IndyHunter83

For those of you who didn't know, after years of slugguns or ML policies started to allow their deer hunters to use rifles chambered in pistol cartridges. I bought a puma 92 in 357 that year and traded it this year for a Marlin 1894 in 44mag. Put a scope on 'er and she is a sweet shootin rifle. I sighted her in at 100yds thinkin I'd be good out to 125ish or even 150 but my main shots are gonna be 50-80yds or even less. I sighted 'er in usin cheaper ammo and then bought afew different types that I'm gonna see how they shoot out of her and decide what to use.
My main question is am I correct in thinking that a 44mag rifle can be effective on deer out to 150yds or is it a 100yd and in type gun? Also any tips as far as ammo and how high I should be at 75, 100, 125, etc. to reach out to 150 would be appreciated.

HEAD0001

The 44 magnum is limited in range only by the hunter and the accuracy of the rifle being used. When a rifle can push a 240 grain bullet at 1800 fps or slightly higher, it carries a lot of punch. And it is almost a 1/2" hole going in, even if it doesn't expand alot, it is still a 1/2" hole. In the hands of a shooter who knows his weapon a 200 yard or even farther shot is easily doable with the 44 magnum. Just get out and shoot it. Tom.

brushbustin

That is the dumbest thing I have heard of,a 44mag beinga 200 yard gun! LMAO How can you ethically shoot at a deer with a 44mag at 200 yds?? I would definatly limit the shots up to 100yds,but I would not reccomend shooting at a deer at 200yds with a 44mag.I have the same gun and it is a tack driver with winchester 240gr JHP,took a deer at 60 yds with it,droped dead in its tracks,its an aweseom deer gun,but not a 200 yd gun..

HEAD0001

Why have the people on this forum become so rude when someone gives a contradictory opinion?? I can not understand it.

I have been hunting for deer with a 44 magnum rifle for over 30 years, and have killed dozens of deer with the 44 magnum. And now I am an unethical hunter??

Brushbustin you are truly ignor***, and know very little about big bore rifles.

At 1800 fps with a 240 grain bullet traveling at 1800 fps(easily doable in a 44 magnum rifle). Zero your rifle at 150 yards and you are 3 inches high at 100 and 8 inches low at 200. If you are not capable of shooting a deer with that trajectory then you should not be allowed in the woods!!

The bullet maintains 800 ft. lbs. of energy at 200 yards with this load. And it is almost 1/2 inch in diameter.

I have seen arguments on this forum about the 22 Hornet being an acceptable deer cartridge. But a 1/2" hole with 800 ft lbs of energy is inadequate?? You do not know what you are talking about!!

I wonder how the Bufflao hunters ever killed a buffalo with a 400 or 500 grain slug going 1200 fps at long distances. It is a wonder that we do not have millions of buffalo running on the plains if these rifles were inadequate for long range work?? Or did they limit all their shots to 100 yards or under??

Hunters are using Muzzle Loaders with 44 magnum bullets in a sabot and taking deer out to 250 yards. I suppose all those guys are unethical also??

Brushbustin you should spend more time shooting your rifles, and less time expounding about something you obviously know little about. Tom.

HEAD0001

In the hands of a hunter who knows his rifle, and practices with his rifle. A 200 yard shot should be no problem at all. Lordy that is easily doable with a good set of open sights. Just put a couple of thousand rounds down range, and maybe even Brushbustin could do it??

You do not want to be within 200 yards of me with my Low Wall.

Go out and buy a couple of thousand cast bullets and put them down range. You will be suprised what you can do when you practice. Tom.

uncle matt

I would venture to say the cowboys killed buffalo with their much slower .44s much the same way the indians killed buffalo with hand fashioned arrows - with atleast several shots.

If the .44 delivers the ballistics head posts then it is certainly a competent deer rifle with that ammo.

IndyHunter83

Well based on what you guys are telling me, I think I'm going to sight it in at 100yds and then practice my shots out to 150. My ideal and typical shot is more than likely going to be 75yds or in so I'll make sure to practice those as well.. Thanks for the advice guys.

bigcountry

Goodness gracious whats wrong with you?

Why would it not be a 200 yard gun? I can shoot 200 yards with my 460smith and that is a pistol. I am pushing 2100fps with a 240gr bullet. If a rifle is pushing a 240gr bullet at 1900, i don't see why not.

uncle matt

I think an apology is due from someone? Maybe - maybe not.

Looking at Hornady's website's ballistics here is the data for their 225 grain .44 mag offering:

Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)Muzzle50 yd100 yd1410/9931240/7681111/617

So at 100 yards it offers 617 lbs of energy. That would be about the minimum limit I would put on a deer.

Now handloads are another subject entirely.

spaniel

Assuming the quoted MV to be accurate, which I will because I don't have the experience with a 44 rifle to know any different, of course it's a 200 yd gun. I've made similar shots with similar bullets out of MLs, with no problems. Bang-flop.

Of course what you really want to do is find a .458 SoCom