My 44 mag penetration test

[PD Gohil]

I set out this morning to do accuracy and penetration tests with my Smith & Wesson 329 PD. I'm loading a 240 grain MBC Keith over w296 with WLP in 1x fired Winchester brass.
23.5g averages 1250FPS
24.0g(max) averages 1275FPS

This is my first time loading lead. I'm not finding excessive leading with any of the loads which is a huge plus.

Both loads are stout in this light weight revolver. But no noticible difference in recoil with either.
The 24.0 gr load shot a bit smaller group @ 25 yards. I believe with more shooting I can shrink the groups down to about 2 in.

For a penetration test. I placed a treated 6x6 block against a tree and started at 7 yd. Both loads completely penetrated the 6x6 and stuck in the tree behind it. I repeated this test at 20 yards and it did the same. What I was most impressed with was the bullet's ability to stay together with little deformation. I feel comfortable that this load should be adequate for Big Bear protection in the elk woods.

 

[acloco]

Would highly recommend to NOT use wood as your test media (or using wood as a backstop).

It is not a question of IF a round will come back at you, but when.

 

[PD Gohil]

Would highly recommend to NOT use wood as your test media (or using wood as a backstop).

It is not a question of IF a round will come back at you, but when.

Really? I've been shooting at wood my entire life. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Please do explain. Furthermore what's a better test media for me to use? I don't have access to ballistics gel, and typically a 44 mag solids will penetrate 5mamy plus feet in it. I'd love to learn more about how to test effectively if you can help.

My goal is to simply know that this bullet will penetrate deep inside a grizzly if so required.

 

[skeeljc]

Would highly recommend to NOT use wood as your test media (or using wood as a backstop).

It is not a question of IF a round will come back at you, but when.

I agree totally. A long time ago I shot a black powder derringer at a railroad tie and a bullet came back and hit me in the leg. It left a bruise through my jeans. Valuable lesson.

 

[Mikemci]

I see people shooting hams on youtube.

 

[SSL]

I see people shooting hams on youtube.

I got a lot better use for ham! Just hand me a knife and fork or some bread and mustard.

 

[wagonman]

I set out this morning to do accuracy and penetration tests with my Smith & Wesson 329 PD. I'm loading a 240 grain MBC Keith over w296 with WLP in 1x fired Winchester brass.
23.5g averages 1250FPS
24.0g(max) averages 1275FPS

This is my first time loading lead. I'm not finding excessive leading with any of the loads which is a huge plus.

Both loads are stout in this light weight revolver. But no noticible difference in recoil with either.
The 24.0 gr load shot a bit smaller group @ 25 yards. I believe with more shooting I can shrink the groups down to about 2 in.

For a penetration test. I placed a treated 6x6 block against a tree and started at 7 yd. Both loads completely penetrated the 6x6 and stuck in the tree behind it. I repeated this test at 20 yards and it did the same. What I was most impressed with was the bullet's ability to stay together with little deformation. I feel comfortable that this load should be adequate for Big Bear protection in the elk woods.

big bears your better choice for a bullet would be a wide flat nose cast performance 300gr solid.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

All you had to do is ask "Dirty Harry".

 

[Mikemci]

I got a lot better use for ham! Just hand me a knife and fork or some bread and mustard.

Deviled ham?

 

[7mmmag]

Try some wet magazines or news paper wrapped up tight .

 

[acloco]

Really? I've been shooting at wood my entire life. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Please do explain. Furthermore what's a better test media for me to use? I don't have access to ballistics gel, and typically a 44 mag solids will penetrate 5mamy plus feet in it. I'd love to learn more about how to test effectively if you can help.

My goal is to simply know that this bullet will penetrate deep inside a grizzly if so required.

7mmmag has good info. Phonebooks (do we have these anymore??) work well.

 

[SSL]

Deviled ham?

The word "ham" is in it, isn't it? Close enough.

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

After over 65 years of use I believe that the penetration ability of the .44 magnum bullet is rather well known, and fully documented. No problem if the OP wants to play terminal ballistician, but bears are not made out of wood. They are not made out of wet phonebooks. They aren’t made out of ham. Many hundreds have been shot with .44s, look to actual experiences on game if you want to know what to expect. The short story is - hard cast 240s work, and heavier bullets penetrate better.

I’ve shot exactly one Alaskan brownie in my life, seem a couple others shot and had just a single friend mauled by one so I’m hardly an expert, but if I had to depend on a .44 Magnum revolver for protection it would be loaded with tough 300+ grain bullets with as much H110 as was safe to stuff behind them. I hope the OP never has to find out if his load “works”.




.

 

[David Milisock]

After over 65 years of use I believe that the penetration ability of the .44 magnum bullet is rather well known, and fully documented. No problem if the OP wants to play terminal ballistician, but bears are not made out of wood. They are not made out of wet phonebooks. They aren’t made out of ham. Many hundreds have been shot with .44s, look to actual experiences on game if you want to know what to expect. The short story is - hard cast 240s work, and heavier bullets penetrate better.

I’ve shot exactly one Alaskan brownie in my life, seem a couple others shot and had just a single friend mauled by one so I’m hardly an expert, but if I had to depend on a .44 Magnum revolver for protection it would be loaded with tough 300+ grain bullets with as much H110 as was safe to stuff behind them. I hope the OP never has to find out if his load “works”.




.

As a backup a 44 magnum is better than nothing, I carry one but in brown bear country I'd want more. I carry a rifle.

 

[PD Gohil]

After over 65 years of use I believe that the penetration ability of the .44 magnum bullet is rather well known, and fully documented. No problem if the OP wants to play terminal ballistician, but bears are not made out of wood. They are not made out of wet phonebooks. They aren’t made out of ham. Many hundreds have been shot with .44s, look to actual experiences on game if you want to know what to expect. The short story is - hard cast 240s work, and heavier bullets penetrate better.

I’ve shot exactly one Alaskan brownie in my life, seem a couple others shot and had just a single friend mauled by one so I’m hardly an expert, but if I had to depend on a .44 Magnum revolver for protection it would be loaded with tough 300+ grain bullets with as much H110 as was safe to stuff behind them. I hope the OP never has to find out if his load “works”.




.

Just to clarify, I don't wish to be a ballistition. I still consider myself a very novice reloader, And if thankfully never had to squeeze a trigger in self-defense. The internet and books preceding the internet are full of lore and claims. I prefer to draw my own conclusions if I'm going to stake my life on something. At the start of this I had no idea how fast I could run a lead bullet with this particular pistol, how much powder I could burn behind it or even what type of powder. I looked at several different bullet designs and weighing the pros and cons of each came up with the recipe I used. I feel confident that this bullet powder gun combination will penetrate into the vitals of any predator in the lower 48. Granted if I was going to Alaska I think I would be on the very bottom end of acceptable for penetration with coastal grizzlies. Before the intended purpose I have confidence. I'll continue to shoot this combination and become more and more proficient and comfortable with it over time.
And as mentioned, bears aren't made of wood or newspaper . I feel comfortable that if a 240 grain Hunk a lead can make it through a 6x6 wooden block and penetrate into a live tree behind it and retain 233 of the 240 grains it should suffice.

 

[joshb]

That 44 load won’t bounce off a block of wood and come back. Just don’t shoot steel at close range.

 

[David Milisock]

Just to clarify, I don't wish to be a ballistition. I still consider myself a very novice reloader, And if thankfully never had to squeeze a trigger in self-defense. The internet and books preceding the internet are full of lore and claims. I prefer to draw my own conclusions if I'm going to stake my life on something. At the start of this I had no idea how fast I could run a lead bullet with this particular pistol, how much powder I could burn behind it or even what type of powder. I looked at several different bullet designs and weighing the pros and cons of each came up with the recipe I used. I feel confident that this bullet powder gun combination will penetrate into the vitals of any predator in the lower 48. Granted if I was going to Alaska I think I would be on the very bottom end of acceptable for penetration with coastal grizzlies. Before the intended purpose I have confidence. I'll continue to shoot this combination and become more and more proficient and comfortable with it over time.
And as mentioned, bears aren't made of wood or newspaper . I feel comfortable that if a 240 grain Hunk a lead can make it through a 6x6 wooden block and penetrate into a live tree behind it and retain 233 of the 240 grains it should suffice.

I had one experience in 55 years and after reading this post I researched bear shooting with handguns. My experience was with a big brown bear nearly twice the weight of those reported stopped by a handgun, most wounded not killed, and in my case it was killed at my feet, it took two shots from a 444 Marlin with a juiced load.

As I said I carry a 44 magnum but I also carry a rifle.

 

[PigButtons]

Bears are not hams and they are not people. Even if you manage to shoot one and destroy its heart it can take up to three minutes for it to stop the attack. Better three minutes than not stopping at all, but a very long time to be getting mauled.

 

[GotRDid]

I will search my “Little Shop of Horrors” to see if I still have some 300 gr cast boolits for you.
GotRDid.

 

[PD Gohil]

I will search my “Little Shop of Horrors” to see if I still have some 300 gr cast boolits for you.
GotRDid.

Thank you. That would be greatly appreciated