Author Topic: Hog load for 44Mag (Read 5631 times)

Oklahoma Lefty · « **on:** April 01, 2011, 11:48:43 AM »

I'm thinking of going hog hunting with a friend at work I want to take my 44 mag along for backup what would be the best load? One that you would use or do use. I appreciate your advice. Thank you.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2011, 03:27:20 PM »

I like to go easy on myself with my S&W, so for hog I prefer a 300 gn cast flat nose slug at around 1k'/sec., even though the same slug can be driven a lot faster. I have found, for my purposes, that heavy slow moving slugs work just as well as the hotter loads and are easier on me and the gun.

I believe most of the major manufacturers make heavy weight loads for the 44 mag, and some of the heavy Federal offerings are serious thumpers although I've found that even most standard magnum loadings with 240 gn bullets are sufficient. HTH.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2011, 03:57:58 PM »

Carefull on the 300 grainers with a S&W.
The federal 300's fit in the cylinder -Just.
others may not.
If it is a Ruger the 300's work fine as the cylinder is a little longer in the Black hawk, Super Black hawk and the Red hawks.
I carry just plain old 240 JSP in my 6" smith.
So far no pigs with it, so I can not say how they proform. But like all animals you hit them in the right spots and they fall over.
I think you may be better shooting specials very well than almost hitting with the full house loads.

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:03:53 PM »

Thank you both for your input. I appreciate it.

Mohawk · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2011, 07:30:08 AM »

I heard the Win partition gold is pretty decent. Never used the .44 version but their .357 180gr version expands well and drives deep.

irold · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:53:32 PM »

First off.....why back up ? Leave the rifle and use the 44 !

You didn't mention if you reload....if you do, I'd use a 300 Hornady XTP. I used a 240 XTP , it did the job, but think next time I'll opt for the heavier 300 grain. No need to load it for elephant.....just a full load of what ever ya like under it. Hit them through the lungs and enjoy the pork.

regards , irold

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:36:59 AM »

Yes, I reload and I try some Horandy XTP. Thank you

drdougrx · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2011, 08:39:22 AM »

Really...even the 240gr XTP or the 300GR will work fine. There are a ton of loads that are available. My rule of thumb in the 44 is 300gr anything at 1150 or 240gr at 1250....no need for more really. Also..the back-up thing...as in case my rifle gets broke or in case of a charge???

The former may be unlikely if you maintain your rifle, but I certainly see your point. The latter...well...good luck with that.

Also...the choices in your pole question are confusing to me.....

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:04:19 AM »

I edited my poll question, sorry for the confusion. Has anyone used Speer Gold Dot 240 gr.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:59:15 AM »

As I said earlier,
I really don't think the grain matters as much as the bullet construction and your ability to hit the critter where the bullet will get to the soft squishy parts that bleed a lot.
I use a 240 grain soft point for hunting as opposed to a hollow point. I think the soft point will drive deeper and most likely will pop out the other side and mushroom nicely.
a 300 grain bullet will be slightly longer than the 240 and it will definatly drive deeper into the hog.
Guys here are shooting meat hogs, like in this picture with cowboy loads. (this was shot with a 150 grain all copper bullet from a 308 win - Had to use lead free ammo) no fuss no muss jut a shot in the boiler room and the guide yelled for another one, when he stood up and that one went 1/2" from the first. ) The cowboy loads from a colt 45, 44-40, and 38-40 are about the same as 44 Special. The added energy from the 44 mag helps to drive that bullet deeper and through. but shoot the fastest (with in reason) load you can well. If that is a 44 Special, Hot special, or wimpy mag like the Winchester 210 grain silver tip, or a full house load, you will be much better prepared than having a super killer bullet you stuck in his guts, took off a leg ( I think they run faster on three legs )

drdougrx · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:33:23 PM »

Even though I prefer the 300gr.....here's 400 pounder I took with a SW29 and 240grXTP over a good dose of H110....and yes...I'm 2ft behind him!

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2011, 02:49:57 AM »

Man, that is some hog! I really appreciate you sharing this with me.

simplicity · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2011, 03:37:37 AM »

First off I live in maine so no hog exsperience but I've done a tone of penetration tests with a few SBH's I've had course my favorite load was 21.3 grains of h110 behind a 300gr xtp it gave 1300fps out of a 4 5/8 barreled SBH, it was also one of the more accurate loads out of that gun. The load is about a grain over the max in the latest hornady manual ( I have loaded them hotter and still no cases extraction problems) Also the bullets shot into different media (ie wet paper, softwood, beach sand) always mushroomed beautifully it was accually kinda weird.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2011, 05:45:21 AM »

For me I would use the 44 Mag handgun as my first choice. Hog hunting up close is a blast. As for bullet, I would use a 240 to 300 gr. hard cast bullet. I think any of the tougher game a hard cast bulet is the way to go.

The only time I use a hollow point bullets, is in my carry guns.

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2011, 07:09:10 AM »

Okay, what is the best flat nose hard cast bullet to use? I don't cast them myself so which one should I buy?

drdougrx · « **Reply #15 on:** April 07, 2011, 11:36:11 AM »

I use Cast Performance...here's the site:

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=CP44%2F300

Oklahoma Lefty · « **Reply #16 on:** April 07, 2011, 12:09:55 PM »

Thank you. looks like a great bullet.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2011, 01:59:45 AM »

I havent hunted with anything but cast for over 10 years. As to hogs ive shot quite a few of them and any 240 swc or lfn with a decent metplat at 900 fps or better will take care of hogs easily.

Junior1942 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2011, 02:08:55 AM »

My SBH likes the Lee 310 gr FP cast from ac/ww alloy lubed w/LLA. Keep it circa 1000 fps and you won't need a gascheck on the bullet. Never killed a hog with it, yet, but the day is coming.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:03:50 AM »

Quote from: Oklahoma Lefty on April 07, 2011, 12:09:55 PM

Thank you. looks like a great bullet.

All I use is Montana Bullet Works. I have used there bullets on deer, hogs, and black bear. Performance was great. I have taken a lot of each game with there handgun, and also there rifle hard cast bullets. Price is great as well, but above all the quality of the bullets are what sold me.

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:13:24 AM »

My first choice with a hand gun is heavy bullets! I agree with the guys saying bullet construction is key!

I have had excellent results with the Speer Gold Dot SOFT POINT 270grain slugs.

CW

snowbird · « **Reply #21 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:20:24 PM »

I have used cast bullets on one sow. The bullet weighs around 250 grains, pushed by 22 grains of the old 2400. DRT. I have used a 240 XTP out of a 444 Marlin, it was a small hog, around 60 pounds and maybe 70 yards away, DRT. Neither were a real hard test for either bullet. That said, if I were going to shot only large hogs out to say 50 yards (my Colt is scoped). I would use cast bullets, for the penetration on heavy hogs. If they weighed in 100 ponds or less I think any good bullet would work just fine.

gr8ful · « **Reply #22 on:** April 08, 2011, 06:56:04 PM »

I don't shoot 44 mag, as i prefer 45 colt, but i do shoot a couple hogs every year with it and most years a deer, I like 300gr LBT designed hard cast bullets. That is a good link from Drdoug. Until I started reloading again I was shooting Buffalo Bore 325gr WLN at around 1300 fps though expensive they will hammer a hog or deer and inside 100 yrds anything else in North America.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2011, 05:03:43 AM »

I've hunted hogs with .44s using 4 - 6.5" barreled revolvers. Never had a problem with 240 gr JSPs or the 240 XTP giving very good terminal effect and penetration. I use them at 1200 - 1400+ fps loaded over 24.5 gr H110. Cast also works for me and I've use hard cast but prefer a softer cast 429244 over 23 gr H110. Again the terminal effects are excellent and through and through is about all the penetration one can expect. Frankly I tried the heavier 300 gr J and 310 gr cast and never found them any better.

Larry Gibson

Hank08 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 09, 2011, 08:27:08 AM »

I've killed a lot of hogs but never happened to have a .44 with me at the time. here's one I killed with one shot behind the shoulder with a 200 gr. hardcast at a little over 1000 fps from a 4" M66 .357 about 200 lbs. They're not armor plated like some seem to think.

sorry about the pic.
H08

Bearcat 74 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 12, 2011, 05:02:20 AM »

You guys running the 300-310's from 900-1000fps, what powder/loads are you using? I am loading a 310WFNGC from my SBH over 21.0grs H110 - 1280fps. It's very accurate but pretty stout in the recoil department for deer/hogs. I would love to be able to turn it down a couple hundred FPS and still be accurate. I have 2400, Unqiue, and can get most other powders in town if need be.

Thanks

gr8ful · « **Reply #26 on:** April 12, 2011, 12:55:20 PM »

My most accurate load in my BCC is 45 Colt 300gr WFNGC over 22gr h4227 It is just a little under max from the Hodgdon Manual no. 26. They also shoot very well from my Ruger Bisley.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2011, 09:58:43 PM »

Quote from: Bearcat 74 on April 12, 2011, 05:02:20 AM

You guys running the 300-310's from 900-1000fps, what powder/loads are you using? I am loading a 310WFNGC from my SBH over 21.0grs H110 - 1280fps. It's very accurate but pretty stout in the recoil department for deer/hogs. I would love to be able to turn it down a couple hundred FPS and still be accurate. I have 2400, Unqiue, and can get most other powders in town if need be.

Thanks

One of my all time favorite easy recoiling 44 Magnum loads is a 300 grain Sierra JSP loaded with 20 grains of H4227. Not sure of the velocity out of my 4 5/8 inch Super Blackhawk but it is milder than the 320 grain hardcast loaded with 19.5 grains of H-110 and has similar penetration. I have shot quite a few 300 grain hardcast loaded with 21 grains of H-110 and the above load with the H-4227 is milder.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #28 on:** April 16, 2011, 01:44:29 PM »

I've used every conceivable bullet over the years and never had a problem with any of them when shot placement was good. However, if I want expansion & penetration guaranteed I'll spend the extra money and load either Nosler Partitions or Swift A-frames.

The cost of most hunts is quite sizable compared to the cost of a box of bullets at any price.

Farrier Matt · « **Reply #29 on:** April 18, 2011, 01:47:51 PM »

Heres a pig that was taken with my 44. He went about 300, but was taken with the Winchester, not a revolver. Im like some others, I like a bullet that will penetrate. Soft points or hard cast, not hollow points. I like the Hornady XTP, but have had a hard time finding them, tried the Sierra 300 gr soft point and have been very happy so far. Tehir accurate in my guns, and penetrate well. I load them over H110.

Poll

What would be the best load for hogs in a 44mag Redhawk?

Author Topic: Hog load for 44Mag (Read 5631 times)