Rossi 44 mag range results....which load to use for hunting?

[hornady308]

I have a short Rossi 44 Mag that I use for deer hunting. My heavy hunting load is a Ranch Dog 265gr pushed by 16.5gr Alcan-8 (like Blue Dot). The steel butt plate lets my shoulder know all about the recoil after 30 rounds or so. But, it's an accurate load, feeds reliably and has lots of power. The other day I had some left over rounds loaded with 9gr Unique and the Lyman 429421 that I use in a S&W 629, so I tried these out in the Rossi just for fun. I was pleasantly surprised to see the small 100yd group. So, it has me asking why I should continue to use the heavy load. The average deer in this area is 125-175 pounds. We have some black bears and feral hogs, but most aren't too large. We ain't got no moose, and the only elephants are in the zoo. Considering that my longest shot is going to be 100 yards, why not go with the lighter load? Dead is dead. I agree that it is important to use enough gun, but is there a need for using more than that? BTW, the scar on the butt stock is the result of falling asleep in a tree and waking up just in time to watch the rifle falling to earth. I need to add a sling.

Here's the rifle with a Burris 2.75x Scout scope:
163902

The Lyman 429421 group:
163903

And the group with the Ranch Dog 265gr:
163904

[shoot-n-lead]

That Unique load is fine...no need for the heavier load. It is good in a handgun, so it will be better in the rifle.

[Shuz]

The load I used to kill my young buck with last fall is: Lee 44-225RNFP(custom mold) and 7g of Trail Boss. Primer is WLP, OAL is 1.630" and boolit diam. is .431, and hardness is Bhn 11. Velocity is 1040fps. It is now my favorite load for my 16" Rossi .44 mag. and it's steel butt plate!

[Lefty Red]

I my Remlin 44, I use 8 grains of Unique and a RCBS 250gr Keith Style Bullet and get the same results. It's my deer load out to 125 yards.

Jerry

[ironhead7544]

I would use the Unique load for practice and the Ranch Dog for hunting.

Nice setup with the scout scope.

[Outer Rondacker]

I see you mastered the art of hunting. Best naps ever have been taking in the warm mid day sun while out hunting.

[Don L]

I've recently started using a Rossi Ranch Hand in .44 Mag and it's a really fun gun to shoot. I'll be taking it on the back of my Harley as we travel the northern parts of Canada this year. If you're interested, here's a demonstration of how it shoots. I'm using 24 grains of IMR 4227 behind a heat-treated 429421 Keith bullet (247 grain from my mould) with an L.O.A. of 1.635".

Have also made a gun case for it and can share the plans for making that. I wrapped the trigger guard in leather because it kicks back against the middle finger a bit. Also attached a leather hoop to the ring that can go around my wrist because the gun will just about recoil out of your hand if you don't hold it with a pretty firm grip (no stock goes against your shoulder, so recoil is not even felt).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qsah39zX6w

[budman5]

Don will that abbreviated BBL be legal in Canada?

[Hickory]

Don will that abbreviated BBL be legal in Canada?
18.5" is the shortest you can go on a rifle barrel in Canada and not go to jail.

[rondog]

I'd be scared shatless to get within 500 miles of the Canada border with any kind of gun, ESPECIALLY on a Harley! My last border crossing there was unpleasant enough, I ain't going back.

[Don L]

Budman5, yes, it's perfectly legal in Canada. In fact it's sort of "more legal" (if I can put it that way) because, unlike the States where (I'm told) it has to be classified and sold as a "pistol", here in Canada it falls under the simple category of a rifle, just like any other rifle. If memory serves, the overall length of a rifle here cannot be less than 24" and the barrel not less than 12". This gun is exactly 24" long and the barrel is 12" long.

I've designed and made my own carrying case for it. I can supply the plans for it here. One of the nice things about the case is that, because of the saddle ring on the gun, the case's carrying strap is perfect for snapping onto the ring, which you can then pull tight against your shoulder to steady the gun's aim greatly.


16509916510016510116510216510316510416510516510616 5107

[Don L]

I'd be scared shatless to get within 500 miles of the Canada border with any kind of gun, ESPECIALLY on a Harley! My last border crossing there was unpleasant enough, I ain't going back.

Heh. No need to be scared Rondog; you just have to know what the laws are for the country you're going to - just like I also have to inform myself if going to the U.S. If you don't, it's asking for trouble.

[Hickory]

I guess I was wrong on the barrel length.
30 Years ago it was 18.5" minimum length.

[MT Gianni]

That looks like it would work perfectly for the North woods.

[NavyVet1959]

So, you never go further north than Casper, WY?

I've crossed into Canada a couple of times and they have never searched my vehicle or given me any sort of hassle. Same with Mexico...

I can neither confirm nor deny what I may or may not have been carrying with me at the time though...

[rondog]

So, you never go further north than Casper, WY?

I've crossed into Canada a couple of times and they have never searched my vehicle or given me any sort of hassle. Same with Mexico...

I can neither confirm nor deny what I may or may not have been carrying with me at the time though...

Oh, I'll go to border states, but I have ZERO desire to cross any borders. I didn't lose anything there, don't want to start now. Besides, I live in Colorado, and vehicles with CO plates are favorite LEO targets these days. We're all dangerous dope smugglers you know.....

[NavyVet1959]

Besides, I live in Colorado, and vehicles with CO plates are favorite LEO targets these days. We're all dangerous dope smugglers you know.....

Understood... I fully understand your reasoning... I had forgotten that Colorado had been taken over by stoners.

[budman5]

Awesome Don..thanks for sharing. I like your kit a lot .

[Four Fingers of Death]

I thought that Canada was the same as Australia, 16.5" minimum.

I remember reading some years back that Winchester made a special 94 for Canada (maybe it was Alaska) with a 12.5" barrel for deep snow / snowshoe use.

If those loads shoot to the same point of impact or therabouts, maybe you could load the Unique round last, so that follow up shots were the more powerful load.

I had a 94 in 44Mag years ago and used to have two loads, the plinkers/light hunting load in nickle cases up the spout and five full monty loads in the mag tube. There was about five inches difference at 75yards, but I was used to it and adjusted my sight picture.

[Don L]

Awesome Don..thanks for sharing. I like your kit a lot .

You're welcome Budman. Here's the rest of the plans for that gun case.

165294165295165297165298165299165300165301165302

[ironhead7544]

Don L: Great idea. When I first saw the Ranch Hand I thought it would be perfect for that use. The 12" barrel will give a good bit of power over the revolver.

Thanks for the case plans.