44 mag load for deer and hog?

[troglodyte]

Just picked up a used SBHH with just 17 rounds through it.  I'd like to use it next year for deer hunting.  I'll load up some of the recommended 240 xtps for deer but I'd like to do some hog hunting before that to hone my skills.  That gets me to thinking about a deer/hog load so I don't have to rezero.  

Is there a good "standard" load for both?  Or is there a combination of loads (one for deer the other for hog) that will perform close enough to retain the same zero (50 yds)?

I understand I will need to tweak each load, I'm just looking for a good place to start.  I do some reloading but pretty much stay with the bland middling loads to do some plinking.  Working up loads with multiple bullets and powders is beyond me at the moment.  

As a side note,  I drift through here every so often and really enjoy the discussions and friendliness.  I don't do a lot of posting, mainly because I don't have much to offer.  I do appreciate the knowledge, and more importantly, the sincere willingness to share it.  I have learned a lot and I am grateful.  

[Ken ONeill]

The 240 XTP or Sierra JHC will work fine for both. Use CCI 350's and 23 to 24 gr. of Win. 296. Around 23 should work fine.

[Redhawk1]

I used a hard cast gas checked bullet for both in my 44 Mag. Even if you use a 240 gr. hard cast bullet with a long flat nose or a wide flat nose, it will work on both. Personally I don't like hollow point bullet on hogs. My buddy used a Hornady XTP, and it did not penetrate the front shoulder. It took 3 shots with his hollow point XTP's to drop that hog. When we skinned it out we found the first shot in the shoulder, it never reached inside of the hog. It was he second and 3 shot the went through the ribs and took out the lungs, but bullets never exited the hog. It was a 275 pound hog.

I used a 300 gr. hard cast and dropped my hog with one shot, right in it's tracks. The bullet went through both shoulders. I also use the 300 gr. to take a few deer, and it worked great.

All I use in my handguns are hard cast bullets.

[BBF]

250 gr Nosler PT if you want to spent the $.

[Mikey]

I'm with Redhawk.  The 44 magnum is extremely versitile (?, sp..) but for both critters you want to hunt, cast is the way to go.  You do not need to spend the extra $ on xtps or other jacketed slugs like that.  Cast slugs in the 44 are just the ticket for Whitetail and perfect medicine for hogs.  Good luck and have fun.

[SwampThing762]

troglodyte,

i used to use 20.8 grains of h4227 under a hornady 265 gr fp before i used cast bullets.   24 grains of ww296 sounds about right for a 240 grain hardcast. i used the 240 grail lee tumble lube swc.   velocity was probably around 1250 fps.

St762

[irold]

Exact same story for me as was for Redhawks friend....first shot did not penetrate the front shoulder deep enough to get to the lungs. (on a hogg ) The second did....it was several inches to the rear of the first shot.  Point is , the XTP will work iffin ya hit the right spot.  Just like they're always telling me here.......shot placement.   Good luck with your decision.

regards , irold

[Old Griz]

I don't reload so I use Federal 300-gr CastCores. They are extremely accurate out of my guns and penetrate very well.

[Lloyd Smale]

same advice here

I used a hard cast gas checked bullet for both in my 44 Mag. Even if you use a 240 gr. hard cast bullet with a long flat nose or a wide flat nose, it will work on both. Personally I don't like hollow point bullet on hogs. My buddy used a Hornady XTP, and it did not penetrate the front shoulder. It took 3 shots with his hollow point XTP's to drop that hog. When we skinned it out we found the first shot in the shoulder, it never reached inside of the hog. It was he second and 3 shot the went through the ribs and took out the lungs, but bullets never exited the hog. It was a 275 pound hog.

I used a 300 gr. hard cast and dropped my hog with one shot, right in it's tracks. The bullet went through both shoulders. I also use the 300 gr. to take a few deer, and it worked great.

All I use in my handguns are hard cast bullets.

[I make oil]

In my .44's I have had good luck with Winchester Whitebox 240 JSP on both deer and hogs.  I have not reloaded for my .44's because I have 10 boxes of these plus a bunch of other stuff I was given by an old neighbor who got out of shooting.

[troglodyte]

Thanks guys.  I'm think I'm going to start loading up some 260ish hardcast.  Seems to be a happy medium.

[Ak.Hiker]

In my .44's I have had good luck with Winchester Whitebox 240 JSP on both deer and hogs.  I have not reloaded for my .44's because I have 10 boxes of these plus a bunch of other stuff I was given by an old neighbor who got out of shooting.

You have a nice neighbor. I have found the Winchester White Box 240 grain JSP to be a good load. Top pick for my Ruger Carbine.

[S.B.]

240 grain hard cast SWC over 10 grains or a little more, of Unique should do the trick for you.
Steve

[Mohawk]

Hey Redhawk and others...... What size exit wound are guys getting with that hard cast bullet? I used to use .357 SWC for smaller game and they did some significant damage coming out. Just curious......

[Redhawk1]

If I hit bone the exit damage is worse, but still not an extreme amount of damage.  On the hog I shot, I could put my thumb in the exit hole, but it was all a big ragged hole, but the bone was shattered. That was after in went through both shoulder blades.  The lungs were jello.

[centershot]

How fast can you load those hard cast bullets before you get leading issues? We used to load 8 gr of Unique behind 240 gr lead for a fun light load. 24 gr of W296 for a hot load. Bullets were jacketed flat points - did not ever get to try them on anything bigger than a fox.

[S.B.]

How fast can you load those hard cast bullets before you get leading issues? We used to load 8 gr of Unique behind 240 gr lead for a fun light load. 24 gr of W296 for a hot load. Bullets were jacketed flat points - did not ever get to try them on anything bigger than a fox.

With any lead bullet leading can be controled with the hardness of the bullet alloy your casting, for the most part.
Steve