So I am looking for some opinions and experiences with various factory hunting loads for the .44 Mag. Which you think is best and why. Hollow Point vs. FMJ vs. Partition etc. Thanks for the help guys...

Winchester supreme Nosler Partition 250gr

I'm with cottonstalk, the partition is probably the best jacketed handgun bullet on the market but it is also one of the most expensive but in my opinion it's worth it.

I don't own a .44 but while researching I read good reviews on the Federal .44 ammo.

I would agree, the Winchesters with the Partition HG bullet if you're talking about deer sized game. For bigger stuff like elk, large black bears (400+), very large hogs, etc. then it lacks the penetration needed. For the larger stuff a hard cast bullet or JSP would be a better choice. The Federal Cast Core 300 gr. or the Garrett Cartridges 310 gr. hammerhead would be top choices.

Winchester Article

I have recovered bullets from game with the exact performance shown in the article.

For deer sized game I have had good luck shooting the Remington 240gr JHP.
However due to ammo prices I'm going to start reloading my 44. It's just getting to darn pricey to buy factory ammo these days.

i use magtech 240gr sjsp and have had great luck-they shoot great out of my taurus, expand well in dirt backstop at 100yds and are cheap-$24 for 50. ive killed two deer so far with and both worked great and went straight through deer. I also like the leverevolution little more expensive but shot great for me as well. tried the fiochi=left lots residue and unburnt powder in barrel=definitely not happy.

For deer try Federal's 240gr Fusion.

There`s are a lot of good 44 factory ammo made for hunting...its just choosing the right bullet for the right animal.I`ve used
Hornady`s 240gr XTP ammo on feral goats and have had good success
with shots from 40 to 60yds. I`ve also used Winchesters ammo using the 250gr partition bullet on boar and was pleased with the performance. Either one of these would work fine on whitetail with Win. partitions giving better penetration.

I have used many of the "discount" factory loads and all worked well. The factory load I use almost exclusively now is the Black Hills load using the 240 gr XTP bullet. It's extremely accurate, kills like lightning, and has left 2 holes in every deer it has hit at various ranges.

I went eveyrwhere lookin for the winchester line for my 44mag. They were sold out everywhere. I ended up buying Elderdo starfire 240 grain hollow points. The owner of the gun shop told me he had killed a deer with that round in 40 W and W. So I bought some and tried them. They dropped a doe at 30 yards in its tracks, but cannnot find them anywhere eles. I wanted to try 260 grain CORBON, but he said that it would be too much for deer and was made for bear huntin?? I want to start reloadin my own so I have conplete control over what I shoot.

What the hell is too much anyway? People use 300 winmags, 45-70's, & more powerful rounds. That is a pile of flawed logic as well as some other things. I've used the 260's & they're great. My prefered 44 factory & handload is the Federal Cast Core 300's. Hand loads are the Cast Performnce Bullet Co. 300 WFPGC. Federal uses their bullets. I don't trust any hollow points because I like to take shots from any angle. (No I don't consider Partitions or A-Frames real hollow points.) Those are good bullets. As an aside. I'm a big fan of the 7X57 Mauser, 6.5X55 Swede, & the like in rifles. I've had or have them (7-30 Waters too) & they've been putting down bigger animals than deer for a lot longer than the 7mm Mag has been around. But that was in the hands of HUNTERS!

I agree. I have a friend that looks down on any thing smaller than a 7mm Rem Mag rifle. Yet we hunt together EVERY year and I tag at least two deer w/ handguns, rarely ever firing more than two shots. All the while he racks up miss after miss.

They have their place and the sad thing is that people, more times than not, just don’t need them. I have hunted pigs were my nostalgic 375 H&H was welcomed. Line two bad boys up and pull the trigger. HOWEVER, I have killed more game under 100 yards with a 7-30 Waters than anything else. YOU CAN NOT MAKE UP FOR POUR BULLET PLACEMENT. I feel like sometimes that is what people are trying to do. Dan... I have a VERY good friend that has lost more game with his 7mm Mag than anyone else on the lease. To be perfectly honest, a 308 or 30-06 base round is not only more applicable for deer hunting, but they tear up less meat!!! I sold my first (ever) Encore barrel in 270 Win because I was afraid of it, it just hurt. I think the big game rifles have the same effect on people.

I read an article on Elk hunting that stated guides were skeptical of hunters bringing 378 Weth, 30-378 Weth, etc… but joyfully welcomed hunters that brought there trusty 270 or 30-06. More times than not they stated that the hunters that brought the big game rounds had no business shooting them and had a high percentage of missed their game.

Sorry about the bla bla bla

Federal or Winchester for factory ammo.

James, we are eagerly awaiting your .44 Grizzly Cartridge/Belt Mountain Punch bullet range report! Maine moose, here we come....