Author Topic: Inaccurate .44..HELP! (Read 718 times)

Flapjack · « **on:** February 12, 2005, 11:10:41 AM »

Greetings all,

I acquired a Win 94 in .44 mag, and I cannot for the life of me get this thing to shoot. Best 10 shot group at 50 yds is 5", Iron sights rested. I have tried cast (RCBS 44-250-K) 240 XTP's, and Speer 270 GDSPs, all with 2400.

The gun is brand new, crown looks perfect...The only thing I did notice, is the magazine tube is loose in the bands. I tightened them down, but it shot loose again after a couple rounds. Is this natural for Winchesters to have some play in the tube?? My marlins are all tight and stay that way. Perhaps my problem lies here??

Are there any other tips/tricks to getting these things to shoot??

Thanks!!!

Castaway · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2005, 12:13:56 PM »

Start lower, load 5 each cartridges in 0.5 grain increments, see where the group tightens and then opens up. Then load in 0.1 grain increments around the "sweet spot." My guess it isn't the carbine, just the charge you're stoking it with. You need to find where the barrel harmonics match the load.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2005, 03:06:56 PM »

Most (Not all) Winchesters shoot better if they have loose bands, and even a bit of play in the forearm. It's my understanding that Marlins can also benefit from this. The usual thing this improves, is vertical stringing.

Kurt · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2005, 07:53:15 PM »

Flapjack. run down to the ask Veral Smith from LBT forum and read around a bit. You might have to slug or otherwise measure your bore and get with the right size bullets. Buffalo has four or five diameters for the 44. I have a M94, 44mag traditional ordered that should be in tomorrow and that is the first thing I'm going to do before I buy "boolits".

WD45 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2005, 07:15:32 AM »

You only mention 2400... have you tried any other powders ?
I like 2400 but it is not always the most accurate powder.
Slugging the bore can always help... It's always good info to know.
Lapping may help also since the gun is new

Kurt · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2005, 09:30:39 PM »

Sorry Flapjack in the above post I said buffalo and was wanting to say Beartooth bullets. Buffalo makes muzzleloader bullets, which I like. THe name must have been stuck in the back of my head. I have'nt tried Beartooth yet but I likey will when I get the 44

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2005, 10:30:52 PM »

so many things to try before you give up. different powders different primmers heavier crimp. heavier bullets like a 300 grain. Did you clean the copper fouling out of the barrel first. Then is it leading. You also can try different alloys. Some rifles i have like lynotype bullet some like 5050 ww lynotype some like #2 and some like ww water dropped. Something as small as anyone of these can cut groups in half. Even switching bullets lubes could do it. Some guns are just fussy ive had guns that i was about to pitch in the snow bank all of a sudden shine with just the right combination. YOu wont find to many guns that do there best with the first loads you try. If the gun is new the first thing to do is to shoot about 100 jacketed bullets through it and then clean it real well before going to cast. It will smoothen the barrel some. Keep at it and dont give up theres a certain amount of pride there when you find the right combination and you know you made it shoot and just about any gun can be made to shoot with the right combination.