Elk hunting with a .44 Mag Handgun

[joshk-k]

Greetings all!

I am interested in the possibility of hunting elk with a handgun this fall. With all due respect for questions of distance and shot placement, I just want to ascertain that a .44 Mag is an appropriate cartridge for such an undertaking. At a distance of 50-60 yards, that seems like it should have enough knock-down power, right?

I'm looking at a used Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel. How easy is it to mount a scope on this gun?

Thanks for any help you collectively provide!

Josh

 

[Art Eatman]

Your limit, basically, is how far you can reliably hit the end of a beer can either offhand or from a field-rest position.

Easy enough for a competent gunsmith to set up the revolver for a scope.

A good load would be a hard-cast bullet around 250 grains, with a large meplat.

 

[joshk-k]

What is a meplat?

 

[c01]

Your good to go with a 44. A pie plate was my distance target. I got to sixty with consistent hits. Shot the cow at 20. A passthrough with 300 grain Hornady.

D

 

[joshk-k]

Got it: The end of a bullet.

I don't reload, nor at this time do I have any experience with a .44. I assume I can buy factory ammo that's appropriate?

cO1: You mean you got to 60 yards, hitting a pie plate consistently?

Josh

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I assume I can buy factory ammo that's appropriate?

You absolutely can. No problem. The .44 mag isn't like the .45 Colt. I love the .45 but most factory ammo is watered down. Not so with your choice.

 

[Art Eatman]

josh-k, I reload, so I don't know the specialty commercial brands. Try the folks in the Revolver forum. "Buffalo Bore" is one brand which comes to mind, but I'd guess that there are others...

 

[T.R.]

I killed this cow elk with my 357 MAG revolver using plain 158 grain hollow tip ammo by PMC. First shot went straight through the chest organs. Second shot struck further back but ripped across the diaphragm and tore a thumb sized hole through the liver. Distance was approx 50 feet.

In my opinion, hunting elk with a revolver is for those hunters who restrict their shots to archery distance. This takes patience, skill, and a bit of luck. A far better choice is a .308 carbine or 30-06 rifle shooting 180 grain bullets. Lethal distance is extended to approx 300 yards or so.

Speer 270 grain soft tip bullet is a very good choice for shooting truly big game with your 44 MAG.

Good hunting to you.

TR

 

[tikka-guy]

Buffalo Bore has a reputation for loading their ammo fairly hot. Looking at their offerings though, I don't know which bullet I'd recommend for elk-sized game. Others would probably be better at than than me (I don't have a lot of knowledge when it comes to handgun bullet construction)
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=6

I do know that Hornady XTP bullets are popular choices for hunting. I'd probably stay away from the FTX bullets they offer (what comes in the LeverEvolution ammo). My understanding is that the jacket is a little light for something like elk.
Here's a list of their factory offerings: http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Mag-c-354/
My gut feeling is to go for the 240 gr. Heavier is good, but I don't know if the twist in a Blackhawk is fast enough to shoot the 300 gr rounds. Again, others might have a better opinion here.

Federal also loads a 44 mag with Swift A-frame bullets. They're constructed similar to the Nosler Partition rifle bullets, which are a go-to round for elk. I suspect the similar construction of the A-frame might be good for elk out of a 44 mag as well.

Going off what I know is recommended for rifle, something loaded with the Barnes XPB might be good also. According to Barnes's website, the only folks who load that round is CorBon, so that might be a little tougher to find.


Good luck! I'm going on my first elk trip this fall, and if I had a .44 mag I'd be asking the same question as you. I'd probably only have the .44 for close shots, and carry a rifle for longer shots if necessary. No need to limit myself for my first elk trip, since I likely won't be doing it again for a while.

 

[dhfenno]

"What is a meplat?"
The flat front of the bullet.

 

[murf]

if you are wanting to use a scope, i'd look for a blackhawk hunter or a bisley hunter model. they are already set up for a scope from the factory.

murf

 

[41 Mag]

I just want to ascertain that a .44 Mag is an appropriate cartridge for such an undertaking. At a distance of 50-60 yards, that seems like it should have enough knock-down power, right?

I'm looking at a used Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel. How easy is it to mount a scope on this gun?

Thanks for any help you collectively provide!

Josh

To answer your first question, yes it is, but to elaborate on it a bit, it won't quite work in terms of knock down like you might think. When using revolvers your more dependent upon making a hole, and big hole, all the way through, and not getting the traumatic shock like you would see with a rifle. This said, it is generally better to use a heavier bullet with a wider flatter frontal area to get more damage and penetration.

As to mounting a scope, this is a personal preference, however I personally having been that route would recommend against it, as it take a LOT of practice to use one from field positions, even to the shorter ranges where standard iron sights will be just as effective. If you DO choose a scope, I highly suggest not going over 2x. This will be more than enough at the ranges to which your looking to hunt with a revolver.

Seeing that you do not load your own, yes there are several factory available loads which will do what you need. The biggest deterrent to them however is the price they want for them. Since most run anywhere from a buck to two bucks a round this might really wain into your time spent behind the trigger with them. If your going to use them to hunt with you need to spend plenty of time with putting them down range through paper first, especially while learning to use the scope.

I have hunted with revolvers for close to 20yrs, and while I do not claim to be anywhere close to an expert, I have done my share of shooting out to 100yds with both scoped and standard sights. I do still miss on occasion, but it is not from a lack of practice, it is from a lack of patients. With practice, a decent shooting load,, with and without a rest, you should easily be able to hit within a 1 inch per ten yard measure, of accuracy with the iron sights, and half of this with a scope. In other words at 10yds you should be able to shoot a 1" group and at 50 a 5" group. If you can do this with the proper ammo, then you can figure on being accurate enough to choose the proper shot on an elk, if and when the time comes.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Buffalo Bore, CoreBon, Grizzly loads in a .45 colt sometimes surpass the .44 mag

 

[joshk-k]

"In my opinion, hunting elk with a revolver is for those hunters who restrict their shots to archery distance. This takes patience, skill, and a bit of luck. A far better choice is a .308 carbine or 30-06 rifle shooting 180 grain bullets."

This is some of what I'm getting at. Last fall I took an elk at about 100 yards with a .30-06. I'm interested in deepening my hunting practice and am interested in learning and practicing the stalking, tracking, patience, etc. skills more closely associated with archery hunting. But I'm not interested in archery hunting. Obviously, I could do all of that with a rifle, but am just interested in the possibility of doing it with a handgun.

Thanks for all the advice, friends!

Josh

 

[jgiehl]

Federal makes a Cast-Core line of Cast Performance Bullets which is also a good choice.
I don't personally know how their rounds shoot but I do have handloaded rounds for my .44 and they are an extremely accurate bullet.
If you do get into reloading it would greatly increase your flexibility of the .44. Or if you have a friend or relative who reloads you could always lean on them if possible. Personally for elk I'd lean towards the 300 grain rounds.
Good luck, handgun hunting has always sounded like fun to me too.

 

[BigGameHandGunner]

I can recommend Buffalo Bore 340gr .44mag loads...I can personally attest to the fact that they will drill right through a broadside elk out to about 100yards. I also shot one with a frontal shot, dropped in it's tracks....incredible penetration!

 

[VeryOldDog]

Although, I did not use a 44 magnum, I did take an Elk in Northern New Mexico with a 480 Ruger Super Redhawk using a Burris 4x scope mounted at 48 yards. This was 7 years ago. I used Buffalo Bore hard cast.

If you can stalk the game and get real close, then the 44 magnum with Buffalo Bore should do the job as long as your shot placement is on target.

My elk was about 800 lbs. Good thing that I had two guides to dress and pack this meat out.

You better be able to walk good without aches and pains. Take a bottle of Ibuprofen with you and take tablets before you walk and while you walk with plenty of water. And wear good boots with great socks.

I learned how to stalk with my experience with Marine Corps Recon Training many, many, years ago. If you don't know how, get a book and listen to your guides if you desire to have them.

 

[tarosean]

I personally having been that route would recommend against it, as it take a LOT of practice to use one from field positions, even to the shorter ranges where standard iron sights will be just as effective. If you DO choose a scope, I highly suggest not going over 2x. This will be more than enough at the ranges to which your looking to hunt with a revolver.

Agree with this... I scoped my 10.5" Super Blackhawk and ended up taking the scope off as it just wasnt needed. I also didnt want it interfering with an extremely close shot.

Ive used Buffalo Bore 255g Keith - to punch holes in Elk

That being said, I am going to diverge again and pick up bow hunting for next years Elk Season.

 

[Steel185]

Just my $.02, i just used my Ruger 480 loaded with 325g Hornady XTP and took down an Elk at 70 yrds. I used my Puma M92 carbine, 16 inch barrel, and iron sights with one shot. I had to really stalk it for about a mile and then low crawl the last 60 yards to a good spot to shoot, but that's hunting right?

Next year I plan to do the same with my super red hawk 7.5 inch in Ruger 480. With a good bullet your 44mag has plently of power. Your choice to stay with iron sights or scope is yours, i agree with Tarosean, iron sights will be fine up to 100yds and gives you the flexability for close shots. 100yards maybe a bit much for a pistol, but if the round can do it then its up to the shooter. It comes down to getting a good spot to shoot from and good shot placement.

Good luck

 

[Black Horse]

Haven't experienced elk...yet, but hunted/killed both WT's and hogs with .44 mag. It is a great round and have used both CorBon and Garrett Hammerheads. As previously stated, practice ALOT and enjoy. It is a very true and "primitive" method and I love it.

 

[ljnowell]

I imagine that Elmer Keith would say the 44 magnum is plenty.

 

[35 Whelen]

Your limit, basically, is how far you can reliably hit the end of a beer can either offhand or from a field-rest position.

Easy enough for a competent gunsmith to set up the revolver for a scope.

A good load would be a hard-cast bullet around 250 grains, with a large meplat.

Dang you Art! You beat me to it, but took the words right off my keyboard.

joshk, find reading by Brian Pearce. He's a writer who contributes to Handloader magazine and does most of his hunting with a handgun. Although he writes of occassionally using HP bullets, most of the game he's written of killing with .44 Spec's. 44 Mag,45 Colt, etc. have been killed with home-cast bullets. So like Art said, a good, heavy hard-cast bullet ought to do.

35W