As the 44 special thread fades away, I'd like to ask the question a little differently: Has anyone used a 44 or 45 bullet at 1000-1100 fps for deer or hog hunting? I'd like to hear about your real life experiences -- good or bad. Please share bullet details too.

Special thanks to Reflex for his great info under the 44 special thread!

I'm no expert, barely a rookie. But I have taken one deer w the load you describe.

I shot a 2-3 year old buck with a 255 Keith moving around 1000 fps. I didn't get the blood trail I wanted (no blood could be found). I'm not blaming the bullet or the load, my shot was a little right of where I wanted to hit. If I stick with cast, I would use a WFN or LFN next time. I have been having good luck accuracy wise with the XTP's and might just go that route for my next deer season.

story here. I guess I never posted it here?

Correction to story, it was a hard cast 255 from doubletap, not Buffalo bore soft cast. I happened to look at the brass later that year from the hunt. At that speed with a SWC design, I think you benefit a lot from "softer" cast bullets.

What I have found is some designs work better at low velocities. The 240SWCBB design from Magnus leaves a great wound channel even at 850fps. He also has a 255gr SWCBB for .45s that punches a great hole at low velocities. It would be worth looking at. If you cast your own try some keiths out of 50/50 ww-pb and air cooling them. reflex264

I shoot 10 grains of Unique under a Lyman 429421 SWC for about 1000fps at deer with great success and complete pass throughs on Illinois whitetails. I have no doubt that in my 25-5 probably 8 grains of Win 231 under a 260 LBT Keith WC will do the same. Both are very accurate in my guns and pleasant to shoot.
Steve

ww=wheel weights? pb=plain base? And 50/50 or what? I'm confused. Please enlighten me?
Steve

50% wheelweights and 50% pure lead(pb)

Magnus bullets is casting a 429421 now. We haven't had time or weather to cast bullets. Matt bought a box of them so I loaded some a couple of nights ago in .44 magnums and .44 Specials. I will get to shoot them tomorrow and can tell how they did. Terry's bullets are very consistent and seem to be just the right amount of tough for a good hunting cast bullet. Theyare sized .430 which will work in most of our guns. If the accuracy is there I will use some on deer this year. reflex264

Someone please explain "moderate" to me?

Just kidding!

'Tis a place of fantasy, hidden somewhere between a conservative and a socialist ;-)

Hahaha! Very good!

No expert myself but 8.5grs of w231 behind a 260-280gr bullet will put a deer and black bears lights out if placed properly. I like 13grs of hs-6 a little better but your velocity will increase to 1000-1100fps.

No need to be an expert! I'm hoping for actual field use details. I would love to hear the bullet and hunting performance details from anyone actually using "milder" loads to hunt. I've been handgun hunting for a long time and the only thing I'm sure about is that the 240 XTP is a good deer bullet at typical 44 magnum velocities. This season I want to try hunting with my 44 special!

I meant to ask which gun you have. Another of my favorite loads in the larger frame guns is a 255CPB over 8.5grs U-Clays. Breaks 1000fps from the 6" guns and drives tacks from all of them but don't stick it in a Charter!!!!! reflex264

I shot a doe antelope at a bit over 100 yards with a 250 grain cast swc hollowpoint last year. Load was 6.5 grains of red dot. Velocity was around 900 fps from a 5.5 inch barreled ruger new model blackhawk 45 colt. Just the other day we ate some more steaks from her. (yeah, it kills just fine)

OK so how does factory ammo compare to moderate ....lets say Hornady 44 mag 240 grain xtp hp?If you dont mind me asking as I dont hand load yet.

I'm shooting an FA 97 so no problem with gun strength. But the gun's so light that the recoil reminds me of 44 mag if I get much over 1100 fps. My gun likes a 240 WFN going about 1050 fps. This is the load I think I'll try this season.

There's nothing moderate about Hornady Custom 240 XTP. It's a full power 44 mag load -- and an excellent deer load if your gun likes it.

thanks Oscar puts the conversation into prospective for us non profesonals...As I only play a smart guy on tv,,

I like my 8.5grns Unique with 250grn lead bullets.
That poor old 45Colt just keeps on shooting and killing.
Won't break the bank or the wrist!!!!!!!!