44mag loads for whitetail and woodchuck

[knight0334]

Back in December I purchased an Interarms Virginian Dragoon Silhouette with a 10.5" barrel and Leupold scope.   ...yeah, I know-long @$$ name.

I'm now just getting around to start handloading for it.  It'll have two purposes though,  whitetail deer and PA groundhog.

I'm needing a seperate loads for each.

The whitetail run anywhere from 75lb to 200lb+ here.  I dont plan on any shots past 100yds with my handcannon.  Recoil isn't as critical as below, but I'd like to keep it down some white gaining energy/range and accuracy.

The groundhog, well anything will kill them...  my shooting range is as far as I can see for them.  I dont mind walking bullets in on them for ranging.  A higher velocity, flat shooting round is desired.  Also something thats easy on the wrists, concidering my 8" Python .357 pumping out 1875fps 125JHPs makes more energy than factory load .44mags, but recoil feels half as much as the factory 44mags(Eagle 240gr JHP)..  Day long shootings is my thing for whistlepig.

I'm sure some re-zeroing will be needed, but thats a minor issue.  Its already zero'd at 150yds with factory ammo.

[jhalcott]

I don't know why you want different loads,,but hornady has a 180 that can reach 1700 fps with AA#9 or IMR 4227. (7 1/2" barrel). their 200 grain shows 1500 with H110 or IMR 4227 in the same barrel.  Run a comparison on these and the 240-250 grain slugs and see how much drop you get at long range.You could load the heavier slugs slower and still get better performance at 200 yards or so.Plus you will have much more confidence when that BIG buck appears. Just be care full "walking" those rounds in ,44's can bounce a long way!

[Dusty Miller]

It does not take a really hot load to take down a 200 LB deer.  A 240 gr. bullet at 1200 fps would be more than adequate to the task.

[knight0334]

I'm not against having one round for both if it fits well.  I've always tailored my rounds for their given duties though,  big game, small game, CCW, etc..

I've got about 3lbs of BlueDot left.  From what I've read here, H110 is the norm for 44 loaders so I'll grab a can of it.

I'm trying to stay away from the heavier slugs for any purpose, I just dont care for the recoil of slower heavy slugs apposed to to lighter faster slugs.

180-200gr sounds like a good starting point.

[Catfish]

Over the years I loaded for several .44 mag. handguns. Now I load only 2 loads. For deer I like the 240 grn. Serria bullet. It has the best combination of accuracy and terminal preformance of any bullet I`ve tried. Hornady`s are just as caccurate, but lack terminal preformance, Rem`s. are as good with terminal preformance but lack just alittle in accuracy, ect. with the rest of the bullets. I load all of my hot load with max. suggested charges of Win. 296. H-110 is about the same powder but I can buy the 296 cheaper so I use it. The other load I load now is a cast bullet for plinking, with Bullseye powder, but for longer ranges on groundhogs I would recomand the Serria 180 grn. bullets with max. loads of win. 296. I killed 1 deer with this load, but bullet penitration was not good at all as the bullet exploded on impact, like a varmint bullet. The shot was at very short range though.
   Another thought, you might just want to groundhog hunt with your deer loads, what better way to get used to long shots with your deer load? :wink:

[Corbin Gunsallus]

I am looking for a good load for 2400. I purcased some and a
box of 240 gr. Hornady fl-sil. I have always used H-110, wanted to
try something different.Tell me what you think.

[jd45]

Corbin, you might try 17grs under the 240 as a "warm" .44 special load, and 22grs as a full house .44 mag load with this powder. Good Shooting, jd45.