Technically speaking this round is short of big bore ballistics but I am going to pose my question here. I suspect that the readers of this forum will have a lot of interest and experience in African hunting.

I have bought a Ruger 77/44 rifle in 44 Magnum, the gun grabbed my attention because it seems to be perfect gun for my kids to use on plains game; short, light, handy, low recoil with a decent punch. Most of our hunting is in thick, thick thorn brush with typical shooting distances of 20 - 50 yards

90% of the intended application is low key and straightforward - impala, warthog, bushpig and baboon. However, I would like to have a bullet loaded that would have reliable and predictable performance on large plains game - kudu, wildebeest and zebra should the occasion arise.

I would appreciate advice and suggestions on projectiles to consider.

A 300gr plus hard cast WFN should get over 1400fps depending on the load data used.

I get close to 1300fps out of a pistol shoots through a lot of flesh.

At those distances, under 100 yards, the calibre should work.

I've shot warthogs with a 44mag handgun and 240 gn. and 250gn. softpoints. While the calibre surely works, I was not impressed with it in comparison to a more standard hunting rifle like a 338WinMag or even a 270. The 338 seemed to flatten warthogs at close range.

I would use either the 150gr or 200 gr HG Raptor from CEB. Nothing beats the Raptor. You will get lots of penetration and internal trauma.

Matthew

I've taken Impala, Springbok, Warthog, and countless baboons with a S&W Pro Hunter II in .44 with a 240gr Hornady XTP clocking around 1500 fps.

As 416Tanzan said, it works and works well on the small and medium sized animals within 100 yards. Would not want to go after anything more than Impala sized animals due to penetration concerns. Not saying it cannot be done, just that I would rather move to a rifle cartridge for larger game.

quote:

A 300gr plus hard cast WFN should get over 1400fps depending on the load data used.I get close to 1300fps out of a pistol shoots through a lot of flesh.

WFN is Wide Flat Nose. LFN is long flat nose, meaning smaller meplat. If you want more "smack" use the WFN. If you want more penetration use the LFN. Equivalent alloy and speed all other things being equal. Never shot an African Animal but the list you mention should all be well taken if your shooter hits them where they need hit. At under 100 you break onside shoulder and fully penetrate heart, lungs and maybe exit with a good bullet as described.

You could use the Punch Bullet for larger, heavy boned game. The work like a solid.
http://beltmountain.com/punch.htm

There is also a Swift A frames in 240, 280 and 300 grain versions.
http://www.swiftbullets.com/pr...-s/1819.htm#scirocco

Thanks for the input everyone.

Between me and the wife we run everything from 223 to 500, so this rifle is really a stepping stone for the kids to grow into real rifles. I take heed of your warnings.

Tanz: our to go rifles is 416 in Remington for me and Rigby for the missus, especially with her 416 we have shot more game than all the other guns combined. Just about a year ago I gutshot a warthog with the 416 Remmie and we had a good 1/2 a mile tracking job and running gun battle in thick, thick stuff to get that one down, they are tough!!!!! She crapped on me for wounding and tearing my shirt in the thorns .

I will probably run this rifle like my 416: choose a good solid bullet and fill the magazine rounded off with a good soft point on top.

I think it was during the 1960's that someone took a Ruger semiatuomatic .44 Magnum to Africa to collect some animals for museums. Ruger used a picture of him with a gorilla he shot with it. The ad received so many complaints that Ruger quit using it in their advertising.

Also if you were to go find one of the sixgun forums where Lee Jurras posts under the name "Curmudgeon", he used a .44 Magnum in Africa on everything so you can directly ask him how it performs our of a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk.

I have shot a LOT of big game with the .44 mag from 6-7 1/2" barrels. Your rifle will substantially increase the performance over my handguns. I KNOW that you will be very happy with its performance and it is perfect for the conditions, distance and animals that you described in your post. Find some good quality hard cast WFN's at about 1400+ and never look back!