Suppressors Hunting with the 44

[bohem]

I mentioned in another thread I plan to use my "new" 44mag as my deer harvester this year and I thought I'd ping some feedback on what others used for this venture.

I have 4 bullets on the shelf for it, 180 XTP, 200 JHP (half jacket) 240 XTP and 240 JSP.

My dad has used 240 JHP's on the little PA deer that we get, but I was hoping for something with a little more velocity. The 240's go about 1550, and the 180's are closer to 2000 for me with H110, I was thinking a little flatter shooting is better.

Just thinking some, what are your thoughts? Certainly either one will do the job.

 

[JJones75]

Re: Hunting with the 44

What gun are you shooting? I shoot 200gr Hornady XTP's from a 12" Encore at just over 1800 fps (using 29gr of H-110)with great accuracy and awsome on target performance out to 100yds , most shots are in the 25-60yd range though and just just knocks the piss out of everything I've shot with it up to some hogs in the 300lb range though for the big hogs an exit is rare.
These are stiff loads and I would not shoot them in anything other than an Encore or other gun built for higher pressures.

I'd start with 25gr and work up , the differance in drop between the 240's and 180 realy isin't much at 100yds and I persoanly woulden't strech the 44 mag much past that , then the drop becomes an issue

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I put 2 black bears to sleep with my Anaconda firing 240XTPs!
Works for me.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I prefer to hunt with my 44 mag lever gun. I use the 240 grain Hornady XTP. I've taken pigs, deer, and several turkey with it. I've taken 1 turkey at 260 yards with it (LRF verified). I'm pushing the 240 XTP at 1760 fps with H110 powder out of a 16" Marlin 1894 level gun. Performance on game has been awesome, even on the biggest of pigs. I don't get pass through shots on pigs, but the bullet will go 90% the way through a big hog. The bullet will pass through a deer, though. If you want the deepest penetration, look at a FP or wadcutter bullet. They won't expand, and will drive very deep. But the XTP is a great choice for a hunting bullet, even in your revolver. Your looking at about 1900 fps for the 180, and 1550 fps for the 240. You're not talking about a lot of difference. I'd take the heavier slower bullet to get deeper penetration over the faster 180 grain.

 

[cheshier2]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I put down a ground hog yesterday with a 240 JHP with my S&W 629 with the 8 3/8 barrle at about 75 yards.. Man you should have seen the fight he put up. LOL LOL

 

[Downzero]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I probably wouldn't be concerned about range if I were hunting with a handgun. I'd shoot the hardest-hitting load and go from there.

My friend just bought the S&W 460 for deer this year. I hope that's fun to load for.

 

[bohem]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I forgot to mention it, I'm using a 9.5" barreled Super Redhawk.

Sounds like a little heavier slower bullet is probably better for bear or (someday I hope) hogs, thanks for the help.

 

[HawkeyeEngineer]

Re: Hunting with the 44

The 240 XTPs go through deer pretty well. I expected bigger exit holes, though. I'm running about 1700 fps out of a Henry using H110. Could push it faster but haven't found a need to yet.

 

[bohem]

Re: Hunting with the 44

Hawk, thanks. I doubt I'll get anywhere near 1700 with my revolver and a 240 XTP but it's not out of the question with lead.

I got 2 tags for this year, maybe I'll try to shoot one with each load and see what happens... OK, I'll quit dreaming now and just settle down to hoping for a shot on 1 deer.

 

[singleshot8541]

Re: Hunting with the 44

I use the 240's but for me it's more about what I reload than whether one is better than the other in any given situation.