44 special for deer??

[johnnyjr]

Ok,I admit I can't handel the mag very well,old and weak..
So my question is this..What velocity would be good for deer in Pa at ,lets say 50 yards..I have 240 gr xtp's and lots of cast 255 smc.. I tried the 44 mag but after a few shots I think I get to twitching and itchion...lol
I just don't want wound a deer and never find it..Searched all over the web for info on this and find nothing..This will be all woods hunting and I use a range finder..Just tired of dragging a rifle..Thanks..Johnnyjr

 

[Protocall_Design]

If you think about it, anything that will kill a person will kill a deer. The key in all situations with live targets is shot placement. You have to be able to reliably hit a certain area for a clean kill.
I would say the 240 XTP or 255 cast at over 1000 FPS will be fine. Others may have different opinions.

 

[andy52]

Some of this will depend on what gun your using. Ruger single actions are built like tanks and can handle pretty heavy loads others not so much.
Here's a good article to read that might help you decide.

43. RELOADING THE 20TH CENTURY 44s

 

[Fishinfool]

Johnnyjr - Like Protocall Design said above, whitetail deer are not hard to kill with a handgun.

Deer hunting with a handgun here in PA and elsewere is a hobby I have enjoyed for years, so a couple thoughts.

A hard cast bullet of 240 grains or more will shoot clean thru a buck on broadside shots at 1000 fps, or slightly less. I have taken a number of deer with said bullets loaded at 950 fps cleanly out of .44's and .45 acp's, I just limit my range to under 50 yards, and don't attempt "raking" shots. As is usual with such bullets and velocities, don't expect a deer to drop in its tracks unless you hit the CNS, they usually run a short bit before bleeding out.

Either bullet you noted will work, but you wont get a lot, if any, expansion from the XTP at that velocity. My personal favorite deer load is the XTP at about 1250 - 1300 fps, where they expand well and penetrate deep. I am not sure what a "smc" bullet is, but when using hard cast, something with a sharp shoulder like a SWC, or a large meta plate like a wide flat nose bullet does better than a rounded profile.

The most important factor, really, is your ability to place your shot accurately into the heart / lung region. If your personal ability is say, only 25 yards, then so be it. Practice, practice, practice... I limit myself to my ability to consistently keep 6 shots on a paper plate from field positions. That varies depending on the gun and sighting arrangement. Don't try shots you know you cant make, and you should be fine.

Larry

 

[johnnyjr]

sorry that's is swc keith style...revolver is Taurus 44...

 

[johnnyjr]

Johnnyjr - Like Protocall Design said above, whitetail deer are not hard to kill with a handgun.

Deer hunting with a handgun here in PA and elsewere is a hobby I have enjoyed for years, so a couple thoughts.

A hard cast bullet of 240 grains or more will shoot clean thru a buck on broadside shots at 1000 fps, or slightly less. I have taken a number of deer with said bullets loaded at 950 fps cleanly out of .44's and .45 acp's, I just limit my range to under 50 yards, and don't attempt "raking" shots. As is usual with such bullets and velocities, don't expect a deer to drop in its tracks unless you hit the CNS, they usually run a short bit before bleeding out.

Either bullet you noted will work, but you wont get a lot, if any, expansion from the XTP at that velocity. My personal favorite deer load is the XTP at about 1250 - 1300 fps, where they expand well and penetrate deep. I am not sure what a "smc" bullet is, but when using hard cast, something with a sharp shoulder like a SWC, or a large meta plate like a wide flat nose bullet does better than a rounded profile.

The most important factor, really, is your ability to place your shot accurately into the heart / lung region. If your personal ability is say, only 25 yards, then so be it. Practice, practice, practice... I limit myself to my ability to consistently keep 6 shots on a paper plate from field positions. That varies depending on the gun and sighting arrangement. Don't try shots you know you cant make, and you should be fine.

Larry

what size plate you use..i am shooting at 6 inch plates and hitting at 50 yds,from a rest...I was kind of thinking around 800 to 900 fps....

 

[rkrcpa]

Skeeter's load of 7.5grs of Unique and the 250gr SWC is all you will need in Pennsylvania.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

rkrcpa said everything you need to know about killing deer with a .44 Special .

 

[LoboGunLeather]

If your state's game laws allow the use of .44 Special for deer hunting I see no reason not to do so. As has been noted, a good .44 Special load will usually shoot completely through a deer from side-to-side.

I am not a big advocate of expanding bullets. I am a strong advocate of good shot placement.

Many years ago I was assigned to cull the deer herd at a major Georgia US Army post, due to damage to landscaping in the quarters areas and golf course. I used an issued M1911A1 with 230-grain FMJ ammo, an open jeep, and a spotlight. Over the course of a month or so I took out a few hundred whitetails, most shot through the heart-lung area at ranges under 25 yards. Never lost a single one and never used a second shot. Every one of those deer were field-dressed and given to soldiers to take home and feed their families.

No reason that a .44 Special with just about any bullet from 200-250 grains at 800-plus FPS won't do the job as well as anything, within the limits of the shooter.

 

[cjwils]

Dear are tougher than you think. I have seen deer keep running when hit by shots that would immediately drop a person. I am disappointed at how often various gun forums get into discussions about shooting deer with relatively wimpy loads. Please do not try to hunt deer with a relatively wimpy load unless you are certain you can always make a perfect shot. If you will be using handloads for 44 special, you can load it up to nearly magnum levels, if your gun can take that.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

Shot placement is key with a handgun, but I think the same applies with a 300winmag but to a different degree. There have been a lot of deer hunted legally and killed humanly with 357mag and 45 acp. We always agree that 357mag=44spc=45acp.

 

[Nevada Ed]

When younger and in good shape without any shooting problems..............

I killed deer with a smaller 357 Magnum, so your 44 will work just fine if...
the bullet is well placed in the body section.
Try to avoid neck and shoulder bone placements which can make for a bad day
due to just a nick or lack of bullet penetration, that could mean a lost animal.

One does need some type of "Sights" that will produce a 4-6" group , or less if possible at 50 yards for best results.

Have fun.

 

[Eddietruett]

I think a good 44 special bullet for deer would be the 185 gr lead HP from GT Bullets. I've used the 185gr Lead HP they sell for .357 and it works great. Haven't been able to try one on a deer but did shoot a coyote with one loaded to about 1250 fps. Expanded great and made a very nice exit hole. Dropped in its tracks. I've found that GT makes a very good lead bullet. I did get a minor bit of leading when developing a load that was accurate, but I was able to shoot 25-30 rounds before I felt it was time to clean the barrel. Now that I got it dialed in, I only shoot 5-6 here and there to make sure the red dot is still where it should be. No problem keeping them on a 6" target at 75 yards off a rest.

 

[diyj98]

The 44 special will work just fine. I've killed them with 357's, broadheads, and solid balls from muzzle loaders. If you hit them in the vitals they're dead fairly quickly. You could shoot one in the rear end or guts with a 458 Winchester magnum and he might not die for days if he even dies then.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

It worked fine on these two Alabama whitetails. 240 cast SWC-HP at about 950 fps.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Go for it!.......I once killed one with a .22 snubbie.

 

[Rpg]

The semiwadcutter cast hard is your best choice as far as bullet. 900 fps is plenty velocity for deer in a 44 special.

I’ve killed some of our mule deer (statues of limitation have long since run) with Colt 1911s in 45acp, using a H&G #68 hard cast swc.

Expanding bullets don’t expand at pistol velocities: you need a pretty hot Magnum for them to work. You don’t want the blast and recoil of those things and you don’t need them.

Of course you have to hit what you’re aiming at, but you’ll be a much better shot with a manageable 44 special with hard cast swc bullets at 900 FPS than you will with more velocity.

 

[mtgianni]

Elmer Keith considered hard cast to be 1 in 12 tin in lead or 1 in 16. You don't want a bullet hard as linotype that can shatter just enough to upset a little and penetrate. Get two holes, let some warm blood out and some cold air in.

 

[johnnyjr]

ok, I appreciate you comments.i have a pretty decent load worked up..only thing is it is hitting about 3 inch high at 25 yards with no time to get back to the range..do you pros think it is ok to leave it like this..our senior season opens this Thursday.Tomorrow and the next day are busy days here at the apartment complex..several work orders plus rain in the forecast..thanks..didn't chrono the loads but i'm guessing 900 fps..

 

[cjwils]

I am concerned that 3" high at 25 yards might be 6" high at 50 yards before it starts to drop. I am just guessing about that. Anyone else want to comment?