Thoughts on 44 Magnum

[DIRTYHARRYBALLISTICS]

If you watch any hunting show that is after DG you'll notice that at least one PH has his rifle and if by chance if is a second PH. he'll be packing a rifle as well.

No matter what the hunter is packing. Be it a 22Lr or a 88mm howitzer

Thats fine, but it doesnt jive with your statement that says you would never consider a pistol a backup firearm on a DG hunt. Just because you havent seen a PH carrying one, doesnt indicate its not capable as one. A handgun with matched performance to a .500 nitro with 5 shots and not just 2, makes a fair bit more sense being follow up shots will be quicker, and in dense brush a handgun is far more quickly maneuvered than any rifle. The Bushwhacker is also quite new, so it hasnt had any chance to appear in a PH's hands. It seems likely to me that it would find its way to that position due to its capability.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I posted this in another thread that discussed the 44 mag and in my Zimbabwe hunt report.

For those that missed my previous threads on this subject.

44 cal, 430 diameter, 300 grain solid, Lehigh Extreme Penetration. Fired from my 4-5/8 inch Magnum Research 44 BFR into a Cape Buff and a Gemsbok at 10 yards. Both bullets went through the sternum and recovered in the spine. Massive destruction of the sternum and spinal vertebrae.

The velocity is around 1200 to 1300 fps.

The Gemsbok shot was a finishing shot. The buff was killed with a 300 grain, 375H&H backed by a 458WM. The 44 cal into the buff bull was for testing the effects of the bullet It preformed surprisingly well; enough to trust my reloads should I need it in self defense of a charging buff.

I would have no problem with this load as a primary for hunting buff.