Out of the 3 cartridges for shots 100yards and under what would you pick and why? Currently have a Handi Rifle in 44mag that shoots 240gr XTP great but I wouldnt consider it a 100yard deer gun. It always seems to rain around here during gun season and I need something synthetic. Probably going to top it with a 3-9 Leupold Freedom.
44mag, 450BM, 350L.
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earlthegoat2
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Won’t need that much scope.
For your purposes I would go 44 Mag.
350L ammo is most available around me though so that may be a factor.
I have used both 450 BM and 44 Mag at those ranges and both seem to be equally effective. 450 BM will reach out further if need be.
For your purposes I would go 44 Mag.
350L ammo is most available around me though so that may be a factor.
I have used both 450 BM and 44 Mag at those ranges and both seem to be equally effective. 450 BM will reach out further if need be.
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I hear great things about the other cartridges but I always go to the 44 mag for anything within 150yrds.
I also agree with earlthegoat2 that a 3-9 is too much scope, I've tried it a few times and it never lasted more than 2 shooting sessions.in my opinion a ~2.5x fixed scope is a perfect balance for close up and stretching it out to its full potential. I don't have the best eyes so red dots only get me to ~75yrds. Everyone's eyes/abilities very greatly so these are just personal preference
I also agree with earlthegoat2 that a 3-9 is too much scope, I've tried it a few times and it never lasted more than 2 shooting sessions.in my opinion a ~2.5x fixed scope is a perfect balance for close up and stretching it out to its full potential. I don't have the best eyes so red dots only get me to ~75yrds. Everyone's eyes/abilities very greatly so these are just personal preference
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Varminterror
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The 350L has logistical issues not befalling the others. The 44mag has far greater market prevalence than the others. In a fast twist rifle, I’d rather have the 44mag than the other two.
someguy2800
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I would recommend a 350 legend because it makes the most logical sense and then I would walk right over my own advice and buy a 450 bushmaster just because I like big bores.
someguy2800
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I would also think about reaming your 44 handi rifle out to 445 super mag.
mcb
Member
I have both a 44 Mag in a 16-inch M92 lever gun (and 6.5-inch revolver) and 450 Bushmaster in a 20-inch AR. I like both and would use both out to 100 yards with confidence. That said the 450 Bushmaster is significantly more gun than 44 mag. But it's hard to beat the 16-inch M92 for being light and handy in rough terrain.
I am fairy intrigued by 350 Legend and if I had a rifle rated 9mm/357 mag suppressor it could replace a lot of what I do with both my 450 Bushmaster and 300 Blackout. But alas I have a 30 cal suppressor and thus 300 BO get used for quite and 450 BM/44mag gets used for straightwall hunting.
I am fairy intrigued by 350 Legend and if I had a rifle rated 9mm/357 mag suppressor it could replace a lot of what I do with both my 450 Bushmaster and 300 Blackout. But alas I have a 30 cal suppressor and thus 300 BO get used for quite and 450 BM/44mag gets used for straightwall hunting.
Yup!
The only reason I haven't snagged a 450 Bushmaster at this point is because I have to set up the load for it. I'm already set up to load the 350 legend which overrides my preference for the larger board diameter.
In terms of function I don't think there'll be a huge difference unless you're pushing the envelope on game hunted and really need the extra bullet weight of the 450...... And have a platform that you can deliver it from with full performance value.
WestKentucky
Member
I am assuming you are in a straight-wall only state.
I have used 44 mag on a 2 yr old whitetail buck at 120 yards. Bullet clipped near shoulder, passed through chest mushrooming to about 3/4 inch or so. Bullet stopped under the skin. Deer went about 10 yards from the time of the shot til the time he went down.
I only know 1 person shooting a 350 legend. He is not very impressed with it on pork. He has made a serious mess of the field with blood all over and not found a few pigs. He has nearly gone back to the 35 rem and 357 mag.
450 BM is the one I want! I know a couple guys who hunt with it and I have seen what it will do on black bear and big whitetail. The damage is impressive
I have used 44 mag on a 2 yr old whitetail buck at 120 yards. Bullet clipped near shoulder, passed through chest mushrooming to about 3/4 inch or so. Bullet stopped under the skin. Deer went about 10 yards from the time of the shot til the time he went down.
I only know 1 person shooting a 350 legend. He is not very impressed with it on pork. He has made a serious mess of the field with blood all over and not found a few pigs. He has nearly gone back to the 35 rem and 357 mag.
450 BM is the one I want! I know a couple guys who hunt with it and I have seen what it will do on black bear and big whitetail. The damage is impressive
Yep. I have a 45-70 that I love deer hunting with but we get 9 days to gun hunt and it usually rains 7-8 of those. I am tired of taking all the wood off, scope off and oiling and cleaning the Marlin. I have the handi rifle which has dropped 2 deer so far. One I saw the blood trail and entrance and exit on a nice buck and it was a mess. 40-50yard shot though. Shot a doe and coyote with a 450 about 100yards for each shot and coyote dropped, doe was found with good blood. Although, my buddy used the same 450 and hit a doe in the shoulder blade and the FTX blew up. Cabelas has an axis in 350 for $250 right now so i thought about grabbing a cheap rifle I could use in the rain and not care. Just figured I would get everyones idea and go from there. I may just throw a leupold on my 44 rifle and save some money.
sabbfan
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I’ve used a Henry 44 mag the last several years on whitetail and haven’t been disappointed. Longest shot was 130 yards on a doe, dropped where it stood with the bullet taking out the front leg on the exit. Everything else has been 50-100 yards and none have gone more than 20 yards with all being double lunged. I reload the 44 for both the rifle and a Ruger SRH I use during Iowa’s late muzzleloader which allows center fire pistol with the same 240 XTP load. Allows me to put plenty of ammo down range during the year in preparation for the season.
I think it'd be more interesting if you added .45 Colt and .454 Casull to the list as well. I have JM marked Marlins in .357 Mag, .45 Colt and .45-70 Govt. and would love a .454 Casull. I used to shoot the .45 Colt at 100 yards regularly and it's a bit of beast so I can only imagine how effective a .454 Casull would be. Once Ruger has the Marlin line figured out I think I'll pick up a .44 Mag 1894. I have an AR15 in .450 Bushmaster as well as a Ruger American Ranch Rifle chambered for the same round heading my way. There's something really neat about big bore firearms whether they're rifles, revolvers or pistols.
I have a Burris FFIII red-dot on my Marling 1894 in 44 mag. I consider it a 100 yard max set up. The open design of the sight and the red-dot make target acquisition lighting fast. I took a deer that came running straight under my stand with only a couple seconds notice.
IMHO, the .44 mag is a fantastic cartridge for deer under 100 yards. The only problem with it is the stupidity of different SAAMI twist rate standards in rifle vs. pistol. The twist is much too slow in the rifle. Some rifles have difficulty stabilizing even 240 grain bullets let alone the heavies. I would grab my .44 mag first if I knew that I wouldn't have any shots over 75 yards, but most times I leave it home because I have more accurate rifles.
IMHO, the .44 mag is a fantastic cartridge for deer under 100 yards. The only problem with it is the stupidity of different SAAMI twist rate standards in rifle vs. pistol. The twist is much too slow in the rifle. Some rifles have difficulty stabilizing even 240 grain bullets let alone the heavies. I would grab my .44 mag first if I knew that I wouldn't have any shots over 75 yards, but most times I leave it home because I have more accurate rifles.
BreechFace
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450 BM here, load it down load it up. More versatility than the 44mag which would be my second pick.
But your location makes a big difference to the choice. Where I’m at elk and moose are a potential which would beg the 450bm.
But your location makes a big difference to the choice. Where I’m at elk and moose are a potential which would beg the 450bm.
Jerry M
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MD went straight wall last year. I caught a .450 Bushmaster upper on sale at MidwayUSA. I bought it because of the ballistic over .350 L and .44 Magnum, and because the left says nobody needs an AR to hunt deer. Don't want to be politically, but that was part of the reason. Killed two deer with it. I believe I can use it in Delaware, as they removed restrictions on ARs. I need to verify that information. I also can use it for hogs down south. Nothing wrong with the other two, .450 B just gives me a more powerful cartridge.
Got to see what a 450 and 350 could do today. 450 left a blood trail a blind man could follow and dropped the deer in its tracks taking out a lung. 350 on 2 deer ran 50-60yards and the amount of blood was okay but not great. Getting kind of tired lugging my 1895 through the deer woods and that metal gets cold holding it.
BreechFace
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450 Bushmaster is no joke. Even out west here it has a great role in areas of thick cover where distances are 200 yards and in.
Fine Figure of a Man
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I have taken a number of deer with my 44 mag SRH. All using 240 grain bullets, mostly XTP's. Very effective, many have been over 100 yards and I don't recall ever losing a deer I have shot with it.
I assembled an AR in 450 BM a few years ago and have taken about a half dozen deer with it. 250 FTX over Lilgun very accurate out to 200, maybe a bit more.Also a very handy rifle to carry.
I assembled an AR in 450 BM a few years ago and have taken about a half dozen deer with it. 250 FTX over Lilgun very accurate out to 200, maybe a bit more.Also a very handy rifle to carry.
sevt_chevelle
Member
450.
They don't make a 44 mag AR and 350 legend just doesn't impress me.
I hunt in Iowa, a straight wall state, have no desire hunt with a lever or bolt.
I have a Ruger 44 auto 44 mag, great gun it puts a smack down but am not dragging that thing out in the woods.
They don't make a 44 mag AR and 350 legend just doesn't impress me.
I hunt in Iowa, a straight wall state, have no desire hunt with a lever or bolt.
I have a Ruger 44 auto 44 mag, great gun it puts a smack down but am not dragging that thing out in the woods.
In a straight-wall state I would pick the .350, it's the most sensible choice. It's a thutty-thutty for states where you can't have one. The .44 Mag has less range, more recoil, and the .450 BM is expensive, kicks hard, totally unnecessary for shooting whitetail deer.
Now what would I pick? An 1892 in .44.
Now what would I pick? An 1892 in .44.
Steve Milbocker
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Deer in my opinion don’t take a lot of power to kill. I’ve had good success with the 45 Colt in an 1873 Winchester and an 1885 Winchester in 44 Mag. Also a 629 in 44 mag. However I only chose these calibers because I used to live in a limited straight wall only area of Michigan. I don’t have any experience with the 350 or 450 but if I could have acquired these rifles in one of those calibers I probably would have tried the 450 from what I’ve read.
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Fine Figure of a Man
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Why not?
They don't, nor do most animals when shot in the right place.
sevt_chevelle
Member
Because it's a irreplaceable rifle with hard to find parts.
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