Is a 300 grain xtp out of a .44 magnum a good load for elk?

It would be a fine choice for jacketed bullets. I like hardcast bullets myself and would probably run a 300gr LFN if I was hunting elk with a 44mag. But that is just me...

Yes, it is a fine bullet for elk.

Good for you but not the elk. When that bullet is used they tend to break out in red spots and fall over.

Thats a good hard bullet and will do great.

Park that 300 gr slug in the right spot & it will handle any elk out there & do it with ease. A good bullet & a good shooter = a dead elk!

Dick

Thanks for the information gentlemen. I did not know if a .44 magnum is enough gun for an elk.

I've taken them with the 41, 44 & Ruger 45, no complaints & all were one shot kills using cast bullets. Have taken one cow using jacketed slugs, it was a 270 gr Speer Gold Dot in a Ruger 44 maggie.

Dick

I just took a large bull elk in the begining of december with a 300gr XTP in .44 mag. I also wasnt quite sure it would be enough but after talking to the guys on this site they convinced. My elk never took one step. I shot him broadside at about 60 yards the bullet went through a rib and half way through the back bone and the back bone on an elk is no small bone. I did find only pieces of my bullet lodged in the back bone but like i said he never took a step and in the end thats what matters. I was told however that bullet will penetrate better and still expand at slightly less than maximum velocity like around 1100 to 1200.

It is but be careful with your shot placement. I would recommend a broadside or quartering away shot with that bullet and go for the lungs.

Thanks gentlemen, exactly what I was looking for. One could then infer that this would be good load for caribou as well. Hunting with a revolver, then, is similar to hunting with archery gear...only with a sightly longer max range?

Keep that mentality of archery hunting with a gun and you will do fine. I figure my effective hunting range is where I can keep all of your rounds (ok 90% is probably more realistic) on a paper plate from the field postion you are shooting from. Most of the time I am comfortable to 75 yards or so but I really am trying for a 25 yards slam dunk shot...

The gun will not be the limiting factor within reason.