Author Topic: 20 ga or 44 mag (Read 1987 times)

scooby81 · « **on:** February 20, 2012, 08:37:27 AM »

What would be the better gun for accuracy and power for whitetail? An h&r 20 gauge slug or h&r 44 mag handi rifle? Shots would be within 100 yds in woods.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:39:57 AM »

I would say the .44 mag. More accurate at greater range. Friend of mine shot a 9 pt buck at 190 yards and aimed about a foot high. Tumbled like a Mack truck hit him. 20 ga slug drops a lot faster.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:42:25 AM »

WELCOME Scooby!!
I won't say its better, but given the choice, would take a accurate scoped 20 ga slug gun over a 44 mag carbine! (Like my USH)

44 is a good caliber and well liked and rite fully so. Its a good choice and likely a favorite. But the 20 ga as long as its accurate, moves a heavier, larger dia projectile at nearly the same velocity.

CW

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:54:08 AM »

44mag. reason , slugs get old and don't shoot well, different lots shoot different and require shooting expensive ammo to resight or check sights. Slugs cost more per shot buy a box of 44mag ammo then compare price to buying 50 slugs of sabot construction.If you were talking foster slugs it wouldn't even be a close contest . The slug kicks more making shot placement and gun/trigger control harder.

keith44 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:54:20 AM »

My choice is .44 Mag, with the right handloads, or top factory loads the tragectory would be some what flatter, and the lower recoil would help with accuracy and load development. From a rifle .44 mag is capable of 125 yards with 300 grain bullets, and 75 is my personal limit with 240 grain bullets.

Fred McIntire · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:06:41 AM »

Hands down, the .44 Magnum !

You can practice for pennies on the dollar compared to 20 gauge slugs at $10 to $20 per box of 5 !

The only better choice would be the .357 Magnum reamed out to shoot the .357 Maximum !

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:07:46 AM »

Your state laws and seasons may be what will make you choose one over the other. Larry

scooby81 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:13:17 AM »

Quote

Your state laws and seasons may be what will make you choose one over the other. Larry

I would be able to use the 44 mag for primitive season.

gendoc · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:13:42 AM »

well if ya state lets ya shoot either...... i'd go 44.
ain't seena 20ga slug do over 1600fps yet. we hunt with both cuz we can here.
but whenya go out past 50... tha slug drops 5x than tha 240gr xtp thrown bya 44mag.
of course this is compared to my handloads... not store bought ammo........

so yur mileage may vary.................

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2012, 12:24:09 PM »

We can hunt with either one here in Indiana. I know more than one that dropped their slug gun for a 44 Mag carbine. The old style slug is very deadly up to 50 yards or so, then starts to drop off pretty quickly. Accuracy is some where around 2" - 4" at 50 yards for a smooth bore. The sabot slug throws about the same weight bullet at about the same velocity as a 44 Magnum, but costs North of $3.00 a pop. The USH can put them in a group under 2" @ 100 yards if it is having a good day. The 44 Mag is about half a buck a pop. Less if you reload. Lots more bullet selection for the 44 Mag and generally (not always) the 44 Mag shoots tighter groups. I have 2, 44 Magnum hand guns an 8" T/C Contender and a Virgina Dragoon and 3, 44 Magnum carbines. A Handi (tight bore on a SB2 frame), a 1894 Marlin and a T/C 17" carbine

Good Luck and Good Shooting

gendoc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2012, 12:37:06 PM »

Quote from: LaOtto222 on February 20, 2012, 12:24:09 PM

We can hunt with either one here in Indiana. I know more than one that dropped their slug gun for a 44 Mag carbine. The old style slug is very deadly up to 50 yards or so, then starts to drop off pretty quickly. Accuracy is some where around 2" - 4" at 50 yards for a smooth bore. The sabot slug throws about the same weight bullet at about the same velocity as a 44 Magnum, but costs North of $3.00 a pop. The USH can put them in a group under 2" @ 100 yards if it is having a good day. The 44 Mag is about half a buck a pop. Less if you reload. Lots more bullet selection for the 44 Mag and generally (not always) the 44 Mag shoots tighter groups. I have 2, 44 Magnum hand guns an 8" T/C Contender and a Virgina Dragoon and 3, 44 Magnum carbines. A Handi (tight bore on a SB2 frame), a 1894 Marlin and a T/C 17" carbine

Good Luck and Good Shooting

you are correct, my 20 ush can't do over 1520fps outta tha barrel.
i can get over 1800fps outta my 44's if i need to. and obtain a nice group @ 100
again............if i need to. thats kinda rarely, but it can be done

Yak Angler · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2012, 01:15:45 PM »

Truthfully I doubt you would see much of a difference limiting your shots to 100 yards like was first mentioned. Either 44 mag or 20 gauge slug would do fine. I shoot rifled slugs from my 20 gauge, not sure if you guys can get challenger slugs in the U.S.A. but here is a pic of the ones i use rated for 1610 fps. I think I have seen 3" winchester super x slugs rated for 1800 FPS but haven't personally used them yet.

My guess would be better accuracy from 44 mag unless you were to use an ultra slug hunter and sabot slugs, if that were the case accuracy would be comparable between the two rounds. The much cheaper cost of 44 mag ammo especially if you reload it compared to even the cheapest 20 gauge slugs available will make practice alot less painfull but since I can only carry one gun when hunting most of the time, the utility of a smootbore with slugs and birdshot is very hard to beat for me when multiple species ( birds and big game ) are available in the same area. This fall when i am out on a dedicated deer hunt in northern ontario at my mother in laws the .270 handi will be the one getting used even though my one and only shot will be less than 25 yards. After that hunt is finished i will be able to take up to 7 more whitetail in my local area but those will be with either with a bow or my 20 gauge as thats all that I am allowed to use close to where I live.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2012, 02:24:50 PM »

Quote from: Adam_R on February 20, 2012, 01:15:45 PM

Truthfully I doubt you would see much of a difference limiting your shots to 100 yards like was first mentioned. Either 44 mag or 20 gauge slug would do fine. I shoot rifled slugs from my 20 gauge, not sure if you guys can get challenger slugs in the U.S.A. but here is a pic of the ones I use rated for 1610 fps. I think I have seen 3" winchester super x slugs rated for 1800 FPS but haven't personally used them yet.

Right on Adam!! Dont loose site of Scoobys perameters...

Quote

What would be the better gun for accuracy and power for whitetail? An h&r 20 gauge slug or h&r 44 mag handi rifle? Shots would be within 100 yds in woods.

Nothing is mentioned about costs, reloading, shots over 100 yards or laws.

BUT since ballistics have been brought up. Let me defend my selection...

This is what my USH 20 shoots best. EASILY under 2" at 100.

Here is a couple more that beat 1800 fps..

Even tho the Buck Hammer is slower, its a full once of lead... Thats over TWICE the weight of the heaviest 44mag yet its still traveling at 1500fps. Can you spell more energy?

As I said in the beginning the 44Mag is a good choice, its gonna be the favorite. But the 20Ga shooting good ammo in a accurate firearm will at worst equil the 44 and at best surpass it...

CW

mechanic · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:11:49 PM »

I passed up some 200yd. plus shots this year while hunting with a slug gun. After the season was over, I used up my ammo practicing. End result...I should have taken the shots. 3" high at 100 puts me 10" low at 200 with a 260 gr. sabot slug from a rifled 20ga. Easily the equal of a 44 at that range.

Ben

tacklebury · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:20:53 PM »

I'd possibly agree on the 20 ga. if I you didn't look at cost factor. If you can get WW White box to shoot good outta your .44 will be an improvement on cost and if you reload it's even less expensive. It's up to 3 bucks a shot with the slugs, depending on what you can get or get to perform in your firearm acceptably. For some, the increased recoil of the 20 ga. slugs will be a detriment also.

ironglow · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2012, 04:51:34 PM »

I've used both..my choice..the .44 mag. If youare to get slugs which will reach out alongside the .44 mag..they will be ridiculously exprnsive..

gendoc · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2012, 01:28:30 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on February 20, 2012, 02:24:50 PM

Quote from: Adam_R on February 20, 2012, 01:15:45 PM
Truthfully I doubt you would see much of a difference limiting your shots to 100 yards like was first mentioned. Either 44 mag or 20 gauge slug would do fine. I shoot rifled slugs from my 20 gauge, not sure if you guys can get challenger slugs in the U.S.A. but here is a pic of the ones I use rated for 1610 fps. I think I have seen 3" winchester super x slugs rated for 1800 FPS but haven't personally used them yet.

Right on Adam!! Dont loose site of Scoobys perameters...
Quote
What would be the better gun for accuracy and power for whitetail? An h&r 20 gauge slug or h&r 44 mag handi rifle? Shots would be within 100 yds in woods.

Nothing is mentioned about costs, reloading, shots over 100 yards or laws.

BUT since ballistics have been brought up. Let me defend my selection...

This is what my USH 20 shoots best. EASILY under 2" at 100.

Here is a couple more that beat 1800 fps..

Even tho the Buck Hammer is slower, its a full once of lead... Thats over TWICE the weight of the heaviest 44mag yet its still traveling at 1500fps. Can you spell more energy?

As I said in the beginning the 44Mag is a good choice, its gonna be the favorite. But the 20Ga shooting good ammo in a accurate firearm will at worst equil the 44 and at best surpass it...

CW

thats all good CW....
but have you checked the velocity with an accurate chronograph ?
or should i say, one that does not require light tones to function properly....
i have had several cases that required forensic tests to determine a critical
point with sabot slugs. what is printed on cardboard boxes is generic for an unknown
chamber and tube.
from testing many different styles, the brenneke has been the most accurate with velocity
less than "tha big dogs"...... so reality is in the beholder of there beliefs.
so, you are correct............

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2012, 02:08:42 PM »

AND perception is reality...

No, your correct, I have not chronographed them. I agree that many maker fudge the numbers on there ammo. (testing is longer barrels and such) BUT in today's world many people have chronographs so it is not nearly as bad as it was just a while back. I'm willing to bet that they are not far off! Something else to remember your average slug barrel is shorter then the USH.

CW

mechanic · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2012, 03:38:20 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on February 21, 2012, 02:08:42 PM

AND perception is reality...

No, your correct, I have not chronographed them. I agree that many maker fudge the numbers on there ammo. (testing is longer barrels and such) BUT in today's world many people have chronographs so it is not nearly as bad as it was just a while back. I'm willing to bet that they are not far off! Something else to remember your average slug barrel is shorter then the USH.

CW

I haven't chronied any, but I can attest to 6" groups at 225 yards from an improvised rest. I've never owned a 44 mag. I could do that with. On another note, as stated above, it costs me $3.00 every time I pull the trigger. I can load a pocket full of 44 for that. Either will suffice, but after playing with this shotgun, I'm amazed at it's accuracy potential.

Ben

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2012, 11:27:55 PM »

Quote from: mechanic on February 21, 2012, 03:38:20 PM

Quote from: cwlongshot on February 21, 2012, 02:08:42 PM
AND perception is reality...

No, your correct, I have not chronographed them. I agree that many maker fudge the numbers on there ammo. (testing is longer barrels and such) BUT in today's world many people have chronographs so it is not nearly as bad as it was just a while back. I'm willing to bet that they are not far off! Something else to remember your average slug barrel is shorter then the USH.

CW

I haven't chronied any, but I can attest to 6" groups at 225 yards from an improvised rest. I've never owned a 44 mag. I could do that with. On another note, as stated above, it costs me $3.00 every time I pull the trigger. I can load a pocket full of 44 for that. Either will suffice, but after playing with this shotgun, I'm amazed at it's accuracy potential.

Ben

You got that right Ben!!

I haven't shot my 20 at 200, but my 12 USH is amazing! It's inside 4" @ 200 yards!! I have it sited a rite on at 100 with Buck Hammers and that works out to be about 2.5" high with Rem Premium Bonded slugs. BOTH shoot very, very well at 100. Move out to 200 and those buck hammers skip off the ground once or twice before hitting the target...

But the Bonded Remmys strike about 3" low and EASILY strike a baseball every time!!

One of these days I will chrono them and shoot the 20 GA at 200 for giggles. Currently, I site my 20 dead on at 100 as I really don't need to shoot so far with one. The consistent accuracy is very confidence inspiring!!

CW

OBXPilgrim · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2012, 12:14:29 PM »

If I had both, I'd take the one that shot best or the one that I could shoot better.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2012, 05:06:32 PM »

Quote from: OBXPilgrim on February 22, 2012, 12:14:29 PM

If I had both, I'd take the one that shot best or the one that I could shoot better.

Agreed! The more you shoot, the better you can shoot. That for me makes the case for the .44Mag., over the 20Ga on cost alone. If recoil is also a factor, the .44 IMO kicks less.

petemi · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2012, 12:42:30 AM »

We grew up with a lot of standards that are no longer true today, if they ever were......"The levergun's a short range brush gun." A 12 ga. slug is good for 40 yards" etc. Based on those ingrained, so called, facts, slug guns never interested me, and I moved my hunting activities to where rifles were allowed.

Considering where I live and hunt, when I got my Handi .44 mag. it seemed sensible to ream it to .445. After you find the brass, it doesn't cost much more to load than the mag and IMO makes this topic a dead issue.

Pete