44 mag hunting loads

[Arkey]

What do you guys think about the factory loaded hornady 240 gr. xtp loads for whitetail deer?  I do not have the ability to make custom loads.  How good are they and will it bring down a deer at 100 yards or less, pending I do my part?  Thanks in advance for the input.

[Graybeard]

Excellent ammo. You better betcha they will do the job if you do yours. The 240 XTP over 24.0 Grains of either W296 or H110 is about my all time favorite deer load. The Hornady factory load duplicates this nicely.

[RCL]

That load makes for some good venison in the freezer.
Another factory load you may want to check out is the Federal "Red Box" American Eagle 240 grain hollow point (this bullet looks like a Sierra to me). These shoot very well out of my Super Blackhawk.

[Questor]

These are excellent bullets in every way for whitetail.  I'm not sure what good the 300 grainers are, though.

[TCBrian]

300gr .44 mag bullets are great for heavier game, but the 240gr loads mentioned should provide great results on deer with a little less recoil and will shoot a little flatter.

Anyone used the 240 XTP on black bears? I was wondering if it would be a better choice for deer and bear? I currently load 300gr XTPs and some hardcast lead bullets, but it would be nice to use the lighter bullet for both and not have to practice and sight in two different loads. I have several bears located and almost had an archery shot on the last day of archery season. Firearms season for bear opens the same day as deer, so I plan to be in the field with my super redhawk opening day and am still debating on the best all around load for both.

Later,
Brian

[John C-S]

Lead at around 1350 fps or approaching 1400 will approximate or equal Elmer Keith's loads. They work! In my time I used 2400 powder. Put 3500 rnds through the Super Blackhawk (it had an action job by Hunter's Den in Carson City in 1979). Truly, truly, I say unto you, that meld of technology then is still competitive with anything that has come since. No copper jacket. No specialized expensive bullets. Able to compete with any handgun today with more power and attendant weight/unwieldy nature.

[longwalker]

RCL

I too have just super luck with the American Eagle brand 44 mag. 240 grain jhp. Group very well in my SRH and provide excellant penatration and expansion on any White Tails I have shot. They put a whole of hurting on racoons and skunks as well.

longwalker

[Dusty Miller]

Deer are a thin skinned animal that are not at all difficult to kill.  No special load is necessary.

[Catfish]

My first choice in deer bullets is the 240 gn. Serria. The Hornady bullet shot as accurately, but I don`t think expand as well. The 240 gn. Rem. ammo is good if your buying. Accuracy not quite as good, but you`ll only be able to tell that if your your a real good shot, and their bullets preform as well as the Serrias. As for range, the .44 mag. has more than enough power to down deer at ranges far behond where you can hit them.

[The Pistoleer]

I have been very impressed with the XTP bullets, although I prefer the 200 gr. bullet for deer.  I have never found the need for the heavier bullet after much experimentation.

As an example my son shot a doe quartering away from him.  The bullet grazed the left hip entered behind the rib cage, penetrated through the guts and diaphragm, into the rear of the left lung and into the right lung.  When the deer was dressed the bullet fell out when the lungs were removed.  It was the size of a quarter.  I still have it.  That shot is asking a lot from a pistol bullet but the 200 gr. XTP was up to the task.

Pete

[Redhawk1]

Like others have posted, you won't have a problem.  

[High Brass]

In my ONE deer kill experience with them, they work just fine.  Button buck at 32 yards with a handloaded 240gr. XTP.  Left an exit near nickel sized.