Author Topic: Just got a 44Mag-suggestions?-info? (Read 1186 times)

myarmor · « **on:** August 07, 2005, 07:34:41 AM »

Yup, add another to my small but growing Handi family. :grin:
I went looking for a 357...and somehow ended up with a 44Mag-the price was just too good. Ordered my ammo, and can't wait to experiment with a new Handi!
I have never been real interested in a 44Mag Handi until I stumbled upon this one.
So what kind of info, or suggestions can you guys give me on the 44Mag?
I used the search, and found a lot of good stuff, but man you have to wade through so many posts.
So I figured I would start my own, for those who like me might have considered a 44Mag Handi and know hardly nothing about this cartridge and it's potential in a short rifle.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2005, 09:24:47 AM »

My 44 mag is fun to shoot,and with 22.5 grs. of H 110 it will push a 300 gr. XTP over 1600 fps. Its a pretty potent short range gun,and reamed out to 445 super mag its halfway between the 44 mag and the 444. Very little recoil also. Digger

myarmor · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2005, 09:28:08 AM »

1600 fps thats pretty good for a 300gr in a pistol cartridge. Then again through a rifle barrel, you could get some good velocities.
I plan on reloading for it when I get all my equipment and supplies.
What's the fastest you have pushed your 44Mag accurately?

poncaguy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2005, 10:00:25 AM »

I couldn't find a 44.darn it, so got a 7mm-08. Then, was changing scopes on my 223 Varmit fluted, love it so much, I ordered a 204 Fluted. Already have a 204 barrel for my Encore so it will be nice to compare. Would have got a 22-250 Fluted, but have 2 already, a Handi Bull barrel and a tang safety Ruger 77

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2005, 01:40:35 PM »

Myarmor, bullets 240 grains and up seem to shoot the best. Cast bullets have to be over bore size and the bores tend to run big so measure your bore before buying bullets or a mould. Some folks report good results with 300 grain jacketed, but none of our casters have had much luck with the Lee 310 grain mould. Cast bullets need to be of the gas checked variety for hunting velocities.

Best powder is H 110 or WW 296 which are pretty much the same thing.

hellacatcher · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2005, 03:47:56 PM »

I used winchester 240 gr for hunting they work for me. :-D

myarmor · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2005, 04:00:53 PM »

So most lighter bullets don't perform well?
What's the heaviest grain bullet one can load?

DPRinks · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2005, 04:27:18 PM »

Myarmor;
I recently got a .44mag barrel, it has 12 lands and grooves and the groove size is .431.
I am shooting the Lee 310 with the gas check seated in a .432 sizer even though the bullet is only .430 as cast. with waterdropped wws and the cheater sizer, I am getting 1" + at 50 yds.
I got in on a group buy for a 250gr .434 bullet, should get it next week, will see how much better it does.
Don

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2005, 04:33:16 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

1600 fps thats pretty good for a 300gr in a pistol cartridge. Then again through a rifle barrel, you could get some good velocities.
I plan on reloading for it when I get all my equipment and supplies.
What's the fastest you have pushed your 44Mag accurately?

That load is a max load with 22.5 grs. of H 110 and the best I can remember it chrono'ed 1636,and shot 2" to 2.5" at 100 yds. Zero'ed at 100 yds. will put you 1 1/2" high at 50 yds. Digger

myarmor · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2005, 04:37:16 PM »

Good info-thanks. Keep it coming.
Again, the more info you can give me on 44 goodness, the better. I could ask this somewhere else, but I am partial to this forum :grin: as you all might have noticed

. Thanks.

De41mag · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2005, 05:07:58 PM »

I've chroned some Remington 180gr. JHP's over H-110 going over 2000fps. But the accuracy was not good at 100yds.
I've found the Speer 300gr. JSP works very good. And a Leadhead 265 RNFP gas check works great. First group I shot with those gas checks at 50yds. was one ragged hole for five shots. Both bullets were being driven by H-110.

Dennis

JPH45 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2005, 05:20:52 PM »

I've posted plenty about the 44 over time, sure you found it in your search, so i won't bore you with a repeat. All these guys gave you good info, listen and your learing curve won't be so steep. The 44 is a very nice rifle for plinking and is plenty up to the task of 100-150 yard hunting. Enjoy and welcome to the 44 club.

myarmor · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2005, 07:13:52 AM »

Good deal. I'll go back and do some more searching.
You all mentioned some excellent handloads, but what about just some plain old factory ammo.
I mean what kind of factory ammo shoots well in your 44?
Or will it just depend on my exact size after I slug my barrel?

MtJerry · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2005, 08:04:42 AM »

Quote

will it just depend on my exact size after I slug my barrel?

The answer to that question is a defintive YES! Read some of the previous posts about the 44 handi (and ANYTHING that JHP45 has written!) and you will find that they are notoriously over-bored.

Mine slugged at .432 and will NOT shoot anything factory. I did have some success with the XTP line from Hornady - they size theirs at .430.

Good comments from all above, just can't stress enough that you read JHP45's posts. He saved me a LOT of time!

myarmor · « **Reply #14 on:** August 09, 2005, 10:26:30 AM »

Well I went back and looked up most of JHP45's posts and I am glad I did. At least I know kinda what to/or not to expect now. I am curious to see what it slugs out to be.
What is the deal with the oversized bore? Seems like this would be addressed better from H&R.
Has anyone had good luck with factory ammo?
Cause it's still going to be a little while before I get all set up for handloading. Probably within 2 months :oops:

Varminter · « **Reply #15 on:** August 09, 2005, 10:48:08 AM »

i shot the cheap magtech ammo in mine and it shot fine. The winchester 240gr. JSP shot well also.

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2005, 11:13:50 AM »

Well, I just ordered some PMC 240gr and some Magtech 200gr.
Thought I would give a go at some cheap ammo, if nothing.
Have to wait and see how they perform.....

myarmor · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2005, 04:05:39 AM »

Ever seen or tried these?
http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/Search.bok?category=44+MAG
Some of the prices are a little high, but those 300gr Punch Bullets look like a thumper.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2005, 05:41:13 AM »

You think those are high priced, look at these!!! $90 a box!!!!

http://www.grizzlycartridge.com/Detail.bok?no=56

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2005, 05:55:22 AM »

That is absolutly insane. I would and never will pay that much for a box of ammo ever. You could almost buy a new barrel for your Handi for that

Varminter · « **Reply #20 on:** August 11, 2005, 10:34:42 AM »

Aren't the punch bullets milled out of brass instead of being jacketed?

hellacatcher · « **Reply #21 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:01:08 AM »

For that much mony there had better be a dead deer every time I shot even if is straight up. :?

Varminter · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:09:10 AM »

I wouldn't mind loading some for a 445 supermag. I just wonder how much the bullets would cost. For the cost of the loaded ammunition i better be able to reload the bullet.

myarmor · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:35:27 AM »

I have never seen these for sale to relaod with.
Brass milled...strange.

Varminter · « **Reply #24 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:44:51 AM »

http://www.gunblast.com/BeltMtn_PunchBullet.htm

Here's the article i found on them awhile back.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** August 11, 2005, 11:58:21 AM »

Quote from: Varminter

Aren't the punch bullets milled out of bras instead of being jacketed?

So that's where all those bras went that didn't get burned back in the '70s!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Varminter · « **Reply #26 on:** August 11, 2005, 12:04:12 PM »

Quick you catch everything don't you? lol About like you trying to shoot 300yrs
:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** August 11, 2005, 12:08:42 PM »

Well, maybe not everything...but enough!! touche'!!!

Tim

Varminter · « **Reply #28 on:** August 11, 2005, 12:10:16 PM »

All in good fun Quick, all in good fun