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44 mag ammo for deer w/21 inch contender

rinkydink
I plan to take my first deer this year with a Contender using a 21 inch carbine in 44 mag. What ammunition would you recommend?

All shots will be less than 100 yards and likely at about 35 yards.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • TED GAR
    The 44 mag will kill with any of the weights available. I favor the soft points. They do not tear up your game as much as the hollowpoints. . Also I like the 180 grain because they are moving faster and do not drop as much as the 240 grain. You can feel comfortable out to 150 yards with these, that is pushing it..
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  • 7.62x39
    240...you get the most reatained energy, and at hangun caliber ranges drop doesnt play that big of factor
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  • Zinderbloc
    Federal's 240 gr. hollowpoint works for me from a Marlin lever gun. TED is right, though. At 35 yards just about any .44 magnum load will do the job.
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  • Mobuck
    A recent article on 44 bullet performance in carbines indicated Hornady 240 xtp hp and Speer gold dot 240 hp. These gave the best in penetration and expansion combined. I used a PMC 240 with the TCP jacketed softpoint last year in a Winchester trapper 94 44 mag. One shot at 125 yards broadside slightly high lung hit produced complete pass through with 1" exit and a great blood trail about 50-60 yards long. This was a very big doe and I was satisfied with this performance but it's just one instance.
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  • bpost
    A 240 Grain Keith style gas checked bullet cast from linotype driven by 22 grains of 2400 in a Winchester case with a federal large pistol Magnum primer.

    Can you say dead deer?
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  • jaflowers
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    A 240 Grain Keith style gas checked bullet cast from linotype driven by 22 grains of 2400 in a Winchester case with a federal large pistol Magnum primer.

    Can you say dead deer?


    That's a good load but it is HOT!!!! so be careful. You TC will take it all day but just wanted to give a heads up. Also, with a 21" carbine barrel you can easily take deer out to 250+ yards with the 44 and good handloads.[:)]
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