factors in a good functional 44 caliber hunting bullet

[hardcastonly]

I've been using a couple hand guns for over 45 years too hunt larger game, (mostly deer, elk and hogs)
during those decades I've learned a few things along the way, and while I'm sure there's several people who may have more field experience,
I don,t think the experienced members will have much to argue about.

(1) precisely placed hits and a good knowledge of the games anatomy produce quick decisive kills.
(thus a good deal of practice with your handgun of choice is required)
(2) reasonably heavy for caliber gas check bullets with at least a 70%-85% flat nose (melplate)tend to produce a consistent deep ,strait lethal
wounds, (a 44 mag or a 445 dwsm can consistently shoot completely through even an elks chest)
(3) I've found a well lubed, gas check bullet cast from, 95% ww alloy and 5% tin provide a reasonable compromise in accuracy, penetration and almost no barrel leading
(4) in 45 plus years of hunting with an iron sight revolver's (mostly S&W mod 29 44 mag and dan wesson 445 super mags)I've found the 280-310 grain bullets produce the most consistent results
(5) ranges I and others I've hunted with, seldom exceed 70 -90 yards and that,s a good thing because under field conditions most of the people I've hunted with can not consistently place their first shot in anything smaller than a 6" paper plate past 75 yards.
(6) accuracy is more important than velocity as actual kills tend to be under 100 yards and a 300 grain hard cast bullet at only 1300 fps from a 44 mag will consistently kill even elk, and while I've used a 445 DWSM throwing a 300 grain bullet at 1550 fps the results are very similar.

ok now all the 45-50 caliber guys can tell me why I need more power, more bullet mass and higher velocity,
, but I've rarely recovered a bullet as most exit, and yes I own a 500 S&W and a 454 cassul Ruger
yes I've hunted with both and they also work ok,)
and yeah off a bench rest there's lots of guys that can shoot better groups, but after several hours climbing canyons and walking through conifers and aspen,at 8K-9K altitudes those groups shot leaning against an aspen don,t match your best bench rest groups

[hardcastonly]

[mtngun]

Well said. Agree about shot placement.

I do notice a difference in wound channel in a 1200 fps handgun vs. the same round from a lever gun at 1600 - 1800 fps. Velocity won't matter on perfectly placed shots, but the lever gun is more effective on marginal shots.

When I was younger and had better eyesight I enjoyed the challenge of hunting with a revolver. That was my idea of real hunting, requiring lots of effort and skill so that you felt like you had "earned" your trophy.

Thank you for your input.

[Bob]

Hi Dan,

What are your feature preferences for hunting bullets for .357 mag, & 44 mag? I assume you have also experimented with hollowpointing bullets as well, what are your thoughts on these designs?

Thanks!
Bob

[mtngun]

Hi Dan,

What are your feature preferences for hunting bullets for .357 mag, & 44 mag? I assume you have also experimented with hollowpointing bullets as well, what are your thoughts on these designs?

Thanks!
Bob

A big meplat driven as fast as possible.

I don't have much use for hollowpoints for hunting in the Western U.S.. Perhaps hollowpoints have a place hunting Easter whitetail.