44 mag hunting load recommendations

[Littledragon777]

I have a Super Redhawk 44 mag with 9 1/2 barrel and a 4 power Burris scope. I am wanting to handload for whitetail deer here in Missouri. My shots would be 50 yards or less with most being in the 30 or less range from from a treestand. I am currently loading for it just for paper punching at the range with 15 grains of AA#5 and 180gr Hornady XTPs. I would appreciate your recommendations for a hunting load for the above situation. Thanks!

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[Littledragon777]

I have a Super Redhawk 44 mag with 9 1/2 barrel and a 4 power Burris scope. I am wanting to handload for whitetail deer here in Missouri. My shots would be 50 yards or less with most being in the 30 or less range from from a treestand. I am currently loading for it just for paper punching at the range with 15 grains of AA#5 and 180gr Hornady XTPs. I would appreciate your recommendations for a hunting load for the above situation. Thanks!

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[BruceM]

In my 9 1/2" Super Redhawk, both 27.0 grains of H110 w/ a 210 grain Sierra JHC and 30.0 grains of H110 w/ a 180 grain Sierra JHC would keep 15 shot composite group holes (not center to center) inside a 3" 50' target bull at 50 meters. I also got similar results with my 8 3/8" M629 w/ integral scope rings barrel mounted. Used Winchester MP primers and Remington cases. Tight bullet pull plus heavy roll crimp.

Bruce

 

[Joni_Lynn]

My favorite load is the Sierra 210 with 26 grains of WW296. It's accurate and fast.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I'm not sure of the body type of Missouri deer but up here the 180gr at the velocities you will get from AA#5 even from a 9" barrel aren't going to be enough to take most deer even at the ranges you state. (Excuse the run-on sentence.)

I have had friends that have shot deer at closer ranges with factory 180gr 44mag load just to see them hit, mushroom and not penetrate at all.

I load for 6 Marlin 1894 rifles for family and friends that deer hunt here. All that hunt have taken deer with my loads. Usually one shot drops.

My load is a 240gr JSP/JHP (Usually Winchester or Remington) over a healthy dose of AA#9 or WC820. The AA#9 load is within published data and can be obtained by going to their website. The WC820 is a MILSURP powder that loads to the same data.

Out of the Marlins I get right at 1800fps with this load. Out of my 5" M629 it launches these projectiles at 1300fps. If shot in a handgun it is imperative to use a firm crimp, in the tubular magazine of the Marlins too for that matter.

Personally I'm not much on H110/W296(it's the same powder) as I just don't like the muzzle flash. I got over that a long time ago.

The loads I have listed are field tested. Over the last several seasons they have taken upwards of 10 deer.

FWIW

 

[buck460XVR]

my hunting load for my PC 629 is 23.5 grains of H110/W296 under a 240 grain XTP or Nosler JSP. For bowling pins I reduce the charge by .5 and use Nosler JHPs. I've found the Noslers to be the cheapest when buying in bulk and they are as accurate as the more expensive XTPs. For plinkin' at close range, I like 10.5 grns of Unique under the Noslers.

 

[pownal55]

240gr hard cast swc with max load of any of the slow burning powders, 296, h110, 2400, etc. with big game penetration is the key. most load books list the data you are looking for.

 

[Littledragon777]

Thanks for the replys. I have taken several deer with my Super Blackhawk using Remington 180 grains JHPs at 30 yards and closer with out any problems. That said all the shots have been at broadside deer keeping away from the shoulder and any quartering shots. I have also taken a couple of deer with a 357 magnum. I know with a pistol shot placement and penetration are everything. My Hornady manual recommends either Blue Dot or W296 with their 240 grain XTPs. I have load books for Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, Speer,and Accurate to choose from. I am interested in what your experiences are with the loads you hunt whitetails with. We have a wide range of deer here in Missouri. If I hunt Northern Missouri most of the bucks I see are in the 185-225 lb range. I have been hunting the middle of the state lately where the deer average 125-200 lbs with most being in the 150lb range.

Smith Crazy: I really like Accurate powder and load it in 9mm 28 special, 40, 45, and 44 mag. I hear quite a bit about H110 and W296 and while I don't have any of that powder on hand I would like to load some rounds with those powders also to see how she likes them. Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[tdan]

I'm with Buck460........My 629 power/hunting loads are a 240gr. XTP loaded over 23.5 gr. of H-110......This load is also the most accurate!

 

[fredj338]

I haven't hunted deer w/ 180gr but they make great varmint rounds, turning most things inside out at ranges out to 100yds. For deer & up, I prefer heavy lead FP or LHP for deer. If you like jacketed bullets, try at least moving to the 200grXTP, they penetrate well & if you like AA powders try AA#7, for 240gr, try AA#9. I pretty nuch use Unique for midrange & H110 or W296 for max effort loads.

 

[alde]

Originally posted by tdan:
I'm with Buck460........My 629 power/hunting loads are a 240gr. XTP loaded over 23.5 gr. of H-110......This load is also the most accurate!

This load works very well in my 5" 629 Classic as well as my Marlin lever gun. It is accurate in both. I have not hunted with it yet.

 

[R. Walter]

Several have offered up about the same recipe.

A Hornady 240 gr XTP over 23.0 to 24.0 grains of H-110 lit by a Winchester WLP primer. Works every time on my hunts for deer through elk-class game! Placement is the key.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

I've had excellent performance with 240 gr. bullets backed by either H-110 or WW 296. I use a mag primer and a heavy roll crimp.

Also took a buck with a 180 gr. bullet. The tissue destruction was tremendous and I went back to the 240s.

The .44 is a lot of gun and has worked fine for me. I prefer it for use under a hundred yards. Both rifle or revolver work well on soft-skinned game.

 

[Dale53]

I have taken all but my last deer with 240-250 cast Keith bullets ahead of 23.0-24.0 grs of H110. The last deer (a 10 point buck) was taken with the Lee C430-310-RF ahead of 20.0 grs of H110.

All have been total penetration and one shot kills except for my first deer. This combination of a good cast bullet of sufficient weight will totally penetrate a large whitetail from end to end. Absolutely reliable if the shooter does his part.

Dale53

 

[Snapping Twig]

Lyman 429244 (265g from WW) over 22g W296 and a WLP blew through a 160# hog like it wasn't there.

I highly advise this load.

 

[John R]

I use a 240 cast SWC Keith stile with 24.0 grains of H-110 and a Winchester primer.
Every deer I've shot with this load has been a good quick clean kill.

I use a Ruger Super Red Hawk with a 7.5 inch barrel.

 

[wbraswell]

Gosh, just call me old fashioned. I like a Keith load, a big old 250-260 grain Lyman cast SWC with a good dose of 2400 under it. (maybe a dab less than Elmer would use.) Yeah, I know, it's dirty. It'll clean up just fine. I love the smell of 2400 in the morning.... Smells like....well, you know.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

wbraswell,

Napalm and coffee!!!!

If you're old fashioned,so am I.I won't be phony and claim that I still use it but The Keith bullet backed by a healthy charge of 2400 was my standard hunting load in the 44 mag for several years.

Since then,I've gravitated to jacketed soft and hollow points for hunting as well as W296/H110 for heavy loads although I always have a batch of Keith bullets on hand.

If the woods roaming is in an area where a brain hit on a large beast may be called for,I would still use it.Cast hard,it has served me.

 

[Frank237]

Lyman #429421 over 21.0 gr of current 2400. Shoots right through most of them.

FN in MT

 

[Abflyboy]

240gr XTP on top of 24.0 gr H110. 8-3/8 model 629. Super accurate and very very deadly on everything I have hunted including elk.