.44 Mag WWB for Hunting?

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WNC Seabee

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Okay, I've tried a handful of "premier" hunting rounds for my .44 Mag (7.5" Ruger Redhawk) and am consistently getting the best results, accuracy wise, with plain old Winchester White Box 240 grain soft points.

Is this round effective on mid-sized white tails? vs. the so-called "premier" stuff? I'm always one to answer these questions with "choose the one you shoot best", which is what I'm doing here. But I also always thought that answer had the caveat of "choose the one you shoot best..OF the premier loads..."

My question is NOT..."what flavor of the month wonder round do you prefer?"

My specific question is "Is .44 Mag 240 gr. WWB a reliable round for white tail?"

Thanks, y'all.
 
If you drill them in the boiler room at an appropriate range I do not see why not. Being a soft point, it should expand just fine for ya.
 
I like them just fine for that purpose. My own experience has been with hogs, twice, both just under 200 lbs. The SJSP did just what it was supposed to do, hang together, penetrate and expand somewhat (judging from exit wounds).

They were consistently accurate for me in both revolvers and (lever)rifles. Liked them enough that my first hunting handload mimicked the WWB performance.
 
I shot a big doe last year w/Ruger 96/44 in .44 mag. I was shooting Hornady LeverEvolution. She did not take one step, but was DRT. Range was about 70 yds. Obviously a little longer bbl, but results were deadly. I have shot large hogs with .44 Mag CarBons and they didn't go 15'. I think that used within it's proper range, the twack/thump power is stunning.

But, you asked of the WWB... I have shot another doe and several hogs with it. 240gr is plenty of pop, but I did have to do some tracking. I feel certain that was my fault but didn't have the results of Hornady's.
 
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For deer hunting purposes I shun away from this ammo as if it were the plague. When I bought my Marlin 1894 SS .44 back about 5yrs ago I picked this ammo as it was cheap and accurate, which most who use this ammo also claim. If you do decide to use this ammo be prepared to find little if any spore indicating a hit on an animal. You can read about why I refuse to use this for deer hunting here bottom of page 2 http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,72168.15.html

I've since swithched to using Hornady 240gr XTP-HP over a good dose of H110, this combo is just flat out awesome on deer. I take behind the shoulder shots which is why I don't like the WWB ammo. Now if penetration is needed for use on animals such as pigs and black bear this ammo might be what your looking for.

I can't stomach losing another deer so for the reason explained in my link above I'll never use this on ammo on deer again.
 
I tend to choose a jacketed soft point for whitetail hunting with either the 41 mag or 44 mag. Should work just fine. Your ability to hit your target with this load exceeds any rationale on bullet choice for whitetails.
 
I use Buffalo Bore or Grizzly 260-300 grain in my .45 colt Blackhawk, 7.5" bbl. 260 grain JHP for deer, 300 grain cast for hogs and CCI ratshot for rattlers.
 
i love the the 180 sp here in vermont not for hunting but i love them in my S&W 629=6" vary accurate
 
I think it would work great on whitetail since they are soft/thin skinned. should penetrate and expand. I use these rounds on my .22-250 and 6.5 and I think it is the best factory hunting ammo out there. I dont believe in all that fancy ammo out there, this and Remington Core Lokts have proven themselves for years.
 
===i love the the 180 sp here in vermont not for hunting but i love them in my S&W 629=6" vary accurate....(sorry i have never used them for hunting)
 
It's a good load for whitetail, yes. Carried that in my Vaquero for years.

These days I prefer the 300gr SP ammo from Prvi Partizan, but those 240 WWB's are no slouches.
 
If you load your own look at Handguner mag on line. Im useing a 240 hard cast bullet and then I modifie them by useing a drill press and make them into a HP. works great on deer and pigs good expancion and penatration. I have a 44 cal entrence and a quater to 1/2 dollar exit hole so far not much of a tracking job. I shoot a SBH and a good dose of 2400 under it. im getting around 1200 fps. This works for me dont know about you..
 
My specific question is "Is .44 Mag 240 gr. WWB a reliable round for white tail?"


Yes, they are. One of the best reasons for you to use them is right here in your post......

Okay, I've tried a handful of "premier" hunting rounds for my .44 Mag (7.5" Ruger Redhawk) and am consistently getting the best results, accuracy wise, with plain old Winchester White Box 240 grain soft points.
 
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