my opinion.
 
What part of IN are you in? I'm in E'ville, I've got a box or so of 240g XTP's. Was gonna make up some loads for a buddy and he changed plans.

peace.
unloaded
 
Quote:
I am worried that the fast burning pistol powder will be burnt up by the 10 or 12" mark and I am going to not get the full benefit of having a rifle. I am thinking about using one of the slower burning powders that I have load data on but I dont have my book with me a the current time. Anyone have any good ideas on some slower burning pistol powder? Is this even in the right train of thought?


You are very much on the right train of thought & I can apreciate that. My 96/44 is 18.5" & has no problem with the Win 296. My Redhawk is 7.5" & the Contender is 10". My reasoning is simplicity in my 1 ammoo for all. 110 is very good but shows to be very sooty in my guns. 2400 is very good choice too. If shots are in 100 yds these are all good choices. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
That is what I will be using also , I have used a 44 mag for 3 years now and I have good luck with it.

April /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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