.44 mag hunting loads

[livingt_o_hunt]

I’ve always wanted a nice single action revolver, and recently came across a great deal on a barely used Ruger super blackhawk 5.5” in .44 mag. I’ve never really done any handgun hunting, but I’ve always been interested in it, especially for black bears. I encounter bears up close pretty frequently, especially when I’m hunting grouse in the fall, and I think it would be pretty fun to take one with a revolver if the right opportunity presented itself.

Obviously the heavy hardcasts are the pick for penetration only and they’re interesting, but I’m thinking a simple 240 gr Hornady XTP or other expanding bullet would do a lot more damage on a heart/lung shot. I know some folks here have taken a decent amount of game with the .44 rem mag, what works?

I’ve always wanted a nice single action revolver, and recently came across a great deal on a barely used Ruger super blackhawk 5.5” in .44 mag. I’ve never really done any handgun hunting, but I’ve always been interested in it, especially for black bears. I encounter bears up close pretty frequently, especially when I’m hunting grouse in the fall, and I think it would be pretty fun to take one with a revolver if the right opportunity presented itself.

Obviously the heavy hardcasts are the pick for penetration only and they’re interesting, but I’m thinking a simple 240 gr Hornady XTP or other expanding bullet would do a lot more damage on a heart/lung shot. I know some folks here have taken a decent amount of game with the .44 rem mag, what works?

 

[Dan O]

Mono Metal Bullets…A multi year Study

I am always looking for the best mouse trap available. Hunting costs a good bit of money and takes a considerable investment of time; I never want my gear to hold me back. When handgun hunting, I a…

handgunhuntingafield.blog

This is a really good read!!

This is the individual that wrote about his experience with these bullets. His results are very positive and he backs them up with the photos. I think they may be a great option.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Mono Metal Bullets…A multi year Study

I am always looking for the best mouse trap available. Hunting costs a good bit of money and takes a considerable investment of time; I never want my gear to hold me back. When handgun hunting, I a…

handgunhuntingafield.blog

This is a really good read!!

I am pretty sure that our own @HandgunHunter is the author. His results with the CE bullets look really good.

 

[Walkathon]

Not sure if it's relevant, but I shot a lot of deer with the 240 GR .44 mag XTP out of a sabot with my .50 cal muzzleloader and they worked really well.

 

[HandgunHunter]

Yes that’s my article. I have been lucky to take a bunch of game with handguns and over the last few years I made the move to all mono metal.

The last couple hunts covered in that article wrapped up who I thought the best was. The CEB has out performed every single expanding bullet I have used. And the wound channels are amazing.

Just make sure one of the four petals doesn’t end up in the meat grinder!

In all transparency…..after that article and a few years of sending CEB dead animal pictures…..I ended up on their prostaff. Actually I believe I am their only prostaff. After finishing that long experiment I don’t think I could go back to another bullet….the total performance is amazing.

My load data is published on the blog as well as my loading practices with CEB’s blessing. Th load data is a living document that I keep adding to.

Just got done pushing some distance on chucks with them.

Backcountry Rock Chucks
I had to do a bit of elk scouting for our group cow elk handgun hunt coming up this fall so I decided to pair it up with some rock chucking!



I set…

http://handgunhuntingafield.blog/2024/06/21/backcountry-rock-chucks/

 

[MTLabrador]

Does anyone have a good (available) powder substitute for Unique for some lighter recoil general purpose loads? I picked up a 500 pack of Oregon trail cast SWCs and plan to load up a ton of them to some .45 ACP level loads for practice, plinking, and packing around the ranch. I’m leaning towards Titegroup at the moment but I’m open to suggestions.

I also loaded some Montana bullet works 240 grain hard cast WFN with gas checks over a stout load of H110 as my heavy duty load for old Ephraim. Lots of penetration but still more shootable than the 300 grainers, and more usable for hunting too.

 

[Jbotto]

Does anyone have a good (available) powder substitute for Unique for some lighter recoil general purpose loads? I picked up a 500 pack of Oregon trail cast SWCs and plan to load up a ton of them to some .45 ACP level loads for practice, plinking, and packing around the ranch. I’m leaning towards Titegroup at the moment but I’m open to suggestions.

I also loaded some Montana bullet works 240 grain hard cast WFN with gas checks over a stout load of H110 as my heavy duty load for old Ephraim. Lots of penetration but still more shootable than the 300 grainers, and more usable for hunting too.

First time I couldn’t find Unique I switched to Universal. Used lots of that underneath 158gr SWC from Missouri Bullets in my .357.

 

[95tigerbill]

My kids can shoot the 44 single shot pretty effectively and it shoots best with the hot 300 grain xtp loads I developed years ago for a super red hawk.

 

[MTLabrador]

Smith & Wesson double actions are 300% sexier with wood grips. She’s going bear hunting this weekend to back up the .270. I might be able to get close enough in the berries to take a shot with the .44.