Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Westside88 on October 01, 2013, 05:04:25 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Westside88 on October 01, 2013, 05:04:25 PM
Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable factory loaded round for 44 mag that would be good for hunting/defense. I would like something that I could carry while packing deer/elk and be able to shoot a black bear cougar etc. The gun is a S&W Mountain Gun with a 4" barrel so I understand its not the best for heavy loads. Any thoughts on a good solid bullet? Thanks
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: PNW_Hunter on October 01, 2013, 11:24:52 PM
Pretty much any full power, hard cast round will do the trick!
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: hillbilli on October 02, 2013, 04:57:21 AM
yes, you can use hard cast- but as most cougar are 200lbs or less, and most black bear 300 or less- it's not like you need the same penetration that yuo might need in grizzly country, so I would say any 240gr or heavier hollowpoint that your gun shoots decent..
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on October 02, 2013, 06:17:17 AM
 :yeah:

If you look at Buffalo's read the warnings. Only a select few revovers suited to shoot some of those. And the S and W's arnt on the list.
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Jason on October 02, 2013, 06:23:13 AM
I shoot the Hornady 240gr XTP bullets in my .44mag.
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Westside88 on October 02, 2013, 07:43:56 AM
Thanks guys
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Oldguy on October 02, 2013, 08:20:01 AM
:yeah:

If you look at Buffalo's read the warnings. Only a select few revovers suited to shoot some of those. And the S and W's arnt on the list.

That restriction only applies to the 340gr +P+ load in the 44 magnum.
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Westside88 on October 02, 2013, 08:41:21 AM
I appreciate the warnings as well. I know a lightweight like the the 629 or in my case 629 mountain gun isn't safe for too heavy or stout loads. That's why I'm asking, to try to find something in the mid range with a bullet suitable for taking mid sized animals at reasonable ranges.  So many of the articles you find are tailored to,handgun hunting with larger/stronger guns (and rightly so if that's the primary use) Thanks again for pointing out safety concerns, it's always good to have all the information
Title: Re: Recommendations for 44 Mag Load suitable for Cougar/Bear
Post by: Hunt4ever on October 02, 2013, 09:06:04 AM
best 44 rounds made are the 225 hornady lever revolution ballistic tip... I dropped a bear last year at 50 yrds and it left a softball size hole in him...
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal