180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
01-28-2002, 06:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ind
Posts: 5
180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
I am thinking of hunting with a handgun next season. I bought a 44 mag Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5 inch barrel, iron sights. I would like to shoot 180 gr bullets for the speed and the lighter recoil. Is this round OK for whitetail deer? Should I step up to 240 or 300 gr rounds?
01-28-2002, 07:32 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sellersville Arkansas USA
Posts: 22
RE: 180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
You're gonna love your Super Blackhawk!
When I first got mine, I went with the 180 HP for velocity, too. That changed quickly. Did not have one single pass-thru shot. Every bullet opened quickly, did major damage, but none exited. Not even with broadside lung shots on smallish deer.
I now shoot my own hard-cast 256-gr. Keith style SWC's. I won't give you a specific load, 'cause your components and/or gun may be different. Just say as much 2400 as it takes to get about 1200 fps for hunting deer.
I load the same bullet to about 950, using whichever suitable powder is on sale, for practice and small game.
Have fun!!
When I first got mine, I went with the 180 HP for velocity, too. That changed quickly. Did not have one single pass-thru shot. Every bullet opened quickly, did major damage, but none exited. Not even with broadside lung shots on smallish deer.
I now shoot my own hard-cast 256-gr. Keith style SWC's. I won't give you a specific load, 'cause your components and/or gun may be different. Just say as much 2400 as it takes to get about 1200 fps for hunting deer.
I load the same bullet to about 950, using whichever suitable powder is on sale, for practice and small game.
Have fun!!
01-28-2002, 09:20 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Little Egg harbor NJ
Posts: 1,279
RE: 180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
Big Riggs welcome to the board.
I am a new handgun hunter and it is very addicting too. You got yourself a great gun. I have never used the 180gr but like you I love the speed. With my 445 supermag I can get over 2000 fps. But like the other said not much penetration. Go with a heaver gr bullet or speed gold dot are great in 270 gr. But check out cast bullets too they are great also. But see what your gun likes and have fun. Handgun hunting is the most fun I have when hunting. Do you reload? If you don't it will add to your fun so start. And it will save you money in the long run and is very satisfying too.
Brian
I am a new handgun hunter and it is very addicting too. You got yourself a great gun. I have never used the 180gr but like you I love the speed. With my 445 supermag I can get over 2000 fps. But like the other said not much penetration. Go with a heaver gr bullet or speed gold dot are great in 270 gr. But check out cast bullets too they are great also. But see what your gun likes and have fun. Handgun hunting is the most fun I have when hunting. Do you reload? If you don't it will add to your fun so start. And it will save you money in the long run and is very satisfying too.
Brian
01-29-2002, 06:29 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 316
RE: 180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
The very minimum for deer should be 240 grain. American Eagle (Federal) offers a 240 JHP with very little recoil. Even better, a box of 50 only costs $18, and it is good on deer, not black bear, out to 100 yds.
01-29-2002, 06:49 AM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wappingers Falls,N.Y
Posts: 140
RE: 180 gr 44 mag for Deer?
I've taken six N.Y. whitetails but only one with my SBH in 180 gr and I had the same results as wingnut - the doe dropped on the spot but the 180 gr did not exit.
The deer I see here in N.Y. are smaller than your corn fed deer in Indiana so the 240 is probably a better choice.
The deer I see here in N.Y. are smaller than your corn fed deer in Indiana so the 240 is probably a better choice.
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