Question on HP vs. FP in 44 mag. loads

[snuffer#1]

I just bought a new Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag. with a 7.5" barrel. I also put a 2-7 bushnell scope on it. Kinda of an early Christmas for me. I ended up getting some remington coreloks 240 gr. I'm going to reload for it. My question is; I've heard that HP are good up to say around 1300 fps. Anything much above that, you really need to use FP for penetration. Shots will be 30 yds or less. I have my handis in 270, 308, 30-30, and 45-70 for longer distances. Plus I have BHs in 45 colt and 357 mag. that I also use in thick stuff. Both of those are long barrels also. I want to know what kind of powder I need, also. I'm using Lil' Gun for my hunting loads in my Blackhawks. I've heard that H-110 is probably the best to use, but, I need or want your imput. I'll will probably be using either 210 gr. jacketed bullets or 240 jacketed bullets. OH! BTW, the coreloks are FP. What say yall?
                                                                        tommy

[Mikey]

Tommy: You did not say what you wanted to hunt with that 44 but if you would like to give yourself another early Christmas present, forget the hollowpoints, and since you are going to reload go to a 240-300 gn hardcast bullet.

The Elmer Keith style (sharp shouldered) 240-245 gn semi-wadcutter is a most excellent slug for the 44 magnum.  Stuff a full charge of WW296/H110 under that and you will have all you will need for your game animal, unless it is Godzilla, at 30-50 yds.  I am personally loathe to use anything lighter than 240 gns in the 44.

I'm not certain about the need for a hp to clock 1300'/sec in order to work - we mostly advise against the use of hps while hunting as many do not perform as advertised (they tend to plug up, fail to expand and penetrate like a round nose or, expand too soon and not provide any penetration).  Many of our hunters use a cast bullet that moves slower than 1300 - some will use 300 gn slugs at only 900-1000'/sec for their hunting and their results are excellent.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Redhawk1]

I am with Mikey here, forget the hollow points and reload up some good hard cast bullets in the 240 to 300 gr area. They will work on deer, bear and hogs. You have all bases covered, and don't have to have a different load for different animals. 2400 is a very good powder in the 44 Mag as well as the H 110.

[Graybeard]

For deer I use 240 grain JHPs. Rather than going to a JSP I'd just skip straight to cast. If you want or need more than 240 grains again go with cast. If the critter is bigger/tougher/nastier than a deer go with cast.

[gstewart44]

I have a Ruger SRH 7.5" barrel that I have hunted with for over a decade.   i have used factory loads and my own reloads from home.   I have had excellent results with:

Winchester and Remington JSP 240 gr in factory and reload configuation

Hornady XTP's in both 240 and 300 gr varieties.  The XTP's are extremely accurate, and while they do not expand tremendously they do penetrate almost as well as a hardcast swc.   

I have had dismal results with the no-longer-produced Winchester Black Talon 250 gr.   They expand too much and do not penetrate very well - only about 7-8 inches in the deer and hogs I have shot with them.  I do not use them any more in the SRH.  Now they are for my Marlin or Ruger carbines.  

[Sverre A.]

I have used 300 gr. hard cast/Vithavouri N110/20 gr. - and all animals have get down in the canvas within 100 m.

Next year I will use a 4" 629 w/Docter sight - instead of my Super Redhawk 7,5" with scope.

Will my arm get broke??