IMR 4227 with 180 gr in 44 mag Ruger SBH

[tmar04]

Just wondering if any hand gun enthusiast has ever loaded any 44 mag with IMR 4227, using 180 gr bullets? supposed to be reduced recoil because of the smaller/lighter weight bullet. as opposed to 240 gr most use. I am looking for something to kill whitetail, with reduced recoil, and want to use 4227. got a deal on it and don't want to buy 2-3 different kinds for pistol use. tks to all.

[Catfish]

I shot 1 deer with the 180 gr. Sierra bullets. It was through the shoulderand had a 4 in. intrance hole but stopped short of the heart. I went back to the 240 gr. bullets.

[45-70.gov]

i  used to use   4227  with  200gr and 240 gr
seemed to burn dirty  but shot well/accurate.....but that was many years ago


i  now use  280 wfn  LBT  i cast them
i got bullseye for free....so thats what i use  now...[ocasionally h110]

[jhalcott]

 It sounds like you should run some accuracy/penetration test on those loads. Tie some newspaper or phone books in to 20 inch bundles and shoot at them from various distances. Soak them so they are soggy and resemble flesh more. This will give you a visual indication of the expected wound channel. This is NOT perfect, but better than nothing. If you can get some beef or hog bones to insert into the bundles it will tell you how much they will deflect those bullets if hit. Those lite weights MIGHT be great at less than 50 yards ,but miserable at 100. I am assuming you are talking about Jacketed 180's and not cast. You CAN go up to 200 grain bullets with 4227 and get almost as many FPS. Still LESS recoil than the 240's!

[tmar04]

Thank you, sir. good suggestion on the books, etc. will try this.