« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???  (Read 657 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline hoytcanon

  • If there is a season for it... I have a pot to cook it in.
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 786
  • Gender: Male
  • Handi's and Henry's... a perfect partnership!
.44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« on: November 02, 2012, 01:02:46 PM »
Hello Folks... I have a .44 Mag on the way. I am looking for advice on short range hunting loads... 10-50 yards max... mostly 20-30 yards... for thicket deer.  I have been told some of the pistol bullets don't hold up well in a rifle... what would be your recommended bullet and powder... I have Hornady 200 grain HP XTP bullets and Lil' Gun/H110 powders already... I have 100 pieces of Win brass .. I have Skinner Black Gold peeps enroute also, plus this barrel is being cut down to 18" and a new front blade tapped. Any and all info would be appreciated.
Logged
Hoyt Handi's; Ultra Black .22 K-Hornet Shorty, Black Synthetic K-Hornet Shorty & Nickel .410 Combo (sons), Ultra Granite Grey .22 BR Rem, Ultra Nutmeg .223 & .30/30 Shorty Combo (sons), Ultra Forest .223/7mm-08 Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest .243/.308 Combo, Ultra Nutmeg .243/.308 Combo (sons),  Jacaranda/Cocobolo .30/30 & 7.62X39 Shorty Combo, Ultra Black/Stainless .260 Rem Stub, Ultra Black/Stainless .338 Federal Stub,  Ultra Grey .358 Win, Ultra Grey .35 Whelen, Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher .357 MAX, Buffalo Classic Mannlicher .44 Mag Shorties w/NDS-38 peeps (X2; Sons & mine), Ultra Grey Stainless .45/70 & .243 & 20 Gauge Combo, Buffalo Classic 26" .45/70, 9.3X74R Mannlicher, Synthetic Nickel .410 & .30/30 & Versa Pak .22 LR Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest/Cocobolo 12 Gauge 3.5" Turkey; Most scoped with DNZ or Dura Sight one-piece bases and Mueller, Hawke or Nikon scopes... several with Skinner Peeps and Williams Fire Sight ramps.

Offline wileynet

  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 378
  • Gender: Male
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2012, 01:23:14 PM »
i have two bullets i hunt with in the mesquite draws around here, a 300 gr RNFP with 2400, listed as
accuracy load in lyman, the other is a 240 grain kieth bullet also loaded with 2400, consider both good hunting loads, i carry the 300 as a trail rifle when gathering sheds just in case of a black bear.
Logged
"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." -Thomas Jefferson

Huntsman 58,NEF 45/70 manlicher stock, H&R 308, 30-06, 12 ga, 20 ga, H&R 223, H&R 204 varmiter,H&R 243, H&R 44mag, SMLE No 1 MKIV,SMLE No4 MK1, Savage 110 7mm, Ruger BH 45LC, Security Six, SR9, S&W 22a, CVA MTN Rifle, Optima

Offline gendoc

  • SWAMP GROCERIES RULE !!!
  • Trade Count: (329)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3957
  • TRUTH AND HUMOR, thatsa what i'm talk'n bout
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2012, 01:30:53 PM »
pm sent with my hunting formula........... ;)
Logged
sea-ya.....
in tha meen time, i'm wait'n for tha  7th trumpet ta sound !!!

gotta big green tractor ana diesel truck, my idea of heaven's chasin whitetail bucks and asa country boy, you know i can survive............

hey boy, hit this mason jar one time...
burn ya lil'bit did'nt it. ya ever been snipe hunt'n ?  come on...

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

Offline bigvarmnt

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (56)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1641
  • Gender: Male
  • N. E. Indiana
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2012, 01:46:41 PM »
If it's one of the older overbore barrels you may want to check into heavy cast. Accuracy shouldn't matter much at that range. Just hit it and knock it down ;D
Otherwise I like the 200 gr also.
Logged

Offline cwlongshot

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (158)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9907
  • Gender: Male
  • Shooting, Hunting, the Outdoors & ATVs
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2012, 12:19:34 AM »
As mentioned its gonna depend in your bore. Some older ones did get pretty big. Making them really only accurate with a cast bułlet. ( In order to get propped diameter)

As for pistol billets worries, its actually light hollow point worries because of coarse they are all pistol bullets ;). BUT this is just because of the much increased velocities. As a hand loader you could easily build loads perfectly adaquity for your 200g slugs from your longer rifle tube.  Just be aware of pistol velocities for that given bullet and build rifle loads to approximate them and have fun!

The manority of my deer hunting is just as you describe. Much was done with a bow. But a wrecked back ended my archery. I can still shoot but 4-6 arrows is about it from a compound and maybe a dozen from my recurves. Before pain stops me cold. ( Also quit golf that I enjoyed) I do like traditional archery quite a bit!

A loading like this. Using your 200g .429 bullet at say 1400 will put the smack down on any deer at your 50 yard distances! Even a bit farther, no worries! As a bow hunter you know how to get close be quiet. patient and place your shots. Treat it like a noisy bow WO a string and enjoy it brother!!

CW
Logged
"Pay heed to the man who carries a single shot rifle, he likely knows how to use it."

NRA LIFE Member 
Remember... Four boxes keep us free: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.

Offline smokeater

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2012, 05:31:10 AM »
Might not be on same topic, but does anyone know the twist rate on the H&R 44 mag barrels?  Have a Ruger Flattop 44 spec and thinking about getting 44 mag rifle for companion piece.  Have heard that the Marlin 1994's may or may not shoot cast well due to their slow twist.  I have had a  New England with 3 barrels , all shot good except the 308, got rid of all of them, but would like a 44 mag I think.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43301
  • Gender: Male
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2012, 05:40:51 AM »
H&R 44mags are SAAMI spec 1:38" twist, all H&R twist rates can be found in the FAQs sticky.

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline keith44

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2748
  • Gender: Male
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2012, 11:08:29 AM »
Quote from: hoytcanon on November 02, 2012, 01:02:46 PM
Hello Folks... I have a .44 Mag on the way. I am looking for advice on short range hunting loads... 10-50 yards max... mostly 20-30 yards... for thicket deer.  I have been told some of the pistol bullets don't hold up well in a rifle... what would be your recommended bullet and powder... I have Hornady 200 grain HP XTP bullets and Lil' Gun/H110 powders already... I have 100 pieces of Win brass .. I have Skinner Black Gold peeps enroute also, plus this barrel is being cut down to 18" and a new front blade tapped. Any and all info would be appreciated.


I've had great success with 240 grain cast bullets sized to .431 or .432 over W296/H110, or 2400 lit by standard large pistol primers.  100 yard shots down to one shot that was 5 feet from the muzzle.  I do not trust any lighter weight, or lighter constructed bullet
Logged
keep em talkin' while I reload
Life member NRA

Offline Hunter6657

  • Trade Count: (62)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 293
  • Gender: Male
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2012, 02:35:09 PM »
240gr Nosler JHP or Hornady XTP over 24grs of H110 or W296, Win Large Pistol Primers or CCI LP.
Good for 0 to 125yard shooting on deer and further if you hold higher.
Logged
God created man, Col. Colt made him equal.

Offline hoytcanon

  • If there is a season for it... I have a pot to cook it in.
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 786
  • Gender: Male
  • Handi's and Henry's... a perfect partnership!
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2012, 03:33:10 PM »
I now have Hornady 200 gr XTP's, and Sierra 210 gr and 240 gr JHC's to try out... I will give the Nosler's a try also and see which the gun prefers... open to other suggestions and loads...
Logged
Hoyt Handi's; Ultra Black .22 K-Hornet Shorty, Black Synthetic K-Hornet Shorty & Nickel .410 Combo (sons), Ultra Granite Grey .22 BR Rem, Ultra Nutmeg .223 & .30/30 Shorty Combo (sons), Ultra Forest .223/7mm-08 Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest .243/.308 Combo, Ultra Nutmeg .243/.308 Combo (sons),  Jacaranda/Cocobolo .30/30 & 7.62X39 Shorty Combo, Ultra Black/Stainless .260 Rem Stub, Ultra Black/Stainless .338 Federal Stub,  Ultra Grey .358 Win, Ultra Grey .35 Whelen, Walnut/Cocobolo Mannlicher .357 MAX, Buffalo Classic Mannlicher .44 Mag Shorties w/NDS-38 peeps (X2; Sons & mine), Ultra Grey Stainless .45/70 & .243 & 20 Gauge Combo, Buffalo Classic 26" .45/70, 9.3X74R Mannlicher, Synthetic Nickel .410 & .30/30 & Versa Pak .22 LR Shorty Combo, Ultra Forest/Cocobolo 12 Gauge 3.5" Turkey; Most scoped with DNZ or Dura Sight one-piece bases and Mueller, Hawke or Nikon scopes... several with Skinner Peeps and Williams Fire Sight ramps.

Offline dpe.ahoy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3363
  • Gender: Male
Re: .44 Mag Hunting Load info???
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2012, 05:33:46 PM »
Quote from: Hunter6657 on November 03, 2012, 02:35:09 PM
240gr Nosler JHP or Hornady XTP over 24grs of H110 or W296, Win Large Pistol Primers or CCI LP.
Good for 0 to 125yard shooting on deer and further if you hold higher.
/that has been my load for many years, has worked very, very well.  DP
Logged
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »