44mag 180s

[highwayman]

does anyone think a 180gr. is good enough to deer hunt with. i am shooting a 44mag

[safetysheriff]

some years ago Dick Metcalf wrote that his go-anywhere, shoot any-size-Whitetail bullet for the .44 Mag' was a 210 gr'  JHP, and he liked the Remington version as i remember.    the 180 gr' bullet is used by some, but it loses momentum/energy/penetration more quickly than does the 210 gr' pill.

the 180 gr' bullet is also considered by some/many to be too light for good ignition of the better .44 Mag powders....velocity-wise.....such as H-110 or Win 296.    even with a heavy crimp i'd still expect the 210 gr' bullet to provide better ignition.   therefore, i'd only use it with something like Alliant's 2400 or Blue Dot, or IMR's  Hi-Skor 800-X.     

lastly, if hunting public land you need to anchor the deer so you can tag it, rather than risking a brawl with somebody who may want to tag it if it gets a good distance away from you before laying down.   it isn't worth an argument; so hit the deer hard and put it down, i say, where you can be the first one to get to it.

good hunting to you,

ss'     

[Lloyd Smale]

first whitetail i shot with a handgun fell to a 180 sierra hp. It dropped it in its tracks at 30 yards. The inside of the deer looked like it was hit by a light high velocity rifle load. They will kill a deer but theres better bullets. If a guy had a bunch and couldnt afford a better bullet id say go for it as long as you pick your shots as penetration can be iffy. If you insist on using jacketed bullets a 240-300 soft point would be a better bullet for you. Me i now shoot cast exclusivly. I know when i hit a deer with one the bullet is going to take out the vitals if my sights are lined up. Theres lots of arguments on the cast vs jacket bullet idea in these guns and im a totaly a cast shooter these days but will admitt on deer sized game jacketed work just as well if the bullet is choosen carefully. If you insist on using jacketed id look at something like the hornady xtp in 240 grain or bigger.

[Graybeard]

I've shot one deer with a 180 in the .44 Mag. It dropped within sight which is good as the bullet failed to exit and there was no blood trail had I need one. I've not used such a light bullet on deer since. I like an exit hole.

[Lone Star]

some years ago Dick Metcalf wrote that his go-anywhere, shoot any-size-Whitetail bullet for the .44 Mag' was a 210 gr'  JHP, and he liked the Remington version as i remember.    the 180 gr' bullet is used by some, but it loses momentum/energy/penetration more quickly than does the 210 gr' pill....

In Metcalf's October 1991 ST article he states that he prefers the RP 180-grain JHP bullet slightly over the 240 JHP, but that it is "appropriate only for precisely placed broadside chest shots".  The article is confusing about the exact 210-grain bullet he preferred - the text says Remington but a photo says Winchester.  BTW The Remington 180 JHP is very soft, I believe that the Sierra 180 JHP bullet is much tougher.    But all that was 16 years ago and is likely obsolete - what does he like today?


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[Catfish]

I shot a nice doe with the Sierra 180 HP. It did not get the penetration I want and it took a second shot to finish the deer. I like the 240 gn. Serria HP. It seem to be the best in accuracy and penetration.

[Lone Star]

As an historical footnote, the original SuperVel .44 Mag ammo loaded with 180s was a great killer on deer.  Lee Jurras wrote often of using his load on deer with complete penetration.  How is that possible?  The bullets were made with hard cores and thick jackets - they were not designed to expand.  The extra velocity flattened trajectory and increased penetration. Not quite what the market offers today....


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