Hello all, just joined HH b/c I tried for the very first time handgun hunting w/my S&W 629. Wasn't successful, but I couldn't believe how great it was! Why didn't I think of this before?! I used Hornady's 220gr Leverevolution ammo, it seems fine, but like I said, I'm new. Am planning on going again in January for the Iowa antlerless season. Would be very happy with a medium sized doe. Don't have enough xperience to try a shot more than 50-60yds tops at this point, and thus will pass at anything beyond that for now.

Anyone have a suggestion on what bullet/powder type I should try at this point, for that size animal in this part of the country?

Thanks in advance,
TheFish

Fish...the classic .44 Mag recipe is 2400 and 240gr bullets. Hard to believe but I have NEVER tried it! My usual loads are w/ H110 or W296 and bullet weights ranging from 180 to 320 grains. I shoot a lot of HEAVY cast bullets at rather high velocity for a .44 Magnum...but these are NOT for the beginner as they are a handful.

For your needs, any quality 210-240gr jacketed hollow point bullet with any of the previously mentioned powders would be most excellent.

Fish, I am using hornday 240 xtp over 23gr of H110. I have a 629 PC 7.5 barrel and it loves these rounds. It has the sound of a lightning bolt cracking. Still waiting on a kill this year though!

WELCOME to HHM fish!!

I use 14grs of Blue Dot under a Rem 240gr SJHP. It's traveling at a little over 1,300 fps. Recoil is decent and performance is great. Not a top end load but no slouch. It should get you to 60 yards no problem.

Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for the info. One more quick item, what do you guys use as primers and where is the smart money re brass? I ordered some Starline from Midway tonite, I have heard good things about it but never used it. Any other thoughts on reloading this cartridge before I start?

Hey, also, just for kicks, I went w/my wife duck hunting a couple of weeks ago. I made this little video and put it on YouTube. My friends really rip on me for it. It's kind of funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NwwCQtYZr4

Starline brass...never used it...but heard great things.

Primers...always used CCI300 (light loads) or CCI350 (heavy loads).

Good luck!!

I like the Hornady XTP 240 with 18.5 of 2400 and a cci 350. The Speer Gold Dot 240 also does well with this load.

If you want a hotrod load go with H110 or 296 but stay with the XTP

Most of my 44 brass is Federal. Before ammo went nuts I got a great deal on 4 boxes of American Eagle at the local gun shop. I have reloaded it 4 or 5 times now with no case loss.

I use a standard CCI LP (300) primer, Blue Dot is like flamable dirt and does not need the magnum primer to light it off.


Cool video!

Just be careful if you're new to reloading. Some powders that are used in a small quantity by volume can get you into trouble if you aren't very meticulous. It could be disastrous to end up with a double charge in a case. Make sure you visually inspect the powder charges prior to seating bullets when using such powders.

I use H110 and W296 but I've switched to Nosler partitions which according to the Nosler manual the most accurate powder and load for the 250gr is 20.5gr of H110 which gives you right around 1400fps. I've loaded heavier bullets with a heavier charge than that but I'm looking primarily for accuracy out of this gun, my 475's provide the major knockdown power if I need it.

Hey, some nice suggestions and starting points. Can't wait to get out there and try it. Much appreciated and thanks.

I am still just like you NEW!I switched to handgunning only this year.I have been lucky and gotten two does with my 44.I used Nosler Partition over H110 powder.It worked awesome.My charge was stiffer than max but 20gr-21gr should put you in the wheel house.My deer were taken at 70 and 25 yards and bang flop both times.

You can check some Unique powder out,it only requires a small amount of powder so it will last a while, and in a 200 grain bullet, It can push in the mid 9's and is a accurate load( in some guns).It will help you adjust to your weapon, and could be used on smaller game. Could be a good starting point.

Go to Hodgdon.com too the loading data. Tons of good info. Keep in mind just because someone says it works great might not work in your gun. Every barrel is deff.. Load up about 10 and check to see how they work in yours. Don't forget too start with a clean barrel.GOOD LUCK.

My baby loads are 24.5 grns of W296 or H110 with a 240 grn Hornady XTP.


My favorite big game loading in the .44 mag is a Cast Performance 320 grn WFNGC over 20.2 grns of H110.

Using Large Pistol (Magnum) primers for both.

Rate of twist in my Raging Bull is 1:18.75 w/ a 6" barrel.

More great ideas, guys, thanks much again. I was in a local Scheel's tonite and wound up getting a bottle of IMR 4227 powder, do any of you have any xprnc'e with this powder?

Also, what do you suggest I start with for a scope? Would you use a EOTech w/a red circle/dot and no magnification? My eyes aren't so great like they used to be (sort of) and I most definitely need a rest or something, my hands just can't hold it steady enough.

Finally, like I said, I have a Smith 629 w/a 6.5" barrel. If you guys had your "dream gun" chambered in .44 Rem Mag, what would you get? A Ruger? One of these fancy-shmancy Freedom Arms? What would be your second choice if you you couldn't swing one of the Freedom Arms?

Thanks,
TheFish

I would get a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter...wait...I got one and it's sweet....KRal

I think I am going to sell my Hunter. I just got a new 7 1/2 Bisley 44 Mag that I am going to put a Lepold Duel Dove base on. I may add Wolf springs. Then I will see how it shoots. In the end I will most likely add a Belt Mtn Base pin and a Power Custom Pawl.

I just like the balance of the old style gun with the scope rather than the heavy barrel and the forward scope mount.


My Hunter shoots good and I have added the base pin, springs and a pawl to it.

If I can not get enough $$$ for it it will be sent off and coverted to a 500 S&W Special w/ 5.5" barrel

I have wanted one for a long time.

I'd do the same. DOH...I did...and ended up with two...the .44 Mag and .45LC!! They are an awesome production run revolver that is ready to roll.

Hogdon 110, Ruger SBH Hunters, & fat heavy (300 grs) flat points. EOTECHs are cool but the Bushnell Holo sight is made by them & cheaper. If you scope it. A good 2X is all you need. Nikon, Leupold, Burris, etc. If you like your S&W keep it & spend the $$$ on accessories & custom work. Action job etc. No offense to your experience but if you shoot more you'll steady up fine. Use a 22 it's cheaper.

I have had good luck with a 240xtp using starline brass, 23.5grains of H110 and a CCI 350 primer and a good crimp. Seems to be a very effective load at bringing deer down. I get 1450fps out of my 7.5" super redhawk.

I already have mine, 9.5" Super Redhawk in 44 Magnum.



Scopes are a personal choice. I have trouble seeing the red dots as I'm partly color blind. A 2X scope is a good place to start. Lots of practice will help with the unsteadiness and quicker target acquisition. In time you might want to move up to a 4X scope for the shots at 50 yards plus. I have 4X scopes on most of my revolvers.

My SBH really likes this bullet/powder combo. The bullet is from Cast Performance. The gun was sighted for jacketed bullets, which impact to the right, when I fired this group. It wears a 2X Burris scope with a TSOB base.

That is some awesome shooting, Pab1. 75yds? Yikes. I've got some W296, a Redding carbide die and some Hornady 240 XTP's coming. It seemed like a good starting place. Comments much appreciated.

TheFish

I'm telling you brother! Thats a sweet group. My old Ruger (Mag-Na-Port-Stalker) shot the same w/the 300 gr WFNGC's. I'm a big fan of their bullets. Always one of my 1st choices.

Thanks Fish! I think the stars were lined up just right that day. I doubt I could pull off a group like that again, but that load always does well in my SBH.