Author Topic: effective range for 44mag? (Read 1060 times)

leomort · « **on:** November 07, 2003, 06:35:20 AM »

What's the farthest effective range that you could use a 44mag to take whitetail deer? Is a 100 yards and closer ideal? Thanks for any input.

Leo

Graycg · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2003, 06:55:10 AM »

I recommend the paper plate test:

It goes like this, put up a paperplate at various distances and the maximum range that you can hit the plate at every time from your field rest is the maximum range of YOUR 44 magnum. The 44 mag carries more than enough energy to kill at any range that YOU can consistently hit that paper plate with. I use a paper plate because it is about the size of a deer or hogs vitals.

regards,
Graycg

BH · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2003, 11:16:06 AM »

leomort,

Closer is always better :lol: but as the other posters have pointed out it depends on the gun and the shooter. You appear to be asking about the cartrige itself in which case I would say that an excellent pistol shooter with one of the 14" barreled single shot pistols available and good optics could turn the a 44 pistol (or short rifle might be more appropriate) into a 150 yard gun. Much beyond that and bullet drop becomes a major issue related to your ability to estimate range.

Bob

340wby · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2003, 02:29:32 AM »

your limited to what ever range that you with your gun can place your shots 100% of the time on the deers vitals, Ive shot deer at about 170-180 yards with my 1894 marlin in 44 mag,( 2.5 x leopold scope) the 300 grain cast ,gascheck bullet zipped clean throught, the deer dropped!
Ive shot deer with a 44 S&W at about 120 yards with the same ammo, results were very similar, your ability to place the shot correctly and the bullet choice are the more important factors.
practice on a 6" paper plate from field possitions,with your gun and if you can,t keep every shot on the plate your exceeding your effective hunting range and should not fire at game beyond that range

leomort · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2003, 09:00:43 AM »

Thanks to everyone that replied. Yes, I was asking about the effectiveness of the cartridge itself.

Leo

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2003, 09:33:32 AM »

Elk have been taken with iron sighted revolvers out to 700 yards with it. I guess that means it should be good to at least 700 yards for whitetails. Right?

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2003, 11:08:11 AM »

I have taken several deer with my 7.5 SRH 44 mag and I like to hunt with it as if I were bowhunting. I like the close in shots, the longest shot that I have taken a deer with it was around 80 yards. When I hunt areas that present longer typical shots I use a T/C Encore 15" 308 Win with a 2.5X8 Leupold. I have taken deer out to 150 yards or so with it. The main thing with any handgun is practice, the more you practice the further your effective range will be. But when you practice use the same rest that you will be using when hunting and not a bench rest. I use a home made pair of shooting stix.

terryfcampbell · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2003, 03:08:57 AM »

Leo
I own a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag with a Leoupold 4x scope, I can shoot 200 yards at the range but I don't think I would want to shoot more than 100 yards at a deer. I just don't feel confortable shooting at an animal farther than that with a pistol.
Terry
p.s. love my 44mag.