I have been turkey hunting with a 22mag. ruger single six hunter with a 7.5" barrel. I am putting a reflex sight on my 44 mag. I was wondering what kind of load that is good. I don't want to blow one apart and I will not shoot over 40yrds. The 44 is a smith 6.5". What light load would work for turkey? maybe 44 specials. I am reloading now. any suggestion........

This is just my thinking out loud, I would pick a bullet that had “minimal expansion capabilities.” Something like a 300gr XTP or a nice hardcast that is going to punch a clean hole all the way threw.

Again, this is just my thoughts out loud. LOL

I would try something like this one. I used to use it in my S&W M-29 for big game.

http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm?section=bullets&page=bc&stock_num=8615&bullettype=1

I've only shot one turkey with the 22 mag (S&W 648 with 6 inch barrel) .......I wasn't very impressed. But one turkey isn't enough experience to really give an opinion IMO.

As far as the big centerfires I just use my regular hunting loads. This turkey was shot with a 280 gr LBT WFN cast bullet out of my FA 454. As you can see there's still turkey to eat. I also use this bullet in my Ruger 45 Colt.

I have shot turkeys with the 22mag and it kills but not quick. Never had to shoot one more than once. I would like to kill them with a quick clean kill. I shot one with a full house 240jhp 44 and tore up to much meat. now I am like wyote only shot one with a 44, so I guess can't make a judgement either. I do like the cast and my 29 likes them also. Will they just punch a whole in them? If so no problem. When I load them I may slow them down just a little or should I just use the deer loads like you said..

Never shot one with a 22 mag but I did shoot one with .223 in a 10" Contender--55gr HP It was dead on impact--

BTW I did not shoot it in the head

Body shot from 85 yds

I like a spine shot, not much meat goes to waste.

I wish we were allowed to use Handguns for turkeys here in NC. Oh well one can only hope!

Yes, I think OK is shotgun only, but you could use a T/C encore I suppose.