44 Magnum Handloads for Deer

[Yote69]

I wanted to see what experience you might have with handloads for the 44 magnum for deer hunting. I have a Ruger 77 bolt in stainless with a 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy. I haven't taken this rifle deer hunting as I usually use my muzzleloader but would like to give the mag a try this fall. I appreciate your input and look forward to hearing what has worked for you while deer hunting as well as yardage and distance the deer traveled after it was shot.

 

[shooter1054]

I load for 44mag in my Marlin 1894. I use Hornady 240 gn. XTPs and get 1730 fps. I can lay my rifle on a bag at the range and put 3 shot groups inside a baseball almost at will. Personally, I don't think you can beat the 44mag for deer in Indiana. I have a 10 point 140 inch proof on my wall. He ran about 30-40 yds and rolled, downhill of course, another 10-15 yards.

 

[Yote69]

How long was the shot on the 140 point? Since I normally use a muzzleloader I have no issue with 100+ yard shots using pure lead bullets. Usually shots aren't that long but what is the effective range of the 44 mag?

 

[shooter1054]

That one was actually close about 20 yds. I shot a doe this past season and flipped her on her back. From what i've seen, using 100 grains of blackpowder and a 250 grain bullet, the ballistics are similar to a 44 mag.

 

[hammer24]

Try the Hornady FTX's 225 gr. I've heard good things. I'm in the middle of trying to work up a load for a friend who uses that rifle. I'm kind of thinking it likes a longer bullet. You have a 1:20 twist. Shot 300 gr. JHP's pretty well, his did not like 200 gr. bullets with H110 or 2400, 240 gr. XTP's were about 1.5" at 50 yds. It'll do better. You might try some Hornady Leverevolution ammo first to see what it does. Good luck and post any results you get.

 

[sbcman]

Good thread- I'll throw this in the mix. I've been thinking about loading a 240gr hardcast swc (Lee TL) over 10 grains of Universal. on the books this gives about 1340fps. 2400 would give it about 200fps.

 

[jghelton]

i have a ruger 77 44 in stainless and it loves the 240 gr hornady xtp bullet over 23.5 grains of h110 with a winchester primer ....i have also loaded some @ 22.5 grains of h110 they shoot very good too ...fyi i also use the same brass

 

[jghelton]

i wont post the yardage ive shot and killed deer with a 44 mag , but i will just tell you this ...if it is a range you would be comfortable with using a muzzleloader , go ahead and put the 44 mag on em too...It will do the job just fine and dandy

 

[45fan]

That is one of the loads that I have tried in my Ruger SBH, it was resonably accurate, and wasnt so hot that I didnt like shooting it. The only drawback I had was the leading. Possibly I just had a soft batch of bullets, but the 200 gr XTPs over a full load of H110 is wear my Pistol found its happy place. My sons Rossi likes a full load of H110, under the 240 gr XTP. His rifle puts a three shot group in a nice cloverleaf at 50 yds.

 

[hammer24]

Completely different rifle, but my .44 handi clover leafs the 240 xtp with max H110 at 50yds. My rifle has a micro groove barrel and 1:38 twist. The flyers were probably me. Starline brass; cci 350 primer.

 

[Yote69]

Any other information regarding 44mag's for deer hunting? I appreciate all comments since I have not hunted with this yet.

 

[tenring]

22.0/2400, CCI350, 240XTP Long live Elmer Keith.

 

[baldguy637]

My 77/44 likes 22.5gr W296, federal magnum pistol primer, 240gr hornady xtp.

 

[Yote69]

What kind of groups are you getting with these loads? What is a realistic range for taking deer with this load?

 

[shooter1054]

I get a little over an inch at 100yds. If I do my part, I feel comfortable out to 150. That being said, where I hunt 150 would not be an ethical shot for me. I would only be able to see parts of a deer if I could see it at all. The longest realistic shot where I hunt is about 100 yds. Most areas of the woods I hunt would be under 50.

 

[hammer24]

Here is a 100 yd group from mine. My crosshairs are almost 2" thick at 100 so this isn't horrible. It is tighter than this at times, and certainly would be with higher magnification or different crosshairs. I'm using a bushnell 3200 1.5-4.5x and find it to be perfect for my hunting situations. 240xtp; max H110; starline brass; CCI 350 primer out of a H&R

 

[hammer24]

For bullet performance on the 225 FTX here is the buck I took last year with factory LE ammo. 40 yds, high shoulder shot (he was about to skate and behind a tree, so it was what I had.) The bullet went through both shoulders and stopped under the hide on the off side. Dressed 210 lbs. He didn't take a step, dropped like the hammer of god hit him! I don't have a weight on the recovered bullet. I notice you're from Logan. Drop into Downham's, he hunt's and handloads with the .44 and will be able to help you out.

 

[teddy12b]

My puma 92 44mag has one deer to it's credit. I used a handloaded 240gr hornady XTP over 24.0 of H110 in remington brass, using a standard primer. 60 yards broadside knocked an 8pt buck flat on it's side. Shot was just behind shoulder and bullet was recovered under the skin on the other side. After a few seconds it started to kick a little and tried getting up and I put a second shot in the neck to ease his suffering, and I did't try to dig that bullet out. He didn't budge after the second shot. I recovered my first bullet and after cleaning it up somewhat it still weighed just over 180grs. I'm getting 1675fps out of my 20" barrel with that load.

I've also experimented with the 320gr Hard cast bullets from Grizzly Ammunition / Cast Performance. I shoot steel targets and don't get me wrong because a 240gr bullet does a real number on steel and game, but those 320gr bullets are insane. You've just gotta hate whatever you're shooting at to use one of those 320gr hard cast rounds. I've got them for bear hunting to punch through both shoulders if I ever get a chance. Those aren't a long range bullet, but you absolutely just want to overkill something it may be the round for you.

I've got to admit that I've been thinking of putting together a longer range 44mag using a H&R single shot or another barrel for my encore.

 

[paperboy]

I don't reload for the 44 but I use WWB 240gr JSP ammo and have had excellent results. Complete pass thrus out to 100 yrds and deer have gone no further than 20 yards.

 

[phatgemi]

I use a 240 gr cast (keith style) from Missouri bullet Co over 23.5 gr of H110. Nice shooting round. They are cast downrange via a NEF Handi Rifle. Now if I really need to get serious, mine has been reamed to .445 supermag and that adds a bit of punch. Same bullet but more powder..........A real fun round.