Need jacketed bullet suggestions for .44 Magnum...

by Jared, Tuesday, September 02, 2014, 09:41 (3740 days ago) @ rob

I normally use cast in my .44s but have shot seer with 240gr XTP and they work just fine. We have used the 270gr gold dot and 300 gr SP in. Kathryn's .444 and for hogs I prefer the 300gr SP. The 270 gr Gold Dot works great on deer but penetration was lacking on a big boar. But we are talking about a MV or around 2300 FPS so it is a tough bullet.

I have done some expansion testing with the 270gr Gold dot at around 1300 FPS and I didn't get a lot of expansion, but it penetrated well. I wouldn't hesitate to try the 240gr Gold Dot SP then it should hit close to your current POA.

I am impressed with most of the Gold Dots I have tested. The only complaint I have with them is they seem to have a little narrower velocity window than something like an XTP. But if you are in that window they are hard to beat. I shot a small deer with a 230gr GD out of my Baer .45 pushed to about 950 FPS. It left a HUGE hole through the deer. Looked like a high velocity rifle wound.