44 mag barrel length for deer?

[neoinarien]

For hunting deer, will 4" be sufficient, given adequate shot placement or is 5-6 mandatory?

Thanks!

 

[Joe A.]

Should be fine. I used a 5 inch 629 but like I said, the 4 inch will be fine. Regardless of barrel length, just know your own limitations.

 

[Rpg]

I've shot deer successfully with Colt government model 45acp (5")

Your 4" is fine.

If you can hit it, you'll do OK.

 

[Rpg]

P.S. You could do as well with a 44 special.

Don't get wound up about the velocity tables.

Make a big hole at 900-1100 fps.

But first hit the deer!

 

[model70hunter]

My back up is a 629-8 in 4". I personally would not use the 44 Mag past 30-40 yards. To paraphrase Mr. Harry Callahan, "Ya gotta know your limitations". That's mine with a 44, close.

 

[neoinarien]

30-40 yards is about all we get in Wisconsin generally, and I'm comfy in that.

My concern is less the hitting and more the 'will this hit hard enough.'

 

[Nemo288]

I don't know if you have time to work up any loads between now and then.
Or what ammo you intend on using.
If you haven't already, try one of the LBT bullets with the wide (.340) meplat.
I use 18 gr. of 240 under the 260 gr. version (gas check).
Most accurate load I have ever used and reliable deep wound channel.
In "Big Bore Revolvers" there are many stories of instant death on very
large animals using these type bullets at 1300 and well below fps.

Your 4" will be fine. Just practice a bunch till you can hit a 6" target without much thought.
This will tell you what range is your limit. Mine is about the same as with the shotgun slugs that are
our other choice around here; maybe 40 yards.

---
Nemo

 

[vipermd]

I have used my 4" 629 since 1996 with out difficulty. I have found that 240 XTP's work extremely well after having less success with Rem, win,IMI, PMC all in 240 gr. Those were shot at 33-34 yds and all ran 40 -95 yds, all had heart lung shots. Since switching to XTP's they either fall, or a step or two and drop. My old eyes limit me to 50 yds with open sights on live targets, though I do use them on silhouette and steel out to 100 yds. I had factory sights replaced with Meprolight night sights on the 629, and 57 both 4". Plenty of energy for sub 50 yds on deer. Be Safe,

 

[629shooter]

My concern is less the hitting and more the 'will this hit hard enough.'

Yeah, it will.

 

[Hillbilly77]

My concern is.... 'will this hit hard enough.'

Will a .44 Magnum hit hard enough?

Well.... I killed this buck with a bow and arrow.

If you do your job and put the bullet where it needs to go, your 4" .44 Magnum won't let you down.

 

[Gunsnwater]

If you are buying just for hunting 8 3/8" if you own already then your fine. More to do with sight radius then bullet speed but the 8 is faster.

 

[silentflyer]

Have taken several deer with handguns, but all long tubes, 8 or 10", .357's,.44 mags, and a couple with TC Contenders. Out to 125 yards with a scope sighted gun.

 

[Pisgah]

I have taken deer with 8 3/8", 6", 4", and even one 2", .44 Mag. handguns. All have more than adequate power, if that is your concern, although as noted a longer sight radius is an aiming advantage.

 

[loc n load]

44 mag & deer

I have hunted deer since the 60's ( archery, Muzzleloaders, handguns, rifles, shotgun)....I have harvested several with the 44 mag.....I hunt with a 8 3/8" M-29 & 7.5 Superblackhawk with 240 gr JHP's driven by 20 gr of 2400 ( my old ISHMA steel sil load).....I have also harvested several deer with my M-28 with a 6" bl with my cast 160 SWC over 15 gr of 2400.....I have a lot of trigger time with the 4" 29's and with the proper load, proper marksmanship, and attention to keeping your shots within a sane distance, your 4" will put meat on the table.
Good shooting.

 

[Irelander]

Glad I found this thread. I have been thinking about using my 5" 629 for deer but have been concerned about whether it is enough gun. I know the 240gr bullet packs a punch but I didn't know if a 5" barrel would get enough velocity on the bullet to produce ethical wound channels. Nice to hear others experiences. I do hunt with a 44MAG levergun (16" barrel) and it does a dandy job on deer with a 200gr Nosler JHP over 21.3gr of 2400. Might try that same load in my 629 or move up to the 240 JHP or LSWC.

 

[Kid44]

4" .44

First of all make sure your state will allow a 4" for hunting, some mandate longer barrels be used. Anything that can be killed with a .44 magnum can be killed with a 4" barrel. I use to hunt with an 8 3/8" Model 29 but simply got tired of lugging the long barrel around, it was hard to carry in a shoulder holster, it just never seemed to balance well for me so I now hunt with my 4" Model 29 or my 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk. Both are MUCH EASIER to carry, both balance well and are good shooters. I use 240 gr. hollow points or a hard cast semiwadcutter.

 

[DWalt]

16" in a Winchester 94 carbine.

 

[TAROMAN]

I believe that Elmer Keith took more than a few with a 4" .44 magnum.
Being a mere mortal, I took my only buck ever with my 8-3/8" 29-2.
Running shot, about 40 yards.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I use my Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 10 1/2" barrel for mule deer and elk. Check your state laws, some require a minimum of a 6" barrel for hunting.

 

[Pisgah]

I have taken about as many deer with a S&W 1917 and a 1911, both in .45 ACP, as I have with a .44 Magnum. ANY .44 Mag, out of any platform that can deliver the shot to the target, is more than sufficient.