Handi in .44Mag?

[Chupathingy]

Hello fellas, apparently I have been a member here for a little while and honestly cant remember when I joined, but I was redirected to this site from another forum and I have a question if you don't mind. Please bare with my ignorance as I have only owned 1 handi-rifle that was in .223 and to be honest it was a PITA in the beginning with the typical problems I.E. stuck cases, but I eventually found what it like to eat and it wound up being quite accurate. And I ofcourse eventually wound up selling the rifle like a fool, wishing I still had it.
 I have heard on another forum that the handi in .243 is generally regarded as a "Stay away"/"Do not buy" caliber in the handi's and was wondering if this was true, and if it was true about any other calibers, namely the .44Mag? Reason I ask is that I am looking for a rifle to ride around in the back seat of my truck for "Hogs of opportunity" at a max of 100yds. I am also looking at something relatively low recoil as I have some shoulder issues that prevent violent punishment. Am I way off base? Should I be looking for something else?
Thanks in advance
Chupa

[gstewart44]

a 243 was my first handirifle... it has accounted for a half dozen deer and probably several dozen pigs over the past 20 years.    that being said, it was always "good" until I found the FAQ of GBO Handi forum.....then it became "outstanding" in its accuracy.   Each handi has its own personality and the FAQs will talk you through most anything you need to tweek on a handi.   
 
for a truck gun I personally use the 44 mag.   I have mine cut down to a very  "handy" 17" with a synthetic stock.    Not much to worry about, and it comes to shoulder very quickly.     I prefer the 44 for my truck gun because the report on the 243 is not to my liking.    but to each their own,  either will put down a pig, though I prefer stout loads with heavy bullets for tangling with large hogs.....again why I keep the 44 for my bangaround rifle.   

[thejanitor]

Welcome back!- There are some here that drive tacks with their .243s but I also have seen many posts on needing help getting them dialed in... so I am guessing if you hand load you would be able to find a way to get it to shoot. For the 44 mag- do some reading here on the chamber/bore sizes depending on how your bore slugs you may have to get some oversized bullets if you want to shoot lead or gas checked.  But I like my 44 mag handi fine but I only have shot jacketed bullets in it.
When I started with my 7-08 it was not much of a paper gun... 2 inch groups at 100 yds were on a pretty good day. After years of hunting and killing with it, someone here did post a recipe with a powder I had not tried, now the THREE handi 7-08s we own all shoot just about .75 inch groups at 100 yds, so like the .243 I think you may need to find that perfect component combo and you will have the rifle you want. But I had mine for almost 6 years before I shot less than an inch group, many people wont keep a 2" grouping rifle that long, but for the hunting I did it didn't matter 2" groups were fine. But now    the 7-08 is a favorite at our house. If you can get a .243 and have the time to devote to load developement you may be thrilled with it. Just my thoughts, good luck.  thejanitor

[AtlLaw]

apparently I have been a member here for a little while and honestly cant remember when I joined,...

September '08...    Been wonder-in when you was gonna say sumpin...    I know we is entertaining and all, but you really should speak up for yourself.  You always been this shy 'round strangers?   
 
 
 

the .44Mag? Reason I ask is that I am looking for a rifle to ride around in the back seat of my truck for "Hogs of opportunity" at a max of 100yds. I am also looking at something relatively low recoil as I have some shoulder issues that prevent violent punishment.

Well Chupes me boy... my first thought is "do you reload?"     If you do the possibilities are unlimited!  I'd go 444 or 45-70 my own sef, just for the versatility...    You can load them anywhere you want to power/velocity/recoil wise!   

[Chupathingy]

   No, i'm not shy at all. And yes, I do load my own. I'm currently set up for .223, 6x45, .308Win, .30-06. I know nothing of loading "pistol" chamberings, although I'm sure that is a minor hurdle. It has been a very long time since I have shot a .45-70 and don't remember it being particularly viscious, but doubt seriously my shoulders can take it now.
 
After doing some reading here, it appears there is a faction of members that think the 7.62x39 is inherently accurate in the Handi's? Is that the popular concensus? That I think I could handle easily as well. I'm not looking for BR accuracy ofcourse from a Handi, but "Minute of Hog Ear" would be nice.
 
Chupa

[gendoc]

chupa, handload'n for tha "39" will be a great move for experimentation.... we have 4 now, and all will
doa minute of hawg ear. ana couple will rob tha bank ifin called on !!!!!
many here shows there feelins bout tha "39".........
hell, i prolly been shot at more times than most these members here witha 7.62x39.
let'um gripe........ doan bother me one bit..........no,  cuz i know what mine'll do
and so do several others here in my parts
good luck.
an BTW,  tha 44 will make ua fine shooter too !!!!!!!!!!!!

[bucco921]

For what you are looking for I think the 44 mag would be perfect. Not many complaints of inaccuracy. You could also ream it to 445sm for a lil more thump and still have the ability to shoot 44 mag from it.

[yukondog]

The 44 mag was my first handi, if you reload it wont be a problem on your sholder at all, and welcome back.

[336SC]

The 44 mag was my first handi, if you reload it wont be a problem on your sholder at all, and welcome back.

Mine also, and it started out as a Topper in 20guage.  Had it factory fitted with a .44 Magnum Shikari barrel back in the mid 70's.  Most
fun gun I own.  Shoot clay birds with it and in 5 minutes I'm shooting clam shells with reduced lead loads.  Want to get real serious with it and load up some HDY 265gr bullets @ 1700fps.  Deer and bear beware!
336SC