What range do you zero your 44 magnum at?

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  • PGTMG

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 13, 2010
    1,025
    Hello,

    Looking for opinions on what distance to zero a 44 magnum carbine at for deer hunting. My first thought was 75 yards but would love to hear opinions.

    On distance and rifle used.

    Thanks,
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,664
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I myself like 75 yards for that cartridge if scoped, and 50 yards if not. But either way, what's more important is knowing where you'll print, at whatever ranges you'll typically shoot.

    My personal opinion is that far too much attention gets paid to the possibility of shots outside of 100 yards on deer generally, when in much of the Eastern deer woods those shots are (comparatively) rare. And if they are not rare where you hunt, or if you're hunting fields perhaps, then I'd suggest that 44 mag isn't going to be your optimal choice anyway.

    To me, it's about playing the percentages for the ranges where most deer are killed, most of the time. That range will be almost entirely inside of 100 yards in my experience, with most shots well inside of 75, and the largest percentage inside of 50 where you can be more precise when knowing your rifle's trajectory.
     

    Tomcat

    Formerly Known As HITWTOM
    May 7, 2012
    5,568
    St.Mary's County
    50 yards if you're in the woods you probably won't see the deer or have a good shot much longer than that. Across corn fields is a different story.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    For everything of more or less that class , I have a default answer ; 1.5 inch high @ 50yds .
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    For everything of more or less that class , I have a default answer ; 1.5 inch high @ 50yds .

    Interesting, that works out to a 110 yard zero with a Hornady 240 gr XTP at 1760 fps. I got the 1760 from a reference on a 240 grain load out of a 20 inch barrel.

    I was surprised that the Maximum Point Blank range is 192 with a 166 yard zero.
     

    PGTMG

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 13, 2010
    1,025
    Thank you for your responses. I have a Ruger Deerfield Carbine with 2x7 scope and am going to zero at 75 yards but see where it hits at 50 and 100 yards. I am going to use Hornady Lever evolution 44 mag. I did not buy for extra distance but bullet construction suited to carbine velocities. I agree in woods of Maryland 75 is far and 100 is not realistic.

    Thank you for your thoughts.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,726
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I hope Lever revolution doesn't disappoint you like it did me. I tried it in my revolver and it worked mind. It my rifle it gave me 3 inch groups at 50 yards. I was not a happy camper.
     

    PGTMG

    Ultimate Member
    Jul 13, 2010
    1,025
    I hope Lever revolution doesn't disappoint you like it did me. I tried it in my revolver and it worked mind. It my rifle it gave me 3 inch groups at 50 yards. I was not a happy camper.

    I hope so as well as it was all I could find.:sad20:
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    The good news is that ( at least up thru deer sized) .44mag carbines aren't ammunition dependent for hunting effectiveness . " Worst case " the .44 still makes deep penetrating large holes with non expanding JSP or Cast
    Some hunters prefer this on purpose .

    So selecting on basis of accuracy or availability isn't a handicap . ( Yeah , the Hornady Flex Tip has a slightly higher BC , but the difference isn't enough to change the basic nature or application of a .44 carbine .)
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,561
    Harford County, Maryland
    I've always loved the 44 Magnum. Back in the early to mid 80's I had both revolvers and the Ruger semi auto carbine. Looking at the trajectories at both revolver and carbine velocities I realized the carbine didn't have appreciably more reach without a huge drop. So I stayed with the revolver. I typically sight the revolver in as I would the carbine if I still used one, 100 yards simply so I could see the target area on top of the front sight. My intent is to keep the shots 75 yards or closer.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    The limiting factor ( other than accuracy ) for .44 Mag carbines and similar is modern era preferences in trajectory . Ie with suitably zero'ed .30-06 class rifles could aim for center of Bambi's chest out to 300-ish yards , without having to obsess over range estimation or holdovers . ( All this discussion is very simplified rules of thumb .) Comparitable would be .30-30 class to 150- ish .

    If you rifle was sufficiently accurate , you knew your trajectories , accurately estimated distance, and dialed in your vernier tang sight , a .44 would absolutely kill Bambi at 300-400 yds .
     

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