Anyone hunt with 180gr in 44mag?

PunchinPaper · October 27, 2011, 10:17 PM

I just finished loading up a batch of 180 gr Sierra JHCs.
I was wondering if anyone uses these on Whitetail deer.
I have quite a stash of these bullets, and rifle season is right around the corner. I decided to give these a try in my M92. I'll try to make it by the range tomorrow to see how they shoot. I normally use 240s , but I wanted to see if these would be easier on the shoulder. I would think that they would work fine on deer, but I have no experience with them.

PunchinPaper · October 27, 2011, 10:25 PM

BTW.. I used 26gr of W296,CCI350's,New Win brass,COAL 1.600.
By the book it should yield 1800FPS in a 16" barrel.
This load is for RIFLES ONLY.
It's not max, Use your own data.

mrawesome22 · October 27, 2011, 11:16 PM

I use the 180XTP .430" in a sabot out of my muzzle loader and it puts whitetails down for the count.

Last one I shot was about 60yards full frontal shot right in the brisket, 8 point, 170lbs. guts out.

Deer ran about 70 yards even though when I cut him open, his lungs had been turned to mush lol.

Anyway, yes the 180's do great on whitetail at reasonable ranges.

PunchinPaper · October 28, 2011, 12:38 AM

Thanks
I figured since people recommend 180's for 357 it would work better in the 44.
Plus it should recoil less than the 240's.
Ill be runing mine out of a 20" carbine so I should get every bit of the 1800fps quoted in the manual +some if I'm lucky.

ligonierbill · October 28, 2011, 01:44 AM

My brother killed a doe with a 180 gr. commercial load out of his NEF carbine last year. Put the deer down quickly.

mtnbkr · October 28, 2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

I figured since people recommend 180's for 357 it would work better in the 44.

Not quite the same. The reason 180s work in the 357 is because the Sectional Density of the bullet gives it great penetration and because the weight gives more momentum for the caliber. The same weight in a larger caliber reduces sectional density and reduces penetration capability. That doesn't mean it won't work, but it won't have the same characteristics as a 180 in the 357mag.

In the 44mag, the equivalent bullets are the 300gr slugs.

Chris

Mobuck · October 28, 2011, 07:21 AM

I have loaded some 180-200 JHP as a lower recoil alternative to full 240 grain ammo. Don't really hunt with it but have no doubt it will work at very close range at which a 4 5/8" 44 mag would be effective.

PunchinPaper · October 28, 2011, 08:05 AM

I understand what your saying about sectional density and your right.
I should have elaborated a bit more, I was thinking about bullet diameter.
The 44 should be better than the 357 with 180s as far as the wound channel it will leave. (bigger hole), more blood loss.

Rifleman1776 · October 28, 2011, 08:07 AM

I have shot many 180s hard cast as a target round. Work fine. I can see no reason why it wouldn't be a deer stopper.

zplinker · October 28, 2011, 08:42 AM

The 180 XTP and Sierra bullets do a fine job on whitetails, with one exception: don't shoot for the shoulders, as some do with 240 gr. bullets.

Brian Pfleuger · October 28, 2011, 08:59 AM

A friend of mine hunts with 180gr XTPs in 44mag for whitetails.

He tries other bullets every now and then but always ends up back at 180 XTPs. Must be they work.

FrankenMauser · October 28, 2011, 05:36 PM

I hunt with the 180 gr Sierra JHCs on top of a hefty dose of AA#7. It should be doing about 1,700 to 1,750 fps out of my 7.5" barrel. I have yet to verify velocity, or shoot anything with it.

I prefer a 240 gr bullet, but shoot the 180s because I have them.

In a rifle, there is absolutely no reason to compromise on bullet weight, and go to a 180 for "reduced recoil". You're sacrificing performance, but not benefiting in any other way.

PunchinPaper · October 28, 2011, 06:06 PM

I didn't get a chance to make it to the range to try the new 180gr loads today.
With this mornings archery hunt and the afternoon honeydoos,may wait untill
Sunday. Since I have a good stock of Seirra 180 JHCs, I plan on developing a accurate all around plinking/hunting load to have on hand.

bbqncigars · October 28, 2011, 10:38 PM

180 grain jacketed bullets are what Lee Jurras recommended for good hunting loads in .44 mags. He is known for his experience with magnum pistols of various configurations.

RamSlammer · October 29, 2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Not quite the same. The reason 180s work in the 357 is because the Sectional Density of the bullet gives it great penetration and because the weight gives more momentum for the caliber. The same weight in a larger caliber reduces sectional density and reduces penetration capability. That doesn't mean it won't work, but it won't have the same characteristics as a 180 in the 357mag.

In the 44mag, the equivalent bullets are the 300gr slugs.

+1 . . . Bingo. Not that 180g .44 mags will not work, just they will not have the sectional density to give the penetration of the same weight bullet in a smaller caliber.

shootniron · October 29, 2011, 07:03 AM

I had great success using Federal 180gr hp bullets bullets before I started reloading and casting. I never had one that failed to totally penetrate a deer on any shot I made on a deer. However, now that I cast bullets, I only use 250gr Keith bullets over a moderate charge to get the same results.

So, the 180's will work and the deer will not know the difference.

October 27, 2011, 10:17 PM	#1
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	Anyone hunt with 180gr in 44mag? I just finished loading up a batch of 180 gr Sierra JHCs. I was wondering if anyone uses these on Whitetail deer. I have quite a stash of these bullets, and rifle season is right around the corner. I decided to give these a try in my M92. I'll try to make it by the range tomorrow to see how they shoot. I normally use 240s , but I wanted to see if these would be easier on the shoulder. I would think that they would work fine on deer, but I have no experience with them.

October 27, 2011, 10:25 PM	#2
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	BTW.. I used 26gr of W296,CCI350's,New Win brass,COAL 1.600. By the book it should yield 1800FPS in a 16" barrel. This load is for RIFLES ONLY. It's not max, Use your own data. Last edited by PunchinPaper; October 27, 2011 at 10:37 PM.

October 28, 2011, 05:36 PM	#12
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I hunt with the 180 gr Sierra JHCs on top of a hefty dose of AA#7. It should be doing about 1,700 to 1,750 fps out of my 7.5" barrel. I have yet to verify velocity, or shoot anything with it. I prefer a 240 gr bullet, but shoot the 180s because I have them. In a rifle, there is absolutely no reason to compromise on bullet weight, and go to a 180 for "reduced recoil". You're sacrificing performance, but not benefiting in any other way. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 28, 2011, 10:38 PM	#14
bbqncigars Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 525	180 grain jacketed bullets are what Lee Jurras recommended for good hunting loads in .44 mags. He is known for his experience with magnum pistols of various configurations. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

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October 27, 2011, 11:16 PM	#3
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I use the 180XTP .430" in a sabot out of my muzzle loader and it puts whitetails down for the count. Last one I shot was about 60yards full frontal shot right in the brisket, 8 point, 170lbs. guts out. Deer ran about 70 yards even though when I cut him open, his lungs had been turned to mush lol. Anyway, yes the 180's do great on whitetail at reasonable ranges.

October 28, 2011, 12:38 AM	#4
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	Thanks I figured since people recommend 180's for 357 it would work better in the 44. Plus it should recoil less than the 240's. Ill be runing mine out of a 20" carbine so I should get every bit of the 1800fps quoted in the manual +some if I'm lucky.

October 28, 2011, 01:44 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	My brother killed a doe with a 180 gr. commercial load out of his NEF carbine last year. Put the deer down quickly.

October 28, 2011, 07:21 AM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I have loaded some 180-200 JHP as a lower recoil alternative to full 240 grain ammo. Don't really hunt with it but have no doubt it will work at very close range at which a 4 5/8" 44 mag would be effective.

October 28, 2011, 08:05 AM	#8
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	I understand what your saying about sectional density and your right. I should have elaborated a bit more, I was thinking about bullet diameter. The 44 should be better than the 357 with 180s as far as the wound channel it will leave. (bigger hole), more blood loss.

October 28, 2011, 08:07 AM	#9
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I have shot many 180s hard cast as a target round. Work fine. I can see no reason why it wouldn't be a deer stopper.

October 28, 2011, 08:42 AM	#10
zplinker Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2011 Location: way out here Posts: 262	The 180 XTP and Sierra bullets do a fine job on whitetails, with one exception: don't shoot for the shoulders, as some do with 240 gr. bullets.

October 28, 2011, 08:59 AM	#11
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	A friend of mine hunts with 180gr XTPs in 44mag for whitetails. He tries other bullets every now and then but always ends up back at 180 XTPs. Must be they work.

October 28, 2011, 06:06 PM	#13
PunchinPaper Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 148	I didn't get a chance to make it to the range to try the new 180gr loads today. With this mornings archery hunt and the afternoon honeydoos,may wait untill Sunday. Since I have a good stock of Seirra 180 JHCs, I plan on developing a accurate all around plinking/hunting load to have on hand.

October 29, 2011, 07:03 AM	#16
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	I had great success using Federal 180gr hp bullets bullets before I started reloading and casting. I never had one that failed to totally penetrate a deer on any shot I made on a deer. However, now that I cast bullets, I only use 250gr Keith bullets over a moderate charge to get the same results. So, the 180's will work and the deer will not know the difference.