DEER HUNTING WITH A 44 MAGNUM

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  • diver dan

    Sharpshooter
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    Jan 21, 2013
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    DeMotte
    How does a 6inch barreled 44 magnum pistol do on bringing down deer? I shoot 50yds max on deer no matter what gun I am using , makes feel more sure of a SOLID HIT, I dont like and wont take iffy shots just not worth it. But does the 44 have more than enough power at 50 yards to take a deer down immediatly. And I know organ hit, heart, is mandatory.I use 300 grain SP ammo. I have not had the chance to shoot one yet , but just asking pistol shooters their opinion so I can get better insight on situation.I do use a rest wether it be a tree branch or downed log. And practice that way also.THANKS GUYS. I like having varied opinions on subjects , and you guys do help.
     
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    Mar 9, 2022
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    Bloomington
    I've honestly not seen this question discussed much; my impression is that it's generally taken for granted that 44 magnum, even out of a handgun, is completely adequate to the task of taking a deer inside of 100 yards.

    In the below video if you skip to 20:55 you can see a test of 44 magnum rounds out of a handgun on a target meant to simulate the thoracic cavity of a deer, and the performance looks pretty impressive. He's only shooting at 20 yards, but I doubt the loss in power between 20 and 50 yards would be significant.

     

    Mij

    Grandmaster
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    May 22, 2022
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    In the corn and beans
    Yes, a 44 mag pistol will kill a deer. Shot placement will determine how far the deer moves after the shot. The 3 clicking noises as you cock a SA Blackhawk will determine how far it will move before the shot.

    Good luck.
     

    ECS686

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    Dec 9, 2017
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    Brazil
    I have had several friends use standard 44 mag 240 gr JSP and it is a deer slayer. So your 300 grain should be just fine and Good to go!
     

    mcapo

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    Mar 19, 2016
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    East of Hoosier45 - West of T-dogg
    At 100 yards you are nearing the edge of killing efficiency. I have taken two with a 6" SW. One at about 35 yards and the other at maybe 65? Don't recall either going far, at all.

    These number may vary depending upon your load but...

    This is for a 300 gr bullet (stolen from the interwebnet):

    Range (yards)Drop (inches)Velocity (fps)Bullet energy (ft.lb)
    0-1.471150881
    503.071070763
    1000.0221009678
     

    diver dan

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    I want to stay with 300 grain bullet , but sometimes you cant find it on shelf , so I try to keep 3 boxes of the same lot on hand, I dont reload.
     

    ilcaveman

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    Aug 25, 2013
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    elizabeth
    It will take down a deer with no problem. I shot 5 or 6 deer with my 10" Dan Wesson. I used 300 gr. Buffalo bore bullets. The longest shot was 50 yards.
     

    Hookeye

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    Dec 19, 2011
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    armpit of the midwest
    The .44 magnum works but isn't magic.
    Killing em aint a problem.
    Finding what you killed could be.
    Closer is better.

    Recoil sucks w 300 grainers.

    Id go 240 or 265 and keep shots 75 yards and in (iron sights). Have used other, and shot longer.
    It worked.

    Most of my handgun deer shot w 180 and 200 gr screamer handloads, broadside.
    I got a bunch of 240 gr JHP boolits, so thats what I'll be running in my current SBH. And for once I won't have em max'd out (will back em off just a little...........yeah right LOL).

    Liked 180s and 200's in a 6" Smith.
     

    tsilveus

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    Jun 4, 2014
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    I used to have a 44 mag Colt Anaconda in 8 inch. I took a deer with it years ago. About 20 yards out. Dropped about 20 feet from where it was hit. I think I was using remington copper solid bullets (maybe 285 grain). Definitely a heavy hitter. Never tried it at longer distances (iron sites on the revolver). But if I had a long rifle in 44 mag, I would have had no quarrels trying it at longer distances.
     

    Hookeye

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    Dec 19, 2011
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    armpit of the midwest
    Shot em from 17 ft to 150 yards w .44 magnum.
    Most between 25 and 75 yards.
    Ive dropped two where they stood, the others ran a bit.

    Shotgun, MZ or rifle, I'm cool with the deer going a short distance after the shot.
    Dead right over there is acceptable LOL
     

    DadSmith

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    Oct 21, 2018
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    Ripley County
    How does a 6inch barreled 44 magnum pistol do on bringing down deer? I shoot 50yds max on deer no matter what gun I am using , makes feel more sure of a SOLID HIT, I dont like and wont take iffy shots just not worth it. But does the 44 have more than enough power at 50 yards to take a deer down immediatly. And I know organ hit, heart, is mandatory.I use 300 grain SP ammo. I have not had the chance to shoot one yet , but just asking pistol shooters their opinion so I can get better insight on situation.I do use a rest wether it be a tree branch or downed log. And practice that way also.THANKS GUYS. I like having varied opinions on subjects , and you guys do help.
    Yep you are good to go. I used 300gr XTP in the past. It seemed over kill so I went to 240gr XTP. They do an excellent job.
    I know a few that are using 180gr XTP with 1650fps handloads and they have not had a problem as well. I may try out the 180gr next year after I work up a load of my own.

    Edit:
    I just put on these rds on my 44mag for hunting. My eyes aren't what they use to be.
    20220219_142511.jpg
     
    Last edited:

    BJHay

    Sharpshooter
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    Mar 17, 2019
    525
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    Crawfordsville
    My wife shot a deer at 50 yds with a single shot rifle in .44mag. I helped field dress it. I know OP was inquiring about a pistol but she hit it in the chest and the damage was incredible. The deer literally fell where it stood. She used a Hornady Leverevolution 225g.

    She made a heart shot last week on a deer with her .308. Couldn't ask for better placement but it still ran 50 yards.

    .44mag is an incredible cartridge. No wonder it's been around for so long.
     

    ISP 5353

    Master
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    Jul 21, 2009
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    Putnam County
    Your .44 will defiantly kill a deer under the circumstances you describe. I have killed deer with a lot of different guns and ammo combinations over many years.

    Deer are tenacious. Sometimes a perfect heart and lung shot deer still runs a little ways. Sometimes they drop on the spot. Be prepared to track a little after the shot. Good luck and let us know how it goes.!
     

    tetter

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    Feb 13, 2014
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    United States
    .44 mag is fine for deer, for as far as most of us can accurately shoot with a handgun. I use a S&W with the 8 3/8" barrel and open sights. .44 magnum is just a great caliber.
     
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