44 mag rifle

[grtwhthntr]

I'm considering buying a handi-rifle in 44mag. Can anyone share their experiences hunting deer with this caliber? Are there certain bullets that are better than others? I do not handload, so will be shooting factory rounds. Rifle will be used only for deer and shots will be around 125 yards or less (usually much less).

 

[billbuchholz]

44 hunting gun

I often use a 94 Winchester 44 mag for deer in a stand. Remington 240g ammo works well.HTH

 

[Shawnee]

Any of the standard 180gr., 200gr., or 240gr. jacketed bullets from any of the ammo makers will work fine. Some cast lead bullets in the same weights work well too but I haven't used them personally.

I have killed several deer with My Ruger .44 revolver with bullets in the 180gr. and 200gr. weights and both hollow-point and soft-point design, and have had good results every time. A rifle should produce good results at 125-150yds. as well.

Good luck !

 

[Asherdan]

Before I started reloading for my Marlin 1894 I used the Winchester 'USA' 240g SJSP ammo. Accurate for my buddies two 1894's as well as mine. Killed several deer and pigs with that ammo, no problems. Chronographs at just over 1700 fps out of my 20" barrel. Would work fine out of your Handi if it's accurate for you. I would also look at the Hornady 240g XTP loading. Shot well for a range partner and I reload the XTP bullet with very good results.

You got a good excuse to try out some new ammo types and see what shoots best in your Handi.

 

[cottonmouth]

Forty Four Magnum

Most any jacketed .44 magnum bullet will do fine. I load 240 grain XTP's for my Marlin and 300's too. If you can place the bullet in the right spot a .44 is good medicine for deer.

J.B.

 

[bullockcm]

I have done the same with my Marlin as Asherdan. Started with the 240gr SJSP Winchester load, however I avereged 1796fps. I now reload, tried to duplicate the performance of the Winchester load, currently sending a 240gr SJSP down range @ 1740fps. Not max but is accurate so I will probably stick with it.

Handi Rifle, before I bought my Marlin I was looking at having a .44mag barrel added to my .223 handi. At the time the .44 barrels had a reputation for poor accuracy due to a larger than standard bore. You may want to check for more information @ graybeards forum on the handi rifle in .44 mag to see if anything has changed.

cmb

 

[Ranger J]

I shoot a 44 Handi. It does present some challenges as to accuracy, at least mine did. I originally had one of the old ejector 44s and never did get it to shoot accurately. The problem with that barrel was that the bore was .432 and most bullets are .429. Finally gave up on it and sold it to someone that was goin to convert it to a 445 super mag. I then bought one of the newer barrels. They had tightened the bore some and that helped. The problem with it is that the twist is 1 in 30 and that kind of limits the weight of bullets that can be shot accurately. I reload but these loads are available over the counter. I find mine shoots best with a full load of powder (H110) under a Hornady XTP bullet. With the slow twist it really likes the lighter bullets. It will shoot ragged holes at 50 yards with the 180 gr XTPs and also will shoot the 240 OK. The 180s might be a little light for deer, I don't know. All I have shot them at is paper. In another forum someone remarked that they take deer down "like Thor's hammer". These are just my experiences others may have different ones.

RJ

 

[grtwhthntr]

Thanks for the info guys.