.44 Magnum for Elk

[dbfoerster]

Thinking of using my .44 this year for elk. The place I go is mostly close range shooting, 100 yards or less. I have a Ruger Super Red Hawk with a 7.5" barrel and a Burris 2x-7x scope. Loading some rounds with 1500+ fps 240gr hp. I will probable bring another gun with me, 30-06, but like the idea of carrying a lighter and smaller gun. Ok, let me know what you think. Good experiances, bad experiances.

[theGinsue]

Moe power to you if you can pull it off, just remember that it's all about taking the ethical shot. If you don't feel that you can get a kill shot with the handgun, I wouldn't take it.

Plus, When I'm big game hunting I have enough to carry already without carrying a handgun too.

[CapLock]

I have the same gun with a different scope. If I were going after elk I'd want to step up to a 300 grain bullet. You can load them almost 1,400 fps range in the super red hawk. Faster if its a cast bullet with gas check.
I'd save the 240 jhp for deer hunting.

[SA Friday]

300gr XTP or 250 gr Nosler Partition. I would take the 300gr as first choice though. 2-7x is ok, but you are really limited to aprx 100 yds for acceptable killing range with that pistol. I doubt you will need any mag past 4x.

H110 and Win 296 (2 of the more commonly used for 44 mag, so I'm doing a little assuming here) can be temp sensitive and lose some power with colder temps, so make sure to chrono and group check the ammo in colder weather too.

[dbfoerster]

Thanks for the info. I am using H110 and I will look up recipes with 300 gr. Not worried about the wieght, because I have a nice holster that hangs right in front and actually offsets some of the backpack weight.

[Sixgun]

I carry a 45LC with me, along with my 45/70. If I'm with-in 25yrds and my gun is in my hand, I'm using it. I would never go onto the woods with a pistol only. If I did, that's the day the herd bull is 200yrds away. You know it will happen to you also.