So about that .44 mag...

HALL,AUSTIN · May 28, 2012, 10:49 PM

Whats the largest and smallest animal you would or do shoot with this in a revolver?

Hansam · May 28, 2012, 11:11 PM

Largest? What is the largest animal can you find on the continental US?

Smallest? What's the smallest animal you can find on the continental US?

The real questions to be asked are the following:

How good are you with the weapon chambered in a .44mag?

What load are you using?

If you're shooting small critters do you want to actually be able to eat it after its been shot?

Scorch · May 28, 2012, 11:20 PM

Based on Larry Kelly's experience in Alaska with the 44 Mag, I would hesitate to take on grizzly or brown bears, but otherwise it's all good.

As far as the smallest, I have shot ground squirrels with mine. And yes, it stopped them just fine.

Hansam · May 28, 2012, 11:31 PM

Quote:

As far as the smallest, I have shot ground squirrels with mine. And yes, it stopped them just fine.

I'd be very afraid of the ground squirrel that could take a shot from a .44mag revolver or long gun and continue to function...

mrawesome22 · May 29, 2012, 12:42 AM

Chipmunk and whitetail deer.

Sent from a highly hacked Android device using Tapatalk 2.

FrankenMauser · May 29, 2012, 01:23 AM

Squirrels.
Moose/Woolly Mammoth.

I would probably draw the line just shy of Argentinosaurus Huinculensis (115 feet long, and in excess of 105 tons), or Amphicoelias Fragillimus (200 feet long, 135 tons -- that's right, a 270,000 lb lizard).

Joe .45 ACP · May 29, 2012, 02:26 AM

I would prefer to use something a little bigger when I'm out 45/70 or 454 casull. But for everything else a 44 Mag would do the trick. You just want something that will break bones of a brown bear. My 45/70 is a bit long and heavier for walking around but the 454 Alaskan would do the trick in Alaska only 44 ounces. You can also shoot the 45 colt in the Alaskan

Joe

Sport45 · May 29, 2012, 03:34 AM

Not a .44, but I once shot a fly with a .357 mag. He picked the wrong time to land on my target (7 yards). So I guess a fly is the smallest fauna I've shot. The body of a daddy long-legs is smaller, but I don't know if that counts...

That's about the biggest critter I've shot with a handgun too.

Rifleman1776 · May 29, 2012, 08:13 AM

Snakes smallest.
Biggest I would attempt would be a black bear.
Range, bullet selection and ability are also key factors.

black mamba · May 29, 2012, 09:59 AM

Bunnies to large southern IL whitetails with the 44 magnum so far, using 240 grain cast SWC and Winchester JHPs. Both have worked every time.

BIG P · May 29, 2012, 01:04 PM

Ground hog to blackbear,Results were the same down the line not good for the critter.

jason_iowa · May 29, 2012, 06:18 PM

Anything currently living would be no trouble. I would want something a bit bigger for the bigger africa stuff just for a good clean ethical kill.

Grizzly with hard cast bullets would fold with no trouble.

Deja vu · May 29, 2012, 07:13 PM

I have only killed a rabbit with a 44 magnum. I have taken up to mule deer with a 357 magnum so I am sure that the 44 would be fine on the deer as well.

Edward429451 · May 29, 2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Based on Larry Kelly's experience in Alaska with the 44 Mag, I would hesitate to take on grizzly or brown bears, but otherwise it's all good.

Larry Kelly was shooting 240 gr SJHP's when that griz came in his tent. No wonder they didn't penetrate! A similar weight hardcast lead would have performed just fine, and not required his friends with Rifles. Choose your boolits wisely and the 44 Mag will take you anywhere on Earth.

To answer the question...Elk/Rabbit, though the rabbit still eludes me.

sc928porsche · May 30, 2012, 03:54 AM

Largest harvested with my SBH was a brown.
Smallest was a mud hen (merganser).

MJN77 · May 30, 2012, 08:53 AM

Scroll down to the pics.
http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c36.htm

Shotgun693 · May 31, 2012, 09:06 PM

I've killed a squirrel with a .44 Mag, had him for Supper. I'd feel safe hunting wild pigs. I'd only use one to hunt a big bear IF I had a backup with a heavy rifle. I highly value my hide.

Gunn Smithy · June 3, 2012, 01:50 AM

Hog's and deer for both largest and smallest. I wouldn't shoot anything larger and for smaller I'd opt for a 22 to do the job. Smithy.

MOshooter65202 · June 3, 2012, 09:06 PM

I have shot a pesky squirrel or two with the 44 mag,although normally small game I use a 22 pistol and keep the 44 mag after the whitetail. I would feel comfortable packing a 44 mag for protection in North America and have packed it cross country riding and camping through out the country & "Bear Country".

Jack O'Conner · June 9, 2012, 07:33 AM

I watched a long video that starred the president of COLD STEEL knife company. I've forgotten his name. Anyways, this hunter hammered dozens of wild water buffalo and hogs in Australia with his 44 MAG revolver. By hammered I mean to say that he toppled them as if struck by Thor's hammer. Ammo featured Hornady's 300 gr XTP bullet. Very impressive results from shoulder and lung shots at reasonable hunting ranges.

I toppled many coastal blacktails with my Marlin 44 MAG when I was stationed at Travis AF Base, Calif. None got away.

Jack

Cool Breeze · June 11, 2012, 12:31 AM

Depends...............

on how hungry I am at the given time.............

May 28, 2012, 10:49 PM	#1
HALL,AUSTIN Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2011 Location: asheville north carolina Posts: 556	So about that .44 mag... Whats the largest and smallest animal you would or do shoot with this in a revolver?

May 28, 2012, 11:11 PM	#2
Hansam Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 763	Largest? What is the largest animal can you find on the continental US? Smallest? What's the smallest animal you can find on the continental US? The real questions to be asked are the following: How good are you with the weapon chambered in a .44mag? What load are you using? If you're shooting small critters do you want to actually be able to eat it after its been shot? __________________ This is who we are, what we do.

May 28, 2012, 11:20 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Based on Larry Kelly's experience in Alaska with the 44 Mag, I would hesitate to take on grizzly or brown bears, but otherwise it's all good. As far as the smallest, I have shot ground squirrels with mine. And yes, it stopped them just fine. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 29, 2012, 01:23 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Squirrels. Moose/Woolly Mammoth. I would probably draw the line just shy of Argentinosaurus Huinculensis (115 feet long, and in excess of 105 tons), or Amphicoelias Fragillimus (200 feet long, 135 tons -- that's right, a 270,000 lb lizard). __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 29, 2012, 02:26 AM	#7
Joe .45 ACP Junior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Alaska Posts: 13	44 Mag VS Grizz I would prefer to use something a little bigger when I'm out 45/70 or 454 casull. But for everything else a 44 Mag would do the trick. You just want something that will break bones of a brown bear. My 45/70 is a bit long and heavier for walking around but the 454 Alaskan would do the trick in Alaska only 44 ounces. You can also shoot the 45 colt in the Alaskan Joe

May 29, 2012, 12:42 AM	#5
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Chipmunk and whitetail deer. Sent from a highly hacked Android device using Tapatalk 2.

May 29, 2012, 03:34 AM	#8
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Not a .44, but I once shot a fly with a .357 mag. He picked the wrong time to land on my target (7 yards). So I guess a fly is the smallest fauna I've shot. The body of a daddy long-legs is smaller, but I don't know if that counts... That's about the biggest critter I've shot with a handgun too. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 29, 2012, 08:13 AM	#9
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Snakes smallest. Biggest I would attempt would be a black bear. Range, bullet selection and ability are also key factors.

May 29, 2012, 09:59 AM	#10
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Bunnies to large southern IL whitetails with the 44 magnum so far, using 240 grain cast SWC and Winchester JHPs. Both have worked every time.

May 29, 2012, 01:04 PM	#11
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	Ground hog to blackbear,Results were the same down the line not good for the critter.

May 29, 2012, 06:18 PM	#12
jason_iowa Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Posts: 686	Anything currently living would be no trouble. I would want something a bit bigger for the bigger africa stuff just for a good clean ethical kill. Grizzly with hard cast bullets would fold with no trouble.

May 29, 2012, 07:13 PM	#13
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I have only killed a rabbit with a 44 magnum. I have taken up to mule deer with a 357 magnum so I am sure that the 44 would be fine on the deer as well. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

May 30, 2012, 03:54 AM	#15
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Largest harvested with my SBH was a brown. Smallest was a mud hen (merganser). __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

May 30, 2012, 08:53 AM	#16
MJN77 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Location: on a hill in West Virginia Posts: 789	Scroll down to the pics. http://www.sixguns.com/BookOfThe44/bot44c36.htm

May 31, 2012, 09:06 PM	#17
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	I've killed a squirrel with a .44 Mag, had him for Supper. I'd feel safe hunting wild pigs. I'd only use one to hunt a big bear IF I had a backup with a heavy rifle. I highly value my hide.

June 3, 2012, 01:50 AM	#18
Gunn Smithy Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2011 Location: CA's central valley Posts: 101	Hog's and deer for both largest and smallest. I wouldn't shoot anything larger and for smaller I'd opt for a 22 to do the job. Smithy. __________________ Salvation is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in Him alone.

June 3, 2012, 09:06 PM	#19
MOshooter65202 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 471	I have shot a pesky squirrel or two with the 44 mag,although normally small game I use a 22 pistol and keep the 44 mag after the whitetail. I would feel comfortable packing a 44 mag for protection in North America and have packed it cross country riding and camping through out the country & "Bear Country".

June 9, 2012, 07:33 AM	#20
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I watched a long video that starred the president of COLD STEEL knife company. I've forgotten his name. Anyways, this hunter hammered dozens of wild water buffalo and hogs in Australia with his 44 MAG revolver. By hammered I mean to say that he toppled them as if struck by Thor's hammer. Ammo featured Hornady's 300 gr XTP bullet. Very impressive results from shoulder and lung shots at reasonable hunting ranges. I toppled many coastal blacktails with my Marlin 44 MAG when I was stationed at Travis AF Base, Calif. None got away. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 11, 2012, 12:31 AM	#21
Cool Breeze Member Join Date: June 2, 2012 Location: Western Montana Posts: 42	Depends............... on how hungry I am at the given time.............

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