Speer .44 Cal 225 Gr Hollow Points

[banen]

Hi all,
I just came across a box of Speer .44 225 Gr Hollow points in my basement.  I forgot about them, I bought them long ago.  I see why though, there is a  clearance tag on the box says they were almost free.  I guess I figured I can put them in stumps if nothing else.  Question is, does any one have experience using these or other 225 gr hollow points on whitetails?  I would be using them in a Redhawk with open sights inside of 50 yard.  My preference would be for 240-250 class but since I had these I was curious what you guys thought.  I can always just use them for practice.  Please no "Real men use cast bullets" comments, I know there are benefits of using cast bullets but I prefer jacketed (XTP's or Noslers) for deer hunting.  The question is about THESE / other 225 gr hollow points for deer.  Thanks all!

[STJ]

They are a soft lead HP with a copper cup.  They are will not hold up too well if shot a 44mag velocities, especially it you hit bone.  They work well at bellow 1200 fps, I think you would be better off with XTPs, but deer can be taken with the Speers

[Dave in WV]

I use Rem. 210 gr HPs and I have had good results with them. Granted they're a different design but I wouldn't hesitate to use yours for deer.

[drdougrx]

Ditto on the XTPs.

[kennisondan]

when using fast expanding bullets you simply must keep to the softer targets, ie the rib cage and you will love the effects... remember you will get rapid expansion and thus reduced penetration... so don't punch through heavy bone on th eway to the vitals; no going away shots to break down and penetrate through, the shot I would dread with it is quartering onward on a large buck, aiming at the spot to the front of the shoulder could prove a problem.. but I have used those and some 180s too and had no problems, but was extemely careful about shot placement and was really pleased... the penetration was not bad on riv cage shots, that is.. ... I just played it safe. 
Remember, shot placement is all, anyway... I would use other bullets if I could, just for a margin of error and so that I do not have to pass on frontal shots that I otherwise could take easily, etc.
I used the lighter stuff when I had reloaded a ton of them and then brought only that for some hunts and then did not want to sight in again with my 44 auto I used at the time.
good luck with your choice and i hope you do not use them and regret it.. that is why it is always a struggle : do what you wnt veruss be as safe as I choose to be.. lol.
dk

[jhalcott]

  I do NOT want to buck the system here, but you CAN send these out at 1500+ fps with a stiff charge of 2400. They do give LESS recoil than 240/250 grain slugs. I'd probably work up an ACCURATE load that has less recoil and go with it. Remambering the warning about shot placement. I often here guys talking about the NEED for heavy bullets. If you are shooting at 50 yards and can keep the shots in a couple inches of the rib cage, I do NOT see a problem. I have killed deer that weighed 135 pounds with a 135 grain 30-30 bullet. I have also used a .58 caliber muzzle loader with a soft lead bullet. At 50 yards the deer never knew what hit them!
  OR you could send those bullets to ME! I'll see that they get some proper use.

[OLDHandgunner]

Before the XTP came along I used Speers pistol bullets alot. For 35+ years I shot the 200 JHP for my 44 pistols.  Speer 240 gr for my Ruger 44 Carbines. And the great Speer 140 gr JHP for my 357's. I took alot of game with all of them both varmints and deer. Then along came the XTP's. I started using them and not only they shot better ( mainly in the Rugers ) but performed just as well as the Speers. I use mostly XTPs now. I had no complaints with the Speer bullets. I tried the 200 Speer JHP on deer with my Ruger 44 Carbine, but the extra velocity caused the bullet to exploded too much.  It did the job but alot of meat damage.
If these are the old Speer 3/4 jacket bullets make sure you follow the loading instructions very carefully.