Recommended 44 Special Deer Rifle Load

[Shytheed Dumas]

I'm taking my son out for the Kentucky youth season again in October, and this year I have a Marlin 1894 .44 magnum to bring along instead of my AR15. He is recoil sensitive, and it seems to me that a good 44 special load should be every bit as deer capable as a 44-40 out to 100 yds and a very soft shooter.

So now I need to choose the right commercial load, since I do not handload. I picked up a box of Corbon DPX 200 grain hollow points - the ballistics appear to be about right, but I'm wondering if there is a better choice for a balance of light recoil and deer effectiveness? Let me know what you would recommend, especially if you have any personal experience.

Thanks!

 

[tarosean]

I like 235gr kieth for my 10.5" hand gun.. Not sure about rifle thou..

 

[H&Hhunter]

I think you are in the right zone with what you've got. Shoot that load and see what you think. They ought to be pretty mild in rifle. Also have a thick squishy kick eeze or equivalent recoil pad installed. It makes a huge difference for kids. The hard plastic but plates on these rifles will pinch a kids tender skin making it unpleasant for the buggers to shoot.

If you don't have the time and money to install a proper pad go get one of those slip on recoil pads like a Sims or similar product.

 

[PapaG]

Don't handicap the kid and don't torture the deer. 44 mag case, 240 grain Keith and 17.5 or 18 gr of 2400 will be good for 75 yard deer. Substitute a Jhp and add a grain of powder. Recoil is light.

 

[Legionnaire]

PapaG, I like your recipe, but the OP said he doesn't reload. Still ought to be able to find a factory load with a hard cast Keith-style SWC. Since you'll be launching at lower velocities, I'd opt for penetration over expansion.

 

[hardluk1]

That load is about 1150fps?? Winchesters superx 240gr load is a slow poke at 1180fps .

remington has two 44mag loads at 1180fps loads- 28493 and 28499

And if you feel 44-40 power level is fine the buffalo bore has some 255gr 44sp that move at 1000

 

[greywolf444]

I use the 1894 in 44 mag. I load mag cases with a 265gr cast and 9.5gr of unique. Load is very similar to a +p 44 spec. works perfectly to 100 yds. Recoil is mild and accurate in my gun.(tennis ball groups at 100) Makes a hole clear thru and they fall down. You don't need a sledgehammer load to kill deer. This is right in line with the 44-40 loads that worked for so many years. This the only load we use in this rifle and it is used for all purposes, from bunnies to deer to targets. Even one hog.

 

[murf]

if your son is not fully grown, you may want to adjust the length-of-pull on that rifle. if the stock is too long, it will hurt with almost any round. if adjusted correctly, normal loads shouldn't hurt him.

murf

 

[Smokin Gator]

Make sure that any 44 special (or 44 mag for that matter) ammo that you get cycles well in the Marlin. I've shot plenty of 44 special reloads through mine, but I loaded them closer to a 44 mag overall length. Mark

 

[T.R.]

44 Specail fired from a carbine is a 35 yard deer killer. Distance shooting is not what this cartridge is designed for at all.

TR

 

[lloveless]

I second using hardcast bullets. If not available I'd use a jsp for better penetration over a hollow pont.
ll