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Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: finnman on January 14, 2023, 07:47:03 PM


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Title: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: finnman on January 14, 2023, 07:47:03 PM
I am looking at setting up some hunting trips this year around using the .44 Mag.
We will be doing some deer scouting and black bear hunting in September in NE WA. Then back in the area in November for late WT.
I have 2 - .44 Remington Mag in Ruger M77/44. I have 270 grain Buffalo Bore soft points and HSM 300 grain soft points. Should be plenty for bear and a bit of over kill on deer.
Does anyone have any performance experience on black bear or deer using the .44 mag? What ammo do you like?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 14, 2023, 07:58:44 PM
I have shot a few critters hogs and deer with 44 mag. Most of them have been with Barnes solid copper hollow points. All reasonably close. 50 and under and the 44 is more than good enough to take bear and deer at reasonable distances.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: buckfvr on January 14, 2023, 08:01:32 PM
August will be your huckleberry for bear.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: finnman on January 14, 2023, 08:15:15 PM
August will be your huckleberry for bear.

I like what you did there!
We will be up in the Selkirk area. I will have to see what date the bear hunting opens. We will also have the grouse guns handy!
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: Remnar on January 14, 2023, 09:01:59 PM
I know someone who hunts blacktail (no intentions of bear) . They just use Federal 240 grain softpoints , deer dont go anywhere . All shots are 125 yards ish or under .

 This person knows ballistics well. But we were B.S. ing and I said what about trying XYZ copper, hardcast etc.

Why? was the answer I got  :chuckle:. I have to agree for that application.
 Last deer I personally seen the after effects with this combination was (estimated  live# 150 blacktail) quartering to point of shoulder shot . Pass through with a 2" exit at about 60 yards .

Short story long I think you will love a load like the one you described at reasonable distances for both deer and bear . Wish I would have bought one of those rifles years ago . :twocents:
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: boneaddict on January 15, 2023, 07:18:56 AM
Not the answer to your question per say, but Idabooner often hunted with his .41 mag and it worked fine on both deer and bear.   He used all handloads and I am sure they were hot.  He was very meticulous about working up loads.   Probably similar characteristics down range. 
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: Caseknife on January 15, 2023, 08:09:20 AM
Killed a spike bull with my Super Redhawk 44 mag years ago.  That was the years that the regs said you needed 1000ft/lbs at 100 yds so I was using handloaded 300 XTP at 1300fps.  It did the job quite well.  Would have no doubt that it would take care of deer and bear quite easily.  I think loaded with the Barnes 225 would be great medicine.  Be aware that to hunt bear in NE WA, you need to carry around the 8x11 sheet of paper that you can identify bear species, total crock.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: Brushcrawler on January 15, 2023, 08:14:31 AM
You can shrink that 8x11 sheet down to wallet size on your printer and it’s still easily legible.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: finnman on January 15, 2023, 12:05:32 PM
Not the answer to your question per say, but Idabooner often hunted with his .41 mag and it worked fine on both deer and bear.   He used all handloads and I am sure they were hot.  He was very meticulous about working up loads.   Probably similar characteristics down range. 

I really like the .41 mag. But the price of those revolvers has really blown up.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: metlhead on January 16, 2023, 07:32:01 PM
My hunting handgun was a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk .44 with a 4X Leupold EER on top. Cast loads easily smacked cinder blocks at 100yds. This was in the mid 90's and my 2 loads were 180gr Federal Supreme HPs and leftover Black Talons. Only deer shot was a Colorado mulie doe that took exactly 0 steps after a high shoulder shot with the Black Talon. Gun ended up stolen from my apartment.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: bustedoldman on January 27, 2023, 08:37:19 AM
My goal this year is to hunt everything with the S&W XVR460.....We'll see how it pans out!
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2023, 09:15:59 AM
I am looking at setting up some hunting trips this year around using the .44 Mag.
We will be doing some deer scouting and black bear hunting in September in NE WA. Then back in the area in November for late WT.
I have 2 - .44 Remington Mag in Ruger M77/44. I have 270 grain Buffalo Bore soft points and HSM 300 grain soft points. Should be plenty for bear and a bit of over kill on deer.
Does anyone have any performance experience on black bear or deer using the .44 mag? What ammo do you like?

Thanks!

I've seen numerous bear and a few cougar killed with 44 mag pistols and lever action rifles, the kills were all closer than 50 yards, bullets ranging from 180 to 240 were used, the .44 with any of those bullets was very effective at those close range shots. I don't think I would recommend pistols for over 50 yards or rifles for much more than 100 yards.

This article explains in great detail the ballistics and tendencies for various bullet weights in the .44: https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.44+Remington+Magnum.html
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2023, 09:23:52 AM
Not the answer to your question per say, but Idabooner often hunted with his .41 mag and it worked fine on both deer and bear.   He used all handloads and I am sure they were hot.  He was very meticulous about working up loads.   Probably similar characteristics down range. 

I really like the .41 mag. But the price of those revolvers has really blown up.

I've seen a few bear killed with .41's, also all closer than 50 yards, in pistols the recoil is definitely less, making them a little more enjoyable to shoot for anyone who is concerned about recoil.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2023, 09:26:11 AM
I am looking at setting up some hunting trips this year around using the .44 Mag.
We will be doing some deer scouting and black bear hunting in September in NE WA. Then back in the area in November for late WT.
I have 2 - .44 Remington Mag in Ruger M77/44. I have 270 grain Buffalo Bore soft points and HSM 300 grain soft points. Should be plenty for bear and a bit of over kill on deer.
Does anyone have any performance experience on black bear or deer using the .44 mag? What ammo do you like?

Thanks!

I've seen numerous bear and a few cougar killed with 44 mag pistols and lever action rifles, the kills were all closer than 50 yards, bullets ranging from 180 to 240 were used, the .44 with any of those bullets was very effective at those close range shots. I don't think I would recommend pistols for over 50 yards or rifles for much more than 100 yards.

This article explains in great detail the ballistics and tendencies for various bullet weights in the .44: https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.44+Remington+Magnum.html

Wanted to add one more thought: Have you considered the .444 marlin, same caliber, higher velocity, just as effective for a little longer shots, so probably a better choice as a hunting rifle?
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2023, 11:29:27 AM
That’s a good one for digging wounded bears out of the brush. 
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: KFhunter on January 28, 2023, 11:35:44 AM
My favorite brush gun is the .44 mag ruger carbine, later named deerslayer

Tube fed semi-auto
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: boneaddict on January 28, 2023, 11:37:19 AM
My 30 30 is semi auto….with lots of practice. Lol


Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: finnman on January 28, 2023, 09:57:32 PM
I am looking at setting up some hunting trips this year around using the .44 Mag.
We will be doing some deer scouting and black bear hunting in September in NE WA. Then back in the area in November for late WT.
I have 2 - .44 Remington Mag in Ruger M77/44. I have 270 grain Buffalo Bore soft points and HSM 300 grain soft points. Should be plenty for bear and a bit of over kill on deer.
Does anyone have any performance experience on black bear or deer using the .44 mag? What ammo do you like?

Thanks!

I've seen numerous bear and a few cougar killed with 44 mag pistols and lever action rifles, the kills were all closer than 50 yards, bullets ranging from 180 to 240 were used, the .44 with any of those bullets was very effective at those close range shots. I don't think I would recommend pistols for over 50 yards or rifles for much more than 100 yards.

This article explains in great detail the ballistics and tendencies for various bullet weights in the .44: https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.44+Remington+Magnum.html

Wanted to add one more thought: Have you considered the .444 marlin, same caliber, higher velocity, just as effective for a little longer shots, so probably a better choice as a hunting rifle?

Thanks for the advice Bearpaw.
I have a .358 Win in a BLR that will do anything out to 300 yards with a statement.
So the 44 mag is reserved for under 125 yards. So while vary appropriate for almost everything, the .444 Marlin is not needed in my repertoire.
I still want one though! 🤣
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: 300rum on January 29, 2023, 07:22:17 AM
I just spent an hour or so on the .358 Winchester because of this post.  Thinking of making it a regular saddle rifle.....

I have a .358 Win in a BLR that will do anything out to 300 yards with a statement.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: JWBINX on January 29, 2023, 07:34:56 AM
My 30 30 is semi auto….with lots of practice. Lol


Lucas McCain had one! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: Ramster on January 29, 2023, 05:53:58 PM
My 30 30 is semi auto….with lots of practice. Lol


Lucas McCain had one! :chuckle:
No. He had a 44-40.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: JWBINX on January 30, 2023, 04:37:20 PM
My 30 30 is semi auto….with lots of practice. Lol


Lucas McCain had one! :chuckle:
No. He had a 44-40.

Got me :chuckle:
It was actually a test-- You win.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: wilywin on February 01, 2023, 06:15:01 PM
I have killed several deer with my ruger m77/44.  Drops em everytime.
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: jdb on February 04, 2023, 02:00:34 PM
I have killed several deer with my ruger m77/44.  Drops em everytime.
ive hunted with my 77/44 but other than one coyote I’ve yet to make a kill
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: okie john on February 10, 2023, 04:58:22 PM
I am looking at setting up some hunting trips this year around using the .44 Mag.
We will be doing some deer scouting and black bear hunting in September in NE WA. Then back in the area in November for late WT.
I have 2 - .44 Remington Mag in Ruger M77/44. I have 270 grain Buffalo Bore soft points and HSM 300 grain soft points. Should be plenty for bear and a bit of over kill on deer.
Does anyone have any performance experience on black bear or deer using the .44 mag? What ammo do you like?

Years ago, I killed a little blacktail at about 30 yards with a 240-grain American Eagle JHP from a 20" Marlin 1984. That load clocked 1,200 fps in a 5" S&W Model 629 and 1,500 in the Marlin. The deer died quickly but that load tore up a lot of meat. The 44 definitely worked, and 240 grains is probably plenty of weight, but I'll use a stouter bullet next time. Pretty sure the AE load is meant for revolvers.


Okie John
Title: Re: Hunting with the .44 Rem Mag?
Post by: Drifterat on February 15, 2023, 05:54:05 PM
250 gr Keith style hard cast from Cast Performance and 320 gr HCFN gas checked were my go to bullets. Full charge of H110. Took 4 BT's with them. DRT.
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