3rd Deer, SRH Performance With Cast Handload

[Ruger4Life]

So I've shot my 3rd deer this season with my 7-1/2" SRH .44.

Load is Oregon Trail True Shot 310gr Hard Cast over 21.0gr of WW-296 in R-P brass and Fed Match Mag primers. Heavy profile crimp applied. Shoots one, ragged-hole group at 25 yds with iron sights. Recoil is heavy, but not severe, and is more of a hard push than the wrist-wrenching recoil of some hot 240gr loads. The bullets do not lead the barrel unless I do not clean the bore after a dozen rounds or so.

1st whitetail shot with this load at 30yds made it 10 yds after a lung shot.

2nd whtietail shot at 25yds made it 20 yds. Bullet penetrated the heart.

3rd deer shot through lungs made it 120 yards through a wooded area and laid down in a pond to die.

Good performance from this load. Each shot penetrated both sides like butter, with no expansion of the bullet. I think the last deer just would not accept the fact that it was dead! Go figure...

 

[jimbo1096]

Congratulations on a fine gun and hunting with a load that so obviously works! Nothing like hunting with a handgun!
I haven't tried loading any of the heavyweight bullets yet, but hope to try some the next time I need to order some bullets.

 

[mattsbox99]

Strange how some deer just do not know they are dead! Good work!

 

[steve b]

You've noticed something I've had a difficult time convincing others of. Max loads, for me, the light bullets are worse in the recoil department. While its general the heavy bullets are said to recoil worse. Factory UMC 180 SP's are tough to handle,enjoy. Why ? I agree, the heavy bullets, on paper, generate more ft. lbs. of recoil. Figure its the violence, or speed of recoil that bothers my hands and wrists worse. Even if the heavy bullet loads lift my hands higher. Good shootin' Tex ! steve b

 

[sixshot]

Congratulatons but we like pictures , thats a good load & I use it myself except for H110 (same powder) keep whacking them whitetails!

Dick

 

[Ruger4Life]

You've noticed something I've had a difficult time convincing others of. Max loads, for me, the light bullets are worse in the recoil department. While its general the heavy bullets are said to recoil worse. Factory UMC 180 SP's are tough to handle,enjoy. Why ? I agree, the heavy bullets, on paper, generate more ft. lbs. of recoil. Figure its the violence, or speed of recoil that bothers my hands and wrists worse. Even if the heavy bullet loads lift my hands higher.

Yup. Those heavy doses of faster burning powders under relatively light bullets propel the revolver backwards in recoil so quickly and violently that it is hell on your hand and wrist.

I used to load and shoot those "Keith" loads of 245gr #429421 over 22.0 grains of 2400. Got sore hand and wrist and a bad flinch after shooting 50 rounds or so. Accurate load, though.