44MAG HANDI (Retraction Update)

[JohnnyMcG]

I wish I could say the same.  I just bought a new 22" barrell 44mag and am very disappointed.  I loaded some Sierra 240gr JHPs with a stiff load of H-110.  Results were dismal.  4-5" at 50yds.  I did try some bullets I cast which were RCBS mold 225 SWC with a gas check (sized 430).  These did do better, so I am thinking I may have bore issues.  Already posted on this site is that .431 is acceptable in a rifle, .429 in a pistol.  I plan to try some more, but this one may not be around long.  I will not tolerate this level of performance.  My Redhawk will shoot circles around this.  I am also blessed with other rifles that will perform.  I do like the feel of the rifle, and hope I can figure it out.  I hope I don't have to make a tomato stake out of it or maybe a property boundary marker.  

I have a 45/70 handi that shoots very good, but it turns my cap sideways with each shot.  It does stack the shots tight tho.  I had thought about going thru the hoops for a suppressor for the 44, but I will not spend any more money on it.  Looks like I should have gone the 357 route.  I tried the accessory barrell route, but CS kept telling me that they had no product every time I called, so I just bought the whole thing.  Hornady jacketed bullets are sized 430 I believe, so may try some XTPs.  So I am 1 for 2 in the handi game.  Hope your 18 incher does better.   Sounds like you had a better 1st outing than I did.
Good Shooting

[gomerdog]

I have an accessory 44 mag barrel I bought in 2006 that I put on frame that came from the factory with a 30/06 barrel. It shoots well with hardcast Beartooth Bullets sized to .432, specifically the 250 gr. WLNGC on top of a maximum load of H110. It also shoots well with Hornady 300 gr XTP's using the same powder. Good for 50 yards...give or take a few.

[Lon371]

JohnnyMcG

 Check the FAQ section. There are several tips in there for accuracy. Also if you have not yet, search for other post in this section on the .44. Most have been to shoot pretty decent. Might just take a little tinkering.


Stan in SC
 Sounds like you got a shooter. Congrats

Lonny

[quickdtoo]

"New" is relative, if it was made 2006 or earlier, the bore is overbore and will require .432" or bigger cast bullets, all late model SB1 44mag factory rifles have Marlin made barrels that are .429"-.430" and shoot excellent, the same can't be said of most older SB2 44mags. If it's a new SB1, I'd start with the Handi Basics 101 sticky and make sure you have all your ducks in a row on how to shoot and care for your new Handi. If you have all bases covered there and it still doesn't shoot well, it needs to go back to H&R for repair which they do very well.  

Tim

[JohnnyMcG]

A couple of weeks ago I posted a reply on this forum concerning Handi 44mags.  A retraction of that post is in order.  I stated at that time how dissatisfied I was with one I recently acquired and how poorly it shot.  Many of you know that this model SB1 44mag does not have iron sights, but a scope base installed at the factory.  For someone who has been shooting over 40 years, I made a novice mistake when I opened the box and simply attached my rings, mounted my scope and headed for the range.  The results were very frustrating which I alluded to in my post.  Some days later, something made me reach up and grab my scope.  It moved!!  Yes, the base screws should have been tight, but I should have checked them also.  What a waste of good Sierra bullets.  After removing everything and tightening the base, remounting everything, I headed for the range again.  I was rewarded with what I expected the first time.  Group size was less than 2” with a couple of 1.5” at 100yds.  This is more than acceptable to me for this caliber and rifle.  My confidence is restored, and I can almost smell the deer sausage on the grill now.

Many people are quick to criticize but slow to admit a mistake, and I would hate for anyone reading my previous post to not purchase one of these rifles.  It is hard to find a rifle for this price and this performance nowadays, although one must be honest with himself and be mindful of the range the 44mag is capable of.  Thanks to all who replied to the previous post with suggestions. 

[Spanky]

Glad you got it figured out Johnny. The 44 is good deer medicine for sure.
Are you handloading for it or shooting factory ammo.? 1.5" is pretty darn good at 100yds.



Spanky

[gendoc]

hey man, thats great !!! and don't ya worry bout be'n criticized....( i had to copy that from your post cus i did'nt know howta spell that)....

anaway i get tha most c-stuff on here cus i'm from tha deep as you can go....south !!!

but i kinda like it like that..... keeps everbody else on there toes

glad your happy.... thats all that matters anahow  

[cwlongshot]

Very nice "MAN UP POST"!!

Kudos man,
 CW

[nova71]

hey John, not being able to spell a word hasn't stopped you from using it in the past 

[gendoc]

but sumtimes it don't come out jus right enuff... and it confuses folks....i thank

i'm shur glad johnny's got it go'n his way !!!

[woodchukhntr]

My Remington-made .44 shoots very well, like 1-1/2" @100 yd. with Winchester 240 gr. factory ammo.  My cast 240 gr. loads also shoot at the same P.O.A. and can be used interchangably.  I just might take it out tomorrow, or maybe my .35 Rem Contender carbine, or maybe.......

[JohnnyMcG]

To Spanky;
   These were reloads, as I don't do any factory stuff.  They were upper H-110 loads and Sierra 240 JHP, with Fed large pistol mag primers.  Velocity per Chrony was avg 1825fps.  I just happened to have these for pistol shooting, so I started here.  I do like the looks of the Horn. 265 flat point better (just in case a large hog steps out) so I'll probably move to those next time.  That may be a while though, because I expect one shot kills with these, and that is a lot of deer. 
Good shooting all, and Be safe!! 

[bikerbeans]

Glad you straigthened out your 44 Mag.  I did the exact same thing with a 444 Marlin a month ago.  Got in a hurry with a brand new gun, put on a chinese cheapy scope so I could start shooting and told my self I would properly install the base later.  Forgot all about the base and had the gun shooting great groups and then all the sudden it goes to heck in a hand basket on my last couple of 3 shot groups.  Later on I went to put the gun in the cabinet and the scope moved.  Me a dumby, but it will not move again thanks to some high grade epoxy.

BB