44 mag loads

[S_J_KENNELS]

In YHO what are the best factory loads for all around hunting out of a 44 mag? I ham currently shooting 250grn JSP from winchester and have some 300 grn garrets as well.

[S.B.]

You failed to mention what animal you wish to hunt? The .44 mag. is a very versatile cartridge and can be loaded for any number of north American animals. You'll probably get more answers if you narrow your question down.

[S_J_KENNELS]

I carry as a back up to my knife when hog hunting. But I am looking at useing it for deer as well in the future.

[S.B.]

Hornady 240 grl XTR ahead of a charge of powder,  moving the bullet about 1350 fps.

[Laremm]

A 44spl will take down deer.

But if you are looking for holy cow power look at the buffalo bore  44mag +P+. 340 gr bullet. But only a handfull of guns can fire it. Its a little longer. A list is on the site.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44P

[Ak.Hiker]

As an all round loading their is nothing wrong with a good 240 grain softpoint. Winchester and Remington both load them. I would think if you were hunting deer, boar or black bear the 240 would be plenty of bullet. I would go with the softpoint rather than the hollowpoint for deeper penetration. Double Tap also loads a 240 Gold Dot softpoint that looks good. 

[S.B.]

I carry as a back up to my knife when hog hunting. But I am looking at useing it for deer as well in the future.

As back up to yoyr knife? What are you carrrying for the main weapon?

[Graybeard]

That knife IS his main weapon. He's another of those we have on here who like to stick them with knives once the dogs have it caught.

There are no BEST in my opinion and what you're using it on can dictate what is better. For deer I personally prefer a 240 JHP with the Hornady 240 XTP my favorite followly by the Noser 240 JHP. I'm not much inclined to use lighter bullets on deer. My one and only experience with a 180 was an old pre XTP Hornady that failed to exit on a broadside lung shot from about 30 yards. I want an exit hole.

Now as your back up on hogs you might NOT want an exit as the dogs are around and I'm sure you'd not want to shoot one of your dogs. So for that a JHP might be your best bet and a 200 or 240 might be a wise choice. That's assuming you're shooting it with the dogs all around it. If you're talking about after it's gotten loose and no dogs around then again I'd want an exit and I'd use a hard cast of 300 grains most likely.

[safetysheriff]

I carry as a back up to my knife when hog hunting. But I am looking at useing it for deer as well in the future.

how many dogs have you had "opened-up" by the tusks on a hog?   you may know more about hog hunting by experience than i do; but i'd use a .41 mag' as my minimum weapon on a hog if i had any choice in it at all.   i'd save the knife for deer hunting out of a stand instead! (on the end of a pole).   the dogs my co-workers have used for hunting are usually too expensive to lose to a hog.   but that's only what i've been told.

good luck, and good hunting, 

ss'   

[S_J_KENNELS]

I carry as a back up to my knife when hog hunting. But I am looking at useing it for deer as well in the future.

how many dogs have you had "opened-up" by the tusks on a hog?   you may know more about hog hunting by experience than i do; but i'd use a .41 mag' as my minimum weapon on a hog if i had any choice in it at all.   i'd save the knife for deer hunting out of a stand instead! (on the end of a pole).   the dogs my co-workers have used for hunting are usually too expensive to lose to a hog.   but that's only what i've been told.

good luck, and good hunting, 

ss'   

I have been hunting hogs with dogs and a knife for over 10 years now and have only had a couple of them killed by hogs. Many a fleash/skin wound but nothing major yet(knock on wood). I used to carry a 357 for when ^&*( hit the fan or hogs were loose with no dogs around an it did not do the job. Thus the reason for going to the 44 mag. In the 10 years of hunting I have only had to shoot 2 times, but their is always that chance.

[S.B.]

Oh, I see, you want protection from the hogs when the dogs aren't around but, the dogs will have to take care of themselves? Very thoughful. I've owned hunting dogs all my life and treat them like the true friend they are.

[S_J_KENNELS]

Oh, I see, you want protection from the hogs when the dogs aren't around but, the dogs will have to take care of themselves? Very thoughful. I've owned hunting dogs all my life and treat them like the true friend they are.

Sorry Sir, but you have that all wrong. I do not want it for protection for me. I could careless if I get hurt by a hog. I carry the gun to protect the dogs IF the hog is more then they can handle and has severaly injured them. I also carry it to KILL the hogs that are running PAST me to get away from the dogs. The dogs are my lively hood. They put food on the table, and clothes on my families back. In fact I have swam rivers, lakes, ponds, crawled under/into rosehedge, jumped on hogs backs, and done alot of other stupid stuff to some folks to protect these dogs. An to do my job since they have done theirs. Have you ever seen the move "WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS"? Where the boy made the pact with his dogs? I made the same pact with my dogs 10 years ago. When I get to the point that I can not fullfill my end of that pact then that is the time I will quit hunting this way. If you have never been hunting this way then I invite you to come try it sometime.

[S_J_KENNELS]

That knife IS his main weapon. He's another of those we have on here who like to stick them with knives once the dogs have it caught.

There are no BEST in my opinion and what you're using it on can dictate what is better. For deer I personally prefer a 240 JHP with the Hornady 240 XTP my favorite followly by the Noser 240 JHP. I'm not much inclined to use lighter bullets on deer. My one and only experience with a 180 was an old pre XTP Hornady that failed to exit on a broadside lung shot from about 30 yards. I want an exit hole.

Now as your back up on hogs you might NOT want an exit as the dogs are around and I'm sure you'd not want to shoot one of your dogs. So for that a JHP might be your best bet and a 200 or 240 might be a wise choice. That's assuming you're shooting it with the dogs all around it. If you're talking about after it's gotten loose and no dogs around then again I'd want an exit and I'd use a hard cast of 300 grains most likely.

Thanks you answered my question. I am thinking the 300 grain hard cast is what I will stick with. As if I shoot it all heck will have had to have broken loose lol.

[Jim n Iowa]

To me a 44 sp with a 240 wide nose would work, getting out 950 - 1100 fps. For hog use it would be great in a snubby. If you can get close with a knife, a 2" 44 sp should be no problem supporting your dogs.
Jim

[ourway77]

Killed thjis Doe with 44 Mag, 240 grain Sierra Hp, pushed 1300 FPS
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/ourway7/HPIM0780.jpg

[moxgrove]

 I think any of the loads mentioned would be good. As far as your dogs go, I definitely see why you want the ability to back them up. One thing for guys to remember is there are different kinds of hunting with dogs. Bird dogs are not the same as hounds/curs. The hounds live to fight and go for it with every thing they have. They would be miserable not being able to. Using a knife to dispatch the hog is the safest way to do it and make sure the dogs don't get hurt. I know the joy of chasing coons with hounds and the beauty of a good pointer set up and shaking with excitement. All I am saying is houndmen love their dogs just as much as the pointer/retriever men. Personally I am in the proccess of getting my fat butt in shape to go on a hog hunt with some good hounds.

[S_J_KENNELS]

  Personally I am in the proccess of getting my fat butt in shape to go on a hog hunt with some good hounds.

If your ever in South Texas during the summer look us up. You don't have to be in all that great of shape to hog hunt with dogs here lol.

PS: This is in no way an ad or otherwise. Just a plain ol invite to hunt.

[lovedogs]

If I read it right the original question was about FACTORY .44 ammo.

My question is, "Why would you want to shoot factory ammo?"  It's terrible expensive.  I can't imagine being able to afford enough of the stuff so you could practice enough to be anything like a good shot.  And if you reload your own you can load whatever you wish.  You can load any kind of bullet, for any purpose, at any velocity, etc.  By using factory stuff you're really missing out on a lot!

[S_J_KENNELS]

Lovedogs I keep asking my wife for a reloading set up for all holidays and my birthday etc... BUT as of yet I have not gotten one from her LMAO. An on top of that it is easier for me with my job, and fixing to buy a new house to buy the factory ammo right now. However if I ever do get a reloading set up believe me I will be asking for folks fav loads to try LOL.

[S.S.]

S J,
Contact Advanced Bullets in Temple Georgia. Or Georgia Arms (A.K.A. Master Cartridge Company)
in Villa Rica Georgia. They offer some nice .44 loads that you will not use your entire paycheck buying..

[S_J_KENNELS]

S J,
Contact Advanced Bullets in Temple Georgia. Or Georgia Arms (A.K.A. Master Cartridge Company)
in Villa Rica Georgia. They offer some nice .44 loads that you will not use your entire paycheck buying..

Thanks