Fellow handgun hunters

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mxsailor803

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Alright guys, I've killed my fair share of whitetail and wild hogs with a 6" 629 .44mag using Hornady XTP's in 240gr and 300gr. I'm going to start prepping for a elk hunt next year in Oregon. Now my .44mag will be in case I get a close shot, .308 will be my longer shot weapon of choice. My question is, will the XTP's have the penetration for a fully grown Elk? I've killed a 350# boar hog with the 300's and it had full left side to ride penetration but will it perform the same on a Elk? For you handloaders, I'm using 4227 and running on the higher speeds but not to Ruger levels.
 
That's a pretty good question right there. I have a Glock 20 that I use for backup on hogs and if I'm hunting in thick cover then it's my main weapon.

But when I first got this gun I puzzled and studied quite a bit to find an expanding bullet with great penetration for these nasty vermin. But penetration was my biggest objective in settling on a hog hunting expanding bullet. And I settled on the 200 gr. XTP loaded by Underwood.

I know that you're hunting elk which is something that I have no experience with, my father always used a .270 and a .30-06 for elk. But in my opinion the XTP's and Barnes are the best as far as handgun hunting bullets as far as penetration goes. And I have had great success with hogs from the XTPs they penetrate well and knock big pigs down even if I shoot em at a dead run 70 yards off through the back of their hams.

But like I said I've never hunted elk ever but I would feel comfortable using XTP's on elk as long as they were pretty heavy bullets in grains so that way it has a good sectional density so that you will still get good penetration.

After bullet structure, sectional density is the biggest key in penetration, and the heavier the bullet per caliber the higher the sectional density per caliber. Also velocity has lots to do with penetration also.
 
The answer is NO. On wapiti you need a solid bullet either hard cast or solid copper so you would be looking to cast your own like I do or make an order.
 
Elk are not bullet proof. The 300 gr xtp will work. Aim to miss the shoulder blade and it will do the job. The shoulder blade and shoulder socket together will stop some rifle bullets, and is the only thing that would trouble a handgun shot. Only take the handgun shot if the elk is well inside your comfort zone and broadside or quartering away.
 
Got to love the internet.

Yes, the XTPs will work fine on elk. I have killed several elk with them. 200 grain XTPs from a 5" 10mm 1911 went through the chest on a 550 pound cow, exited and dropped her straight down at 80 yards. Killed a 5x5 bull at 60 yards, same gun, same effect. I have killed 4 more with the 210 grain XTP from my .41 Magnum. They are very accurate even near max loads. I have driven both the 10mm and the .41 bullets a good bit past the 10mm and .41 Magnum max in a .40 Super and .414 Supermag and they still held up perfectly.

Elk are tough, and you have some constraints with a handgun that you would not with a rifle, but pick your shot and you will be better off than with a solid.
 
I've not shot elk, but based on my deer experience the cast doesn't do enough damage when it passes through. Sure, they die either way, but I prefer to increase the odds that it is closer to where they are shot. I would not shoot for heavy bone in an elk with either bullet. My choice would be the XTP, behind the shoulder for an archery angle shot limited to pistol distances.

I'm using 4227 and running on the higher speeds but not to Ruger levels.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what that means.
 
I'm using 4227 and running on the higher speeds but not to Ruger levels.
I'm not sure what that means
Click to expand...

That means he hand loads his own ammo. 4227 is a type of powder. Ruger pistols are known to be exceptionally strong and capable of handling more pressure. Some ammo makers label hot loads as "Ruger Only". Most hand loading manuals also have "Ruger Only" load data.
 
Big Al, I kinda treat handgun hunting like bow hunting with just a little more energy. That and I never could shoot a bow well lol. I've always been picky on my shot placements unless it was hogs (dang pests!). I figured the 300 XTP's running pretty warm would do the job since I just dropped a 200lbs boar through the "shield". It's one of those things that shot placement is definitely going to be more of a factor. I mean people hunt Elk with .243's. Not my personal choice but to each's own. Thanks.
 
The best penetrating 44 bullet made these days is Sierras' 250gr Tournament Master. Thick jacket and hard core with a slightly concave exposed lead tip... Nosler used to make HG Partition Bullets in 44 cal, but they discontinued these a few years back..You can still find them now and the on GunBroker
 
SW, I've actually got those exact bullets. My grandfather used them forever it seemed and he got out of reloading and gave me his supplies. I think I've got 200-220 of them.
 
You've got plenty of bullet for elk, just put it in the boiler room. I normally use a 240 cast SWC over 22 gr of 4227. But I know of more than one elk put down by XTP's, speer deep curls and plain old JSP's. I have one recovered bullet from my last bull that was approx 700 lbs, went in the last rib on the left side and found it in the shoulder blade of the right front shoulder, shot was taken at about 75 yards. Shot placement and knowing your personal limits and abilities are more important than a difference of 2"-3" in penetration between different bullets.
 
Some ammo makers label hot loads as "Ruger Only". Most hand loading manuals also have "Ruger Only" load data.
Click to expand...

I'm very familiar with Ruger only loads for 45LC.

I have never heard of "Ruger Only" 44 mag ammo, and have never seen "Ruger Only" Reloading data for 44 mag.
 
I once talked to a shooter who started with a M29 but with overloads so it had to be repaired!
So he bought a Ruger -the thinking the Ruger is tough he increased the already hot loads .That damaged the Ruger !! A very slow learner !
Handgun bullets slow down quickly due to the poor ballistic coefficients.Go for accuracy which is often just below max.Gun will last much longer .Use premium bullets , Barnes etc. PRACTICE !
 
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