So about that .44 mag...

Largest? What is the largest animal can you find on the continental US?

Smallest? What's the smallest animal you can find on the continental US?

The real questions to be asked are the following:

How good are you with the weapon chambered in a .44mag?

What load are you using?

If you're shooting small critters do you want to actually be able to eat it after its been shot?
 
Based on Larry Kelly's experience in Alaska with the 44 Mag, I would hesitate to take on grizzly or brown bears, but otherwise it's all good.

As far as the smallest, I have shot ground squirrels with mine. And yes, it stopped them just fine.
 
As far as the smallest, I have shot ground squirrels with mine. And yes, it stopped them just fine.
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I'd be very afraid of the ground squirrel that could take a shot from a .44mag revolver or long gun and continue to function...
 
Squirrels.
Moose/Woolly Mammoth.

I would probably draw the line just shy of Argentinosaurus Huinculensis (115 feet long, and in excess of 105 tons), or Amphicoelias Fragillimus (200 feet long, 135 tons -- that's right, a 270,000 lb lizard).
 
44 Mag VS Grizz

I would prefer to use something a little bigger when I'm out 45/70 or 454 casull. But for everything else a 44 Mag would do the trick. You just want something that will break bones of a brown bear. My 45/70 is a bit long and heavier for walking around but the 454 Alaskan would do the trick in Alaska only 44 ounces. You can also shoot the 45 colt in the Alaskan

Joe
 
Not a .44, but I once shot a fly with a .357 mag. He picked the wrong time to land on my target (7 yards). So I guess a fly is the smallest fauna I've shot. The body of a daddy long-legs is smaller, but I don't know if that counts...

That's about the biggest critter I've shot with a handgun too. :)
 
Bunnies to large southern IL whitetails with the 44 magnum so far, using 240 grain cast SWC and Winchester JHPs. Both have worked every time.
 
Anything currently living would be no trouble. I would want something a bit bigger for the bigger africa stuff just for a good clean ethical kill.

Grizzly with hard cast bullets would fold with no trouble.
 
I have only killed a rabbit with a 44 magnum. I have taken up to mule deer with a 357 magnum so I am sure that the 44 would be fine on the deer as well.
 
Based on Larry Kelly's experience in Alaska with the 44 Mag, I would hesitate to take on grizzly or brown bears, but otherwise it's all good.
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Larry Kelly was shooting 240 gr SJHP's when that griz came in his tent. No wonder they didn't penetrate! A similar weight hardcast lead would have performed just fine, and not required his friends with Rifles. Choose your boolits wisely and the 44 Mag will take you anywhere on Earth.

To answer the question...Elk/Rabbit, though the rabbit still eludes me. :o
 
I've killed a squirrel with a .44 Mag, had him for Supper. I'd feel safe hunting wild pigs. I'd only use one to hunt a big bear IF I had a backup with a heavy rifle. I highly value my hide.
 
Hog's and deer for both largest and smallest. I wouldn't shoot anything larger and for smaller I'd opt for a 22 to do the job. Smithy.
 
I have shot a pesky squirrel or two with the 44 mag,although normally small game I use a 22 pistol and keep the 44 mag after the whitetail. I would feel comfortable packing a 44 mag for protection in North America and have packed it cross country riding and camping through out the country & "Bear Country".
 
I watched a long video that starred the president of COLD STEEL knife company. I've forgotten his name. Anyways, this hunter hammered dozens of wild water buffalo and hogs in Australia with his 44 MAG revolver. By hammered I mean to say that he toppled them as if struck by Thor's hammer. Ammo featured Hornady's 300 gr XTP bullet. Very impressive results from shoulder and lung shots at reasonable hunting ranges.

I toppled many coastal blacktails with my Marlin 44 MAG when I was stationed at Travis AF Base, Calif. None got away.

Jack

44MAG.jpg
 
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