.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.

[Anschutz]

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.

Definitely better choices but it worked. I'll take my bow or 45-70 though. Edit: And then I forgot I was reading a post from 9 years ago and have become "that guy".[smilie=b:

[Cary Gunn]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by MT Gianni http://castboolits.gunloads.com/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=114575#post114575)

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.



"Definitely better choices but it worked. I'll take my bow or 45-70 though. Edit: And then I forgot I was reading a post from 9 years ago and have become "that guy". Anschutz,


**********

It's O.K., Anschutz. If you hadn't made your comment and brought this old thread to the fore, I'd likely have missed it. It's a "good read," and seems packed with a lot of woods wisdom and ballistic gravy.

And, speaking of wisdom, I think "Nighthunter's" comment about life and rocking chairs is a pretty good prescription for a life well-spent.

Happy trails,

-- Cary Gunn --l

[missionary5155]

Greetings
These questions always remind me to put it in the perspective of the firearms that were used 130-140 years ago to pop elk and other large critters. Black powder was the propellant and velocities were not that fast as we would think today. But they sure go the job done.
If I can duplicate the on target "thwap" with a handgun those old rifles produced then I have no need to be concerned. Just need to get within that range which still produces the sufficient momentum and accuracy to put that bullet where it will take care of matters.
Mike in Peru

[Outpost75]

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

This agrees precisely with my experience with similar bullets and velocity in the .44 Magnum.

A .44 Magnum rifle with 240+grain bullet of 1:30 tin/lead alloy, with meplat 0.6 or more of the bullet diameter at 1300-1400 fps kills better and penetrates deeper than a .30-30!

[MT Chambers]

I would have thought that using a 22/250 on Elk would be illegal, it certainly is in the places that I have hunted. Most places you can't use a 22/250 on whitetails, for once I'm on the side of the lawmakers.

[Motor]

I would have thought that using a 22/250 on Elk would be illegal, it certainly is in the places that I have hunted. Most places you can't use a 22/250 on whitetails, for once I'm on the side of the lawmakers.

I'm not completely disagreeing an Elk seems like much for a .224" bullet but bullet technology has come a long way. In same manner that you would see lots of raised eyebrows over taking Elk with a 44 magnum which now is proving to be almost the norm by folks here the same thing can be said for the various .224" calibers on medium sized game including black bear.

Bullets like the Nosler Partition, Sierra Game King and Barnes among others have made this a reality.

Motor

[TXGunNut]

I would have thought that using a 22/250 on Elk would be illegal, it certainly is in the places that I have hunted. Most places you can't use a 22/250 on whitetails, for once I'm on the side of the lawmakers.


I agree, but OTOH I've hunted the legendary Nail Ranch near Albany, TX and our guide told me they culled with a 22-250 and neck shots. This from an outfit that (at the time) discouraged 357 handguns for hogs.

[shoot-n-lead]

Brian Pearce kills elk with 44spec 250gr at 1100fps...so, I would say that the 44mag is definitely up to the task.

[shoot-n-lead]

Brian Pearce kills elk with 44spec 250gr at 1100fps, out to 100yds...so, I would say that the 44mag is definitely up to the task.

[sixshot]

Have you ever seen a photo of Brian Pearce taking an elk with the 44 special? I mean a real photo, not a painting?

Dick

[shoot-n-lead]

Read the article and there was a picture of it...I think.

If I can find it, I will post the link.

I couldn't find the link tonight...but, W. R. Buchanan mentions it on this forum...here is a quote from his post and link to that thread.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?127461-Ruger-Flattop-44-Special


This gun is very cool! You'll like it and with the right loads you are good to go for just about anything in NA per Brian Pearce's artilce in Handloader #236. A 250 gr 429244 will go clean thru an elk at 1100 fps, and is easily achievable in a .44 Spec.

[shoot-n-lead]

sixshot...here is a link that he mentions it...but he says 1200fps here. I know the other article that I read said 1100fps.

http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian%20Pearce%20on%20the%2044%20Special.pdf

[TCLouis]

250 grain, 1200 fps . . .

That was All Keith asked for in the 44 "Magnum" as I remember the stories from back then . . . and since.

I would never NEVER suggest such a thing, but modern steels, and such, may be able to harness such loads.

[SeabeeMan]

I can't comment on the loads for 44 Mag, but I would have no doubt that it is up to the task. As with all "is ______ good enough to harvest ________" threads, a badly placed shot with a .50 BMG is going to lead to an animal being wounded.

[leadman]

I shot a cow elk at 75 yards with a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag with the Lee 310gr boolit. This was loaded with 24grs of WC680 and the velocity was just about 1,100 fps here in Phoenix. It could have been slower since it was about 20 degrees Farenheit and we were at about 9,000 feet. The bullet went thru the lungs and missed the heart by about an inch. The elk ran about 75 yards and died.

Had not intended to use this but my friend and I were driving to another area first thing in the morning to hunt and forgot to take the rifles out of the camper shell. We spotted the elk headed to the road and I jumped out and intercepted them.

The load was my plinking load and had the Ruger loaded with them and in the tent with me the night before. Very accurate load and a slower recoil feeling.

[kobeinu]

I am certain a cast boolit in .44 weighing 240gn+ would take an elk no problem if hit appropriately. I am not a pistol hunter but in a lever it has to be sufficient. Hopefully we hear more from folks with experience.

[bobob]

I have killed several elk with the .44 Special, Keith 250 grain boolit, Lyman's 429421, at 1,200 fps all shot in my 1950 Target or .44 mags either Ruger or Smith and Wesson. All were killed with one shot in the chest at distances under 100 yards.

I have found no need for the .44 mag cases, although I shoot them.

I began with the .44 Special, 1950 Target Model. I've used the same load and never looked back.

[Sambar375WCF]

you blkes know what, I got to shoot a 44mag side by side with my .375 win, man, them 44mags are ***** cats!

it wasa rossi, 92, my 375bb had way more to say and it was only half stoked.


for elk, I spose in close 100m on bulls, 150m cows.
S3W

[bobob]

Nice rifle, Sambar375WCF.

I shoot Lyman's 375449, 270 grain boolit with gas check, sized and lubed. The velocity is 2,100 fps. There is no question, it beats the .44 mag. I shoot it in my .375 H&H mag. pre-64 Winchester, but this is a thread about the .44 mag for elk.

If one keeps one's shots in the chest and the range is under 100 yards, the .44 mag will do.

Doc Burgess

[onegunred]

bobob, you do mean 44 Mag HANDGUN for ELK, correct ? Our neighbor from down south is on a 44 mag rifle.

[bobob]

Onegunred, the first sentence of this post on this thread mentioned:

"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. . ."

Many others on this thread talked about the .44 mag in HANDGUNS for hunting elk.

I simply wanted to show, as I did in my post at 5 above and 2 above, that the .44 Special, 250 grain lead boolit, 1,200 fps, in the hands of a good shot will kill an elk quickly where the shot is taken at distances under 100 yards.

I'm sure that this .44 Special load if fired in a carbine or rifle would be a good combination. If shot in a .44 mag case with the lead 250 grain, sized and lubed boolit at 1,200 fps or better, as Elmer loaded them, would also be a good choice.

[onegunred]

bobob, I am sure that you can do it. 250 gr at 1200 fps is a good load. Sorry I miss read your original post.

[DW475]

JDL, I'm using that exact bullet out of my Ruger Super Blackhawk with 10.5" barrel with exceptional results on paper to 75 yards and get complete pass through on the little Sitka Blacktails up here. I wouldn't hesitate on using that same bullet for Elk.

[JDL]

Thanks for all the replies for 9 years! An interesting thing happened shortly after my OP. My oldest grandson killed his first deer, a buck, with said carbine so I gave it to him [smilie=w:and never did take it for elk.

[starmac]

Well geesh, you have had 9 years to take your grandson elk hunting and report back on how well it performed. Yup, you been slacking long enough. lol

[Cornbread]

I met a guy in the gym at the town closest to where I live and a 44mag lever action is all he used to use for elk, deer, and bear here in Montana. I don't know if he still does but at the time I talked with him a few years back when he first moved to town he had taken quite a bit of big game with that rifle. I'm not a 44mag person myself, I prefer 454 Casull but after seeing the results on his smart phone of all the kills he had with that 44mag I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use one. Not sure what his loads were but whatever they were they were definitely doing the job well.

[Doggonekid]

Hand gunning a elk is a great experience. What you shoot it with is secondary to where you shoot it. If hunting with a hand gun make good clean shots. Shooting a large animal in the butt and hope you find it later is not the way I like to hunt. Know your limits, and stay inside them.

[DanWalker]

I took a win 94 trapper carbine to Africa in 2012. It was chambered in 45 colt. EVERYTHING I shot with it died in very short order, including a large Gemsbok that only made it 50 yards after being hit. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?135266-Africa!!

[44 flattop]

I've taken about two dozen elk or a few more with .44's. In revolvers, one 10" T/C and four different Marlin Cowboy's.

A good cast bullet, like those mentioned, all do a good job. As my father in law told me years ago, nothing can breathe blood and any cast bullet with a wide meplat at 1200+fps will penetrated and many times will exit. My first bull was taken with a 4" S&W at 90 yards and the velocity was 1190fps with a Remington 240gr JSP. Each one since then was with cast from 225grs to 330 using velocities between 1200 and 1750.

I should mention, these are all big coastal Roosevelt bull elk. Some of them real whoppers, too!