I need to know what is the recommended type of bullet (flat, round, ect.) and the lightest grain to use in a lever action .44 magnum rifle. Also if you could give me a recommendation on manufacturers as well would be appreciated.

Flat nosed bullets...240 is about standard, although they make 180's and 200's. Most folks will not use the ligher slugs on deer for fear of lack of pennetration and over expansion.

Personally, believe they are right as I do prefer an exit, so would stay with 240gr. bullets in factory offering as the low end...take your pick of makers, Remington/Federal/Winchester all make full power JHP ammo that is acceptable for deer.

Would help to know what you intend to do with that .44mag. Hunt deer? Practice? Bust smaller critters? Hunt larger game? Can find a bullet that is better for one than the other use, am just considering the 240gr. offerings as "standard".

A friend had some 180s, but they did not penetrate through some hogs, when shot from a rifle. I'd second the 240gr. recommendation as a good starting point, for general hunting purposes.

Paper targets and tin cans don't care. You can kill a deer with about anything that goes bang, but some stuff works better than others. Bigger than a deer, and it's time to put on the thinking cap, and be a bit more selective.

I've used 200 gr. round nose flat points bullets for plinking/paper punching, and they worked fine. Nice, no recoil load from the rifle. Unfortunately, I don't know off hand what the load was. It's been years since I've used it.

Thanks for the info! To be a little more clearer I will be hunting mainly whitetail and occasionally boar. But again, thanks for all the help.

240gr. and up. JHPs for deer, soft points for hogs. I use a 280gr. cast bullet for everything, myself.

Have fun!

What would be the max range you would recommend using a 240 grain bullet in my henry?

What would be the max range you would recommend using a 240 grain bullet in my henry?

Too many variables...EXCLUDING the ballistics of the .44mag, have to consider your ability to group from field positions, the sighting arrangements, ability to judge range, ability to judge wind, and the accuracy of a given load in that barrel.

How far can you (without a bench rest) put 5 shots into a 6" group?

A 6" group is a good barometer. Open sights will probably do more to limit your range than anything else.

I think I'd sight it in to center in a 6" bull at 100 yards, and feel real good about that range, maybe a few steps more.