44 magnum loads

[SSL]

As I read through all yalld experiences it is very valuable to me as a reloader.
Been reloading since early 80s , VERY FEW pistol loads, mostly the 45acp.
Seems the bullet of choice for Whitetail 100 yards and under is the Xtp 240 gr.
Probably what I'll go with
But I cant help but ask you deer hunters,
Wouldn't a 180gr jhp or the barnes solid copper 180gr hp
Moving at a faster velocity shoot flatter and give more "range"?
What are your opinions?
Ruger super redhawk 7.5 bbl

I gave up on any use of hollow-points in handguns many years ago when they weren't so well designed and so many people reported bullet blow-ups, too rapid expansion and little penetration with that generation of bullets. So much has changed now in construction of such bullets that they probably are fine. I personally use only cast bullets in any handgun (except my .45 ACPs for social purposes). My .44 loads center around 250-grain SWC and 270-grain LNFP cast bullets sitting on top of 19 to 21 grains of 2400. Both cut full-caliber holes and in at least one case a 270-grain passed completely through a deer at a diagonal angle, breaking a shoulder, passing through a paunch filled with grain and grass, and exited through the opposite hip at 70 yards.
I'm not criticizing anyone who uses jacketed hollow-points if they work for them. I'm just too darned old to change now!

 

[H2OBUG]

I really like 2400 and a LPM primer. The really nice thing is I can load it in the 18.5 range for a lighter load or kick it up a bit if needed. 296 is hard to load down.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So if a guy has some custom hardcast 300gr bullets of unknown mfr, how would he determine the correct OAL with 2400 so as to not cause any pressure spikes that may be hard on a smith & wesson?

 

[SSL]

So if a guy has some custom hardcast 300gr bullets of unknown mfr, how would he determine the correct OAL with 2400 so as to not cause any pressure spikes that may be hard on a smith & wesson?

I would rely more on the amount of bullet in the case than total length. Figure how much is in the case with a known bullet (regardless of weight) and try that. Hopefully the overall length fits in the cylinder length.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I would rely more on the amount of bullet in the case than total length. Figure how much is in the case with a known bullet (regardless of weight) and try that. Hopefully the overall length fits in the cylinder length.

Well i mean what is the seating depth on an unknown bullet. How much in the case, how much out of the case. I have loaded a ton of pistol back in the good ole days, but none were on the edge of damaging my pistols

 

[SSL]

Well i mean what is the seating depth on an unknown bullet. How much in the case, how much out of the case. I have loaded a ton of pistol back in the good ole days, but none were on the edge of damaging my pistols

Understand. My point is to check how much is inside the case with a known bullet (maybe the heaviest you have on hand) and see how that relates to your 300s. Some bullet styles increase weight by beefing up or lengthening the tip. Obviously, seating bullets deeper in a case will likely increase pressure, so I would start with a lower charge if there is much difference in seating depth. You might find that a safe length will end up protruding from the chamber. I know that 270-grain LNFP bullets almost reach the chamber mouth in my 629. S&W cylinders are a bit shorter than my Ruger Blackhawks.