44mag accuracy after reaming

[jleem66]

I've been reading here about accuracy improvements for 357 mag after reaming to 357 max. Is the same true for the 44 mag? Would it be necessary to do a full depth ream or just "touch it up"?
Jimmy

[gcrank1]

Are you shooting jacketed or cast, or both? There are some 'accepted' leade angles for the optimum performance and factory chambers of many arms do not meet them. A conversation with Fred at 4D would probably help but he will likely want to know what you are shooting. A reamer to just improve the leade will take only a few minutes and very little material.

[jleem66]

Jacketed bullets. Just wondering if this will help improve accuracy.
Jimmy

[gcrank1]

I have 'heard' that it has the greatest effect on cast bullets, but I dont know......or about the time I think I know somebody knows better.....
What kind of accuracy are you getting?
What bullet(s)?
What loads?

[quickdtoo]

A better question to ask would be....Does the 445 Supermag reamer improve shooting 44mag and 44 spl? Lots of members here to answer that, I've reamed mine to 445 with it, but I've never shot 44 mag since, but  the GBO 445 reamer is a rifle reamer with a floating pilot, it also cuts a leade in the rifling, but I don't know the angle like on the 357 Maxi reamer, looks similar to me tho.

Tim

[jleem66]

I've had a lot of trouble getting consistent groups in this handi. This gun will tease me with a good group, then later group size will open up. Sometimes 1 hole @ 50 yd., sometimes 2-3 inches. I have o-ringed it,recrowned and polished the barrel. I changed to a smaller sandbag up front and that helped. I'm using full  power loads of imr 4227,h110,and lilgun. Bullets are Hornady 240 xtp,and 265 sp, and 225 lvr. My best load so far is Speer Deep Curl 240 sp and 24 gr 4227. Rem. 240 sp shoot good, but I ran out and can't find any. The 225 lvr shoot well with a load for a standard 225 gr bullet and the lvr run out long.

[gcrank1]

Have you checked the lock-up with feeler gauges?
How is the latch engagement?
Have you been keeping the latch clean and dry?
Have you been closing the action with the same force each time?
Is the brass all trimmed to the same length?

[jleem66]

The latch engagement is near full contact. I keep the shelf clean and dry. I close the gun firmly. I have not checked the lock-up and I haven't been trimming brass because I've been seating all bullets out of the groove and crimping with a Lee FCD.
 Jimmy

[FPH]

With a single shot, why bother crimping them?

[gcrank1]

Inconsistent length will crimp differently shot to shot, even with the FCD.
I use the handy Lee Case Length Gauge and cutter to easliy check cases and trim as needed. It is almost so easy there is no reason not to.
For now, measure your cases into 'lots' and load up those of one length only, then shoot some groups and tell us what happens.

[jleem66]

I have a case length gauge. I can't remember the exact lengths but it trims the brass shorter than listed as "trim to" in loading manuals. I will trim some brass and check my notes and retry some of my better loads.
 Twist rate has been discussed here a lot. Should I try lighter than 240gr.? This is a new gun.
 Jimmy

[yukondog]

Have you sluged the barrel?

[gcrank1]

At the loads you are using the 240's should fly good, but you wont know how something else works unless you try.
Since you get good groups one day and not so good another I have to suspect something other than a barrel issue.

[keith44]

I've had days where my .44 barrel would cut clover leafs, then a few days later with the same load I'd be getting 4" groups.  Max loads of 296 or 2400 with standard primers, cast bullets sized to .432" and no crimp made things more consistent.  1" to 1 3/4" groups with open sights at 75 long paces.

[jleem66]

Do you cast you own bullets or shoot commercial? What kind? How do you smooth out the flare? I've read magnum powders need magnum primers and a good crimp for consistent ignition. But, bottom line is whatever works. That is why I have been seating my bullets out longer than min. aol. Using rifle techniques on a pistol cartridge.

[jleem66]

Got up this morning, weather was nice, no wind decided to shoot before temp. rose. Prepped 4 Rem. hulls, used Lee case length gauge. Loaded Speer 240gr. Deep Curl with 24 gr H110 to 1.6" and used moderate FCD. Concentrated on shooting form on every shot. 3" @ 100 yd. Not bad but not real good. Looking back through my notebook, in this gun 240 gr bullets and H110 don't work. I've shot better groups with IMR 4227 and Lil'Gun with 240's. Flex Tips seem to shoot better with H110 and Lil'Gun. Need more shooting time, but like everywhere else, bullets and powder are hard to find in Mississippi.

[gcrank1]

Scope or iron sights?

[jleem66]

Scope. Bushnell Bone Collector 3x9 40mm.