Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 44mag vs 223

I definitely wouldn’t feel undergunned with a 223. I know I can hit em right .

.44 magnum, .223 is for women,kids and sissies.

Almost found myself a member of that group. But during my recent Cardiologist appointment he told me he no longer sees any reason that I should avoid recoil. So now instead of Bear hunting with a .223 the past few days I've been out with my .45-70. And that's the way I like it.

I know of more deer lost to the former than the one used by "women, kids, and sissies".

Energy figures are not a valid predictor of results. They are a 2nd tier factor, a sort of tie breaker which comes into play only when all other things are equal. In this case, bullet diameter and weight are so different that there is no equaling, no tie to break. If you were comparing .30 cal cartridges firing 165 grain partitions, say .300 savage vs .300 win mag, then you've got only one bullet weight, diameter, and construction, so the velocity and energy difference is THE difference.

Comparing .44 to .223, they don't really even kill by the same mechanism.

Can we have more choices? .44 between those two.

. So you used the 223 to wound the deer you didn't find and don't want to pay for?

Irony. And what non-sissy chambering were you using to wound the deer that ended your recent hunt?

I've taken quite a lot of deer with my 44 MAG carbine and none got away. For many years, I chose Hornady hollow tip bullets that expended their entire energy within the animal. But last few years I've switched over to Speer's 270 grain soft tip because it always produces a good blood trail plus I use this carbine for bear hunting.

Sherwood

My vote goes to the 44. There is nothing like a slick lever action IMO.

Most of those 50 yard shots in heavy timber require you to thread the bullet through small openings in the brush to hit vitals. An accurate 223 with bullets designed for big game kills anything a 44 will kill and be more accurate.

Never heard of a .233. Must be hard to find ammo for it so I'd take the .44 mag.

Definitely 223.

My daughter shot her first deer in heavy brush at about 20 yards with a 22-250 and 64 Nosler Bonded Solid Base loaded to .223 velocity. Deer was facing us on an angle. The bullet broke the shoulder going in and exited the opposite rear leg on the way out, breaking a bone and leaving a half dollar exit. The deer went a few feet and was done. Have had similar results myself with a .223 and 64 Nosler BSB on the handful of animals I have taken with it. Based on my limited experience with the combo, I would not hesitate to shoot a cow elk with that bullet in a .223.

I don't think I have ever killed a big game animal with a JHP in a .44 Magnum or a carbine, but have killed more than a few with handguns and hard cast Keith and LBT bullets in .44s, .45s and .454s. I can't tell a difference in performance between the three but fully expect a 100- to 200-yard run with those combos given good shot placement outside of the CNS. Not what I would want in heavy brush.

my Marlin 1894 with my .44 mag hand loads, will give clover leaf patterns at 50 yards. Not a lot more practical accuracy to be seen from a .223.

44 is ok, but I have killed more of them with an AR15 and handloads.

44 AI

The best part of this thread is that my 2 nieces borrowed a single shot 44mag Handi Rifle and a .223 Savage Axis to hunt with in WI this year.

They both get to keep the rifles as their Christmas present, since they both got their first deer with them.

Practical no, but any 223 thats not shooting a ragged hole at 50 yards, needs help...

44 no question for short range, big holes. I'm admittedly very biased though.
The under appreciated Ruger 96/44 Lever to be specific. You won't find a lighter, shorter throw lever action. I have Marlins, Wins, Savages too of varying calibers.....
Removable magazine for easy and quick loading/unloading. Carries like a 10/22, absolutely a joy to handle.
I have many deer rifles, bolts/pumps/levers/semi autos..... the 96/44 is still my all-time favorite for they type of stuff we hunt in.
I like the 96/44 over the 99/44 Deerfield semi-auto and the 77/44 bolt, I have those as well.
I've taken more deer with my 96/44 than all my others combined. I just love to carry it in the thick stuff.