44 hunting load ?? - The Firearms Forum

thekidd · 11-24-2004, 06:41 PM

I bought a NEF 44 cal rifle for my wife to hunt deer with, but I am getting conflicting stories on weight and type of bullet to use. Can someone help me ?.......... I know this gun probably isnt on anyones "ideal" list, but it fits her perfect and she is a really good shot. Speaking of shooting, 50-60 yards would be a long in the woods she hunts in.

SouthernMoss · 11-24-2004, 10:59 PM

Welcome to TFF, thekidd!! Someone should be along soon who can help you out. In the meantime, check out all the forums and make yourself at home! We have a great group of folks here.

IShootBack · 11-25-2004, 07:40 AM

howdy Kidd

The most important issue here is shot placement. A 44 mag will knock down a whitetail without any problems using factory ammo at the range you specified.

I would not use hollow point ammo, unless specificall designed for hunting. Such as Remington's Core-Lok 275 grain cartridge that is stil moving about 1150 FPS at 50 yards.

Winchester makes a really nice 250 grain Partition Gold cartridge that should perform very well out of your rifle. They also make a 240 grain soft point that works well.

Good Luck and let us know what you end up going with and how your wife does.

BTW: I hunted whitetail deer with a .357 mag Ruger Blackhawk for around 20 years and have had several one shot harvests out to 75 yards, and never shot a deer I did not harvest.

thekidd · 11-25-2004, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the help but I havent seen any of the ammo you mentioned in my local stores. One gun store owner told me that 240 grain hydrashocks would be perfect. I had my doubts so I didnt buy them.

Mike37 · 11-25-2004, 10:22 AM

Wal-Mart has Winchester White Box, 240gr JSP for $19.99 a box. Good Luck.

LIKTOSHOOT · 11-29-2004, 04:21 PM

Do not use hydrashocks, at least you made that choice and got it right.
Great start! AND WELCOME!!

LTS

Goldslammer · 11-29-2004, 06:20 PM

I use the Winchester 240gr. JSP in my Ruger 44 Carbine. Good load for deer.

henry0reilly · 12-04-2004, 09:35 PM

240 Grain Hornady HP/XTP loaded hot and shot out of a Marlin 1894 carbine?

I have several boxes of these that I think I will be taking on my trip to Georgia. JUJU seems to think that .44 mag isn't gonna cut it.

Marlin · 12-04-2004, 10:23 PM

.44 is alright if you are shooting at similar ranges as one would normally use a .30-30. It does not have any greater advantege on longer shots.

If the hunt is going to be where longer than 75-100 yards are required, you would be better off with a .270 or .30-06.

juju · 12-06-2004, 09:40 PM

Henry, what I said was that the .44 will limit ther places you will be able to hunt. You wont be able to hunt the fields or some of the food plots, these places have ranges possible out to 600yds, gonna be awful frustrating to be sitting at a stand on the big field and have a big buck come out at 200 to 300 yds and you are holding a .44.

Also, I said that the .44 while an adequate deer load is more likely to let a deer run a spell before dying than my 45/70. If you hunt the swamp and dont anchor the deer in place we will never find it.

Bring what you are comfortable with but be prepared to be limited in the places you can hunt on the lease.

I have made both a .300 winmag and a 45/70 available to you if you would like to use them, by all means bring your .44 if you like and then you can decide what to hunt with.

Looking forward to meeting you.

JuJu(just a couple of more weeks)

Pabooger · 12-07-2004, 05:46 AM

I agree with Henry, that is exactly what I use, and I think JUJU will be suprised with the performance of the 44. It is never to late to teach an old dog some new tricks!

Now he did mention fields and some long range shots, for that I would be using the Sako .308, or Poppys ole .270!!

thekidd · 12-07-2004, 04:51 PM

I bought the 240 grain Hornady hp xtp. The wife hasnt been hunting yet but I just had to try it out. I shot a small six point buck at about 65 yards. Dropped him where he stood, no tracking just like I like it. I appreciate all of the replies. this is my first time joining a forum and it is alot more helpful than I imagined. Again thanks.

stash247 · 12-09-2004, 09:18 PM

Don't know what kinda .45-70 juju offered, but you can eat right up to the bullet hole, with hard-cast bullets, and it'l shoot plumb thru a 300 pound hog, at any angle, with mild loads, heavy bullets.
If it is a Sharps, or Win Single Shot, and you pass on the opportunity, you will hate yourself forever; if a 1895 Marlin, the same!
Of course, you could pack the .44, and make the decision, later....

11-24-2004, 06:41 PM	#1
thekidd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 92	44 hunting load ?? I bought a NEF 44 cal rifle for my wife to hunt deer with, but I am getting conflicting stories on weight and type of bullet to use. Can someone help me ?.......... I know this gun probably isnt on anyones "ideal" list, but it fits her perfect and she is a really good shot. Speaking of shooting, 50-60 yards would be a long in the woods she hunts in. -->

11-24-2004, 10:59 PM	#2
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Welcome to TFF, thekidd!! Someone should be along soon who can help you out. In the meantime, check out all the forums and make yourself at home! We have a great group of folks here. __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

11-25-2004, 07:40 AM	#3
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,306	Re: 44 hunting load ?? howdy Kidd The most important issue here is shot placement. A 44 mag will knock down a whitetail without any problems using factory ammo at the range you specified. I would not use hollow point ammo, unless specificall designed for hunting. Such as Remington's Core-Lok 275 grain cartridge that is stil moving about 1150 FPS at 50 yards. Winchester makes a really nice 250 grain Partition Gold cartridge that should perform very well out of your rifle. They also make a 240 grain soft point that works well. Good Luck and let us know what you end up going with and how your wife does. BTW: I hunted whitetail deer with a .357 mag Ruger Blackhawk for around 20 years and have had several one shot harvests out to 75 yards, and never shot a deer I did not harvest. __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3 Last edited by IShootBack; 01-19-2013 at 06:41 AM..

11-25-2004, 08:41 AM	#4
thekidd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 92	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Thanks for the help but I havent seen any of the ammo you mentioned in my local stores. One gun store owner told me that 240 grain hydrashocks would be perfect. I had my doubts so I didnt buy them.

11-25-2004, 10:22 AM	#5
Mike37 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Wal-Mart has Winchester White Box, 240gr JSP for $19.99 a box. Good Luck.

11-29-2004, 04:21 PM	#6
LIKTOSHOOT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 9,367	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Do not use hydrashocks, at least you made that choice and got it right. Great start! AND WELCOME!! LTS

11-29-2004, 06:20 PM	#7
Goldslammer Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 6	Re: 44 hunting load ?? I use the Winchester 240gr. JSP in my Ruger 44 Carbine. Good load for deer.

12-04-2004, 09:35 PM	#8
henry0reilly Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 553	What about.... 240 Grain Hornady HP/XTP loaded hot and shot out of a Marlin 1894 carbine? I have several boxes of these that I think I will be taking on my trip to Georgia. JUJU seems to think that .44 mag isn't gonna cut it. __________________ The only Thing necessary for Evil to Triumph is that Good Men do Nothing. Recruit someone for the NRA today!

12-04-2004, 10:23 PM	#9
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Re: 44 hunting load ?? .44 is alright if you are shooting at similar ranges as one would normally use a .30-30. It does not have any greater advantege on longer shots. If the hunt is going to be where longer than 75-100 yards are required, you would be better off with a .270 or .30-06. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

12-06-2004, 09:40 PM	#10
juju V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: cocoa, fla Posts: 59	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Henry, what I said was that the .44 will limit ther places you will be able to hunt. You wont be able to hunt the fields or some of the food plots, these places have ranges possible out to 600yds, gonna be awful frustrating to be sitting at a stand on the big field and have a big buck come out at 200 to 300 yds and you are holding a .44. Also, I said that the .44 while an adequate deer load is more likely to let a deer run a spell before dying than my 45/70. If you hunt the swamp and dont anchor the deer in place we will never find it. Bring what you are comfortable with but be prepared to be limited in the places you can hunt on the lease. I have made both a .300 winmag and a 45/70 available to you if you would like to use them, by all means bring your .44 if you like and then you can decide what to hunt with. Looking forward to meeting you. JuJu(just a couple of more weeks)

12-07-2004, 05:46 AM	#11
Pabooger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Northwestern, Penna. Posts: 1,940	Re: 44 hunting load ?? I agree with Henry, that is exactly what I use, and I think JUJU will be suprised with the performance of the 44. It is never to late to teach an old dog some new tricks! Now he did mention fields and some long range shots, for that I would be using the Sako .308, or Poppys ole .270!! __________________ Springer Spaniels leave footprints in your heart! Forum Admin at www.homeattherange.com

12-07-2004, 04:51 PM	#12
thekidd V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 92	Re: 44 hunting load ?? I bought the 240 grain Hornady hp xtp. The wife hasnt been hunting yet but I just had to try it out. I shot a small six point buck at about 65 yards. Dropped him where he stood, no tracking just like I like it. I appreciate all of the replies. this is my first time joining a forum and it is alot more helpful than I imagined. Again thanks.

12-09-2004, 09:18 PM	#13
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: 44 hunting load ?? Don't know what kinda .45-70 juju offered, but you can eat right up to the bullet hole, with hard-cast bullets, and it'l shoot plumb thru a 300 pound hog, at any angle, with mild loads, heavy bullets. If it is a Sharps, or Win Single Shot, and you pass on the opportunity, you will hate yourself forever; if a 1895 Marlin, the same! Of course, you could pack the .44, and make the decision, later.... __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry