I am going to town this weekend to buy a gun, I know it will be a 44 mag and I know it is going to be a Ruger, whichever one feels best in my hand, blackhawk or redhawk. What would be the best store bought ammo for whitetail deer up to whatever range the gun and its owner are capable of shooting? Also what barrell length should I be considering? Thanks

Lots of ammo choices for deer. I personally prefer something heavier than 240s. However, 240s will do the job if placed correctly. Otherwise, I would lean toward a jacket SP (rather than a hollow point); however, others will be along & correctly tell you that a good hardcast will also do the job for you. The best choice often is the one that your gun shoots the best.

I would opt for a 7 1/2" bbl for hunting (or one close to the length). It is not too long to be unhandy, but long enough for the job.

Good luck.

I think this is very good advice.

Welcome Aboard Billy!

Well put X3

Welcome Billy! I know I'm gonna get some flack about this BUUUT, I like the Hornady 200 gr. XTP HP. It is very accurate in my Smith 629 Classic, has good velocity. It drops only 3 in. at 100 yds. with a 50 yd. zero. I took the longest shot at a whitetail of my career with this ammo.,just inside 100 yds. Hit it like a truck and never moved after that. Yes , heavier bullets will penetrate more but we are not talking Elk here. Remember one thing,,,, speed kills! It,s where you hit them not what you hit them with.

Sorry Billy. 7 1/2 to 8 3/8 in. bl. would be a good choice.

I don't know which one is best; I've never recovered a slug from a deer. I have recovered a lot of dead deer!! Hit em where they breathe and collect your meat.

My Ruger super black hawk loved the 200 and 300 XTPS. I have taken several deer with the 200 gr. Longest shot was 65 yards with the 200XTP. Complete pass thru on a 110lb deer and it dropped in its tracks. Accuracy will often trump bullet performance!!

For typical deer not much more than 240 gr is needed. I've just used the old Speer 225 jswchp and the 225 Barnes [Corbon DPX] .Both gave good expansion with lots of penetration ,few bullets recoverd. I use a 6.5" M29 ,iron sights ,shots within 60yds.

I appreciate this thread Ive been wondering the same thing myself,Ive gotten a box of 200 gr xtps and also some 255 gr wfn cast,Ive loaded up some of the cast but havent had a chance to try them yet,shipping on the 100 cast cost 15.00,surprise.

I like a 240 XTP best--However in my Rugers I also like the 44 Ruger Mag (300 XTP loaded to a 1.8 OAL)

Both will do the trick

I tried some light bullets (180 & 200) and have not had good sucess with them.

I also like the 310 WFNGC LBT--it is a real thumper

My 1st choice would be the 240 XTP

I don't have alot of experience with deer and the 44 mag. The one experience I had was successful but didn't like the performance. I would stay away from the remington jhp's they are soft and really blow up on impact. I like to plink with Winchester 240 SP because they are the cheapest but have the Winchester platinum partitions to hunt with. Hope to test this on deer next year.

I have killed so many hogs and deer with a .44 I lost count...I like the Hornady 240gr & 300gr XTP's. All of them work. The 300gr bullets would cut one-hole groups so I have tons of confidence in the bullet. I have also used the 300 XTP in a .444 as well with excellent results (even an elk at close range).

Pick the bullet that shoots the best from your gun and then practice like crazy with it.

Every America should have at least one .44 Mag !

Looking at the replies since I originally posted, you will find many suggestions less than 240. If you are in the thick stuff and the range is essentially zero, a 22 LR might work. Not to put the other posters down, but my shots are not usually that close. I plan on at least 100 yds. I also want a hole in one side and out the other. My experience is that you need a heavier bullet. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Remember guys, no reloading here I am looking for store bought ammo!!!

LOL sounds like me ! I picked up a SBHH and a box of 240 Win to hit the range and to my surprise Im able to 4 out of 6 holes to touch. Granted its only a 15yrd range, so far Im happy with it . I havent been able to make it to a 50yrd range yet.

I used a 250 grain winchester silvertip HP and was quite impressed with the performance.

I am not too familiar with factory stuff but I steer clear of 240 gr XTP bullets. I would go with the 300 XTP or any other bullet that has decent toughness. You want two holes even though deer are small, they WILL stop a bullet that opens too fast.
I shot three with the 240 XTP and recovered all three bullets. Behind the shoulder, double lung hits, no bone. I seen them fall but backtracking showed no blood trails to speak of. Not good in real thick country.
The 240 XTP works better in the .44 special.
If you really want to enjoy the .44, you need to get into loading and casting.
Some like lighter bullets but in my opinion, stay away from them.

My .44 SBH Hunter seems to like the heavier bullets 300+ gr better than anything on the lighter side. They group about 50% tighter than the loads I have with a 240gr Keith style hard cast lead bullet.

While I have not taken a deer yet with the .44, I did just get back from a hog hunt where I put down 2 hogs cleanly with the .44.
Both shots were through the shoulders and in both cases I got complete penetration.

While I think that a 300-320 hardcast lead bullet may be a bit overkill for deer sized game, the accuracy seems to dictate the use of this weight bullet for whatever I plan on hunting.

BTW: You can get some pretty stout pre-loaded ammo from Double Tap, Buffalo Bore and Grizzly. I have been using the Double Tap 320gr load until I can get my loading bench up and running.

That's one of my personal favorite commercial loads -- and they are priced reasonably.

That is the way to go!

I bought the Double Tap 320gr. thx guys!!

Good choice! I have had lots of success with that load on hogs.

Those 320s put the hurtin' on the hogs for sure.

Quite "energetic" in the recoil department for the .44 but not all that unpleasant out of the SBH. When you are actually shooting at game, you don't even feel the recoil.

They're a little snappy! I've gotten good accuracy out of that load as well.