44 mag handi reloading question

[Deerhunter#1]

well I have my 44mag handi in the classifieds but no one seems to want it. So prepairing for the keep but want some advise. The few relaods i have done where with w296 but as know that powder performs at its best at top loading and you really cant load it down much at all. If staying with the 240 xtp in your opinion how is Unigue and 2400 powder in the ability to down load this caliber. Am looking at only pushing it about 14-1500 ft second which basically would match my 20 guage slug gun in ballistics and recoil but be something I can load for. Would I be better off going to 200 grain bullets and pushing it to say 16-1700. This basically will be a 100 yard deer gun with open sights if it stays with me. Also should I stay with jacketed bullets or will cast work better at those velocities I am talking about. Never shot cast before but all I here about is fouling barrels which I dont want. Thanks

[jedman]

  Remember this is just a opinion,  If you are hunting deer with the Hornady 240 XTP I would keep the velocity down around the 1500 FPS range as I have seen this bullet fail at slightly higher velocities shot from muzzleloaders with a sabot.  The 2400 powder should do this well,  I would stay away from the 200 gr. XTP or any other 200 gr. 44 bullets for deer hunting as they are designed for handgun use.
  A good hard cast flat nosed bullet of 240 to 300 + grs. will also kill any deer within 100 yards at those same velocities.  Lyman makes a mold for hollow pointed bullets called devastators in 44 cal. they usually weigh about 270 grs. and are very effective on deer.
    Jedman

[bikerbeans]

DH#1,
 
I had a 20" compact Handi 44 Mag and I loaded the 270 grain Lyman Devastor's that Jedman talked about.  I have also loaded these same bullets for several Handi 444Ms and found them to be capable of 1 to 1.5" 100 yard groups in both the 44Mag and 444M.  I did find you have to keep the velocity at or below 1800 fps for good accuracy.  There is a caster on gunbroker who will sell you these bullets for about sixteen cents a piece for a 100.  The bullets I shot are from this gentleman.  That is the price delivered to you by USPS priority mail.  If you are interested in trying them PM me and I will get you the man's contact info.
 
BB

[ironglow]

Loading the .44 mag for deer is a cinch.. I loaded for my .44 mag handi and simply did it to factory specs.  The .44 mag has plenty for deer...and can do it well beyond 100 yards.  No doubt you could load a bit lighter for under 100 yards.
  I always used regular 240 gr JHP.  Now my grandson has that Handi and it has harvested over half dozen good sized northeastern deer..only one took a second shot...and that for "insurance" purposes only.
  See below a good bullet choice:

[Deerhunter#1]

Iron that is what i am using. I didnt like yhe full house loads with w296. Just going to try some 2400 which is a little less and then prob some blue dot for even less. Also want to get some 225real bullets. It likes factory 180i rem sp ammo
Biker i will let you lnow i want to exhaust my options with jacketed bullets. I quess i couls save some time and money and slug this barrel

[ironglow]

Iron that is what i am using. I didnt like yhe full house loads with w296. Just going to try some 2400 which is a little less and then prob some blue dot for even less. Also want to get some 225real bullets. It likes factory 180i rem sp ammo
Biker i will let you lnow i want to exhaust my options with jacketed bullets. I quess i couls save some time and money and slug this barrel

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
 
  I think you'll do fine in your search for a comfortable to shoot, effective load.  I believe many underestimate the .44 mag on deer.  Even in a handgun the .44 mag is very effective..in a rifle so much the moreso.

[Deerhunter#1]

The gun is still being broken in with not even 100 rounds through it. 1 1/2 100 yards is what i have now hopefully i can get a little better. 

[keith44]

I use 2400, and 296 with cast loads.  If you develop your loads carefully 296 can be used with standard primers and that will take some of the kick out of it.  2400 is my go to powder for .44 mag though.  Cast bullets in the Handi Rifle should be oversized, something on the order .432" (this is the size that shoots best in my rifle without leading the barrel)


With 296 and a jacketed bullet use the starting loads with standard CCI primers and see what you think.

[Deerhunter#1]

Keith44- I just loaded some at the w296 start which is 19.8 I did 20. Also 2400 at 19,20 and the max which is 21. Headed to the range in the morning If I can beat the rain. let you guys know how she goes.

[keith44]

enjoy
 

[twoshooter]

My std load back when I had a 10" SBH was a 180gr hp over 23.5 gr of 2400. 3