Author Topic: .44 Mag twist rate (Read 1125 times)

roofman6 · « **on:** June 22, 2007, 08:24:41 PM »

I just ordered a .44 Mag Handi Rifle and saw something about a 1/38" twist rate on the rifling. Is this true, and will it stabilize a slow heavy slug? I was hoping to load 300gr slugs in the 1000fps range.

Thanks,
Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2007, 08:46:55 PM »

Welcome to GBO! Yes, it's a 1:38", if you push the heavier slugs hard, it should shoot good, lot of members here have reamed theirs to 445 Supermag and shoot 300gr XTPs real good. Depending on the bore size, you may have to use a .432" cast bullet to shoot low velocity loads accurately, but those that have slugged their bores of recent purchased barrels report .430" bores which is much better than what's been reported in the past.

If you want a .44 that definitely will shoot good, get a .444 Marlin Handi or barrel, mine shoots cast and jacketed extremely well and has a 1:20" twist.

Tim

roofman6 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2007, 05:06:46 AM »

Tim,

Thanks for the info. Could slow heavy slugs be fired in the 444 Marlin Handi-Rifle using .44 spl or .44 Mag brass?

Roofman6

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2007, 05:16:39 AM »

Your experience may differ from mine but I tried to shoot 300 xtp's over unique at about 1050fps and I got key holes all over the paper at 50 yards in a 38 twist 44 mag handi. I switched to H110 near max published data and got good groups (1.5" @ 100yards) but it defeated what I was trying to originally do (subsonic quiet thumper).

cowboyup453 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2007, 05:23:01 AM »

This is what can or will happen if you shoot 44mag in a 444.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2007, 05:27:39 AM »

As cowboy posted, there's too much difference in chamber size tween the 444 and 44mag to do so.

Tim

roofman6 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2007, 05:48:11 AM »

Thanks all,

Is there some bulky powder that would allow the 444 Marlin to shoot slow heavy slugs? I too would like a quiet thumper.

Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2007, 06:07:05 AM »

Greg Mushial has low velocity cast data for the .444. Beartooth offers cast bullets to 405gr, I've shot their 355gr in my .444, but not at low velocity.

Tim

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,118881.msg1098392036.html#msg1098392036

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120494.msg1098403886.html#msg1098403886

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/28

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell444Marlin.htm

roofman6 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2007, 06:09:46 AM »

I see that they also sell the Handi-Rifle in a 500 S&W. Does that one have a twist that would allow slow heavy slug accuracy?

Thanks again,
Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2007, 06:16:13 AM »

There are several folks here that shoot low velocity rounds in their 500s, I'm sure they'll chime in on it. Eskimo36 is one of em, if he doesn't, PM him. Seems to me Hodgdon Trail Boss is good for that. Check your email, I just sent you a 500 Handi gun test by John Taffin, it shows data that you'll be interested in.

Tim

roofman6 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2007, 07:13:21 AM »

Tim,

Thanks again for the info. You’ve sent me enough that it will take awhile to digest it all. In that low velocity data at http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm I didn’t see where barrel length was mentioned and assume that for the .44 mag they were using pistols, but good info anyway.

As to the John Tafflin data, I don’t seem to have gotten it. I did get info on .17 cal stuff though, perhaps in error.

I keep a few chickens and daytime coyotes are a real problem. I ordered the gun for shooting them at short range without disturbing the neighbors. My .22 just isn’t doing the job. I could get the .44 mag and shoot factory .44 spl hollow points, which should stay subsonic I’m guessing. With the 1:38 twist, would these short slow .44 spl rounds stay accurate to 60 yds?

Thanks again,
Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2007, 07:38:03 AM »

I checked my sent copy, it's the Taffin 500 article, but I sent it again anyway.

From range reports of recent production 44mag barrels, I'm encouraged to see they shoot much better than older barrels did, but I don't recollect anyone shooting 44 spl in them yet. There's no guarantee that you'll get a late model either if you order a rifle, if you were to order an accessory barrel, it would indeed have a late production barrel tho. If you order a complete rifle, you'd want one with a frame serial number prefix of NX or HX which denotes a 2007 build year.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,115216.msg1098367484.html#msg1098367484

handi243 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2007, 08:47:36 AM »

Tim could you send me the article from john i had to reload my computer and lost it thanks a1nstalr@yahoo.com

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2007, 09:16:09 AM »

On the way!!

eskimo36 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2007, 09:29:40 AM »

I wasn't paying attention to this thread but yes I shoot slow big bullets in a 500. Favorite load is 10 grains of unique under a 440 grain bullet. I haven't shot trailboss in the 500 yet but I do use it in my 38-55. I am currently using trailboss in my 7.62x39 for subsonic loads with lead bullets and big spitzers (200 gr). you should be able to find a 444 load using big lead and trailboss or unique that will accomplish your goal.

roofman6 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 23, 2007, 09:44:11 AM »

Thanks all,

What great info you have given me. When I ordered the .44 mag Handi-Rifle, the supplier was out of stock and they were going to look around and see if they could get one elsewhere. I'll check Monday and see if they have found one. If so, guess I'll stay with it and see if I can get results with .44 spl rounds. If not, will order the .500 barrel. If they haven't found a .44 mag, will switch the order to the .500.

What scope would you recommend for these guns? Will be shooting from 30 to 60 yds in dim light conditions.

Thanks again,
Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2007, 10:04:48 AM »

Hodgdon doesn't show any loads for the .444 with Trail Boss, but they do for the .500, they also don't test any heavy bullets in the .444 or 44mag, 300gr is the heaviest.

For optics, I'd get a low power fixed or variable with either an illuminated or heavy reticle, possibly even a red dot. I'd need a price range before I made specific recommendations.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

roofman6 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2007, 10:47:28 AM »

Tim,

I'd like to stay under $100 for the scope. Probably wouldn't need one for what I'm doing, but these eyes are getting old.

Thanks,
Roofman6

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 23, 2007, 12:36:15 PM »

I can relate to old eyes!!

The Bushnell Banner 1½-4½x32 is a great little scope, has a medium duplex reticle that should work fine on the lower settings, is very durable, lots of folks use them on 45-70 leverguns. A 4½x setting would be good for load work too at your expected range. I've used mine on 45-70 and 500 S&W with hot loads, lots of eye relief too!!

Tim

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3294

roofman6 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2007, 06:38:58 PM »

Tim,

Thanks so much for all the help. Will let you know what I end up with and probably bombard you with more questions. I slipped a little in the tip jar to show my appreciation. Wish I had come to this site before I ordered the .44, but it may still work out still.

Roofman

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2007, 07:38:24 PM »

You're welcome, there's always lots of good help here when ya need it.

Thanks,

Tim