BEST .44 MAG LOAD ???

[Grizzzly]

What load do you guys recommend in 44 mag for hunting whitetail in heavy brush to semi open hardwoods, I hunt in NY (Adirondacks) & most shots under 100 yards. I want a load with the most accuracy & heavy thumpin' power all in one at 100 yards. Please recommend a factory load & a custom load by all you reloaders. I don't reload yet but would like to start soon. Could you also recommend a good, inexpensive reloader ? I will be using a 16" barrel Trapper style gun in either a Winchester, Rossi or Marlin. I will be shooting open sights. Thanks, John

[Blaine]

The Federal 300gr Hardcast is a super hard hitter. I have been using 12gr of BlueDot under a 300 hard cast for a moderate thumper, but that;s not a max velocity load by any means, just an effective one.....

[adirondakjack]

For what you want to do, most any factory 240 gr JHPs will do just fine. At 100 yards out of the trapper, the "whump" factor will be about the same (or more) than point blank range out of a revolver. The deer up here haven't discovered kevlar yet (or maybe they can't afford it, )

[Borregos]

Have not used my 44Mag on deer for a while now, but last time I did I used a 250gr Sierra on top of 22gr H2400, that stopped 'em ok.

[TedH]

The old standby of 24.0 gr. of H110/296 with a 240gr. JSP would be hard to beat.

[AJMD429]

We've killed several deer with the Winchester/USB 240 Gr. JSP out of Marlins. Essentially the same load was used (with more cost and less accuracy) from Winchester 12 gauge saboted slugs in the past, and we use the load from our muzzleloaders (.50 cal) with sabots.

Remember, it is shot placement that counts. Put a .429" hole through the thorax of anything in North America, and it won't breathe very long.

I have to laugh in Indiana, when I hear the guys who have been either using inaccurate 12 gauge rifled slugs, or 'poaching' with .300 Win Mag, as they muse about buying a .44 Levergun as to whether it will "have enough power" to do in a whitetail at 100 yards or less. Our grandfathers must be laughing it up on that one, having killed millions of whitetails with the likes of .32-20 and so on.

HUNTERS can get their deer with just about anything, including if need be a sharp stone on a spear...

[44LVR]

I kill deer out to and past 100 yards with the .44 and loads that do little more than 1300fps. Never lost one. Not ONE. Any 240 gr bullet, give or take 60 grains, will take any deer that ever lived.

44

[tman]

+1 for ajmd429. a .44 , with the right bullet, placed accuratley at reasonable ranges, will STOP ANYTHING on this planent that might come chargin' at your site.

[86er]

For a factory load I would look at Grizzly Cartridge Co's many offerings. They are a sponsor of this site and I am sure they would talk to you about the best ammo for your needs.

In a handload I like the 265gr or 300 gr Swift A-Frame with 2965 or 4227 pushing it.

[bj94]

I was reading in Ken Waters book and he said pretty much the same as everybody else has said- any standard 240 JHP from a rifle length barrel would do the trick every time.

[Mike Rintoul]

Thanks for the plug 86er!

Grizzzly - We have an excellent 275 grain Hawk loading that should exceed 1500 fps in your Trapper easily. Once in a while bullets of 300 grain or more do not cycle perfectly in rifles, so there is no way to know about your rifle but to try them. With that in mind, The 275 will cycle perfectly and will provide you with a good trajetory combined with great power. Frankly, any well constructed 250gr bullet designed for hunting should be adequate on deer with proper range and shot placement. Our 275 Hawk loading gives a slight edge by insuring penetration and expansion with a somewhat flatter trajectory due to the velocity and bullet characteristics. This is achieved with very little pressure above any premium factory 250 load. Then there's a selection of cast bullets if you are so inclined. If you'd like to call to discuss you can reach us at (503) 556-3006.

Mike Rintoul
Grizzly Cartridge Co.

[Bogie35]

Thanks for the info Mike! And welcome to the forum!

bogie