tynimiller
New member
thanks for all the replies guys! Can't wait to shoot the new lever action (picked up a Rossi92)... I may even go deer hunting with something other than my bow this year! haha 
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Alright 44 Mag ammo round for deer...
- Thread starter tynimiller
- Start date
bamaranger
New member
light bullet 44 loads for deer
Despite my post above about 240 gr and up slugs for deer, I do not use them, but shoot lighter 180, and more recently 200 gr JHP's from my tube feed Ruger auto's.
The reason being that my two carbines will not group heavier slugs worth a hoot. I'm talking 6" plus groups at 100 yrds, just not acceptable to me. (from a carbine anyhow).
The slow 1-38" twist of the early Rugers is the likely culprit. With 180 and 200 grainers, the carbine shoot into about 3", and I can live with that. Other guys report better accuracy, but that is all my old Ruger autos will do.
There is a post running somewhere showing the velocity levels for Hornady XTP 44'. The 180 does not hold up well at carbine velocity. It is certainly a pistol SD slug or for varmints. The deer I'v shot with the 180 xtp were plenty dead, but I did not get exits and the slugs were frangible. I could not find a piece of a 180 XTP bigger than about a tic/tac on one meat buck shot broad side at close range. ( 15 yds) Others, shot further out (50?) were completely expanded, inside out and the core and jacket separate under the hide on the off side.
I still do not get exits with 200 gr XTP, but the slugs do not self destruct and the accuracy is still acceptable.
By comparison, the two deer I've shot with 240 were all pass thru's, as well as all I ever saw my Dad kill as well. I take a lot of grief over my .44 marble "marble shooters" as my shooting pal calls them, but they are handy and kill deer well for me at the ranges and locales I I hunt.
Despite my post above about 240 gr and up slugs for deer, I do not use them, but shoot lighter 180, and more recently 200 gr JHP's from my tube feed Ruger auto's.
The reason being that my two carbines will not group heavier slugs worth a hoot. I'm talking 6" plus groups at 100 yrds, just not acceptable to me. (from a carbine anyhow).
The slow 1-38" twist of the early Rugers is the likely culprit. With 180 and 200 grainers, the carbine shoot into about 3", and I can live with that. Other guys report better accuracy, but that is all my old Ruger autos will do.
There is a post running somewhere showing the velocity levels for Hornady XTP 44'. The 180 does not hold up well at carbine velocity. It is certainly a pistol SD slug or for varmints. The deer I'v shot with the 180 xtp were plenty dead, but I did not get exits and the slugs were frangible. I could not find a piece of a 180 XTP bigger than about a tic/tac on one meat buck shot broad side at close range. ( 15 yds) Others, shot further out (50?) were completely expanded, inside out and the core and jacket separate under the hide on the off side.
I still do not get exits with 200 gr XTP, but the slugs do not self destruct and the accuracy is still acceptable.
By comparison, the two deer I've shot with 240 were all pass thru's, as well as all I ever saw my Dad kill as well. I take a lot of grief over my .44 marble "marble shooters" as my shooting pal calls them, but they are handy and kill deer well for me at the ranges and locales I I hunt.
Do you reload?
There are a lot of good suggestions but if you don’t reload then they can be difficult to copy.
A good friend uses the Hornady leverloution and has taken his quota of deer here in Indiana every year for the past 4. I don’t use them since I reload. He uses a cheap but very well made H&R Handi-rifle in 44 mag and at 100 yards it’s capable of less than 3 inch groups with the Hornady factory.
Granted he doesn’t need them for this gun but he’s had so much good luck with the round it’s all he uses.
http://www.hornady.com/store/leverevolution/
My biggest issue is with the $1.30 per round at MSRP. I haven’t seen them under 1$ per.
There are a lot of good suggestions but if you don’t reload then they can be difficult to copy.
A good friend uses the Hornady leverloution and has taken his quota of deer here in Indiana every year for the past 4. I don’t use them since I reload. He uses a cheap but very well made H&R Handi-rifle in 44 mag and at 100 yards it’s capable of less than 3 inch groups with the Hornady factory.
Granted he doesn’t need them for this gun but he’s had so much good luck with the round it’s all he uses.
http://www.hornady.com/store/leverevolution/
My biggest issue is with the $1.30 per round at MSRP. I haven’t seen them under 1$ per.
sc928porsche
New member
240gr cast swc do work good on deer. I prefer the 255gr keith with 20gr of W296 behind it. As mentioned earlier, deer arn't armor plated and the 240 cast swc will have more than enough penetration and plenty of umph to smash through bone at 100 yds. Just some personal experience.
tynimiller
New member
Love how this lever gun ammunition question gets moved..but whatever. Still thanks to all for replies.
I do not reload but hope to at some point.
I do not reload but hope to at some point.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
44 mag for deer hunting. So long as its HP and any Brand that targets well from your rifle is the way to go. Shot a deer once with a Soft Point 44. Never do that again. Spent quite awhile looking for him after dark, gave up and found him the next morning. In and out like a B/Powder ball the wound was after pulling its hide off. Weight type bullet>200 or 240 both good. Just keep in mind Hollow Point as a necessity to knock that "Speed Beef down to the Ground."
tynimiller
New member
Well you guys have been a big help. Pretty much gonna pick up at least 4 types of 240gr (ish) hollow points/xtp tipped rounds and see which ones group the best for me...than hopefully I'll get a buck in time to put the bow down and do some meat hunting in gun season.
I'll add my thanks for a lot of good info for our 44 Mag Carbine. It is the primary choice for use by my wife on our upcoming Hog Hunt in September.
In addition to a 200 lb or larger Razorback, she will get an Axis Deer Doe from a herd culling operation at the same game ranch. This is a warm-up exercise for her first ever deer season here in Hoosierland. She hopes to be busy this year with 4-6 anterless tags being issued in this county to shrink the whitetail numbers a bit. We have several does and yearlings chowing down on our orchard trees now...If they stick around, they will face her firepower !
In addition to a 200 lb or larger Razorback, she will get an Axis Deer Doe from a herd culling operation at the same game ranch. This is a warm-up exercise for her first ever deer season here in Hoosierland. She hopes to be busy this year with 4-6 anterless tags being issued in this county to shrink the whitetail numbers a bit. We have several does and yearlings chowing down on our orchard trees now...If they stick around, they will face her firepower !
Nico Testosteros
New member
I'd give Federal Fusion a try.
bacardisteve
New member
240gr xtp is my favorite for deer. Some like hardcast but its really not needed on deer and even the 240xtp at about 1300fps has made complete pass throughs on deer that I have shot. Your lever gun will push em a maybe 200fps faster.