44 mag bullet choices from rifle

[ldlfh7]

Going to use the H&R handi-rifle in 44 mag this year for hunting whitetail. Looking for suggestions on bullet type. I have 240 gr LSWC (hardcast), 240 beartooth deer grenade HP, 310 gr hardcast WNFP, and 300 gr Hornady XTP. I can get a decent enough grouping out of all of these when I mess with powder charges and seating depths for whitetail applications (definitely not any sub MOA groups but good enough to get bambi). Out of these choices are there any bullets which should be held in higher regard than others?

My typical hunting range is always less than 100 yards and commonly under 50 yards so I am not concerned with bullet drop or energy at long range. I would really like to use the 240 LSWC because the shoot good and I have a lot of them.
Problem is I have never used any of them on game so I don't know whether I should go for expansion or rely on a wide meplat the get the job done.

 

[PapaG]

Probably no help to you but my two 44 mag rifles, an older 94 Win and a 94 Marlin both have multigroove barrels, in fact I think the Win is the offspring of a 94W/94M liaison. Anyway, mine do not like cast much faster than 1200fps so for what little hunting I do with them I use 240 grain jhps at around 1500 fps.

 

[TimSr]

I'm speaking form a revolver perspective, but I had bad expereinces with SJHP coming aprt, so I went to the 240gr SWC which worked well, and I always got an exit wound, but when Hornady came out with the XTP it held together, they are still exiting, but doing more damage while going through than the SWC. You'd probably better off with the 300gr from your rifle to not exceed its recommended velocity.

 

[buck460XVR]

I'd try all of them and then use whichever one was the most accurate. At 50 yards outta a handi-rifle, the deer won't know the difference.

 

[Art Eatman]

240 LSWC would be my pick. Fairly large meplat and the large diameter would make a through-and-through hole, most likely.

 

[T.R.]

I've had good luck shooting a number of bullets from my 44MAG carbine:

- 200 grain Hornady produces best velocity and makes big holes inside deer
- 225 grain Hornady Leverevolution is most accurate and makes big holes inside deer
- 240 grain Sierra produces good accuracy and excellent penetration
- 270 grain Speer is accurate and always provides 100% penetration; good blood trails

TR

 

[Barry the Bear]

From a carbine or rifle a good 225 gr on up will do for my Texas whitetail which are on the smaller side. While the 300+ gr stuff is fun for the rush it just isn't needed on deer. Contrary to popular belief they are not armor plated.

 

[BigBore44]

I'm going to definitely back Mr. Eatman on this one. The 240 LSWC is more than enough for any deer to 100 yards. Expansion often equals less penetration. A through and through lets them bleed out both sides.

 

[Hookeye]

Full penetration w old Norma 236 gr JHP (hard bullet though).
Used Rem and Hornady 240 gr JHP from muzzleloaders, full penetration (except on one 200# popped through the shoulder at 125 yards).

I ran 240 Hornady from my 1894........but never saw anything big enough to shoot, and liked the Ruger auto better.

So if I drag it back out......240 gr stuff will be used. Or whittle on that one box of Norma some more.

 

[alsaqr]

Since 1999 i've killed 25-35 deer and many dozen wild hogs with .44 caliber bullets bullets fired from a .50 muzzleloader using sabots. My velocity is comparable to a load from a .44 magnum rifle; 1,650-1,800 fps for the 225 and 240 grain bullets.

The Hornady 240 grain XTP bullet has done a good job on deer and hogs for me; many have bang flopped. The Barnes 225 grain XPB bullet does an excellent job on deer and hogs. This is a monolithic bullet: This may be an issue in the magazine of a lever gun.

 

[Hookeye]

I ran the Rem 240 JHP with the big scallops.
Out of my in-lines, little hole in, and out, right where aimed.
Some deer trotted a ways, some just buckled.
Don't think they opened much if at all (even with all that exposed lead).
Killed deer dead though.

 

[redbone]

I'be had good performance with the Hornady leverevolution loads. Good expansion. Out of my Ruger 77-22, they are the only bullet that hasn't through and throughed.

 

[critter]

I have taken deer with a handgun 8 3/8" barrel using hard cast SWC's with a big flat nose. They penetrate completely through and give two holes to leak blood. Unless you break down the 'running gear' the game is not likely to drop on the spot. HOWEVER, they will not go far and you will get good blood trails.

If you gun shoots them well, they will work well.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I'm going to definitely back Mr. Eatman on this one. The 240 LSWC is more than enough for any deer to 100 yards. Expansion often equals less penetration.

Have to agree also. Bang a hole through and through the lungs, and the deer will drop pretty quick. I like to eat the heart so I go for the lungs. If you're going for a shoulder shot that lead slug will also do just fine. If a soft 225 grain .54 sphere will do fine from a muzzle loader hitting the deer in the shoulder, so will that .44 240 grain alloy bullet out to 100 yards.

LD

 

[Bowhunter57]

I shot a nice 8pt. buck that had a standing weight of over 200 lbs. and I was using a 240gr. SWC (hard cast) bullet. The bullets passed through, but did little damage and I wasn't impressed with the lack of killing power. The weapon was a Ruger Super Redhawk 9 1/2" barrel and the first shot was at 58 yards, that broke the left front shoulder. The second shot was centered in the chest at 40 yards and it knocked him off of his feet. He would've died from that shot, but I finished him quickly with another one through the lungs.

I have switched to the Hornady 240gr. XTP in a JHP. I liked the pass through ability of the SWC, but prefer the shock and killing power of the JHP bullets.

This year, I'll be using a Henry Big Boy in the Steel Frame in .44 Mag.

Bowhunter57

 

[CraigC]

A good 240gr SWC does a fine job but don't expect it to knock them down like a rifle cartridge.

 

[Snyper]

I've killed herds of deer with the 300 XTP's and never recovered but one, which penetrated almost 3 ft from right in front of the shoulder to just under the hide on the opposite ham.

That was from a muzzleloader at around 1600 fps at close to 60 yds

I've also had excellent results with the 240 XTP's in a Marlin 1894S

 

[Bull Nutria]

I have a 44mag hand rifle , i had trouble getting anything to group. I ended up with 265g Horndy FTX, this bullet has longer bearing surface and grouped best of many bullets including oversized cast bullets that i tried. it whacked deer bang flop--very good expansion from my handi rifle. i was using 18g 2400 with the 265g FTX.

I have since upgraded to a 35 Whelen in Thompon Center Encore. which is much more accurate and has better trajectory.

Bull

 

[dpowers311]

Winchester white box works good in my sons rifle but my marlin like American eagle.
Dave

 

[BudgetBucks1]

I have seen many deer taken with a 240 grain sp. The furthest I ever saw one run after being hit with that was 40 yards. I would bet the Hornady round is good but have never tried it in that caliber. I have used the Hornady leverevolution rounds and they blow a fist sized hole out the other side of the deer.