Heavy .44 Bullets

[old pipefitter]

I want to load some Heavyweight .44's for a Ruger Alaskan for a trip to Alaska. I have 300 XTP'S, 270 Speer DC. Or i can order some Swift 280 or 300 grain, Hawk 265 or 300. Its not a S&W but I dont want to beat up my Smiths. What do you guys think would be the toughest bullet for an large toothed animal in AK.

 

[Maurice H]

I don't want an expanding bullet for big bear/moose defense. It's more likely to deflect, come apart. Don't care about extra 1/8" of width. I equate expansion with emphasis on increased soft tissue damage>>bleed>>slow stop. But not so good for depth, on bone or when seconds count.

Straight-line and deep penetration with intact bullet for a fast stop. I'll take a heavy, WFN HC. Montana Bullet Works has several excellent choices.

 

[peppercorn]

This is what I have been using in my 629 with no ill effects to the pistol, whatsoever.

It's a great load, accurate , dependable penetration and doesn't snap your hand and wrist.


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[dla]

The 300gr XTPs will work great if you drive them hard enough(1100fps), otherwise they'll behave like hardcast and drill a 1/2" hole a long ways.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Pistols might work but...........

A friend that taught at the Nevada University, was invited to go to Alaska to do a fish study, which he accepted.
In order for him to "Qualify" to do the test, he has to pass a shooting test
that called for a 12 Ga. pump, loaded with "Slugs", on moving and standing targets.

He passed but had a sore, purple shoulder.

They felt that a pistol was not enough medicine for bear.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

With 300(or so?)gr hard cast, flat nosed & gas checked bullets at 1200fps...?

That sounds like a job for WIN 296 or H110!

Cheers!

 

[Forrest r]

The real question is how much velocity do you think you're going to get out of that short bbl'd pistol with those heavy slow bullets???

With a 3" bbl a lot of mag powders don't do very well & need at least 4"+ to perform at a high level.

 

[old pipefitter]

I'm going to order some 300 and 340 grain WFNGC bullets from Montana bullet. The only place that has anything in stock. After i slug my barrel

 

[pantannojack]

I used to load Hornady 260g's in my Stainless Super Blackhawk over 296 until my ejector rod housing fell off.

 

[twodog max]

Enjoy the Alaska trip. Great place. I got to get back

 

[fredj338]

I a, not a huge fan of 300gr & up but if headed up against a bib yogi & my choice were a 44mag, then 270-300gr wide nose cast fkat points would be my choice.

 

[jerry52]

I've had good luck with 340 hard cast over 296, but a little erratic in low temperatures

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Just under 40 years ago I bought a box of Barns Original 300 grain soft points. No other 300 grain jacketed bullets out there back then. They came with loading data "Not Safe For Double Action Revolvers!" I loaded up 20 of the 50 bullets in once fired S&W 44 mag brass with a Very Compressed load of WW296 and CCI large pistol mag primer.

I shot several out of my ported Super 14 Contender into 8x8x16 hollow concrete blocks (2 compartment) at about 20 yards, The blocks shattered into fist size pieces and flew in all directions about 40 yards. This included in my direction, I could actually watch the chunks go over my head about 10 feet above me! The last block wad a 3 compartment block that I shot square to me on the 8x8 face. When I fired, the end was just sitting there with a 1 1/2" hole in it. I assumed I had just shot a hole through it lengthwise. I walked up to it and all that was left of the block beyond that end was dust and a small amount of gravel. I had vaporized the rest of the block.

I gave 6 of the rounds to a friend with a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk, he fired 3 into a 2" group at 100 yards. He made that his Moose, Elk, and Grizzly Load.

I was organizing the ammo shelf about 3 months ago and found the Barns box and a tray of 8 of the loaded rounds. They are carefully marked so I don't accidentally shoot them in one of my model 29's.

Ivan