Minimum load
#209964
01/01/2021 3:44 AM
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
countryboy2441
OP
stranger
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OP
stranger
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What would be the minimum 44 mag load with a 240 grain soft point and 2400 powder you would hunt with? I have a very accurate load but it is around 44spl level. I know that hitting where you aim is what counts but would still like 2 holes if I have to blood trails.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: countryboy2441]
#209969
01/01/2021 4:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300
MS Hitman
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300 |
Unless you have some really big deer, or they are wear body armor, your load should make it through on a broadside shot, I've done it with smaller cartridges. You can switch to a 240 grain cast bullet and up your penetration and retain the lower loading pressure.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: MS Hitman]
#209970
01/01/2021 7:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,434
H2OBUG
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2008
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I think 17 range with a mag primer. My guns shoot really well with the 240s in the 18.5 range and it is not that bad.
If it jams force it! If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: H2OBUG]
#209974
01/01/2021 8:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 285
WyoJoe
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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I would take that load you have and do some penetration tests. See how it performs before changing anything.
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?"
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: WyoJoe]
#209978
01/01/2021 10:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
countryboy2441
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stranger
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The load I'm shooting is 15.0 grains of 2400 powder under a 240 grain soft point bullet. This is very soft shooting and very accurate. I've shot all the way up to 20 grains and groups just fell apart. I'm not trying to shoot deer at 100 yards just bow range. Maybe 50 yards max. Just getting started in Handgun huntin.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: countryboy2441]
#209986
01/02/2021 3:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Your load is plenty enough if you put it where it counts.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: KRal]
#209997
01/03/2021 1:24 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 525
Brenden
addict
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addict
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There has been a boat load of deer killed with a 240 slug and 7.5 grains of unique in a 44 special. I'd say your loading equals or exceeds the velocities of the special load. Put the sights where you want the bullet to go and have some fun.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: Brenden]
#210014
01/04/2021 2:04 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
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Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
I lost count of deer I killed with 44 specials using 240-250 grain cast bullets at roughly 1000fps. If you use a jacketed expanding bullet at those velocities and put the bullet where I needs to go you won't get explosive expansion but you will stop what makes them live.
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: KRal]
#210042
01/06/2021 3:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715 |
Your load is plenty enough if you put it where it counts.
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#210047
01/06/2021 10:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Some states have minimum loads that are mandated by law; they must produce so many foot pounds of energy.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#210062
01/08/2021 6:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300
MS Hitman
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300 |
Some states have minimum loads that are mandated by law; they must produce so many foot pounds of energy. Which is a shame, because kinetic energy is merely a calculated number, and meaningless.
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#211088
11/05/2021 8:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 207
TM
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 207 |
Your load is plenty enough if you put it where it counts. I If checked in the field by a game officer how do you prove meets the requirement?
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#211089
11/05/2021 8:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 207
TM
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
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Some states have minimum loads that are mandated by law; they must produce so many foot pounds of energy. If you are checked in the field by a game officer how do you prove your load meets the requirements?
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: countryboy2441]
#211103
11/10/2021 9:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 218
gunslingerdad
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Since nobody else has replied about being checked , the burden of proof is on them. best case scenario they make you shoot it over a chronograph to see the velocity, then use a KE calculator to get FPE. Our dnr discussed how they would deal with the issue if it came up and that is what their answer was. have your load data on your reloaded ammo box and be able to provide it to them. having the link to the KE calculator on your phone and being able to show them right there would go a long way if checked. .worst case, they seize your handgun and ammo for test firing. I think you would have to be in a real grey area to get to worst case status..
still Dave Thomas, just an alias so the gov't dont find me
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: TM]
#211108
11/12/2021 12:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
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Some states have minimum loads that are mandated by law; they must produce so many foot pounds of energy. If you are checked in the field by a game officer how do you prove your load meets the requirements? How does the officer prove your load doesn't meet requirements
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Re: Minimum load
[Re: countryboy2441]
#211112
11/13/2021 1:10 AM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 218
gunslingerdad
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 218 |
if you are carrying a 44 magnum why would they even question your loads un less you tell them that they are popcorn fart loads and there is a minimum
still Dave Thomas, just an alias so the gov't dont find me
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