44 mag Wilderness Bull

[handgunhuntingafield]

Back country Bull.
I packed into the wilderness in Wyoming the day before opening day to set camp. That night I was able to locate a couple herds either by sound or with glass.
The morning of opening morning the bulls were screaming. I began to work through a bottom towards the roar. I then hit an unmistakable odor….ELK! I knew the herd was close. I drew my 629 smith and Wesson and continued creeping through the dark timber. As I climbed out of a low bottom I spotted cows…
I paused and got ready not knowing what to expect. I observed a bull in a thicket to my right mounting a cow then he beat up the trees with his antlers. Cows began to pass behind me and in front of me. Finally the bull steps out and a 240 Sierra was put to work from the 44 magnum. The 40 yard shot was taken from the standing. In seconds a bull was on the ground and the work got serious.
Multiple trips at about 4 miles with 1800’ gain to get this guy out. A memory of a lifetime.
Gun details:
629 S&W
44 mag
Trijicon SRO
Hogue custom shop Big Butt grips
4 port Magnaport
Accuracy work by me.
Processing knife by Ben Sutton of AK








News paper article:

cowboystatedaily.com/2022/10/13/hunting-with-44-magnum-wyoming-man-scores-one-shot-kill-of-bull-elk/

[bula]

Very cool ! Congrats ! 

[KRal]

Congrats!

[birdshead2021]

Awesome really wan to do this hunt someday!

[contender]

Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!

I've always looked at any big game taken with a handgun as a trophy, but a good bull elk in such a place as you mentioned,, there's a little extra magic about it all.

[bushog]

Nice!

Uhhh...what bullet?

[potatojudge]

Sierra 240

Chris is not a cast bullet hunter. Maybe Sixshot can change his mind   but I'm not holding my breath 

[handgunhuntingafield]

Oct 17, 2022 10:46:06 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

Sierra 240

Chris is not a cast bullet hunter. Maybe Sixshot can change his mind   but I'm not holding my breath 

240 Sierra. This is either elk 8 or 10 with that bullet. I used an xtp for some as well.

I prefer big wound channels and short tracks….so I use expanding bullets.

I’m pretty much all lead free now….but my 44 cutting edge were late this year.

Way too much time has been spent discussing bullets over the years. They all work if you put it where it’s supposed to go and none of them work if you don’t.

The animal is obviously dead….so it worked and worked many times before. That’s about the extent of my bullet debate.

[contender85]

Congrats!!

[jfs]

My sincere congratulations...........................

[jfs]

Oct 17, 2022 11:15:24 GMT -5 handgunhuntingafield said:

Oct 17, 2022 10:46:06 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

Way too much time has been spent discussing bullets over the years. They all work if you put it where it’s supposed to go and none of them work if you don’t.

The animal is obviously dead….so it worked and worked many times before. That’s about the extent of my bullet debate.

I agree 100%.... Put `em in the right spot and they work no matter what type of hunting bullet....   I remember taking flak for showing a recovered JHP and being told something about bullet failure so I replied "hey guys... the deer`s parents did`ent Fed Ex me the bullet. I removed it from a dead animal.... It worked." Dead is dead................

[bradshaw]

Chris.... congratulations on doing it the hard way, all the way. Appreciate details from a hunt well done, marksmanship applied. And your Sierra .44 240 Jacketed Hollow Cavity happens to be, in 1980, the bullet which brought home the first International Revolver Championship, as well as collecting numerous Handgun Silhouette championships and countless tournament podiums. Various silhouletters hunting the Sierra 240 JHC, also. To lug boned elk 4 miles, climbing 1,800 feet, is work for four men, let alone doing it solo on repeat swings.
Welcome to Singleactions,
David Bradshaw

[handgunhuntingafield]

I did have help on the last trip out. It was a guy I was supposed to be teaching to elk hunt….but he was about 12 hrs late.

This is likely my last solo bull hunt. I retired from my day job this year and wanted one more bull in the back country.

Although I own bigger caliber handguns I always come right back to 44 for everything. It just works. So many different weight projectiles to pick from. And now (except this year due to a late shipment) running lead free….there are new copper bullets coming out constantly since it’s a popular bore size.

I just adjust my max range based on critter size.

[iwsbull]

Awesome elk and serious work. Congratulations

[dobegrant]

Very nice elk and nicely setup handgun, congratulations