I loaded up some 180 xtp that was given to me. Loaded 12 with 29-H110. These were starting out loads that I looked up. I must say, there is quite a bit of force with the H110. In a not so wierd way, I like that! I plan to use the H110 with some 240 XTP. Does the load I used with the H110 sound about right. Today was the first that I have shot with these loads. I was impressed with the handling of the 44 mag!

IMHO, 29.0 gr of H-110 is way too hot for the 240 gr XTP in the 44 Mag. Max should be under 25.0 gr. Go to the Hodgdon website and check the recommended loadings for this powder/bullet. With all due respect to my brother handloaders, I never use any internet quoted loads without first checking them against at least two published manuals. It takes a little more time and effort, but destroyed guns and missing fingers are a long time gone.

I was using a 180 grain bullet. No doubt for the 240, this would be crazy. This Load was off of the Hodgdon site! 29 start 31.5 max. Also in a manual that I have. No disrespect, I double check. The last thing I want is 6-7 fingers!!

I need to rephrase the first post. I was using 180 grain bullet with 29 H110. I can see where that could be misleading. Not planning on 29 grains for the 240.

According to my Hodgdon print manual, you're right on.
29 gr H110 is a starting load, 31.5 max for the 180 XTP.
For the 240 XTP, 23 gr start/24 gr max.

This is a powerful load! It was a bit more than I expected. But was very managable! I was curious if it were powerful enough for deer with the 180 grain bullet?

I did test a few 180gr (Sierra JHCs, not XTPs) with 29.6grs H110. Got a sizzling 1768fps on average with them, from a 11" S&W m/29, and very good standard deviation as well (only 16.1 fps). This would be a competition load for the kind of magnum field shooting competitions we enjoy here, though, and for that paper-punching and occasional steel-hitting the noise and report is a bit too much. Diminishes concentration and thus precision. Although a lot of fun!

For hunting, I believe the 180gr .44mag in any version would be too light for mid-sized game. For the 240grs and 300grs XTP I would definitively recommend the Vihtavuori N-110 powder. I've noted much better results - in a chronograph at least - with the N-110 compared to the H-110. If you can purchase it somewhere I would strongly suggest you should try it and compare it to the H-110.

I second the 180gr. being too light. Even on our fairly small Georgia deer. I had a good hit on a doe just behind the shoulder. I shot as she stepped forward. I was using an XTP and it made a huge hole. Blood lose was really the only reason i got that deer. I have to admit, i was practicly on top of her when i shot, she was maybe 4yds away. So, that may have had some thing to do with it. I get higher velocity from Lil'Gun than H110. But the H110 gives me better groups. I use 20gr under a 320gr Cast for hogs and 18.5gr under a 300gr XTP for deer. I get a little over 1200fps from both of these loads.

I would say I'm on the other side of the fence on this one (not the 1st time!). While I have never personally used 180 gr loads on game, I still think the 180 gr loads in general and the XTP in particular would fare quite well on deer-size game. As long as the range is reasonable and shots were broadside or close to it, I wouldn't hesitate to use them at all.

I say this based on my experience of "overperformance", if you will, of the 240 gr loads I've used. I know there isn't any such thing as "too dead" or "overkill", but I've taken several deer with bargain bullets such as the one Federal loads in their American Eagle line of ammo. And one time I had one of these "junk bullets" blow right through both shoulders of a mature doe at 50 yds or so. That is super performance for a bullet of this construction and it's path in the deer.

My point is if this "bargain" 240 can puncture both shoulders of a mature doe at 50 yds, certainly a 180 XTP will do the job through the ribs.

I have had issues with the 180 on Hogs but I have never shot a deer with one. I would say expansion will not be an issue. I would opt for the 240 XTP JMO. There is no question the 180 will do the job I think the 240 just give you a little more insurance.

Agreed. I use the 240 XTP myself, although only at around 1200 fps. Not really pushing them hard and having good results. Wouldn't hesitate to use the 180 XTP, though, if I had them. I'd just be more picky about shot ranges/angles.

The 180 XTPs expand too much, IMO. Perfect for jellifying a small deer's lungs, but this bullet will limit the shots the prudent hunter will take to pure broadside hits. I would not count on these 180s to penetrate much muscle or gut.

Years ago SuperVel built very tough 180s that would not expand much at all. They penetrated very well, gave lower recoil and were quite accurate. Today everyone wants this bullet weight to expand - and the XTPs do a great job of that.