Author Topic: 44 Whitetail hunting (Read 1784 times)

kb · « **on:** February 23, 2003, 02:06:36 AM »

Next fall I want to hunt exclusively with my S&W 629. It has a six inch barrel, with open sights (that will soon be changing). I have a question of what bullet weight should I use, and what is the effective range of this gun? I'm thinking of the 240 grain...softpoint?...hollowpoint? What are your suggestions/experiances? Im looking to get started now, so I can get plenty of practice in for next season.

jterrio · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2003, 02:46:45 AM »

I had asked a similar question in the Contender forum. People seemed to like the Hornady 240 gn XTP so that is what I have settled on. My 44 is new the year and like you, I want to get some practice in for next years deer season. Good Luck.

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2003, 04:17:53 AM »

kb
I've taken two bucks with a 10" Contender 44 Mag. One, a small spike was shot using a 180 gr Sierra JHP and a larger buck (my avatar) was taken using a 200 gr Nosler JHP. Both deer were taken with one shot.
I've also taken a buck using the same Nosler bullet out of a muzzleloader. On broadside shots, the lighter bullets completely penetrated the deer and resulted in quick kills. You may want to try some lighter bullets as well as the 240 gr JHP's and see which one your gun shoots more accurately.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2003, 05:12:26 AM »

I've taken numerous whitetail deer with a S&W revolver in .44 magnum. All were taken using revolvers with either the 8-3/8" or 10-5/8" barrels but that's a personal preference for times when iron sights are used. Scoped the 6" is plenty.

I've shot one only with a 180 grain bullet, an old (pre XTP) Hornady JHP over 12.0 grains of Unique. This was not even close to a max load but was what I was using for NRA silhouette competition that year and so I tried it on deer. It was a one shot kill and the buck went only about 25 yards but bullet stopped under the hide on far side even tho this was a thru the lungs broadside shot. Haven't used less than a 240 grain since and haven't recovered another bullet from deer.

I've used hard cast, Hornady 240 XTP, Hornady (pre XTP) 240 JHPs and Nosler 240 JHPs for all the rest. With the exception of one shot at approximately 100 yards all were one shot kills and only one fell out of sight of me of the one shot kills. The one that took multiple shots was deflected by brush and caught the buck in the gut. He was really sick and moved less than 50 yards before bedding and wasn't able to get back up when I approached him a few minutes later to finish him. The run that ran out of sight with a one shot kill was taken on the move at near 100 yards and was hit in the lungs broadside but low. He fell perhaps 150 yards from point of impact but left an excellent blood trail.

My personal choice and recommendation after use on many whitetails is for the 240 JHP over 24.0 grains of either W296 or its twin H110. I use both the Hornady 240 XTP and the Nosler 240 JHP interchangably these days.

GB

MS Hitman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2003, 08:42:12 AM »

I will add to Greybeard's post only by saying that the Remington 240 SJHP is another good bullet for whitetail deer. Another powder charge to use would be 21.0 or so grains of 2400.

hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2003, 03:11:39 PM »

you might like to try speers 270 gr. gold dot, wiyh h110 or w296.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2003, 11:51:50 AM »

I only use cast bullets anymore and havent found that hp bullets kill any quicker then cast bullets. You will allways get complete penetration and a good blood trail with them too. I use jacketed bullets to clean the lead out of my barrels now and thats about it.

BCB · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2003, 12:10:18 PM »

kb,

I must agree with Graybeard and Lloyd. Many years ago I used the Hornady 240 XTP exclusively in my Ruger SRH. I did expansion tests in Computer Shopper Magazines (that was about all I thought they were good for and each issue was 1.5" thick at that time!!!) and expansion was picture perfect. I know that magazines don't necessarily indicate deer, but it gave a media to compare various slugs. I did shot only 2 deer with the SRH and 240 XTP bullets, and death was abrupt. Distances were both less than 50 yards and the deer where hit in the shoulder area--heart/lungs.

Now to Lloyd...I have since become a cast bullet man!!! I now mostly only shoot cast in the 44's. Accuracy is good for the 429650, 44-240-SWC, and the 44-250-K bullets. I may never go back to jacketed bullets in most calibers that I presently shoot!!!

So, if you don't cast your own slugs...The XTP would be my choice. Good-luck...BCB

TopGun · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2003, 01:29:59 PM »

LLoyd!!! You DA MAN!!!! Elmer used them for EONS, I will continue for the next one. I know what the factories say about jacketed handgun bullets, and I've tried a bunch. I have found some jackets left in the muscle and hide, but penetration has always been excellent. I have never recovered any jacket material from my cast loads (sic)!!! PersonallyI don't think they can be beat. Move to the real SSK or other brand heavies like 285 or 320gr and you have a bonafide critter gitter! I have had luck with the 180-200gr in the 44 maggie, and I'd like to think it wasn't luck, but the big cast bullets do leave nice holes, every time. You have to do your part. There is no magic.

Flatlander.54 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2003, 03:28:45 AM »

This year will be my first year to hunt deer with handgun. Given the fact that shots in my area rarely go over 100 yards, and are more likely to be under 50 yards in mild to dense cover, I have decided on my Contender with a .44 Mag barrel. The majority of wisdom here gives good raves to the Hornady 240 XTP over 22-24 grains of H110 as a classic hunting load for deer, so thats gonna be my load providing it shoots well out of my barrel.

So far, I have the barrel for my frame and dies to work up the loads with. Just need a good pistol scope and reloading components to start load development. Lookin foward to the enjoyment.

Toby from MO · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2003, 04:12:31 PM »

I recently went on the same bullet hunt. My situation was little different in that I was looking for a bullet that I could shoot from both my SRH (7 1/2" barrel) and my Marlin 1894CB (24" barrel). I have taken one deer with my Taurus M44 and a 240 XTP over 25gr of H110. The bullet performed great from 61 yds. Now on the other hand this past season I had two consecutive shots with same bullet fail on me when shot from my muzzleloader. At the muzzle these were traveling at just over 1750 fps and at 45 yds they left the biggest flesh wounds I had ever seen, no penetration and no bullet/bullet pieces to be found. Remember, I said I am also shooting the 1894. In my first trip to the range with this same load it was pushing 1900+ fps from the 24" barrel, way too much for this bullet in my opinion. I am currently working up some loads with the Speer 270gr. Gold Dot Soft Point. These should be more than able to handle the high velocities and still give adequate expansion with the lower velocities.