Author Topic: Opinions and advice on .44 SBH Hunter (Read 1589 times)

Broken-arrow · « **on:** March 23, 2006, 02:13:18 PM »

:grin: After 25 years of hunting white-tails with rifle, muzzle-loader & bow, I've decided to take on the challenge of handgun hunting. Here's my set-up. It's a new model SuperBlackhawk Hunter .44 magnum. The scope is an M8 4X EER. I own several handguns but have never fired one with a scope before. Any opinions and/or advice on this set-up? I'm a novice at this game and any help is appreciated. And yes, I will be reloading for the .44 so how bout some pet hunting loads for the SBH ?

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swampthing · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2006, 03:03:19 PM »

280-300g LBT WFN hardcast {beartooth bullets and montana bullet works has these on the web} sized to your throat diameter, probably .432", with AA#9. 1200-1300 fps... H4227 gave 1330fps... H110... hold on. My Rugers loved these so do my friends with thiers.
AA#5 gives about 1185fps for easy shooting and 100yd deer taking penetration.
Have fun.

Flinch · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2006, 12:22:55 PM »

I have the exact same set up.
When I first got mine I couldnt hit much with it, after about a years worth of trying different loads and slicking up the action via reduced power trigger and hammer springs, polishing the trigger, sear, hammer, and transfer bar contact points, and replacing the base pin with one that wouldnt fly out. I am now really happy with it.
So far my most accurate load is a sierra 240 jhp over 20 gr. H110. If I do my part with a good rest, it will tear one ragged hole at 50yrds. It did take me alot of work to get there though, mostly my reloading techniques were where I was lacking. Live and learn I guess.
I havent had the chance to kill anything with it yet, other than a very unlucky grouse. Hopefully this year it will put some venison on the table.

myronman3 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2006, 12:50:42 PM »

i wish you the VERY best of luck with your rig.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2006, 03:53:17 AM »

I would have recomanded you start with a 2X scope as they are alot more forgiveing and I`m sure you`ve found how hard it is to find your target quickly in a handgun scope. For white tail I like the 240 gn. Serria bullets best. I`ve been handgun hunting deer since the early 1980`s and load for several other guy that hunt deer with the .44 mag. The Serria 240 gn. bullet is both very accurate in all of the guns my ammo has been used in, and I have 3 my self, but terminal preformance is great. Hornady bullets are very accurate, but do not expand and terminal preformance is dowm. The Cheap Rem. 240 gn HP`s lack alittle in accuracy but terminal preformance is great with them. They can be had cheaper and you may not be able to tell the differance in accuracy, give them a try. The only .44 bullet I recovered from a deer was a 240 gn. Serria. I shot the deer in the left rear quater and recovered the bullet just under the skin of the right frount shoulder, shot was abt. 135 yrds. I am judgeing expantion of the Hornady bullet from bullets recovered from dirt and reaction of deer hit with them. In my oppenion they would be great on hogs and bear, but are to hard for deer. I have never killed, or hit anything with hard cast bullet but do think a bullet with a large flat meta plate should do a great job. If you use a cast bullet you will not need anything over 240 gr. for deer, they are no way near as tough as hogs or bear.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2006, 04:07:40 AM »

Another vote here for the Remington 240SJHP bullet. I have killed several Blacktail using it over 24gn/IMR-4227 out of my 10-1/2" superblackhawk--never recovered a bullet, never had to track a deer shot with this combo. In the woods I hunt, 80 yds is a long shot--the longest I've ever had and that was with a rifle.

I think it's plenty accurate enough for deer out to 100--no trouble hitting 2-liter pop bottles.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2006, 03:51:32 PM »

I have nearly the same setup except mine is a .45 Colt and I have a 2x Leupold on mine. My advice is to buy one of those monopods... Set it to the proper shootin' height and then use it for a walking stick. When you walk up on that 200" class whitetail buck that is looking at you a 75yards, you have a instant rest.

Enjoy!

Jim

Broken-arrow · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2006, 04:43:09 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys. I finally got to shoot the the .44 and got some strange results :? I had some Rem. 180gr. JSP (factory ammo) and some light plinking rounds that I loaded myself. 240 gr. Sierra SWC over 7.5 gr. Unique. At 50 yds the factory loads shot nice little groups (about 1 1/2") The handloads grouped about the same, but they were hitting about 8" higher than the Rem. 180s. And this is a VERY mild load. Feels about like shooting a 9mm. I loaded a bunch of them just to get the feel of the gun. And yes the 4X scope takes some getting used to. I took the scope off and adjusted the sights to the light loads. My 15 year-old son shot it more than I did. (He thinks he's dirty Harry now)

I can't wait to work up some full-power hunting loads.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2006, 06:03:07 AM »

Nice groups! Have you bought a BIG BOX of cast bullets yet??? The Hodgdon 2006 manual lists loads for the .44Mag from 165gr. to 355gr. Wonder how the 355gr. @ 1200 fps would feel?? :eek:

Jim

PaulS · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2006, 01:20:36 PM »

Broken-arrow,
there is nothing strange in a heavy bullet hitting higher than a light fast bullet. The heavy bullet is still in the barrel as recoil starts and your gun is pointing high when it gets out of the barrel. That faster light bullet doesn't stay in the barrel as long and that means the barrel is not rising from recoil yet. It hits lower. All that is just normal revolver stuff. Where and how tightly you hold your gun will also change the impact point of your bullets.
Holding tight or high on the handle and your bullets will hit lower than if you hold more relaxed or lower on the handle. It becomes very important to have a consistant placement of your hand and grip on the gun to get the smallest groups.

Quote from: Broken-arrow

Thanks for the replies guys. I finally got to shoot the the .44 and got some strange results :? I had some Rem. 180gr. JSP (factory ammo) and some light plinking rounds that I loaded myself. 240 gr. Sierra SWC over 7.5 gr. Unique. At 50 yds the factory loads shot nice little groups (about 1 1/2") The handloads grouped about the same, but they were hitting about 8" higher than the Rem. 180s. And this is a VERY mild load. Feels about like shooting a 9mm. I loaded a bunch of them just to get the feel of the gun. And yes the 4X scope takes some getting used to. I took the scope off and adjusted the sights to the light loads. My 15 year-old son shot it more than I did. (He thinks he's dirty Harry now) I can't wait to work up some full-power hunting loads.

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2006, 03:55:28 PM »

I would second the advice on the mono-pod. I bought a Polecat model that is adjustable for height and shock corded so you can fold it up.

http://www.roc-import.com/gb/rests/polecat1.php

I often carry mine as a walking stick while a prowl the woods. Most of my hunting places are very steep and a stout pole is a blessing to keep my footing. It is good for stream crossing as well. Start practicing early shooting from it. I found with practic I can shoot almost as well from the Polecat as I can from a bench.

sixgunluv · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2006, 07:57:07 PM »

No vote for the Hornady xtp240's? ?? I like this bullet loaded over 23gr. of H-110. Probably getting 1425fps or so out of my 10 1/2in. Ruger Super Blackhawk.

sawfish · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2006, 11:56:46 AM »

Variables within each individual gun cause different readings, but here are some results I obtained when chronographing .44 Magnum Revolver loads. Everything is from a MagNaPorted 10 1/2" SBH, unless otherwise specified with an average of 5 rounds.

Remington Factory 240 gr JHP 1358

Norma Factory 240 gr Jhp 1354

WW Factory 270 gr Black Talon 1411

R-P 240 gr JHP 24.0 gr H-110 (MAX load)

10 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk 1475

8 3/8" S & W Model 29 1447

9 1/2" Ruger MNP Super Redhawk 1402

3" S & W Model 629 1204

Hope this gives you some idea of the velocities you are obtaining.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:14:41 PM »

For local white tail hunting I like the jsp 240 any brand will do, or a 240 fp hard cast in a 44 sp or mag either will do the job at our ranges of 40-75yds. Beyond that its all hard cast using 250-265 bullets in a 44mag.
Jim

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2006, 03:56:27 AM »

I also have a SBH, but in .45 Colt. I hunt with a 44 mag, but in a S&W 629:

Now for a bullet I use a 270 gr Speer GD-SP. I used to use a 240 gr XTP for hunting deer, but eventually went to a single bullet (270gr). It performs well, but I use a pull down powder (WC 820, 19 grs.) and it groups great with a 1400 fps + velocity in my 629.

I originally got this bullet for hog hunting. It works well on deer so I went with one bullet for both animals. Look into this bullet and you may like using it too.