44 mag rifle deer hunting

[LiveFire]

MQ1

Thank you for the info and you are right about the throat and the Lee FCD. I dont load to the cannelure in either of the 270DC or 225ftx. Accuracy tightened right up when I experimented with loading those with longer OAL.

 

[JSH]

I have used a lubricated sinker. If you can find an over size dead soft round ball for a muzzle loader works also. I don’t run them in very far.
I used a plastic mallet to tap in to the muzzle, then used a METAL rod to knock it out steel or brass, do not use a wooden rod, don’t ask how I know. You can wrap the rod in tape if you want.

 

[james]

Just picked up this year a CVA Scout in 44 mag for deer hunting in Illinois, first year they allowed rifles of any sort. Initially had problems with finding a load. Tried 2400 powder at first with 240 XTP’s and shot really lousy. Then used H110 with the 240 XTP’s and the the little Scout came alive. Almost 1 hole groups at 50 yards and right at 1 inch 3 shots groups at 100 yards. I’m using a Sightron S1 1x5 scope. Very pleased with its performance.

 

[LiveFire]

Alrighty so I did a little bit of testing. Only fired 3 shot groups due to components on hand. And I should be able to see if these are accurate enough for deer at 100yds or under. Skipping ahead, they all shot well enough to use on deer but the Sierra 240JHC is available and shot much better than the xtp. I only used lil gun. I like it and a regular primer sets it off just fine in cold weather. Ive also noted ES and SD are better than using the cci350 i have tried with lil gun. H110/w296 i use magnum primers. Hopefully you all can read my writing in the photos. If not ask and Ill write it out here. I chronographed every shot. Found some 200gr xtp so threw those in there for fun. The 270DC has been my favored load for years. I use a lee fcd to crimp.

 

[LiveFire]

In case anybody is interested I tested the same bullets loaded to the different lengths but with a cci350 primer and H110. Id say overall accuracy is better with LilGun in my application but the 240 JHC might like it a bit more. Ive always found this rifle prefers to be loaded just off the lands with any bullet I have tried so far. I think Ill load the 50 or so Sierra 240 JHC I have and when I run out of the deep curl I will use them. Unless the 270DC shows up in stock anytime soon

 

[MQ1]

That’s cooking with the Sierra JHC. I used to use that in a Superblackhawk as it was mighty accurate. However I shot one doe at about 18 yards and she literally dropped in place…the jacket separated on a rib and cut the spine while the rest of the bullet just plowed through. If you have an upclose shot at >1900 fps it may be pretty messy.

FWIW

MQ1

 

[LiveFire]

That’s cooking with the Sierra JHC. I used to use that in a Superblackhawk as it was mighty accurate. However I shot one doe at about 18 yards and she literally dropped in place…the jacket separated on a rib and cut the spine while the rest of the bullet just plowed through. If you have an upclose shot at >1900 fps it may be pretty messy.

FWIW

MQ1

I agree. I used to use the 225ftx but it would come apart on close shots. My brother used my 225ftx load and shot a large doe around 30 yds with a tree as the back stop 2-3ft behind the deer. He sent me a picture of the tree covered in lung, blood and fur. The 270 deep curl Ive never recovered near or far. Its always worked well. I wouldnt run these velocities but the gun likes it and the deer always seem to walk out 100-120yds or so where I have to hunt. Very limited to where I can sit on the property so Im trying to cover the most distance within reason.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

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Flat-nosed bullets are pure poison on game animals. Bullets that are based on the Keith design have taken many large animals. The flat nose gives considerable shock on impact and they penetrate very well. Expect few recovered boolits. 2400 & WW296 at near the highest charge weights give less chance of a detonation. For small game and plinking with these boolits, "Unique" is a great powder (I have used it with Badman 230gr projectiles in a 375 Winchester). Would shoot a ragged hole 5-shot groups at 50yds and 1-3/8" average for 5 shots at 100yds @ 1200fps.

You can drive coated boolits at 44 Mag velocities with no leading issues when driven hard. Boolits of 16-18 Bn hardness will expand readily at 44 Mag velocities and are ductile so they will not fracture on heavy bone.

 

[flintcreek6412]

Back when Indiana allowed select handgun cartridges in a rifle I picked up a Marlin lever gun using Hornady Leverevolution 225gr round. Killed a few deer with it that first year and never had one go more 30 yards. I hated the crappy accuracy though and kept my shots inside 75 yrds. The bullet did it's job every single time and this coming from a guy that hates Hornady rifle bullets.

The next summer I got wind of a company called Match Grade Machine (MGM). They make Encore barrels that have a great reputation. I picked one up for my Encore. WOW...Tack driver. .75-1.00" groups at 100 with same Hornady Ammo. I probably killed 30 deer the following 6 years with that combo and never ever lost a deer. Every deer I shot, I watched drop and 60-70% dropped in their tracks. I had a huge bodied buck drop like he was hit with a 300 win mag. I mean dead right there at a 100yrd shot. The longest shot I've taken with it was 150 and deadly as usual. I could have probably pushed it further but I didn't want to push my luck.

It has collected dust since Indiana went to rifle so I'm pretty stoked to be able to use it in IL deer camp this fall. I know everyone has their preference and like heavy bullets...as do I....but I'll never change this combo for this rifle.