Hunting Gear

.44 Magnum 180Gr Remington JSP Factory Load

Good Day,

I picked up a 4" S&W 629-6 the other day, and after reading all the horror stories about .44 Magnum recoil I was ready for the worst. So, I picked up a box of Winchester .44 Special loads, and a box of Remington 180Gr JSP Magnum loads (because I assumed the lighter bullet would mean less recoil). As expected, the .44 Special was very mild. To my surprise, the Remington Magnum loads were not bad at all with way less recoil than expected. I realize these are not "bear loads", but I put 50 rounds down range in short order with very little discomfort other than a ripped blister on the inside of my strong hand thumb that appeared right at the end of the shooting session.

After adjusting the sights for point of aim, two of us were consistently putting 3 rounds through a 2-3" inch ragged hole offhand at 25 yards. Huge grins all around! Color me impressed with the gun and the ammunition. I realize these factory loads must be far less challenging than some of the others available. Here's my question, are these rounds potent enough for Northern Whitetail? With practice, I see no reason why I won't be able to at least come close to the same accuracy out to 50 yards, which is the longest shot I've ever had at a deer where I hunt with long guns any way.

It's just too much fun shooting this thing! I could have taped up my thumb and put another 50 downrange easily with this ammunition. If a hunter does his part, is a humane kill on a whitetail at 50 yards too much to ask of this load?