Posted: 11/9/2025 9:17:01 AM EDT
| Hoping for some help in determining bullet drop from a 16" .44 mag Marlin using Hornady XTP 240 gr. I was able to sight the rifle in at 25 yards (only had access to indoor range) to be dead on. Is there a calculation I could use to determine bullet drop/dope if shooting at 50 yards, 100 yards etc? Be gentle I'm a new deer hunter. |
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If you zeroed at 25 yards and I am assuming you don't use a scope since you didn't mention it. at 50 yards you will have .3" of drop, 75 yards 2" of drop, 100 yards 5.3" of drop. I wouldn't recommend shooting at a deer much further than that with a 44 mag, but if you do then 125 yds-10.33 drop, 150 yds-17 drop, 175-26 drop, 200-37", 250-fuhgetaboutit |
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Also Energy Range Energy ftlbs 0 970 25 880 50 805 75 740 100 680 125 635 150 595 175 560 200 530 I have killed deer with my 44 mag TC w/ a 10" barrel out to 50 yards, I typically use a heavier bullet (300 grain loaded a bit hotter). I say that because the minimum recommended energy for a bullet to kill a deer is 1000 ftlbs, but after 30+ years of hunting I have found that when using the 44 mag shot placement is the important factor. I will only use that gun in heavier brush short range scenarios. |
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Use 1725 ft per sec as velocity for Marlin SBL 1894 JBM. Ballistic Calculator |
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I used 1.0 for a sight height. I’m too lazy to pull my Marlins out and measure. Accurate inputs matter… Attached File |
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Originally Posted By CoreShot: I used 1.0 for a sight height. I’m too lazy to pull my Marlins out and measure. Accurate inputs matter… https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1371/IMG_2404_png-3655782.JPG That certainly makes a difference. I used the velocity from the Hornady webpage for the cartridge. I see that it picks up quite a bit of velocity in the rifle barrel. The only means that I have to see what the velocity is out of a different barrel is with my chronograph. What are you using (webpage, formula, other) to determine the velocity of a bullet in a longer or shorter barrel? That would save me a ton of time by not having to go to range set up chrony and fire five rounds (cheaper as well lol)? Thanks for the info! |
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Preliminary zero is good, but the rifle should be fired and sight come ups recorded for a couple of distances in between out to the maximum distance you'll shoot. They probably won't match the table exactly. |
Keep your powder dry, and watch your back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
I'm watching my back trail.
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Originally Posted By thorshammerblow: That certainly makes a difference. I used the velocity from the Hornady webpage for the cartridge. I see that it picks up quite a bit of velocity in the rifle barrel. The only means that I have to see what the velocity is out of a different barrel is with my chronograph. What are you using (webpage, formula, other) to determine the velocity of a bullet in a longer or shorter barrel? That would save me a ton of time by not having to go to range set up chrony and fire five rounds (cheaper as well lol)? Thanks for the info! I have a chrono, I only know the difference per inch for my rifles. I’m no help on velocity data. I’d definitely take it to a range to chrono and sight-in at the distance I expected to take game. An up close zero can be off once you get down range a bit. |
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Originally Posted By CoreShot: I have a chrono, I only know the difference per inch for my rifles. I’m no help on velocity data. I’d definitely take it to a range to chrono and sight-in at the distance I expected to take game. An up close zero can be off once you get down range a bit. Oh ok, I thought I was some dinosaur using my chrony when there was some internet resource that had that information. 
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