.44 Magnum Rifle Cartridge
 

What do forum members feel the best self defense bullet weight and type would be coming out of a .44 mag rifle.

depends on the rifle. my ruger 44 carbine likes a 240-300grain bullet.

if its a semi-auto just about any 44mag load that cycles the action will work. the 44mag is a very very powerful round out of a 16+ inch barrel. makes the revolver fired round look like a capgun. the majority of the energy of the 44 out of a revolver is lost as the barrels arent long enough to utilize all the energy in the charge.

My .44 mag carbine LOVES to eat 240 JHP sitting on 18.5 gr 2400.

The wife can do sub 1" groups... I can get 1" groups.:eek:

Not sure a .44 carbine would be my first choice for self defense though.

Thanks to JonM and fmj for the reply. I agree with fmj that 44 mag is not my self defense first choice but, I no longer hunt and want a really good load for this single shot rifle.

Just curious but what kind of single shot is it?

I would use a Hornady 180gr hollowpoint myself,they have alot of energy for the one shot you do have plus less overpenetration.

Marlinman. It is an H & R Model 258 Handy Gun II. I have both the .44 mag and the 20 gauge barrel.

They are a good gun.

I did alot of research on the .44 mag before I bought my revolver,and what I discovered was from about 16" down to 6" you lose about half your energy,then from 6" to 2" you lose yet another half.

A lighter (180 gr) HP will tend to have less penetration and violent expansion at carbine velocities. For HD in a .44 I would look at a 200 gr Sper Gold Dot as it has a HUGE hollow point. Loaded to under 1200 it would be devastating.