Henry Rifle Forums

Hello everyone, just picked up a BBB in 44. Now, I am not a reloader, and shoot factory loads 95% of the time. I was wondering what the best .44 ammo was, specifically for deer hunting.

Suggest you try a box of Hornady .44 Mag 225 gr FTS cartridges. This is the Flex Tip pointed bullet that can be used in tubular magazines. It has a higher ballistic co-efficient than a flat nosed bullet which increases its velocity and accuracy. Only complaint that I have about this cartridge is that it expands too rapidly on thick skinned animals, i.e. black bears. This not a problem when hitting whitetails. A more conventional cartridge in Hornady's 240 gr XPT round; the bullet is a flat nose hollow point and is fully jacketed. This round provides deep penetration on thicker skinned game and is a little less pricey that the 225 gr Flex Tip round.

As Pitchman stated, the Hornady FTX rounds are very good. I reload them 50-75 fps. less than factory and they are "dead nutz" accurate out of my T/C Encore. I shot a black bear (205#) at 50yds. broad side(boiler room) complete pass through, even through the opposite elbow. The vitals were totally destroyed, he only went 25-30yds. Again as Pitchman said, the 240g. XTP are hard to beat. Hornady has the lowest prices than the other name manufactures. Keep us posted.