.44 Mag 180 gr. Bullet For Deer?

S

Skull1

CGN Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Bruce peninsula
I just acquired some 180gr HP for .44 mag. Started looking up some load data online, and saw that I could potentially push this pill at 2100fps.

I was always told to go big with .44 mag for hunting ie: 240- 300gr. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with lighter loads for hunting. I don’t like HP’s for hunting but would consider getting a mold for 180gr to cast……if this a possible hunting load.

Right now I’m using 240gr cast at 1800fps….with good results.
 
If it shoots well enough it will do a great job on deer. They are not exceptionally hard to kill. The bullet will almost certainly produce a lot of frag if the shot is close though. Some bullets will do better than others
 
I've hunted a lot of big game with my .44 Ruger carbine ,I would not consider anything lighter than the 225 grain Hornady ftx,my fav is a 240 grain flat nose hollow point,deadly on deer size game everytime.
 
I found that my Ruger carbine wouldn't cycle properly with 180 gr bullets, flawless though with 240 gr.
 
Personally I don't see an advantage to using a 180gn XTP over a 240gn XTP in my Marlin 1894 44Mag for deer hunting.
IMO, a 240gn XTP bullet hits the 44Mag sweet spot.

From Hornady #10
-recommended muzzle velocity for the #44050 180gn XTP is between 750-1400fps.
-recommended muzzle velocity for the #44200 240gn XTP is between 900-2200fps. I found these to be fairly frangible in the 444Marlin, @ ~2600fps their very good at turning racoons inside out.
-recommended muzzle velocity for the #44280 300gn XTP is between 850-1900fps.
From ShootersCalculator dot com
-180gn XTP #44050 BC 0.138 SD 0.139 @ 1760ft/lb ME & 2100fps MV- 0'ed for 100yrds @ 100yds - 990ft/lb & 1560fps, rises ~0.7", @ 150yds 740ft/lb & 1360fps, drops ~4"- Max Point Blank Range 3" target -Zero-122yds MPBR 141yds - 780ft/lb & 1400fps.
-240gn XTP #44200 BC 0.205 SD 0.185 @ 1720ft/lb ME & 1800fps Mv- 0'ed for 100yrds @ 100yds - 1160ft/lb & 1440fps, rises ~1", @ 150yds 900ft/lb & 1300fps drops ~5"- Max Point Blank Range 3" target -Zero-111yds MPBR 129yds - 980ft/lb & 1350fps.
-300gn XTP #44280 BC 0.245 SD 0.232 @ 1420ft/lb ME & 1470fps MV- 0'ed for 100yrds @ 100yds - 1040ft/lb & 1250fps, rises ~1.7" @ 150yds 904ft/lb & 1165fps drops ~7" - Max Point Blank Range 3" target -Zero 95yds MPBR 111yds - 1010ft/lb & 1231fps

I target shoot with Range Rabbit 'Heart Attack' gongs, 3" diameter heart, to establish my personal Max. Point Blank Range.
 
The OP didn't ask if there were better options he asked if a 180 HP will work for deer, and asked if anyone had experience. In my actual experience, it works fine from a 14" Contender.

I have been part of culls outside Canada where everything from Flintlocks to .38 snub nose revolvers were used. People think deer are tough, they aren't. Too many people just have poor marksmanship skills.

SuperCub said:
If the 240gr cast bullets work, why change it?
Click to expand...

Great question.
 
Last edited:
SuperCub said:
If the 240gr cast bullets work, why change it?
Click to expand...

I acquired some 180gr HP. Never really thought much about it until I started looking into the velocity they have. I’ve shot lots of deer with my 240gr cast loads. Just wondering if anyone has experience with 180gr for hunting deer.
 
I would base it on bullet construction. I killed a deer with the AE JHP 240s I while I certainly killed the deer the bullets blew up and I would not unless pressed use them for deer again.

If it’s a generic JHP 180 I would skip it. Hornady XTPs or some sort of Monometal bullet might be better but will also likely come apart more than is desirable.

The velocity and construction issues are exacerbated in my rifle, 24” or it may even be a 26” model 94.
 
hornady lever ftx ammo works well on deer/ black bears ,I've found spent bullets under ty hide that mushroomed out really nice and retained a lot of their weight,expensive but deadly stuff.
 
I think a 180g is going to lack penetrating power of you connect with a shoulder.
I shoot a 45colt. All my research says to go 250g or heavier.
 
I think the only light 180 grain stuff I've ever tried was pmc and just at the range,so I can't give you real hunting advice on that ,only the ammo I've used hunting with great success.American eagle doesn't seem to have the whoooomp other240 grain ammo has,the blazer aluminum case 240 grain jhp has lots of whoomp.all good anmo if you have perfect shot placement you'll be fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom