Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting How many hunt with a 44 rem mag rifle?

My results have been pretty good with a ruger carbine and a marlin 336. Looking for a non lead factory load. HAS ANYONE TRIED underwood

I do but all I shoot are cast bullets, sorry.

Id be leery of thumpers in a Ruger auto ( old style ).
Not sure what causes the busted stocks and trigger housings.

The Wincester white box 240 JFP seems to do well. Sadly, any 44 mag ammo is hard to find. It is a tough time not to be a reloader. I preferred a lighter and faster bullet for our PA deer. When I had one, I ran the Hornady 200 XTP with a top end load of W296. Rifle load data really improves on pistol loads.
Try Ammoseek.com

That’s one caliber I’ve never owned, had a 38-40.

I had a Ruger 77/44. Loaded with 300 grain Beartooth Bullets WFNs at just under 1600 fps, I was not worried about penetration.

That rifle did not like 240s, and with a little work, shot the hardcast lead good enough, a solid 2 MOA with more than the occasional 1.5 MOA group, which was more than needed to shoot deer at 15 to 50 yards, typical range where I hunted with that rifle.

Sadly, it went away when I went through one of my "Inventory Reduction" periods. It wasn't one of my best moves....

Wouldn’t the Marlin be an 1894 and not a 336?

I've owned a couple of Ruger 77/44's, always shot handloads with 200gr. XTP's and W296. I shot one deer which was a DRT, was shooting Winchester white box 240 JFP's on that occasion because the rifle belonged to my BIL who's not a handloader.

Marlin made some 336’s in 44 mag. I think in the 1960’s.

Marlin made a 44 in the 336 for a couple years. Very hard to find now.

To the OP, I've never tried lead free but if you do please post your results. All I've ever used are 240 XTP with very good results, but more states are trying to move to LF bullets and I fear it's only a matter of time.

My dad uses a stainless 77/44 from time to time. He's had good luck with it and factory 240's at woods ranges.

Can't help you with Underwood Ammo feedback or non-lead loads, sorry.

Msst of my BIL's family myself included have taken deer with his 77/44, the count is several dozen. I can only recall one that was not recovered, Most were DRT, those that weren't only went a very short distance.

The 44 mag in a rifle still remains a short range cartridge. Those fat, short, bullets slow down quickly. But the large frontal area imparts energy to an animal quickly. Given a choice of a 44 mag or a 30-30, I go with the 44 mag

I hunt almost exclusively with my 77/44. Only had one deer take another step. I load 270gr speers over h110 in mine. I tote my 243 or 06 or 45/70 from time to time but 9/10 i grab the 44. Shot this one last oct.

i always thought the Ruger 77/44 and 77/357 rifles would be a popular rifle, but I seldom see them anymore

I've hunted with an 1894 and a Super Blackhawk and had luck with run of the mill Remington 240 gr SJHP and Winchester 240 gr JSP. I've never tried an all copper load but I've wanted to try Buffalo Bore 225 gr Barnes XPB. Expensive but BB is good stuff.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=315

I wouldnt mind having a Ruger #3 in 44 magnum

I’ve used a marlin 44 mag a pretty fair amount. I usually use 240 nosler sp but have used 240&300xtp. A buddy of mine uses white box WW240sp when he runs out of ammo I’ve loaded for him. Deer never go far with any of them and 100 pass throughs. 44’s hit hard.

Between myself, my Dad and my jack wagon brother we have killed several dozen Pa whitetails with 2 Marlins and a Ruger 96. Marlins are 200gr XTP or Nosler (shoot same POI) over H110, mild loads. The Ruger (Brother's) is 300gr XTP , not sure of powder. All three shoot great. Never had a deer go more than a death run. Did shoot a Porcupine with mine one year..... Very effective there too.

To those interested one of my 44 is a 336 marlin texan. Non saddle ring gun. Shoots good and functions flawless. I like it along with my 3 ruger 44 carbines