Favorite hunting bullets: 44 Mag and 45 Colt

L

ligonierbill

New member
I set out to find my true best hunting load for each of my Rugers (44 Redhawk and 45 Blackhawk), but just doing range work and reading a bunch of reviews, I am not getting this narrowed down. So, I thought I'd ask: What is your favorite hunting bullet for these calibers...and why?

For the 44, I have run a good selection of 240 JHP, tried (today) Barnes' 225 copper wonders, and worked up a good load for a 320 Cast Performance.

For the 45, I have run 300 XTPs (not the "magnum" version), Sierra's 300 JSP, and both 325 and 360 Cast performance. I still have Speer's 300 JSP to try.

I know someone will ask, "What are you hunting?", so lets assume elk, a good challenge for a handgun. Experience is the best, but opinions are fun, so what say you?
 
I like Nosler 240 gr JSPs in my .44s for deer, both the revolvers and the carbines. Not a fan of JHPs for deer sized and larger game. Have has good luck with Speer 240 and 270 gr Deep Curl SPs also. For Elk, I'm bettin' the 270s would work well.
 
I primarily hunt with a 629 .44mag. I’ve been using Hornady XTP in 240gr for deer and 300gr for hogs. If I had to pick another bullet, something hard cast that my pistol likes.
 
I don't shoot my SBH anymore, as I got a couple of the 44 Spl Bisleys. They get 255 SWC over 8gr of Unique.
My 45 Blackhawk gets RCBS SAA 280gr SWC over 10gr of Unique. This load is very pleasant, but blows through deer and hogs like cheese.
 
I shot a deer with a max load and 240 grain gas checked SWC. It went through and through the deer quartering towards me. Gun was a Super Red Hawk with a scope.

Plenty.

David
 
I've used both the 240 grn and 200 grn JHP on deer. Finally settled on the 200 grain JHP in my SBH and the 240 JHP in my 94 Marlin; the powder being H110/296 only. My hands-down favorite load for the .45 Colt (Ruger only) is a 260 grain swc over 18 grains of 2400; this is the only .45 Colt load I use.

In my M29 I like 18 grains of 2400 under a 255 grain swc.
 
carbines

My two vintage Ruger carbines give best the accuracy with lighter bullets, and I shoot 200 gr XTP's through them. I believe it has to do with the slower twist rate in the older carbines......but Marlin shooters with the same twist typically report better accuracy w/ 240's than I get in my little rifles. I found 180's too soft for deer,and the standard 240's gave pie plate accuracy ( in my carbines) at 100yds, ...... just unacceptable. The 200's plunk into 3" or so and that will work for me at the distances I use .44 carbine.
 
Thanks for the input. I think I will stay with 240 JHP in the 44 Redhawk, and the Speer Deep Curl get good reviews and shoot well in mine. Different path for the 45. I will go with a heavy cast load, probably the Cast Performance 335.
 
For hunting I developed loads with...

for the .45LC, the Sierra 240 JHC, using Bluedot, out of a Blakckhawk 7.5" barrel. this was when Ohio first allowed handgun hunting. My criteria was going for maximm raange that I grouped six ronds on a picnic plate. 75yds!

When working loads for TC Contender with .44 and .357Mag barrel and a RSS6, italked with teh tech from Sierra, and they recommended using the heaviest bullet at the maximum velocity, for getting penetration with a good grouping.

At that time I was working in WA state and hiking the the Cascades, they aso recmmended a OTC fedreal load of 180 gr Hot-cast lead fro the .357.

Nice controllable recoil but great penetration, theses were carried in a speedloader for black bear usage and 140gr XTP for two-legged varmints.

Fortunately never required use of either.

Just keep ears and eyes open and looking, avoided troubles.
 
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