• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

.44 Mag

bchunter

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2014
Messages
28
Location
Canada
Not sure if this is the right spot....

Just wondering from those who hunt with a .44 ruger red hawk 7.5" what load they find best for bear. Assuming anyone has hunted bear with theirs.


Thanks.
 

The Truth

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2014
Messages
1,972
Location
Henrico
340gr +P+ Long Lead Flat Nose 1478fps/1649fpe

It doesn't get much more brutal than that. You could probably safely dispatch a bear with 240gr BJHP (1500fps/1200fpe) too, but I would feel my cojones grow to 3x the size carrying the 340gr LLFN +P+.

I don't own a .44 Mag, but if I did, this is what I would carry in the woods.
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
I use 300 grain hard cast TC for penetration. Pretty much a full case of W296 underneath them. I usually do not post my loads, you can find the starting load from Hodgdon site. For hiking though I count on my Marlin 94 44mag using that combination. Within a 100 yards it should take down most if not all large game.
 

SouthernBoy

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2007
Messages
5,837
Location
Western Prince William County, Virginia, USA
Towards the end of my hunting days, I loaded a Speer 225gr 3/4 JHP over 23 grains of 2400 for deer and in the event I ran into a black bear. I used to load the Sierra 240 JHC over 22.5 grains of 2400. All of this ended 29 years ago.

That 225gr Spear load was quite accurate in my Redhawk 5 1/2" barrel with the Ruger hunting sights (still have that revolver).
 
Last edited:

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
I've not hunted bear, but have carried in their neck of the woods with them in mind. I also carry a .45 Colt Ruger instead of a .44 "Magnum." I use a heavy cast lead Keith SWC in a Ruger-only +P loading.
 

moonie

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
251
Location
High Point NC
I'd use hard cast 300gr+ WFN type bullet. Personally I have a NMBH 7.5" in 45 Colt and load 300gr WFN over 22gr of W296/H110 for about 1,300fps. Lots of penetration.
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
I'd use hard cast 300gr+ WFN type bullet. Personally I have a NMBH 7.5" in 45 Colt and load 300gr WFN over 22gr of W296/H110 for about 1,300fps. Lots of penetration.


In my 44s I use a 315 hard cast gr, cast checked, sized out of a lee mold, I shot and know of a couple of bears taken with this load and a few big hogs works well with a max load of H110 for 1100 to 1280 depending on the pistol my 5.5 inch Red hawk gives me more vel. then my two 7.5 inch blk hawks and 7.5 red hawks.

My 4inch red hawk gives me just under 1200fps. I load the same bullet out of my 4 inch Taurus tracker at 1100 at 27oz the max loads are a bit much.

I know of one 250lb bear taken in the chest bullet exited the right rear quarter for more then 4 feet of penetration.
 

Lurchiron

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
1,011
Location
Shawano,WI.
Not sure if this is the right spot....

Just wondering from those who hunt with a .44 ruger red hawk 7.5" what load they find best for bear. Assuming anyone has hunted bear with theirs.


Thanks.


I hunt deer with an open-sighted Colt Anaconda 8in. .44mag using 210grn. Winchester Silvertips at 1350fps. I would feel confident to 50 yds. on bears with that load.
Also carry 2 extra speedloaders, 1 with 240grn. Horandy XTP's at 1450fps(Bear Load - Handloads); and 1 with factory Federal 240grn. Hydra-shock's(BG's & Varmints).

Psssttt: Did ya see da 30-pointer eh??? :lol:
 

bchunter

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2014
Messages
28
Location
Canada
Thanks for the replies!

As I'm only allowed carry for self defence, not hunting, here in the great white north police state, I am prohibited from handgun hunting (read: practical knowledge of how my sidearm will actually perform on black bears/Cougars)

Sound ridiculous as hell? It is.

I handload as well, so I understand the liability aspect. I am most curious about bullet type/weight.


Thanks again!
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
The ban on hand gun hunting has nothing to do with the effectiveness of hand gun rounds. But is only in place so the people have one less reason to own hand guns.

When we legalized handgun hunting in Wis late 70's we heard about how there would be gun fights in the woods, bars etc.. I don't believe any of that has happened. Just anti gun anti hunting wackos throwing out their normal BS.

They did manage to restrict hunting hand guns to fire inch barrels measured from the firing pin. Now any caliber 224 and bigger that can be used in a rifle is legal.

I always wanted to make a 16 inch contender barrel up in 25acp then make a 5 inch barreled 25acp pistol and take it deer hunting.

Just to prove the worthlessness of caliber restrictions.

The fight against the antis goes on.
 

bchunter

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2014
Messages
28
Location
Canada
I understand that. I just have no practical way of seeing how the bear would handle the bullet in a hunting scenario before carrying said round for self-defence. And I have dealt with, and understand an adrenaline fueled sow will react different than a browsing bruin.



We're trying to get "wilderness open carry" legalized for all backcountry users as thats the first step back in the RIGHT direction.

Thanks for your comments.
 
Last edited:

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
I understand that. I just have no practical way of seeing how the bear would handle the bullet in a hunting scenario before carrying said round for self-defence. And I have dealt with, and understand an adrenaline fueled sow will react different than a browsing bruin.



We're trying to get "wilderness open carry" legalized for all backcountry users as thats the first step back in the RIGHT direction.

Thanks for your comments.

As stated before a 315 gr or so WFN hard cast works well no trouble smashing through several feet of beer. After seeing several bears shot with that load the last one a 350lb sow. the wittiness said wow she just jello ed at the shot but then a bullet placed between her eyes driven down ward into the body tends to do that at about 5 feet. She all ready been hit twice with rifle rounds and was fighting with the dogs.

She wasn't a happy camper for sure.
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
Or find a mold and make your own I use a lee mold wheel weights dropped into a 5 gallon bucket of water out of the mold. tumble lube with Alox run them through a lee push threw sizer.
 
Top