44mag reload for Ruger 77/44, which bullet to use?

[zerobarrier]

Hello all,

I just purchased a Ruger 77/44 and put a redfield 2-7 scope on it. I am planning on using it for whitetail deer hunting maybe bear. Where I hunt the woods are pretty thick so 150 yards is about the farthest I could shoot. I do reload for the 44 but just for target practice, never hunted with this round. Deer season is next week so I bought 20rds of the winchester 250gr platinum tips for this year but next year I would like to make my own. My question is which type is better; 240gr or 300gr hornady xtp, 210gr winchester silvertip, 270gr speer deepcurl, swift a frame 280gr or 300gr? or any other type. Any info would be helpful and thank you in advance. Powders I have are H110, W296, and IMR 4227. Primers I have are CCI 350, 300, and Winchester WLP.

 

[HumpHammrr]

Look up Beartooth Bullets. I found a good story with a description of their .44 cal 250 gr, WFN Gas Check and how they designed it to be a bullet suitable for handgun and carbine for those who carried both. I had already tried some good looking Keith style cast bullets by a local bullet caster. His were sized .430 (fairly standard for cast bullets) and the best I could get out of a 7" Super Blackhawk was 4-6 in groups at 25 yds. When I ordered the Beartooth Bullets, the form asked what the firearm was they were to be used in. I got a call from them the next day suggesting they size the bullet .432 due to the oversize specs in Blackhawks.
My first test group measured 2inches @ 25 yds. I upped the charged .5 grains and can shoot clover leafs with it. They are fantastic bullets.
I bought these for Black Bear. I haven't had the chance at a Bear but have used this setup on 2 Deer.

 

[GrantA]

I haven't shot over the chronograph yet but just reloaded my first 44s. I went with 44spl brass, 225gr Hornady FTX and 4.0gr Trail Boss. Super light recoil out of a 7.5" Ruger Super Blackhawk and 3 of them tore right through a good 8" diameter cypress tree from about 20ft. I loaded some more at 4.5 and 5.0gr Trail Boss last night to go test at the range, maybe Sunday I can make it out and report back.

 

[rjacobs]

The Hornady XTP, while not the best in other calibers, is a consistent winner of 44mag tests I have seen including the FBI testing by Doc Roberts. The 300g is the winner, but those aren't being produced by Hornady currently. The 240g is the second choice.

 

[neeltburn]

I have had great results with the Nosler 240 jacket hp (lead hp exposed) work great on deer and shoot very well out of my H&R handi rifle. I used H110 as a powder, also its worth trying hornady Lever Revolution 225.


Sent from my IPhone 5S.

 

[zerobarrier]

Thanks for the responses so far. HumpHammrr I am sure those beartooth bullets will do the job but I forgot to say I only wanted jacketed bullets. I have never loaded pure lead bullets before, not that I am against them I just have never loaded them. rjacobs just so you know in case you wanted some before they were all gone, midway has the xtp 300gr jhp's in stock and selling them for 14.99 per 50. I think I will buy two boxes to check them out. Anyone else have anymore recommendations? Thanks again

 

[zerobarrier]

What about the 265gr ftx for the 44mag bolt action rifle. I know they are designed for the 444 marlin but how do you think they will work in a ruger 77/44? also the hornady interlock 265gr flat nose

 

[polter71]

Take a look at the line off gas check cast bullets by Rimrock for the .44. Very nice selection of hunting bullets.

 

[LRJammer]

I have used the 240 Gr Hornady XTP in loads for my Winchester 94 with excellent results on whitetails. It hits them like a sledge hammer.

 

[Flea21]

I really like the Hornady 300gr XTP projectiles in my S&W 629

 

[Barry in IN]

My 77/44 shoots the Nosler 240 JHP a little better than the Hornady 240 XTP. Since Indiana let us use pistol caliber rifles for deer a few years ago, the XTP has the best reputation for terminal performance, so I'd probably choose it.
The 300 XTP does pretty well also.

It's not a super accurate rifle by any means, and mine seems to be typical. Personally, I don't think it needs to dazzle people with tiny groups to whack deer at 100 yards or less.
I think the 77/44 is tricky from the bench. It is so light (5.25 lbs without scope) it bounces around a lot at the shot, so changes in hold exaggerate group sizes. I get the best groups when I reach under the front rest, grip the tip of the forend, and pull back hard. I guess this helps by keeping the movement down.

 

[280nosler]

I saw a picture of a hog that was shot with some 44 mag ammo i made with 240 gr xtp. The exit hole could not be plugged with a baseball.

 

[sakobob]

What about the 265gr ftx for the 44mag bolt action rifle. I know they are designed for the 444 marlin but how do you think they will work in a ruger 77/44? also the hornady interlock 265gr flat nose

i'm not positive but i think they are to long and there isn't enough powder space, and you would have to seat them long to get any real performance
then they won't fit the mag and or chamber.

 

[zerobarrier]

Has anyone upgraded the trigger in the ruger 77/44? I don't think it is too bad, mine has no creep and feels like a stock AR-15 trigger. I just upgraded my AR trigger to a geissele ssa-e trigger and I love it. I wouldn't ming something like that but in a single stage. 2-3lbs would be great.

 

[wildfowler]

Has anyone upgraded the trigger in the ruger 77/44? I don't think it is too bad, mine has no creep and feels like a stock AR-15 trigger. I just upgraded my AR trigger to a geissele ssa-e trigger and I love it. I wouldn't ming something like that but in a single stage. 2-3lbs would be great.

I put this "kit" in mine. Timney Sear Sear Spring Ruger 77/17 77/22 77/44 77/50 2-1/2 lb

It was an improvement over factory.

My 77/44 has a 1:11 twist Douglas barrel upgrade. It shoots the 300 grain XTP's much better than it will shoot the 240's.

I've killed deer out to 75-100 with both size with no issues.

 

[Barry in IN]

Has anyone upgraded the trigger in the ruger 77/44? I don't think it is too bad, mine has no creep and feels like a stock AR-15 trigger. I just upgraded my AR trigger to a geissele ssa-e trigger and I love it. I wouldn't ming something like that but in a single stage. 2-3lbs would be great.

I have not, but I out a Spec-Tech trigger in my suppressed 77/22 and it made a world of difference. It should work in the 77/44. I don't know why I haven't got one for it yet.

 

[mark5pt56]

I just picked up a 77/44 and so far I like it. The trigger is actually not bad at all and so far at 50 with irons, not bad either. I had three hand loads for the 629/1894 combo and they shot great from the Ruger. No chrono yet on it, but the 240 XTP with 300 MP(24.5) was 1160 from a 4" SW and 1706 from the 18" Marlin. Hard cast loads(240) with W231. Both right at 2" with irons at 50. I have a Leupold 1.25-4 I think I will put on it.

From Alliant's site--I used the XTP and of course worked up

Caliber
Bullet
Case
Minimum OAL
(inches)
Bbl Length
Primer
Powder
Charge Weight
(grains)
Velocity
(fps)
Notes
44 Rem Magnum 200 gr Speer Mag JHP Speer 1.59 8.3 Fed 150 300-MP 29 1,762 -
44 Rem Magnum 240 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.575 8.3 Fed 150 300-MP 25 1,570 -
44 Rem Magnum 270 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.585 8.3 Fed 150 300-MP 22 1,394 -
44 Rem Magnum 300 G Speer UCSP Speer 1.665 7.5 Fed 150 300-MP 22 1,349 -