GOOD BEAR LOAD FOR REDHAWK 44MAG

[bearhunter59]

Just picked up a Redhawk 44mag, and was wondering what some good loads are for using it for bear and cougar.  I have a buddy that has most of the reloading stuff we need, so we'll be loading up a bunch of different ones to try and find one I like.  I know from reading here, that a few of you use this caliber for bear and cougar, so I was wondering if you have some loads that you feel work best??

I've only taken it to the indoor range and shot it twice.  The first time I shot it, I was hitting those beechwood-casey 3" targets, freehand, at 10 yrds pretty reliably.  I went back to the range today and after a couple of rounds at the 3" at 10yrds, I set the 7" out there at 25, and hit it everytime.  I figure that's not too bad for the first couple of times, I've even shot anything bigger than my little Colt .380.  It was actually good enough that I would have been able to meet the Master Hunter handgun requirements for 25yrds.  Now I need to go to the outdoor range and practice the 50yrd rest shots.  This will give me a chance to adjust the sights too.  I'm hitting about 1-1/2" low and to the left (7 o'clock position).

Anyway, just looking for some good bearhunting loads...if anyone wants to share the info...

[cohoho]

Hey, nice gun!  Full cast 300 grain bullets....

[Ray]

I have not taken a bear. However I think this load is ok so far in my Blackhawk. Need to see what the muzzle velocity is but been shooting well with it... Probably 300 grain would work better though... 

Leadheads 320 grain Gas Check bullets   PM44-320  WFN  - https://secure25.securewebsession.com/proshootpro.com/order.htm
Alliant 2400 12 grains. Probably could go higher.
CCI Large Pistol Magnum Primers

[DeKuma]

I agree with the 300 grain cast lead.  They kick like a mule, but can really put a hurting on!
I have not used them on bear yet, but have used them on elk.  I originally bought them to be legal in WA for elk, but they performed so well, I just keep the cylinder full of them.

[Bigshooter]

Hard to beat a 300gr cast bullet in the 44mag.

[bearhunter59]

Thanks for the infor guys.  This should get interesting...I thought the 240gr I was practicing with kicked.... ....I was going to say that I could only imagine what the 300 or 320 gr kick feels like, but I guess I'll find out pretty soon...

Any other powder combinations work well, that you know of???

Do you mostly reload, or buy store bought???

[Dean44]

Hardcast bullets make the best bone crushers. I use a Lee 310 grain mould. Have killed both deer and elk very effectively with it. It has a design that keeps more of the lead above the crimp and takes full advantage of the cylinder length on the Ruger Red Hawk. This creates more case capacity and more potential power, if you work up good loads. Full pass through kills on elk are pretty reliable.

Another good bullet is the 300 GR Hornady XTP. It has dual cannelures so like the bullet mentioned above, you can seat the bullet out further. It also has a very shallow hollow point so expansion is less likely to get out of control. These would be better bullets for broadside shots.

These are my 2 favorite 44 bullets for big game.

Hodgdon 110, I think is the best powder for these heavier bullets.

The Ruger RH and SRH are very strong revolvers. I use these heavier bullets with heavy loads in my Super Redhawk, and my friend uses them in his Redhawk. I would not want to fire heavy loads with these bullets in my Smith & Wesson.

Good Luck on your hunt!

[bearhunter59]

Hey, what's a good scope for this Redhawk anyway.  I've been looking at the Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x23, but that baby is only @$500!!!  So makes, me wonder if I need to go that big, or highend.  I intend to use this gun for bear and cougar mainly, and possibly elk and deer.  I figure my max range would be somewhere between 75-100yrds, probably closer to the 75 end than the 100 yd end.  But, I'll figure that out as I go...anyway, good scope suggestions...oh and a holster for a scoped Redhawk 44mag.....that comes in lefthand version.  I loved the Kodiak Hunter Shoulder Holster, but I only found it online in righthand version.  Besides that thing runs @$200, and I just saw where Cabelas makes a bandolier type, that comes in Lefthand model for my gun, and it only runs @$30....but that Kodiak Hunter holster sure is a nice one...

[high country]

I use a healthy dose of win296 with a 300gr lead. be sure to get one with a wide meplat if you have a choice. I have used the xtp's before, but the lead goes deeper.