Who hunts big game with a 44mag
- Thread starter trekker73
- Start date
Steve in PA
Member
Well, haven’t taken any moose but I have shot quite a few deer and one small bear with a .44 Magnum. The .44 Magnum has taken some of the largest game.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
A few years ago there was a group of us going down to a ranch in Texas to test bullets on bovine species. There was all sorts of critters including yaks, watusi, Spanish fighting bulls, bison, water buffalo and longhorn. My first trip in 2016 yielded an 1800lb Texas longhorn bull with the Beartooth 355gr WLN at 1250fps out of the 7.5" Super Redhawk. Bullets broke shoulders and fully penetrated the animal, found under the hide on the far side. They were a lot more impressive on the hoof than on the ground.
The next year I took two water buffalo with the Grizzly 300gr Punch load. Some of these exited.
Let's just say 'some' of that crowd started taking the fun out of the whole thing. The next year I took two smaller critters with the Dan Wesson .44 and had more fun doing it.
The next year I took two water buffalo with the Grizzly 300gr Punch load. Some of these exited.
Let's just say 'some' of that crowd started taking the fun out of the whole thing. The next year I took two smaller critters with the Dan Wesson .44 and had more fun doing it.
pbearperry135
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- Feb 13, 2023
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I hunted deer for many years in Maine with a .44 mag. Every one I shot with a 240 gr SWC at 1200fps went in one side and out the other.
Seedy Character
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I have taken 3 Texas whitetails, 1 doe and 2 bucks.
1 hog, a 410# sow
2 bulls, a 2400# black Angus that came charging out of some cane, when we were duck hunting. I told the farmer we were leasing from that his bull had almost stomped me and I shot him. He laughed, he didn't have a bull.
I had a 2500# Angus/Hereford that got MEAN. I went out to feed horses and he charged from behind me. Horse spooked and I jumped to the side, drew and shot.
Spent the rest of the day grinding hamburger.
All were shot with 7 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk, loaded with Hornady 240 gr LSWC.
1 hog, a 410# sow
2 bulls, a 2400# black Angus that came charging out of some cane, when we were duck hunting. I told the farmer we were leasing from that his bull had almost stomped me and I shot him. He laughed, he didn't have a bull.
I had a 2500# Angus/Hereford that got MEAN. I went out to feed horses and he charged from behind me. Horse spooked and I jumped to the side, drew and shot.
Spent the rest of the day grinding hamburger.
All were shot with 7 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk, loaded with Hornady 240 gr LSWC.
savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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Never cared for the 44. I do a lot with my smith in 38/357 as well as my Rossi 92. 158 gr cast bullets.
Jonny2guns
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- Nov 28, 2020
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- 675
Very nice sir!
While I've successfully hunted our local KY whitetails with a .44 magnum, it was with a Marlin carbine. I like Hornady's excellent 240 gr XTP with a stout load of Ac#9 for about 1650 fps.
I'm not a handgun hunter, per say, but have carried one while fishing and hunting, for back up, in bear country, both in the east (NC's Smokies) and in Colorado. It's a good caliber, in a suitable revolver, especially when carried cross chest in a 'tanker' type of holster while packing out your quartered kill.
Best regards, Rod
I'm not a handgun hunter, per say, but have carried one while fishing and hunting, for back up, in bear country, both in the east (NC's Smokies) and in Colorado. It's a good caliber, in a suitable revolver, especially when carried cross chest in a 'tanker' type of holster while packing out your quartered kill.
Best regards, Rod
sabbfan
Member
I’ve hunted Iowa whitetail with my 44 mag SRH every year for probably 10 years, haven’t come home empty handed yet. I practice a lot and am confident to 100 yards, this year’s was taken at 120 yards. 240 gr XTP over H110 gets it done.
NeroM
Member
Had a similar issue while fixing a fence section in the heifer pasture. I screwed up and hadn't really been paying attention to my surroundings - just a quick fence fix, normally keep a close eye on Bull status. This gentleman had been doing his job, probably thought I was stealing his harem - was stamping the ground, bellowing, then charging. Was warned, but not able to get out in time.
I know this is a 44 Mag thread - sorry to say I used a 41 Mag with a 265 gr LBT at around 1400 FPS. Doubt this guy knew he was wacked with a 41 vs. 44.
Wow that tops anything I expected. Great photos there.
Its interesting hearing about hunting with the 44 mag on any game, thanks gents and keep it going
lightman
Member
I have killed a few Whitetails with handguns. A 357, 44 mag, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. The 357 and 44 were with cast Keith Type SWC's, the 40 S&W was with a Remington Golden Saber and the 45 was with a Speer 200 Grain JHP.
None of them exited and all of these Deer ran a short distance. About like a bow kill, 25 to 40 yards. All were behind the shoulder hits. The 40 and 45 were just because they were what I was carrying at the time when the opportunity presented itself.
None of them exited and all of these Deer ran a short distance. About like a bow kill, 25 to 40 yards. All were behind the shoulder hits. The 40 and 45 were just because they were what I was carrying at the time when the opportunity presented itself.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Big game?
If I had a .44 magnum, I'd be out there hunting squirrel with it!
One of these days, when I get the .475 Wildey that's next up on my bucket list, that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do with it!
If I had a .44 magnum, I'd be out there hunting squirrel with it!
One of these days, when I get the .475 Wildey that's next up on my bucket list, that's EXACTLY what I'm going to do with it!
doubleh
Member
I bought my first one with the intention of deer hunting with it. Then reality set in and I realised I only get one chance per year and the shots are usually at a good distance with little to use for a rest so I decided to stick with a rifle. I have no doubt that it is perfectly capable of killing a deer, even a large one, at 100 yards or a little more. The thing that worried me was could I hit one under hunting conditions.
adcoch1
Member
I've shot 7 blacktails with my Ruger redhawk, biggest was 225 lbs on the hoof and smallest about 150. In fact, all my bigger bucks were 44 mag kills. I also shot a cougar with the same revolver while deer hunting, but it was about 90-100 lbs, so not huge game. Not had a chance at elk or bear, buffalo or moose yet, but if I get the chance I'll take one of my trusty 44 mags along.
Brutus54
Member
When I deer hunt from my tree stand I use my Super Redhawk in .454 Casul. Shot a large doe and it was flipper over on her back and slid back about 5ft. So much more comfortable and safe with a handgun in a shoulder holster while sitting up in a tree stand.
