Hi all, title pretty much says it.A friend went and bought a CVA Scout in 44 Magnum, I said I'd come up with a deer load for him. I'm planning on using Remington 180 gr JHP's because I have a coffee can of them and don't shoot them any more. I have plenty of Win 296 but I believe that is not a good choice for light bullets but pretty much never did any investigating. Anyone out there have a pet load for a 44 mag shot from a rifle? Thanks!

Mark

Just pick a load from your manual.

Don't learn much new that way though!

Guess I'll try 296, Accurate #9 and 4227....

quote:

Originally posted by Mark:
Don't learn much new that way though!

Guess I'll try 296, Accurate #9 and 4227....

Best way to learn----Is to try!

Hip

Loads from one rifle don't necessarily translate to another rifle any better than the book loads.
296: 28 grains, 2068 fps from 20 inch barrel.
H110; 27, 2124.
4227. 26 1877

quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:

Best way to learn----Is to try!

Hip

I prefer to use the Otto von Bismarck approach when possible.

I used RIFLE load data from Hornady's third edition handbook when loading for my Ruger 44 semi auto carbine, only loading the Hornady 240gr and 265gr bullets using IMR4227 powder as it was noted in the handbook as being the most uniform of powders tested.

Used the little Ruger on some red deer and feral goats, the 265gr bullet seemingly having better knock down than the 240gr.

I no longer have records of the powder charges I used but as Hornady recommended staying at or near maximum charges to ensure the Ruger cycled properly I likely did load close to the maximum charges of 4227 listed in the handbook i.e. 24.5grs with the 240gr and 23.3grs with the 265gr.

The Hornady handbook doesn't list loads for the 180gr bullet but for the 200gr bullet list a maximum charge of 27.4grs 4227.
Based on above for the 180gr you would be looking at 28.0grs 4227 as a maximum. The 180gr maybe a little light for deer although will depend on animal size and range I suppose.

I only ever had IMR4227 for loading the 44 Magnum which gave good results for me so can't speak for your Win 296.

I use H110/296 in my 44 carbine loads.

29grs for 180s according to my Lee book.

Expect the 180s to come apart and not give the best penetration.

I prefer heavier bullets for hunting.

The OP seems to be determined to use his 180s. I would use 240s. I killed one deer with a 44 Mag, Win 94. Factory 240 load, so that doesn't count. It kept walking slowly, but made a 25 yard circle and dropped where it was first hit. Just don't shoot anything in the shoulder.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
The OP seems to be determined to use his 180s. I would use 240s. I killed one deer with a 44 Mag, Win 94. Factory 240 load, so that doesn't count. It kept walking slowly, but made a 25 yard circle and dropped where it was first hit. Just don't shoot anything in the shoulder.

If I had a coffee can of 180gr bullets I would use them too despite my earlier note that I thought they may be a bit light. Probably okay on smaller whitetails.

From experience I got far greater knock down of deer and goats from my 32 Remington pump action with 170gr bullets that I was using while still in school and shooting red deer for money. The Ruger 44 was not a startling killer even with the heavier 240 and 265gr bullets, it was a bit better than throwing stones

quote:

posted 08 October 2023 00:11 Hide Post
Don't learn much new that way though!

Guess I'll try 296, Accurate #9 and 4227....

i have shot all 3 of these in my ruger redhawk, shot very well, but i load 240gr, i shot more of #9

Way back when Lee Jurras loaded 44 magnums with 180 gr hollow points in front of 31 grs H110.

I've used that load (Sierra 180's) in a Ruger SBH and SRH and it works fine. Makes the 44 mag perform like it should. Just start under and work up.

BTW Hodgdon shows 31.5 grs of H110/W296 as max, pressure under 30K.