Best .44 Mag factory ammo for deer

Eagle160

Eagle160

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
904   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
OK I'm buying a Ruger 77/44 bolt for closer range deer hunting. Going to top it with a maximum of 1.75 x 5 power scope and shots will very rarely exceed 125yds. What is the best factory ammo weight and type? Hornady Leverevolution, Remington JHP Core Lokt, Federal Hollow Points, Winchester hollow points??
 
It all depends on what the rifle likes. Buy a couple different makes and see how they shoot. I would think a 240 gr bullet should work well.
 
"...Buy a couple different makes and..." Try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best.
Doesn't take much to kill Bambi with a well placed shot. 240 SP's or semi-jacketed HP's will do nicely. Remington does load a 275 grain JHP Core-Lokt though.
Remington 240 grain ballistics aren't bad. Sighted in at 100, it only drops 5.6" out at 150. Bit less than 1000 ft-lbs of energy left. The 275 drops an inch more with about the same energy. Suspect the 240's will be easier to find though.
Remington ammo sold in 20 round boxes is rifle ammo. 50 round boxes is handgun ammo.
 
Good stuff guys. I don't reload so I'm at the mercy of off the rack ammo. I've wanted a 44 Mag for a long time but strangely never owned one before now, maybe because of the limitation to range. My other stick will be a 7MM08 for reaching out there if need be.
 
I have owned and shot five 44 magnum revolvers, two Marlin rifles and a Ruger rifle in 44. They all shot well with whatever load I put in them. As far as I am concerned there was no such thing as trying a bunch of different brands to see what the gun "liked."
I would forget about leverevelution, get the Remington flat nose, like Madtrapper suggested and just go ahead and sight it in. If you sight and hold it well, I think you will find it shoots great.
And poor Bambi will not survive any descent hit.
 
Mr. Friendly said:
doesn't Hornady make a Leverevolution in 44 Mag? If you want an all copper round that will punch a hole, check it out.
Click to expand...

UMMMMM.......Honady does make the leverevolution, but they arent copper. Tried it, but my ruger 44 doesn't seem to like the Hornady stuff:confused:.

I have used Win 240gr hollow points for years, but recently been using Win Supreme 240gr partitions that group nice.
 
I've been using Winchester white box 240 JSPs exclusively for years..... 8 or 9 bears from 15 feet to 119 yards, some deer as well. Never an issue, even with a less than perfect shot (bone). I would suggest staying away from HPs for a hunting round. HPs are designed to open, but if you get a less than stellar hit and need penetration a HP can fail you.
 
I have a 77/44 and the ammo mine shoots best is the Lever Revolution. The Winchester Whitebox JSP not so much.

FYI, you might consider a Volquartsen sear replacement for the rifle. The factory pull on mine was a very creepy 7lbs. With the sear replacement it's 3-1/2 with less creep.
 
Eagle160 said:
Hey Claybuster,

Where did you get the replacement sear from for your 77/44?
Click to expand...
Epps had one in stock. If they don't have one you might try these guys. The sear for the 77/22 also fits the 77/44.

http://www.rimfiresports.com/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RSC&Category_Code=R7722

When I installed mine I found the Volquartsen spring left the pull a little too light so I stayed with the factory spring and am getting a 3-1/2 lb. pull.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom