Author Topic: Recoil, and a bull barrel (Read 1414 times)

barber · « **on:** October 02, 2010, 06:41:01 AM »

I have a 10 in Contender .44 mag barrel, and the recoil is about more than I can stand {shooting fairly hot 280 gr loads} Would using a bull barrel make much of a difference, and if so, did Contender make 10 in bull barrels in ,44 mag? maybe being old {79} has something to do with it.?.lol Thanks

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2010, 06:59:30 AM »

i had one 10"44mag got a rubber back grip that helped a lot the wood grip with rubber in it

i ddi sell off to git a 14" 44 mag barrel not that the recoil was to bad just liked a longer tub

southernutah · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2010, 02:56:46 PM »

might try a pachmayer grip, any added weight in barrel should help some. You might look into adding weight to the forend to see if it helps

Grumulkin · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2010, 04:35:06 PM »

A bull barrel isn't going to make much of a difference. For a real difference, try a muzzle brake.

barber · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2010, 04:54:42 PM »

Am I right in assuming one has to buy a barrel with a muzzle brake already installed? And would a brake really make that much difference? I appreciate the help, I hate to give up on this, but I shot it several times this afternoon, and I don't think I'll be able to do any accurate shooting, unless something really changes. Due to a physical problem , I can only hunt with a handgun.

Keith1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2010, 06:54:05 PM »

Barber,
Like it was stated above, try a Pachmayr grip and you will be really surprised. I have a 44 bull barrel and with the standard Contender grip the pistol for me was a handfull. I changed over in the early 1980s and for me it made the 44 a very enjoyable and powerful pistol to shoot.

I shoot 320 grain cast bullets and 21.5 grains of 296. Out of my 10 inch barrel this load produces 1440 FPS.
Regards, Keith

barber · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2010, 08:17:39 PM »

I forgot to say, I do have the Pachmyer grip on it.

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2010, 09:28:22 PM »

My first Contender had a Pachmyer Presentation grip and was a handfull. I replaced it with a Decelerator grip and it is now OK with heavy recoiling barrels.

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2010, 12:48:52 AM »

yes a good break will help i have one on a 14" 44 mag tender my 11year can shoot full house loads NOT THE BREAK THAT T/C PUTS ON

Grumulkin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2010, 06:08:21 AM »

Quote from: barber on October 02, 2010, 04:54:42 PM

Am I right in assuming one has to buy a barrel with a muzzle brake already installed? And would a brake really make that much difference?

You can mail the barrel to T/C and they'll install the brake for you and yes, a brake will help significantly.

I have the T/C brake, aka the Muzzel Tamer, on a number of barrels and, in my opinion they're good. I also have other guns with different brakes on them and don't think they're any better than the T/C brake. Also, if T/C puts the brake on for you, your lifetime barrel warranty is still good.

barber · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2010, 07:41:53 AM »

Luckydog13 what is wrong with a TC brake?

Curtis · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2010, 05:06:50 PM »

I have a 10" octagon barrel and a 10" bull barrel in 44 mag. I shoot both 240 gr and 300 gr XTPs. With open sights and max hand loads the thin walled octagon barrel is murder. The recoil kicks, flips and torques. It is very unpleasant, in fact I'd rather shoot my unbraked 14" 375 JDJ than that one.

Recoil seems slightly more managable with my bull barrel and open sights. What really made it better was when I added the weight of a scope and mounts on top.

I absolutely hate the noise and blast from muzzle brakes and would rather forego a big caliber than add a brake. However, several folks here seem to be more tolerant of them than me.

Curtis

barber · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2010, 07:12:11 PM »

I guess I'm not very knowledgeable, I thought a brake forced the blast noise out in front. away from you. If it's that bad, I don't want one. Guess I'm just out of luck, I'll I go with my SRH. I guess. Thanks for all the replies, I learned a lot some that I didn't want to know ha ha ha

southernutah · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2010, 07:59:17 PM »

nope to the side and back , up and back or both, had one once but no more. either down load or try some 44 specials.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2010, 02:57:52 AM »

I've not made a side by side comparison in 44Mag, but I Have in 45Colt....There IS quite a difference between the recoil of a 10" octagon barrel and a 10" bull barrel...and even more difference with the 14" bull barrel. TC's 10" bull barrel is NOT a true bull barrel...it is tapered, but still it has a lot more metal than the octagon barrel. Now the 14" Super 14 barrel is a true bull barrel. And, as Curtis said, adding the scope and mount help a lot too. Also, you mentioned that you're already using the Pachmayer grip, if you add the Pachmayer forend (it is quite a bit heavier) it really helps. Don't give up...go to lighter bullets, lighter loads, and keep shootin'. BTW, I'm one of those who does not like brakes too!

Walt

Curtis · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2010, 10:10:00 AM »

Barber I hate to say this but I think the only thing you can do to know for sure is to buy a 10" heavy barrel (which I've always called bull though Hopalong is right, they do have a slight taper) to replace your lightweight octagon barrel (that IS what you have isn't it? I'm a little unclear on that too).

Recoil, blast and all that are subjective and different folks have different preferences and sensitivities. That is why some of us seem to be saying opposite things. I wouldn't say anyone here is "wrong" on any point. You just have to find out which of the above truths are right for you.

Curtis

buckeye509 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2010, 03:52:40 PM »

Wow! If you're crankin hot 44Mags out of a thin Octagonal barrel more power to you brother!

Try the Pachmyer grip and a bull barrel and you'll notice some difference. I have a 12" bull barrel and have reloaded some 300 grain with gas checks from Leadhead with reloading manual near maximum recommended loads and they are tolerable. The extra weight and length of the barrel make a perceptible difference to me.

barber · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2010, 08:37:18 PM »

I don't know what an octogon barrel is, mine is round, just like the 14 in I sold, {wish I hadn't},doesn't taper or anything. Deer season opens the 16th, so I don't have time to look for a bull barrel, don't know if it would work for me, anyway..I put on the long foreend, maybe that will help some. I really appreciate all of you trying to help, you're a great bunch.

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:12:52 AM »

well you got over a week to work up a light load but you just need one good shot good luck to you sir

jammer308 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:14:15 AM »

Barber, my thoughts are that you might do very well with a new barrle in .357 mag... I could be wrong, but that is up to you

Curtis · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:58:39 PM »

Barber, here is my octagon barrel next to my 10" heavy barrel with scope and three weaver rings.

You can imagine the recoil with the thin octagon barrel, especially with open sights. It weighs in at a mere 15 oz whereas my heavy barrel with scope and mounts tips the scales at just over 32 oz. I guess what you have is the standard T/C heavy barrel. Mine measures 0.810 at the breech end and 0.720 at the muzzle so it is not a true bull, although the difference in girth is hard to percieve. The only way you can really improve on it without putting a brake on is to add a heavy Pachmyer forend as has been mentioned, and a scope and mounts if it doesn't already have them. More weight is better in this case obviously.

My only other suggestion if you want to stay with this caliber is to try a 14" barrel. Unlike the 10" barrel, it is a true bull barrel as has been said. The character of the recoil really changes when you add the extra length. I mentioned my 14" 375 JDJ in a previous post, and although its recoil is still heavier than my 10" 44 mag I prefer it over the 44 due to that difference in character. It is more straight back than the twisting and flipping I get from the 10" 44. I am partial to the 10" barrels though and only go longer when the caliber truely demands it.

Good luck with whatever you decide and good shooting.

Curtis

barber · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2010, 08:55:38 PM »

I finally had a brainstorm, and measured the barrel, muzzle end is 7.21 and breech measures 8.14. Does this mean it's a bull barrel? I wonder if 2 inches were cut off a 14 in barrel, if that would help. prob'ly last post about this, as people are prob'ly getting tired of it.

rickyp · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2010, 03:57:50 PM »

Get your self a good set of wood grips that fit your hand well. you will be suprised at what a good fiting grip cna do for recoil.

I have a set of georga Jim's grips on my encore and I will tell you from eperance that it is like night and day over the factory grips.

You cna try and get a set of weight lifting gloves and use them they have padding in the palms of the hands and will help you with recoil.

You cna shoot 44 special rounds out of the 44 and just keep the shots close.

There are a lot of muzzle breaks on the market some are better then others but all do change the direction of the sound so that it comes back and to the side You will what to have hearing protection on when you shoot a breaked handgun so you do not damage your hearing but you really should be using hearing protection any time you shoot a fire arm.

Dezynco · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2010, 02:02:01 AM »

I don't like muzzle brakes either, they spit on you and they're noisy! But to each his own.....

I shoot an 8" 45-70, unbraked! The recoil is wicked, but managable with a Decelerator grip and a soft leather glove on my shooting hand. I also installed a Leupold scope with steel dual dovetail rings and mount to add about an extra pound. Like I said, the recoil is awful, but it makes all my other barrels feel like BB guns!

I really think you should look at a good Pachmayer grip and possibly a glove on your shooting hand (especially for extended shooting sessions).