.44 Mag for elk?

[JDL]

I know that .44 pistoleros regularly take elk but, I would like to hear of some real life events while utilizing cast boolits. The reason being that I'm considering using my carbine with the Lee 430-310 at slightly over 1500 fps. I'm not worred about range as the longest shot I've ever had was 125 yards.
Any experiencies with the .44 and cast for elk? -JDL

[Glen]

A friend of mine has taken 20+ elk using the .44 Magnum in a Ruger revolver. His favorite bullet is the Thompson SWC (429244 GC-SWC). As I recall, he's pushing these at about 1400 fps or so. He's very pleased with the performance it gives him (he generally aims to break the far shoulder).

[Pop Gun]

JD,

I can't imagine why you would be apprehensive. Glen's report ought to put you at ease. You above most ought to understand how bullet hardness is the key for something like this after 500 grains of pure failed to penetrate completely.

But I have confidence from your posts that you can have the disipline to get the job done right. Might be a few hits at the old milk jugs at various ranges will give you the confidence you seek. Certainly it will be more than we can tell you here. Cause seeing is believing.

[JJ Miller]

I shot a cow for meat 2 years ago. It was 65 yrds. She was looking at me. I hit her in the right brisket. The bullet went back thru to her left hip and stopped just under the hide. I have the bullet. I was using a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag, with the RCBS 250K bullet cast from WW with 50/50 bar solder added ( 10 to 1 ). I was using 18 gns of 2400. The bullet went about 4 1/2 feet thru the cow. I think with a cast 44 Keith of 250 to 300 gns 1200 to 1250 fps is optimal. ( flameproof pants on ).........................................JJ Miller

[NickSS]

While not useing a 44 Mag for hunting elk I have used a 45-70 loaded with black powder and a 300 gr cast flat point bullet. The bullet was cast from range scrap and it was seated over 65 gr of black powder. Velocity was 1380 from my Marlin 95's 22 inch barrel. I shot a bull elk broadside and the slug penetrated completely and was under the hide on the off side making a noticable lump there. The shot was at about 80 yards and the elk ran about 30 yards and fell over. It was dead when I got to it. As your load is just about the same ballistically it should work as well at short ranges.

[9.3X62AL]

I would vote for Lyman #429244 in a 44 Magnum "Long" or "Short" (carbine or revolver). That boolit has been a faithful friend for many years and several revolvers of this caliber, and is capable of better accuracy than I am. If the hunting area provided close-in shots suitable for revolver work on elk, I would elect to use my Redhawk on such a hunt. In fact, just such loads (25.0 x WW-296) went along with me on yesterday's mule deer prospecting venture in the RH x 5.5".

[charger 1]

I've come to the conclusion in my limited experience that these puppies kill by a combination of two factors. Frontal area largely combined secondarily with a speed factor.All the game animals I've shot with cast have been that 350 gr WFN lbt,which as you's know slows down painfully fast(basically a wad cutter)Animals that I've shot under 100 yds have had no larger an entry or exit than the ones out further but you could see that the turbulance inside the liquid section of the animal were far greater at the shorter distances when it still had the steam up. I guess what I'm trying to say here is,we wouldnt think twice about the 444(a souped up 44) shooting elk at say 150 yds,as long as the bullet design is correct,ie frontal area. So why then would we think twice about the 44 mag with the identical projectile at say 75 yds. Theres no reason at all cause the 444 at 150 is down to the same speed as the 44 at 75 give or take.......BUT and its a big but. If that elk should happen to be sneaking by at a place you never suspected,and he's the Daddy,and he,s 150 yds you gonna lower the gun?????

[nighthunter]

WOW ... Elk with a 44. I hope I get the chance to do it someday. My real dream is a buffalo with my favorite 45-70 and my favorite cast bullet. I'm going to make this dream a reality before too much longer. When I'm sitting on the front porch in my rocking chair some day and someone has to wipe the drool off my chin I want people to know what I am grinng about.
Nighthunter

[MT Gianni]

There is a pictue in the local weekly " The Whitehall Ledger" of a 12 year old girl that shot a big bull her first hunting season this Sunday. It looks like a 5x6. It scans terribly or I would post it, The rifle used is a 22-250. They are big, but elk have no magical powers. Gianni.