Originally Posted By: LeadbellyIm going to go against the grain on this one. I would avoid jacketed factory loads in the .44 mag. Most jacketed bullets will splash when they contact shoulders similar to plastic tip varmint bullets. Even if you chose to use soft points they will work just not at any angle.
Good luck LB
First off, I can appreciate your thoughts in general and I killed my last handgun whitetail using a 270gr Keith style bullet from Tommy @ Leadheads.
That said, there is a reason why I recommend the Speer Uni-Cor/Deep Curl BONDED bullets over all other jacketed offerings.
I have pushed said 270gr bullet as fast as it can possibly be pushed out of a 444 Marlin with 22" barrel. MUCH faster than any handgun can push it. Also load it for my buds S&W "Dirty Harry Special". Have taken numerous deer/black bear with it. It don't splash, retains a HIGH amount of weight, and being bonded core, is a MUCH tougher bullet than the XTP ever was.
The Deep Curl is one of the best kept secrets out there IMO. They are very moderately priced, and performance is crazy good, IME.
Years ago I did penetration tests between the Speer Uni-Cor and Hornady XTPs. In terms of penetration and weight retention the Speer bullet was the clear cut winner. It really wasn't even close.
10 years ago we had 2 black bears hanging side-by side. Both were close to same size, and both were hit similarly. I shot mine with the 270gr Speer/444 Marlin. Other guy shot his with 350gr XTP/450 Marlin. When skinning the bears, everybody kept saying "Damm, what did you hit this thing with?". The wound channel was impressive to say the least. Nobody ever said a word about the damage done to the other bear. The Speer reatined more weight and drove deeper than the XTP, and it showed. I still have the bullet. Nice expansion and retained over 90% of it's weight. Pretty impressive.
The solid copper Barnes bullets are another good option IMO. Of course, they are not jacketed, but unlike a cast bullet, they will expand, but won't splash......