44 mag sight in distance?

[Arkey]

What do you all think is the best distance to have a 44 mag sighted in at?  The redhawk is scoped with a 2-6x variable scope.  Also, what is the maximum killing distance, say, for white tail?  I know size and type of bullet matters (grains).  What is your recommendations ( on distance and bullet)?

[Van/TX]

I would sight it in dead on at the max range that I would take a shot at the animal with that set up.  100 yards.....Van

[Redhawk1]

I also think a 100 yards sight in for the 44 Mag.  Also what matters is you personal shooting ability at that range. Some guys only try 50 to 75 yards shots because that is the range they feel comfortable with.  

[jro45]

With my 5.5" barrel on my Redhawk 44 Mag. I can only get a small group at 75yds. At 100 yds the bullets go high and are spread out. I would shoot a deer at 75yds with this gun.

[John]

I understand the 44 will do well out beyond 100 yds., but not in my hands.

I'm dead on at 50 yds., and won't take a shot beyond 75.

Now I'm hoping to get better, but that's the deal for now.

[mikemayberry]

First let me say that I am not good enough in field conditions to take a shot at 138 yards on a havestable animal.

Now let me say that I think I am learning much by looking at the available free balistics programs which are on-line.  One such program is http://www.biggameinfo.com/index.aspx?page=/balcalc.ascx

Next let me say that with the 44 mag 240 grain XTP coming out of my 12 inch Encore barrel at 1440 fps, the program says zero it at 117 yards for a maximum point blank range of 138 yards.

Finally, let me say that this will need proving at the range before shooting at live game.  I shoot within tolerances off the bench at 100 yards and am happy about that but this deer season I will keep it closer in.

The tables allow you to set your own target window and PBR based on your bullet speed.  Suggest you check it out for information, then prove it works at the range.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[longwalker]

My Super Redhawk is zero at 50 yards.  Why ? Just because. I guess If I am going to be shooting at longer ranges, then I will need much longer range.  Hunting the tree lines of eastern SD.  for White tail Deer either you are close or not.

The fun of hand gun hunting for me is the getting close part. Maybe I'm not as fussy, but fillling the freezer isn't all that hard. with a rifle. There are plenty of shots at 100 yard plus deer. But the ones in close are just more exciting. As far as horns go someday I'll be in the right place at the right time revolver in hand. Untill then, stress free deer will be filling my freezer.

longwalker

[jhalcott]

for me ,my super blackhawk is sighted for 100 yards. ~125yards is a good limit. Any handgun requires frequent practice to be field accurate. Put a paper plate at various ranges ,shoot at them often.When you can put ALL your shots in the plates ,you're ready for hunting.

[Lloyd Smale]

I sight open sighted hunting handguns at 50 yards and scoped guns at 100.

[Questor]

I use it primarily as a woods gun and zero it for 50 yards. It's 4" low at 100 yards.  100 yards would be an extremely long shot for me.

[Dogshooter]

I have my 629 sighted in dead on at 100 yards. At that range, off a sand bag, I get a 3" group or better. I hunt elk and mule deer with mine and l and have taken 100 yard shots at deer and have had good results, but won't shoot at an elk past 75 yards. I have taken several elk with my 629 but all were, luckily, within 50 yards. If you can do your part, I am sure a 100 yard shot at whitetail would not be pushing the limit of the round.

[John C-S]

My first handgun was a Ruger Super Blackhawk from 1972. I reloaded two bullets with great accuracy (open sights). I used 180 gr JHPs from Sierra and Cast Elmer Keith 250 gr semi wadcutters. For the former I was at 1600 fps and the latter at around 1300 fps at muzzle. I used 2400 powder with magnum primers. Today you have to check the reloading manuals for the right powder wgt. This was in the 70s for me. I found that the 180s were potent on lighter game like coyotes. The 250 casts would punch all the way through anything like a creosoted telephone pole (no longer in use to transmit electricity). Both were sensational in accuracy. The heavier load (250 gr) shot to point of aim. The 180s were 2" high at 60 yards. With a sight in at 60 yards like this-whether 180 or 250 grns-you can deal with shots out to about a hundred yards with less than 4" MOA, scoped or not. BTW, I reloaded and shot over 5K rnds in that first Super Blackhawk.

[John C-S]

My first handgun was a Ruger Super Blackhawk from 1972. I reloaded two bullets with great accuracy (open sights). I used 180 gr JHPs from Sierra and Cast Elmer Keith 250 gr semi wadcutters. For the former I was at 1600 fps and the latter at around 1300 fps at muzzle. I used 2400 powder with magnum primers. Today you have to check the reloading manuals for the right powder wgt. This was in the 70s for me. I found that the 180s were potent on lighter game like coyotes. The 250 casts would punch all the way through anything like a creosoted telephone pole (no longer in use to transmit electricity). Both were sensational in accuracy. The heavier load (250 gr) shot to point of aim. The 180s were 2" high at 60 yards. With a sight in at 60 yards like this-whether 180 or 250 grns-you can deal with shots out to about a hundred yards with less than 4" MOA, scoped or not. BTW, I reloaded and shot over 5K rnds in that first Super Blackhawk.

[mikemayberry]

I've been reading your responses and thinking about this and I now realize I've made it harder than it needs to be.

This weekend I intend to go and re-zero at 50 yards knowing that it will shoot less than less than an inch low from zero to 50 yards and only 3.5 inches low at 100 yards.

Keeping up with this will be easier than being zeroed high at 50 yards.  Will just have to hold a smidge high if more than 50 yards.

Seems like it will be easier than any other method.

Mike

[John C-S]

Dead on at 60 yds. Same fps. 50 will leave you a bit short at 75 and much shorter at 100.

[palgeno]

I'm shooting a hand loaded 240 gr bullet at about 1400 fps. Using the same reasoning, I sight in at a 75 yd zero which is just under an inch high at 50 and just over 2 inches low at 100. No guessing, just fire away!!!  :grin: pg

[canonF-1]

Limitations of the 44 mag when it comes to hunting is not the fault of the gun or cartridge, but our own.

With good accurate ammo and good bullets, the 44 Mag is a capable beast slayer at amazing distances.  However, I think it is best to keep shots close as possible.  

I've taken coyotes and jack rabbits at some pretty long ranges with my 44's and 45'sa, with short barrels or long barrels and no scope.  

Play around with some heavy for caliber and quality cast bullets at 300 yards or more.  You will be suprised just how well sixguns handle long range.  I know some sixgunners who could make many a magnum rifle shooter go home and sulk, even at ranges past a 1/4 mile.  Now, no body should hunt biggame at long range with a sixgun, capable or not, but it is fun to shoot them that far away anyway.

F-1

[John C-S]

I chose 60 but he chose 75. Either way you should consider just beyond 50 with the 44 Maggy. Just keep in mind ballistic trajectory equivalent to the .22 Long Rifle in the rifle. You can't go wrong.

[mikemayberry]

Range time is a coming!  Will likely sight in just beyond 50 yards as you guys suggested.  Will report back.

Mike