Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    Murrysville, Pennsylvania
    (Westmoreland County)
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    Default 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    I am considering using my S&W 629 for whitetail this year. The shot will be between 25 to 50 yards. I am thinking about using a 240 gr. SWC going out of the muzzle at approximately 1250 fps (832 ft.-lbs.). The 1250 is close to the maximum out of the Lyman manual but I expect that at this velocity that the SWC would drill strait though the deer. Sierra & Hornady are closer to 1400 FPS for a 240 gr. JHP (1044 ft.-lbs.). Will an expanding JP w/ more KE be that much more effective than a SWC that just drills through? I would rather shoot a lower KE round if it will be just as effective at the ranges that I will be shooting at.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
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    Somerset, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    Just be sure the SWC is hard cast, otherwise you're likely to have leading problems at that velocity. My Lyman manuals indicate Linotype for the cast bullets, that means they're a lot harder than a swaged bullet. But either bullet will do just fine. It's already starting at almost twice the diameter of a 243 bullet so expansion isn't really the issue, penetration is.

    FWIW, I use 240 Hornady XTP's for hunting and a lighter load with 240 cast SWC for practice.

    Dale

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lititz, Pennsylvania
    (Lancaster County)
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    I've taken a number of deer now using this combination in a Ruger SuperBlackhawk.
    Meister Hard Cast .300gr FP (.430 dia) #MB-44-300 in front of a stout load of Hodgdon H110.
    MHO if your not using H110 you're not getting/seeing the potential of the .44mag.

    It was not my first second or even third load combination used for deer starting back in 1979 when I first purchased my new Ruger SB.
    But rather as 'my own' field results from a few years using those early on loads when the change was made to the current load I still use listed above.
    Please feel free to visit a forum that I moderate:
    http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
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    Sterling, Pennsylvania
    (Wayne County)
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    I use Hornady factory 225 grain gummy tips out of my 8 3/8 S&W. I'm good for 100 yards with them.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    jersey shore, Pennsylvania
    (Lycoming County)
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    I started using the 300 grain xtp's last year over 2400. They group just as good as the 240gr did and I think will hit harder. Now hopefully this year I can get a deer to line up in the sights and I'll have a first hand report on how they work .

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Piney twp, Pennsylvania
    (Clarion County)
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    This is kinda like asking do you prefer blondes, brunettes or red heads. You'll get quite a few opinions. Took some work but what I've settled on is an old Lyman 245 gr "Keith" swc under a full charge of 2400. The mix is half pb and half wheel weights. Yep, still finding lead wheel weights around. Bullets are fat to fit the cylinders and are softer than commercial at around 13 bhn. Chromo showed 1160fps. Decent expansion and nothing left in barrel that can't be easily wiped out. If you use newer 2400 check modern manuals as they've tamed down the max loads over the years.
    Prior to casting, a few decades ago, I used commercial 240gr soft points that would work but go right through. My use with the Redhawk has all been easily under 50 yds.
    May want to check with the folks up in the reloading/ammo section.
    It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: 44 Mag. Whitetail load

    [QUOTE][Lyman 245 gr "Keith" swc under a full charge of 2400/QUOTE]

    Hmmm...never tried that. I always put the charge under the bullet. :-)

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