Deer Hunting with Taurus M44x6.5" any help appreciated

1777 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Gregory, Jan 5, 2003

NeverQuit

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2003

Is this 44 Magnum handgun enough for deer hunting. I have read most of entries about loads but I'll have to stick to factory loads at this point. It would appear from reading that the semi-wad cutter or the flat point cartridge is the best for this purpose? My doctor prefers I stick with less recoil because of my pacemaker. Any suggestions?

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Toby from MO

· #2 · Jan 2, 2003

Deer Hunting with Taurus M44x6.5" any

It is most definitely enough. Three years ago I took my first whitetail, by handgun, with that exact pistol. I was shooting a cast 240gr SWC over 19.5gr of AA#9. I shot her from 61 paces, open sights, and she never knew what hit her. If recoil is an issue you may find AA#9 to be a good powder for you, from a recoil standpoint. When I first started shooting my handgun, the recoil from hot H110 and W296 loads dealt me a fit because I couldn’t shoot them very accurately. What I found was that AA#9 produced some respectable velocities but didn’t seam to have recoil of H110 or W296.

Good Luck,
Toby

Save

KING

· #3 · Jan 2, 2003

Deer Hunting with Taurus M44x6.5" any

NEVERQUIT !!!!!!! That .44 will do anything that you ask it to do within reason. I dont know what slugs ya are going to be putting out of that critter,but I dont shoot anything over 200 grns,and the vast majoriety is the 180 grn XTP,if you are going to reload. If you are hunting deer size critters a heavy slug is not needed. Actually the 180 XTP out of my .44 gave me perfect expansion,and also got over 20 inches of penatration. It as a good 100 yard deer gun. Maybe out to 150 if you have practiced a lot and canmake the shot go into the heart/lung area. Good shooting and stay safe King A general rule that I use and I shoot handguns a lot is the .357 is good to 75 yards. The .44 maybe 100-150,but fer sure not passed that. When you can put 6 otta six inna paper plate,that is the furthest you should shoot. King

Save

markc

· #4 · Jan 2, 2003

Yes sir,

I have the same revolver and although I have not taken a deer with it, I have taken a number of hogs. Since you are sticking with factory ammo, I personally see no reason to buy the most expensive stuff out there. Whitetail are soft bodied, easy to penetrate. I would recommend any 240gr soft point or hollow point that you can shoot accurately from your particular revolver. Good luck and keep us posted as to your success.
markc

Save

The Montanan

· #5 · Jan 2, 2003

Deer Hunting with Taurus M44x6.5" any

Don't have much to add the King and Markc haven't already covered. I have owned that very handgun and it actually has less recoil than my SBH in 44 mag because of its porting.

If you get into reloading

you can taper some really good rounds for it that fit you the shooter. The reason Taurus said to stick with "Factory" ammo is because of the Garrett Cartridge and Buffalo Bore cartridges that are out there that really push the limit as far as CUP presures.

But you really can have fun with this handgun with most all other factory loadings as well as reloads that you can create yourself by using good reloading data that is out there.

There are several good sites available that give good information and loads.

Hope this helps

Save

HappyHunter

· #6 · Jan 2, 2003

44 mag

My first 44 mag came this fall. I have not used it on a deer yet but it has been developing a load and killing paper.

I also live in North West Hoosier land (Valpo). This past deer season I used a Thompson Center Encore handgun, 15 inch barrel calibered to 25-06. With a scope this is a good gun for 200 yds even with my skill level. I passed on a deer at 25 yds on a trot because I could not find it in my scope fast enough. That is main reason I bought my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 mag, I plan to use it with open sights.

My research has me practicing with 240 gr semi wad cutters and I plan to hunt with 240 grn hollow cavity jacketed. My point is find a practice round the same recoil as your hunting round and practice, practice, well you get the point. Prior to hunting be sure to have found a hunting round that shoots well in your gun and practice some more.

Where do you shoot? Do you go to a range?

With all this practice you may find that an order to Midsouthshooterssupply.com for press and reloader equipment may be cheaper in long run with a pay back of 1-2 years and a lifetime of enjoyment. Seriously consider this, I enjoy my time reloading as much a my time shooting but now I have better ammo and am proud of my accomplishments.

Good luck
Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

See less See more

Save

NeverQuit

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 3, 2003

Re: 44 mag

HappyHunter said:
I also live in North West Hoosier land (Valpo). Where do you shoot? Do you go to a range?
Good luck
Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

Thanks to all of you for this excellent information.

Glad to meet you Happy Hunter. I shoot at Blythe's in Valpo and at Jasper-Pulaski in better weather. Any other ranges I should know about?

Save

HappyHunter

· #8 · Jan 3, 2003

log in

I keep forgeting to log in !
Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

Save

NeverQuit

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 5, 2003

Future shooting

Anonymous said:
I find myself shooting at Blythes with my 44 mag and for load developement about once a week maybe I will see you some time.

My youngest son leaves for the Air Force on the 14th so I hope to see you at Blythe's after that. Send me more info on the Valpo Gun Club.

Save

NeverQuit

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 5, 2003

Future shooting

Anonymous said:
I find myself shooting at Blythes with my 44 mag and for load developement about once a week maybe I will see you some time.

My youngest son leaves for the Air Force on the 14th so I hope to see you at Blythe's after that. Send me more info on the Valpo Gun Club.

Save

Gregory

· #11 · Jan 5, 2003

Deer Hunting with Taurus M44x6.5" any

Neverquit and Happyhunter
Say hello to Les for me, I lived in Valpo '92-99 and did a bit of shopping at Blyth's. Hunted and shot at JP also.
Greg Kleen

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month