brand new to handgun hunting, and need opinion. my normal 44 mag load is w/240 hardcast at 925fps. would this be enough for 150 lb. deer at ranges less than 60 yrds or do I need something with more oomph?

Welcome phonejack! You're about to set off a real debate on your first post, lol, but that should do it. Personally, I'd like something a little faster (assuming the 925 fps is at the muzzle). Of course, shot placement is important so practice up if you aren't already and have fun.

I too prefer more of everything -- bullet weight included, but that load should work fine as long as you do your part.

Welcome to the forum!

If you put it in the vitals, it will die with what you describe.
Big game does not wear kevlar vests with armor plating inserts.
Welcome to Handgun hunting.
Ernie

Welcome to the forum!
I agree with the others. You hit it in the lungs & miss the shoulder you will have a half inch hole al the way through the critter.
That said, I also agree with Whitworth. I like a bit more velocity for tissue disruption, & a heavier bullet in case bone gets in the way.
That said, good placement with a light slow bulet is better than poor placement with a heavier faster one.
Practice all you can & have fun!

FWIW, that is 455 ft/lbs of energy, at the muzzle. Less than a .357 magnum. More along the lines of a 44 Special load.

I just ran it on isnipe, it shows 414 lbs at 60 yards, however, I did not know what the coefficient for the 240 gr. load was, so, I used .2, which is probably not accurate at all. A higher co-ef. will give a lower energy. (I think)

thanks guys, that will work

That is only a warm 44 special load. Another 300 fps would do better.If the problem is recoil a lighter bullet such as a 225 JHP at 1200 would be better.

Welcome to the forum phonejack!

It will work, but i would rather have a 300 gr. doing 925fps than a 240. When shooting cast, i put more stock in the weight of a bullet than i do the speed.

As far as ft/lbs of energy in a revolver shooting cast bullets, thats pretty much a non issue for me.

This is going to go 5 pages, that load will work with good shot placement at moderate ranges. push them faster, you want a cast bullet to keep right on truckin through no matter what it comes in contact with.

The MOST important thing is to hit the deer in the vitals, do that and it will die.

If you drive your bullet faster you might get the deer to die a bit quicker but it could be hard to prove. If the added velocity and recoil makes you shoot with less precision then you are not doing you or the deer any favors.

You are trying to kill a 150 pound deer after all not a big bear or buffalo after all. They are not that tough, poke a hole in their lungs and it will die.

Power without precision is worthless...

Thats more of a 44 Special load, but it will work. I like at least 1,100 FPS with whatever, 45LC to 480 Ruger. More is better, as long as you can shoot it accurately.

I've shot 3 deer in the last 2 years using a 44 special & 250 gr cast slugs at almost the exact velocity you mention, none of them stayed on their feet over 5 seconds. That velocity is adequate, more velocity gives you more range, it really doesn't do a whole lot as far as killing. Deer aren't real tough with good hits.
Move up to big deer or perhaps elk & bear & you have to play with a different set of rules.

Dick

Put your bullet in the right spot with your listed velocity and he will go down...

John Taffin and Brian Pearce have used loads at 850 f.p.s. As long as you can put her in the boiler room your load should work fine.

I would use something with a little more velocity though. 1100-1300 f.p.s. would do nicely. Speed kills!

And there is your answer phone jack! Welcome to handgun hunting! It will become a sickness.

You brought up a can of worms. I'm new to HG hunting also, but in my stubborness, I have to say I favor shock value over pass thru. Passing thru is fine, but I like to knock the living tar out of them, if I can't hit 'em in the head. I don't like trailing them, so I love head shots, but am positive that will be much more difficult with a pistol. Good luck, and welcome.

"Shock" is primarily a product of velocity. you will not get high velocity from a revolver. Hunting with a revolver takes a totally different mindset. It is mostly about penetration --- a hole on each side. That is the reason that so many of our members here are "hardcast" fans --- pentration. Using a "low velocity" revolver round is more akin to bow hunting than it is to rifle hunting.

That said, I have hit animals (deer sized) with a revolver and they moved 18 inches -- striaght down. However, that is unusual in my experience unless you hit the neck or spine. Those can be small, sometimes iffy targets. A better approach often is to put one through the boiler room and he will not go far. However, IMHO it is important to have an exit. A better blood trail to follow.