44 Mag. WWYL?

[rwc101]

Prepping to start loading for my new revolver. A dual purpose bear defense/hunting load would be cool if doable. Haven't tried casting bullets before, but it's an option.

What would you load?

 

[EastTNHunter]

I like cast bullets for 44 and above. Hole is already big enough, and more expansion could cause inadequate penetration on game. 240gr and above is best, preferably a Keith style bullet with a sharp shoulder and wide meplat

 

[noharleyyet]

265 gr Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game Mono Metal should knock your sig line out of em.

 

[BAKPAKR]

What would you plan on hunting with it? When I was after deer and black bears, I used JHPs. I usually carried hard cast bullets when I was after elk. Today, I would be pretty comfortable using a Swift A-Frame for anything.

 

[rwc101]

265 gr Buffalo Bore Dangerous Game Mono Metal should knock your sig line out of em.

And me.

 

[rwc101]

What would you plan on hunting with it? When I was after deer and black bears, I used JHPs. I usually carried hard cast bullets when I was after elk. Today, I would be pretty comfortable using a Swift A-Frame for anything.

It would be cool to get an elk with a revolver, but I have hard enough time getting within rifle range of them. Definitely whitetail whenever I move back east.

 

[375H&H]

225 gr Barnes XPB. Accuracy is paramount for protection and hunting over hardness, weight, etc. IMO.

 

[Addicting]

I used Hornady XTPs and performance was miserable. Be great for self protection as they turned into a half dollar size disc and did not exit. But for a bear I would do hard cast.

 

[Potsie]

I’ve been eye balling the 205 gr Jack Hammers, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I have a hard time imagining that wouldn’t be deadly on a whitetail.

Currently loading 240 gr SWC over blue dot and 305 hard cast for go.

It’s a fun caliber to load for, you can take it up to Elmer Keith power (volume to 11 style) or bring it way to popper status.

 

[44hunter45]

Lots of 44 Mag bullet and loading threads out there. I've taken several deer with revolvers. (Hence my handle...)

For years I used 300 Grain XTPs. They shed jackets, but kill. I now load a 240ish grain Keith style boolit with a HP cavity in 44 Mag. I don't water drop them. I shoot for around 12 BHN hardness. I am looking for the same mold in .454". Important to note that these may not punch a bear skull.

I don't like the Buffalo Bullets after a couple of bad experiences. Good for defense, but I found that they penciled through on deer.
For Deer, almost any expandable will work. For Elk, you need some more penetration, but expect slower kills either way. I am loading 300 grain A-Frames in 44 Mag and 45 Colt for Elk.

I think, eventually, we will be forced to abandon lead bullets by law. The Hammers look interesting to me as well.

 

[Mallardsx2]

225 Grain Cast Bullets (powder coated)
Sitting on 20 grains of H110 and a Large Remington Pistol Primer.

Works for me. I have fired hundreds of these and they are accurate as I can be with a pistol.


Side Note: I don't get hung up on how hard the bullets are. I use range scrap and cast them and drop them into a bucket of water. Then I push them through a sizing die, set them out in the sun for a day or so to dry and then I powder coat them. They look pretty cool actually.

These will shoot right through a RR tie....

 

[Jbotto]

I haven’t hotrodded my .44 or even shot more than a hundred or so true magnum loads. But everyone with a .44 mag owes it to themselves to shoot a nice load with a 240gr LSWC with a midrange charge of Unique or Universal. It’s my go-to load for lots of fun with my Ruger. I even bring it when developing loads to shoot in between groups while my rifle cools off. Fun to knock steel around out past 100 yards with it. I wouldn’t be nervous using it on a deer either at most handgun ranges.

 

[Redman]

Yep 220 and up hard cast.