max weight of .429 bullet that 1-38 twist will stabalize ?

[preventec47]

If I understand correctly that all H&R 44mag ( and modified 445 max)
barrels have 1-38 twist,  I have to think that there is some problem
with stabilizing even medium weight bullets.

What is the experience of shooters of these barrels with different
weight bullets ?
Like I said in another post, if they are making 1-20 twist in 444 barrels
of same bore size, why not do the same for the 44 mags?

That is my only reservation and reason for not getting one.

[cult .44]

According to the Buffalo Bore site (http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54), the maximum .44 mag bullet weight that a 1/38 twist barrel will stabilize is 270 grains. I've fired BB's 270 gr loads from my Marlin (which has a 1/38 twist) and they shoot just fine. However, there are plenty of folks who fire heavier bullets (300 gr) from these barrels and say they get good performance.

[Big Blue]

The Marlin 1894P that I had also shared the same 1-38" twist rate with the Handi and had no problem stabilizing 320gr. cast bullets.
Don

[yukondog]

shoot them ,your gun will tell you what it likes and doesnt like

[Jacko]

I have been reseaching this same question for my Marlin .44 mag and have observed that the folks that are shooting bullets of around 300 gr out of their 1:38 twist barrels are driving them quite hard. Those that list their loads all suggest around 1600 fps. I have also noted that those shooting mild and mid range loads report keyholing. Others are reporting they're driving the bullets hard and using bullets that have a shorter overall length for a 300 gr bullet. They report very good accuracy. I think it was a Beartooth cast bullet a lot of the 300 gr crowd where using that had a shorter overall length due to a huge metplat and a larger dia of .431, casting from a heavier alloy or the like

regards Jacko

[rickt300]

I experienced keyholing with 240 grain bullets pushed to 1000 fps but fine accuracy with 300 grain bullets pushed to top velocities. Velocity is the key here.

[mike@nds]

My "new model" SB1 w/small FP hole would not shoot Blaser 240gr. worth beans. Probably 5" at 50 yards.

But it shot a sub-1" group at 50 yards with a .44 Special load of AA #5 w/240gr hard cast at 750fps (book velocity for Charter Bulldog)

I want to work up some hunting loads for the 300gr XTP eventually.

[gcrank1]

The Blaser ammo probably has undersized bullet dia. for your bore and the handloads fit better (which is the key in any caliber). The overall projectile length is the factor in stabilization within any given twist (see Greenhill Formula) rather than weight (though they obviously are interrelated). As said, a shorter bullet form for a given weight will stabilize better than the longer form.
If you have a bullet whose length puts it on the edge of stabilization you can only sometimes overcome the insufficient twist with more velocity. It is worth a try, but dont count on it. And please dont exceed the load data by even a tad thinking that the little extra just might make it work.

[oneshotonekill]

I run 300 gr xtp's through mine with great accuracy if driven fast enough.  If I back off the charge the groups open up and eventually keyhole.