wasa
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2019
- Messages
- 43
I recently came into two boxes of Hornady #44050 44 Cal 180gr XTP pistol projectiles. I am a reloader, but I don't own a 44 or reload for 44 caliber. I do own two 50 caliber inline muzzleloaders that I use for deer hunting.
My current deer hunting load is 2x50gr equivalent IMR WhiteHots with a sabotted 45 caliber Hornady XTP 250 gr pistol projectile. I also reload for 45 Colt in my Henry Big Boy. Was thinking that I could use 44 caliber green sabots with these new-to-me projectiles and save the 45 cal 250gr projectiles for my 45 Colt rifle.
A quick internet search has me believing that I need to use 240-250 gr minimum and up to 300 gr for deer hunting with a sabotted pistol projectile. Hornady indicates on their website that these 44 cal projectiles are fine for medium game up to 300 lbs so I assume that when fired from a handgun (44 Magnum?) they are "fine" for deer at pistol velocities.
So, am I foolish for even pondering 180gr pistol projectiles out of an inline muzzleloader for deer? Or am I missing the "punch" or knockdown power of a 250-300gr projectile at muzzleloader velocities (assuming 1800-2000 ft/s)? Or would you expect the 44 projectile would just make a 0.429" hole in the deer and pass right through? Or maybe no penetration, especially if I hit bone? Obviously lots of rifles use 180gr projectiles for hunting deer/moose/bear but at a much greater velocity.
Thanks
My current deer hunting load is 2x50gr equivalent IMR WhiteHots with a sabotted 45 caliber Hornady XTP 250 gr pistol projectile. I also reload for 45 Colt in my Henry Big Boy. Was thinking that I could use 44 caliber green sabots with these new-to-me projectiles and save the 45 cal 250gr projectiles for my 45 Colt rifle.
A quick internet search has me believing that I need to use 240-250 gr minimum and up to 300 gr for deer hunting with a sabotted pistol projectile. Hornady indicates on their website that these 44 cal projectiles are fine for medium game up to 300 lbs so I assume that when fired from a handgun (44 Magnum?) they are "fine" for deer at pistol velocities.
So, am I foolish for even pondering 180gr pistol projectiles out of an inline muzzleloader for deer? Or am I missing the "punch" or knockdown power of a 250-300gr projectile at muzzleloader velocities (assuming 1800-2000 ft/s)? Or would you expect the 44 projectile would just make a 0.429" hole in the deer and pass right through? Or maybe no penetration, especially if I hit bone? Obviously lots of rifles use 180gr projectiles for hunting deer/moose/bear but at a much greater velocity.
Thanks
