44 mag deer load

[cecil30-30]

I picked up a 6 inch s&w 629 deluxe 6 in bback in the spring. Put a burris fast fire red dot on it. And I only shot one load with it. But it shot them extreamly well. Like 1 inch group at 75-80 yds off a sand bag. I was gonna try to take a last minute doe this week end or next. To make it my first handgun deer. I'm just curious if my ammo is gonna be uo to par. It's magtech 240gr sjsp, I feel it's loaded a little light as it's advertised speed is 1180fps. Think I'd have any issues 50 yds and in?

 

[ScLowCountry]

Put the bullet in the vitals and you will have meat on the table.

What length Barrel was that advertised velocity from

 

[Kevin Snook]

I use Hornady Custom with the 240 gr XTPs
I really like them
Personally I'm not a fan of Magtech except for burning rounds at a range
But that's just my opinion.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I think you'll be fine. I don't know for sure but, I think that velocity is from a 4" barrel. You should be doing a little better than that from your 6". Do you have a chronograph, or have someone that would let you use one?

 

[TNlandowner]

I use Hornady Custom with the 240 gr XTPs
I really like them
Personally I'm not a fan of Magtech except for burning rounds at a range
But that's just my opinion.

I use the same ammo for my Ruger Super Blackhawk with 10/5" barrel.

I plan to use it this afternoon... ;o)

 

[Gravey]

I bought Hornady 240 grain XTP's but haven't shot them yet on my Ruger Redhawk. Also put a FF3 on it but read here the other day somebody had problems with it holding zero so interested to see if yours holds. Good luck!

 

[iowavf]

I shoot the Hornady 240 xtps in mine also. Very accurate with nice groups. Only shot one deer, but she dropped in her tracks at 90 yards. Shot a coyote at 75 yards about an hour earlier than the deer.

 

[timberjack86]

I don't shoot my pistol much but I run underwood ammo in both my rifle and pistol. 240 grain xtp is hard on deer, bear and hogs

 

[cecil30-30]

I bought Hornady 240 grain XTP's but haven't shot them yet on my Ruger Redhawk. Also put a FF3 on it but read here the other day somebody had problems with it holding zero so interested to see if yours holds. Good luck!

So far so good. Not many rounds on it though. 25 or so. It was very responsive when making adjustments.

 

[Remi]

I don't shoot my pistol much but I run underwood ammo in both my rifle and pistol. 240 grain xtp is hard on deer, bear and hogs

If I'm not loading for it I always use Underwood ammo. Their stuff is the real deal.

 

[Union Co. Boy]

If I'm not loading for it I always use Underwood ammo. Their stuff is the real deal.

Glad to hear that. Just ordered 2 boxes of the 180 grain and 2 boxes of 200 grain XTP's this morning to try in my Marlin 1894. She seems to prefer the lighter grain bullets. Just doesn't group like I want with others I've tried. I may also be expecting a bit more than is realistic as well. I'm looking for a 1 inch group.

 

[Remi]

Glad to hear that. Just ordered 2 boxes of the 180 grain and 2 boxes of 200 grain XTP's this morning to try in my Marlin 1894. She seems to prefer the lighter grain bullets. Just doesn't group like I want with others I've tried. I may also be expecting a bit more than is realistic as well. I'm looking for a 1 inch group.

Unless they've changed you'll get full power ammo from Underwood. They don't short change you on fps. All their stuff has been quite accurate for me and some friends in various cartridges.

 

[DC219]

Glad to hear that. Just ordered 2 boxes of the 180 grain and 2 boxes of 200 grain XTP's this morning to try in my Marlin 1894. She seems to prefer the lighter grain bullets. Just doesn't group like I want with others I've tried. I may also be expecting a bit more than is realistic as well. I'm looking for a 1 inch group.

If you like lighter bullets, check out the 162 grain copper bullets by Bear Creek Ballistics. There's a really good YouTube video about them. All of the above-mentioned loads are pretty traditional .44 loads and work well. However, I tried the 162 grain bullets this year and am really impressed. Using a 16 inch Henry carbine, I shot three deer from 50-130 yards and found them to be really effective. They are supposed to work well in hand guns too. The company advertises really high velocities and says they'll fully expand at 50 or 150 yards with nearly 100% weight retention. The video shows them shooting them through large African game. Another thing I noticed about them is less recoil than the 240 grain bullets I normally shoot.

 

[Union Co. Boy]

If you like lighter bullets, check out the 162 grain copper bullets by Bear Creek Ballistics. There's a really good YouTube video about them. All of the above-mentioned loads are pretty traditional .44 loads and work well. However, I tried the 162 grain bullets this year and am really impressed. Using a 16 inch Henry carbine, I shot three deer from 50-130 yards and found them to be really effective. They are supposed to work well in hand guns too. The company advertises really high velocities and says they'll fully expand at 50 or 150 yards with nearly 100% weight retention. The video shows them shooting them through large African game. Another thing I noticed about them is less recoil than the 240 grain bullets I normally shoot.

Hey thanks! I see a lot of good things about BCB online and didn't think to check out their .44 mag stuff. Appreciate the recommendation!

 

[DC219]

Hey thanks! I see a lot of good things about BCB online and didn't think to check out their .44 mag stuff. Appreciate the recommendation!

Yes sir. I might add that I'm getting about 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards with them. You can get the bullets for handloading, so I'll probably get some to see if I can improve upon the factory loads. Even with that group, I'm easily hitting 8 inch steel at 150 yards.

 

[Union Co. Boy]

Yes sir. I might add that I'm getting about 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards with them. You can get the bullets for handloading, so I'll probably get some to see if I can improve upon the factory loads. Even with that group, I'm easily hitting 8 inch steel at 150 yards.

Realistically, that group should have no issues getting me a deer at the ranges I plan on shooting.

 

[DC219]

Realistically, that group should have no issues getting me a deer at the ranges I plan on shooting.

You're right. It got me one at 130 yards no problem. I've hand loaded for a long time, so buying my lever gun forced me to face the fact that not many of them can compete with a good bolt action regarding accuracy. But it's accurate enough for hunting, looks really cool and feels great in the hand. And so far has killed everything I've pointed it at.