Looking for info/advice on what would be a better load for deer. I shooting a 44 mag using 240 gn Hornady XTPs. Was wondering if the 180gn shot well, would it be a good load for deer, or am I better using the 240gn? My though was the 180gn would be flatter and faster round....any advice would be great. This will be my first year hunting witha handgun. I will be using a Taurus 44mag with 8 3/4 inch barrel topped with a 2X bushnell scope......

R1

If your gun likes them they should be ok for shots under 50 yds.
But most guns shoot 240 gr bullets better .
ALso the 240 will penatate better.
I am not a big fan of light ( for cal. ) fast bullets for deer out of a hand gun.
To great of a chance of no exit wound , this will mean a poor blood trail and a chance of loosing the deer.

Johnch

I would liken it with a muzzle loader since they shoot the same types of bullets at roughly the same speeds. I have found with out a doubt the heavier bullets perform better out of my muzzle loader. And I shoot the same .44 cal XTP bullet with a sabot. After moving up to 300 and then a 350 grn bullet the performance was even better yet each time as far as down range energy goes.

I would only assume you would get the same results with a handgun. You just need to find a happy medium between trajectory and down range energy. Recoil might be a factor in a handgun as well. I have never handgun hunted though.

Paul