IIRC, all of the deer that I've shot with a 44 Magnum have died, but not as promptly/dramatically as when shot with high velocity bullets. My 44 Magnum is an old Ruger 44 International that gets fed whatever brand of 240 grain JSP/JHP factory ammo is available, FED/REM/WIN seem to work equally well. If you aim to break the shoulder(s) they might not run so far after impact.
Jeff
I've had some rough tracking jobs when I have shot bucks with a JHP.
Have you used the XTP's? I shot one with a SuperBlackhawk last year using an XTP, and two this year with the H&R Handi, so not a huge sample, but there was more than enough blood to very easily track the two that ran a little bit.
I had been considering trying my JSP "practice" bullets (240 grain, same charge of W296 powder, just a lot cheaper bullet than the XTP) on a deer, but this thread has me thinking I won't.
