lead bullets for deer hunting?

[slicksleeve]

Maybe this should be in the hunting dept., or the handloading one. I have a Marlin model 444S 22 inch barrel in .444 marlin. The question is would cast lead bullets be decent for deer hunting? The bullets are Magnus brand, 240 grain lead semi wad cutter. I was using the Hornady 265 grain jacketed flat nose, but I am quickly running out. I have a 500 count box of these lead. I really got them for target practice in this rifle and my .44 mag pistol. I would be loading the .444 with a charge of Alliant Reloder 7. I picture a nearly half inch bullet putting a 100 pound deer (that being the average size around here) down pretty effectively, but everybody I know uses copper jacket bullets in everything. Would this bullet deform or otherwise fail at .444 Marlin velocity? Accuracy is fine in this mico-groove rifle, I just have 0 personal experience with cast lead.

 

[floridaboy]

lead bullets

If it is accurate enough with cast bullets to suit you, it will get the job done. After all, a great many deer have fallen to .44 Magnums and Specials and cast bullets. Fired from revolvers.

 

[slicksleeve]

That's a good point, floridaboy. I mostly wondering about the velocity thing.