RC44Mag
Buckeye
Just received a Deerstalker 44 carbine and planning ahead to deer season and I've never deer hunted with a pistol cartridge carbine. What's a good ammo for the carbine for what can be bigger North East deer? Thanks
No I dont reload, factory only. I should have specified in my OP, I'll be using a Ruger Deerslayer and trying to stick with 240g as it's the sweet spot for the carbines feeding and cycling. It will work with lesser and greater weights but 240 is ole reliable. ThanksDo you reload? Or are you limiting yourself to factory ammo?
In my carbine I worked up a load with the 300 gr XTP, then proceeded to shot a young buck 3x3. Terrible angle. Went in the left shoulder, lungs, liver, stomach, etc, smashed rear femur and ended up just under the skin on the left hip. I generally like my bullets to exit, but I couldn't have shot through any more deer, so cant complain.
TDF
Use factory ammo, it is more reliable in the auto action. keep your shots under 100 yds. You should do fine. Also, make sure it is legal to use a semi auto in PA! It wasn't when I lived there.No I dont reload, factory only. I should have specified in my OP, I'll be using a Ruger Deerslayer and trying to stick with 240g as it's the sweet spot for the carbines feeding and cycling. It will work with lesser and greater weights but 240 is ole reliable. Thanks
Won't be heading to PA. I'll be hunting upstate NY and in NH. Semi is legal in both states, thanksUse factory ammo, it is more reliable in the auto action. keep your shots under 100 yds. You should do fine. Also, make sure it is legal to use a semi auto in PA! It wasn't when I lived there.
HP bullets coming apart at higher velocity is my major concern and that's why I'm leaning soft points but wanted to hear from hunters who've used particular off the shelf HP and SP ammo for deer. Thank youI've used a 44 mag carbine to kill ONE deer. A common cup and core 240 grain soft point did a fine job. I'm guessing that the moderate loads with a Nosler 200 grain HP that I normally use in a 4 5/8" SBH would literally explode inside a deer.
You can't go wrong with a SP IMHO. Wont break up if it hits bone etc.HP bullets coming apart at higher velocity is my major concern and that's why I'm leaning soft points but wanted to hear from hunters who've used particular off the shelf HP and SP ammo for deer. Thank you