Anybody here who hunts deer with a 44 mag revolver? Planning to hunt whitetails with my 629 this year, looking for a proven load

I don't hunt deer, but I tested Remington's .44 magnum 240 gr. SJHP in Perma-Gel (fired from my 5" gun) and that bullet keeps on going like a freight train. It went through 16" of P-G and hit my fiberglass backstop so hard (one like it once stopped a direct hit from my 20" M-16 clone firing M193 at close range) it knocked a huge divot off the back and severely flattened the bullet. The recovered diameter was impressive and so was the secondary fragmentation that the bullet threw off after entering the block. Those fragments were large, penetrated deep and were dispersed in a uniform radial pattern. Were I to hunt deer I would look no further.

It's hard to go wrong with a 240gr SJSP's. They deliver a big punch with good expansion. I would shy away from Remington, the lead seems harder than other brands.

I just switched to Hornady's Leverevolution 225gr rounds but haven't taken anything with them yet. Long range accuracy is superb from my 7 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk, and from what I've seen with the FTX bullet in other calibers they should be devastating.

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

I have used Remington 240gr. SJHP for many deer and many years and it has always worked weather factory load or handloaded. With my TC Contender Hunter I can hit soda pop cans every shot with a rest out at 100 yards and 240gr. SJHP Remington factory loads. Shoots just a well out of my S&W 629 w/iron sights out to about 70 yards. Can't go wrong using these Reminton 240 SJHP's on deer with any shot angle. The penetrate AND expand beautifully on 90 pound does or 220 pound bucks and don't go to pieces when hitting bone! My go to factory load when I don't feel like reloading. Last few years I have taken 3 big does at over 120 yards (lazer range finder checked) with my Contender and this factory load with no problem. IMO the best factory load for the .44 mag.

Kirmdog

Great info guys I appreciate the quick response. The 240 gr SJHP factory load will be it for me this year, will report back after the hunt Thanksgiving weekend

FWIW, so long as you can control them and overpenetration isn't an issue, Remington 240 gr. SJHPs are an excellent anti-personell round as well.

Happy hunting. I hope to hear what happens "when the bullet hits the bone".

I had a not so great experience with the 240 gr JHP. A less than perfect shot yielded a not so wounded deer. The bullet did not exit after hitting bone. Using my 629 with an 8 3/8 barrel.

I've stepped up to the 300 gr. JSP. Haven't used it yet hunting, but it shoots and groups well. I'm going on the two big holes theory, with no stopping for bone. We'll find out in a couple of weeks

I bought Georgia Arms "Deer Stopper" rounds.

Munster

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GO NAVY!

Munster;

Was this the Remington SJHP ammo ? I have had some other manufacturers 240 gr fail but never the Rem SJHP. I always got 2 holes with this load even when hitting heavy bone. My most notable failures were with Winchester 240 gr JHP and Remington 210 gr. SJHP. IMO 300 grainers just aren't needed for deer but if they shoot for you and your gun then they will kill deer just as well as anything.

Can you elaborate on the 240 grain ammo and shot placement?

Thank you
Kirmdog

offers a 276 grain cast hollow point. I took a tough old buck with it in a model 29. It didn't exit but the deer dropped within 30 yards. Venom are good folks to deal with and can supply loading data, is a member of the forum, too.

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Big bang, much smash'em.

Shot a bunch of whitetails with the following loads:

1. Cast 429421 Keith over 21 grains of 2400, WLP primer.

2. 240 grain Hornady XTP over above load.

3. 300 grain XTP over 19.8 grains of H110 WLP primer.

All were out of a 629 and all gave complete penetration. The 300 grain load may be a bit much for a "pre endurance package 629 though. Main thing is to hit them in the right spot!

i try to find a load my 629 or 29-2 shoots well, as shot placement is the key to putting a deer down, i like jsp for deaper wounds, you need a exit, if not alot of the blood will stay inside the deer, i like my shots as close as posable. mike

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!