Just a random survey... if you've ever killed game with a 44 magnum, what was the bullet that you used? Care to comment on performance? I've wondered how some bullets perform when shot out of a 16" or 20" carbine barrel when they might be designed for the lower velocities of a revolver. I've been toying with the idea of trying my lever someday for hunting, I usually handload 240 gr Hornady XTP or some 240 gr hardcast that I bought from Bullet Barn a few years ago. Winchester White Box 240 gr is also something that I have, I know that any will work OK on deer or black bear, but I'm curious what you might have tried and how it all worked out for you.
44 Mag Hunting - what bullet did you use?
- Thread starter Scott_N
- Start date
240 XTPs with a sabot out of my 50 cal muzzleloader work good. I've shot 6 or so deer and most were pass through. The one I did recover was perfectly mushroomed.
For the short time I owed a 44 mag Winchester I used the 240xtp. No on game experience however.
For the short time I owed a 44 mag Winchester I used the 240xtp. No on game experience however.
Any idea of the muzzle velocity of that combo you use with the muzzleloader?
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Federal Fusions
Used a 240gr. Sierra jhc on my cougar. Out of a marlin. Two rounds, both penetrated through the back of the shoulder blade and killed him quick. Neither bullets exited though. I’ve also seen good performance from the xtp. I’ve seen a couple critters that were shot with a heavy loaded 45 colt using hard cast and the results were excellent in that case.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
I had good luck with Remington's 240 grain jacketed soft point. Using Ruger .44 carbine.
Darryl
Darryl
I've used all kinds of bullets in 44 mag and they were all equal really. I settled on 265 grain Keith bullets with a gas check because I have pails of them and they work the same as the rest. I use them in my 444 as well.
Big bore dinosaur
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NORT OF COW.TOWN.EH
240 xtp was not very tuff at rifle speeds
The XTP MAG was performed much better on impact at those rifle velocities. Shoot strait
The XTP MAG was performed much better on impact at those rifle velocities. Shoot strait
Doors of Perception
CGN Regular
- Location
- Burlington, Ontario
Harvested a black bear last fall with federal 240gn soft point at 30 yards with a marlin 1894ss.
She was broadside with a bit of angle. Bullet entered rib cage and exited ribcage with fist sized hole. Bullet fragmentated and ruined the shoulder roast.
Switching to hornady leverevelution. Rifle velocities were too much for the projectile. Having said that, the bear dropped on the spot.
She was broadside with a bit of angle. Bullet entered rib cage and exited ribcage with fist sized hole. Bullet fragmentated and ruined the shoulder roast.
Switching to hornady leverevelution. Rifle velocities were too much for the projectile. Having said that, the bear dropped on the spot.
do you know if he found the bullet just by curiosity?
According to the load chart it's right around 2000 fps.
Winchester Super X silver box 240gr HSP. 1 rd @ 80yrds did the job but wasn't pleased with the fragmentation of the bullet, found bits of copper and lead in about a 8" span, the lead core and copper jacket separated about 2" apart from each other. I havent tried them yet, but my next rounds are Barnes Vortx 225gr XPB.
Bullet hit the shoulder on the far side and the lead core passed through leaving the jacket suck in the hide if i remember correctly.We were unsure how the bullet would preform so i was there as a back up shooter.There was no need for a second shot.I think the bullet preformed well .
I'm not certain the leverevolution will be any better in regards to weight retention.
I always use 240 or 260gr JSP (not JHP) from Sierra for my .44mag hunting rounds. Good penetration and excellent expansion / weight retention (especially the "deep curl" rounds). I use a Ruger 96/44 & Rossi M92.
Bang flops on big black bears (350+lbs) all the time. Apart from shot size you need to know your limits with regards to distance as well. All mine were 100 yards or less.
Bang flops on big black bears (350+lbs) all the time. Apart from shot size you need to know your limits with regards to distance as well. All mine were 100 yards or less.
