Author Topic: 44 mag (Read 1020 times)

rider · « **on:** April 12, 2005, 10:49:40 AM »

I bought a barrel today at a pawn shop for $110. It says it is a 44 mag. There is something that I don't understand. It is a ten inch barrel with a suppressor. But I got a Choke or something like that to screw in the front of the barrel. Anyone ever seen anything like this?

flatlander · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:01:55 AM »

That is an older style barrel. The choke tube is used for shooting shot shells. Take it out for regular rounds. I've never owned one in that style, but I'll bet some of the guys here could give you some tips for that barrel.

Racepres · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:05:14 AM »

Without seein' it I'd say you got a "Hot-Shot"barrel. Do Not shoot regular ammo w/ the choke in!!!! This if for a special "shot shell" that T/C made. I have a very good recipe for awesome "hot-shots" loads if you find that this is what it is and want to try it. otherwise if it is like mine , it shoots regular 44's (no Choke) very well .... Marty

Kevin A. · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:17:24 PM »

Im interested in your shot recipe Have one of these myself.would like to find some hotshot capsules ? have the blus speer now.
Thanks Kevin

Racepres · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:38:09 PM »

If you do find hot shot capsules ,, I would set them aside , as T/C hasn't made 'em for awhile, and probably won't.. If you have the speer capsules however you are halfway there. Quite a few yrs ago I got a guy named Warren on the phone from speer and we did a little experiment. With the proper size drill I made half of the capsules into cylinders (drilled the end out), then used that plumbers cement (the capsules are styrene so get the multi purpose cement that is labeled for pvc, abs, and styrene pipe) "Dab" a bit of glue onto the end of a capsule and glue the cylinder onto it to make it twice as long.. (a dowel of the correct diameter will help w/ alignment), this takes awhile to master to get any production, but considering the cost of the capsules (when they were available) it was worth it to me. I filled 'em w/ 7 1/2 shot ... T/C used mostly 6's. Theirs weigh 9/16 of an ounce, mine weigh abt .701 oz.(abt 11/16 I think?) T/C recomended (and probably used) 8 gr. of bullseye, in 44 mag cases and unspecified primers. I found 6 gr. to be just fine w/ regular cci primers. and good paterns, at least as good as the factory T/C loadings I tried. BTW if your patterns are "wide" simply reduce the load to tighten em up, 5.0 gr. of bullseye gave best (tightest) pattern for me. Kind of fun to shoot especially since they generally do a better job than the 45/410 bbls... Sorry so long!!! Be careful,,, but have fun

? Never mind,,, good luck ... Marty

DropTheHammer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2005, 03:37:52 AM »

What do you guys shoot at / hunt with these HotShot capsules?

Kevin A. · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2005, 07:25:14 AM »

Racepres did you seat the capsule to compress the powder ? Thankyou for the info I will be working on this .
M go Blue Kevin

Racepres · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2005, 09:46:08 AM »

On the way out of the office for a few days (season opener) so gotta make it short... as for seating i used an old rcbs (closed end) seating die to push the capsules in to basically "settle" the powder, not necessarily compress it but it is "held" in place. Suppose that it was simply an expedient cause of the length, I think abt any old way (including finger pressure) to push the capsule into the case is OK. I crimped em but, Not Too Hard... they are fragile... As for what to use 'em on ... they are at least as effective as a 410 on bunnies, blackbirds, red squirrels, and (the one I hunt most) arial targets, like clay birds!! for rats in the barn I have settled on the double action 44 special w/ single length speer capsules, and #7 1/2 shot. Double action cause there are always more than 1, and the 44 cause a 357/38 w/ speer shot capsules won't kill a Mid Michigan barnyard rat on the spot, like the 44 will .. even w/ multiple hits ....Have a good one ... see ya'll in a few days .. marty

Darrell Dixon · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2005, 03:13:01 PM »

I just got the same barrell in today that I bought pff e-bay and it came with a box of T/C Hot Shots. Can't wait to shoot them!!!

Racepres · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:11:11 PM »

Kevin and Darrell: how did ya make out?? Darrell , where did you find original t/c capsules??? Marty :eek:

Darrell Dixon · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2005, 12:31:04 PM »

Sorry Marty, I've been away for a few days. I got the Hot Shots when I bought the barrel. It came in it's original box of 20. Should I hold on to these or go ahead and shoot them? Are they some type of collectors item?

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2005, 12:34:41 PM »

My first barrel was a 10" 44 Hot Shot bull barrel with sights. I used the factory hot shots on a squirrel once, they are close to a 2 1/2" 410 load.

Racepres · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2005, 03:20:50 PM »

Darrell: I know that I sent ya a PM on this but thought that I would share the fact that if I were you I would treat those T/C capsules as if they were collectable. I don't think you will be able to replace them very handily when they are gone, and the "double capsule" thingys are a bit heavier anyway, and of course more readily available.... and in fact they are heavier than a 2 1/2 410...... Marty