While I have never taken a deer with the .444 I just don't see the 240 gr. XTP as being a bad choice. It's a good size chunk of lead. I would push it a bit faster as long as it was still accurate. Most of my shots are 150 yds. or less.

I first started using the XTP in a .44 mag pistol and it worked well on deer. I vaguely remember a tag in the box showing optimum velocity of between 900-1800 fps.??? I don't remember for certain but I would think 2200 at the muzzle of the .444 would put it about right at 100 yds. I believe it would pass through at ranges under 100. Maybe next deer season...

 

I've had pretty good luck with this load, shoots very good out of my '66 vintage rifle. Have shot groundhogs at just shy of 200yrds. Also has worked great on the few whitetails I've tried it on.

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Where did you get that load data?
Hornady list a max charge of 45.6 grains of IMR 4198.

 

Its actually not my load. Used to be an older guy at the local gun shows yrs ago that sold ammo, I bought these from him. The pictured load info was on the package of ammo. I have since duplicated the load with continued success.

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My old Lyman 45 edition manual shows 47 gr. of IMR 4198 as a max load as well as an accuracy load at 2341 FPS...

I've been using IMR 3031 as I have it on hand.

 

The Master 444 reloading table has several 240 grain loads from Hornady, Speer and Sierra using IMR4198 at more than 47 grains. Seems like a viable load to me.

 

I've been using 240 grain jacketed flat points sitting on top of 50.5 grains of H322, which has proved to be the most accurate out of my 444 ported. I've yet to have it fail when hunting mountain mule deer. The shots I take are under 150 (only 1 of those) because of the terrain. The flat meplat knocks the things off their feet. Sure, they'll get up and run after being hit in the boiler room, but not far. Most bullets either exit or are found on the opposite side. Just my opinion, but I think the .444 is a great cartridge so long as we keep in mind our limitations as well as the limitations of the cartridge. YMMV.

 

300gr saeco fn gc(12+/-bhn) with 24.0gr of 2400/dacron going 1624fps will do anything you ask.