Considering Handi in 44 Mag- Need your Help

[mkgeorgetown]

Hi all! I am considering buying a Handi in 44 magnum and would like some input from those of you out there with experience with these. I have read that I would want one made after 2007 (bore size correction) so that it may shoot better, and have looked thru the threads to see some loads that may shoot well (Hornady XTP 180 grain for example). Has anyone shot any of the Leverevolutions thru these rifles? Also, what is difference in SB1 and SB2, is this anything I need to be concerned about? I appreciate any comments you guys may have. I have a bolt action 25-06 I have used most of my life, but place I hunt now is thick and farthest shot is 50 yards or so. Plus can never have too many firearms! Thanks! 

[Badnews Bob]

There is a big diffrence in a SB 1 or SB2 frame the SB 2 is stronger to handle higher pressure rounds H&R desided to put the .357 and .44 on SB 1 frames. Not a concern if you don't want to try other barrells, You can put shotgun barrells on them except 10 guage.  So don't worry about frames unless you plan on doing alot of barrel swapping.

 It appears most people are useing 240 grain and heaveir bullets in there .44s mine shoots .240s well and I haven't tried anything else, The leverevolution rounds seem to work well also. I've not owned mine long so I still have alot of learning to do for this rifle.

 BTW I prefer hard cast lead to jackets and at the 50 to 75 yard shot I'll probably take they are darn good deer medicine. Enjoy and welcome.

[cwlongshot]

I have never been a big 44 fan. No particular reason, guess I just prefer the not so popular calibers....

I recently got a 44 handi. I have a bog of the leverEvolutions. I have been fiddling with the site regulation. I don't like the factory stuff and have a peep mounted where the rear site was and a new taller Lyman ivory dot up front.
 as for the 180's I subscribe to the heavy bullet for caliber crowd. I like the 270 - 300Gr range of bullets. Speer makes a wonderful 270Gold Dot that performs very well for two of my friends.

Good luck,
 CW

[dpe.ahoy]

Mine shoots real good.  Only run 240g thru it and most of those have H110 behind them.  Finally got a scope rail, so gonna put glass on it to see how good it is.  With open sights I have broken clay pigeons at 100 yd enough to amaze myself.  DP

[quickdtoo]

Mine shoots the 225gr Leverevolution ammo real good, this was shot at 100yds with a Williams WGRS peep and Firesight, better eyes could do better than my 60yr old eyes, I'm sure. 

Tim

[Ranger J]

Mine likes Hornady 180 gr. shot real fast (max load of H110) or OT cast shot real slow (trail boss).  With the slow twist  it will not handle any 300 gr. very well.  I have been wanting to try H110 and Hornady 240s but no one seems to have any locally.  I guess I will have to order some from Cabela's.

RJ

[LaOtto222]

As has been mentioned, the SB 1 frame is OK if you do not want to add any center fire rifle cartridges other than the 357. Do not entertain any thoughts of reaming the 44 or 357 to a super mag either. If you want to add other rifle barrels you would be better off getting an SB 2 frame and then sending in for your 44 barrel and add another one or two, if you want. I have not shoot 300 grain slugs out of mine, but I have shot 265 grain bullets out of it and it shoots them fairly well. I have shot the Winchester 240 grain flat point white box stuff out of it and they shoot pretty well. I have not tied the 300 grain bullets, but I understand that people have shot them OK. I am not sure how the Winchester 240 grains would hold up on deer. They may have too light of a jacket. The 265 grain Hornady and 270 grain Speer gold dots should hold up fine for deer + larger game. I have shoot a few Bearthooth 265 GCFP out of it, but have not got as good as results as I hoped. They do shoot fairly well out of my 1894 Marlin. I have not tried the leverolution ammo yet in any of my guns, they make them for. I have a 357, 44 mag, and 444 Marlin. I use mostly hand loads. I have tried the cheap factory loaded stuff, mostly to see how it shoots, but to get cases too. Here are three shots with the Winchester White box at 50 yards. Good Shooting and Good Luck.



BTW - the Winchester White box 240's chrono'ed right at 1800 fps at about 15 feet.

[yukondog]

I hunt with mine with speer 240 gold dot soft point, 3 deer farthist shot was 125 yrd.One bullet was recovered 139gr. .67"dia.

[mkgeorgetown]

Thanks all for the excellent advice. I think I may go ahead and get one of these and give it a try, it seems from Tim's target the Hornady Leverevolution 225gr stuff really well. Also some of the other comments and targets shown also indicate other ammo is accurate enough for deer at fairly close range. I have also thought about a 45/70 as well, but it seems a 44 magnum would work as shots are under 100 yards and recoil from a 44 magnum has to be less than a 45/70. On the flip side, everyone seems to love their 45/70's! Now I am confused about what I want! I know this maybe should be a different thread, but how is recoil in one of these rifles in a 45/70? Thanks again!

[LaOtto222]

If you reload, you can load it up or down as you see fit. If you only buy your ammo, then trap door loads do not kick very much, just a little more than a 44 Magnum. The leverevolution for the 45-70 is North of the 44 Magnum as far as recoil is concerned. Of course when you shoot at a deer you will not even feel it. It amazes me how much some thing can kick and then when you shoot at game, there is no kick at all. I use a lead sled for sighting in and then I do not develop a flinch or jerk the shot. When in the field I do not feel the kick at all. I do not have a 45-70, but do have a 12 gauge with slugs and a 444 Marlin. They have a little kick to them. If you are contemplating a 45-70, get it first and then send in to get your 44 Mag barrel. Good Shooting and Good Luck.

[packgoat]

I love mine.  Shoots 240 grn Winchester and the Leverlution equally well.

[jlwilliams]

  I'm also considering a 44mag Handi, but I have another element in my decision.  I have an older Contender, so I could buy a barrel for it.  Now, the Contender barrels cost as much (a little more actually) as a whole Handi rifle.  Do I buy the Handi, and have a stand alone rifle?  Or do I buy the Contender barrel, which would end up being a nicer gun? 

[Badnews Bob]

I don't like contenders. They don't fit my hands very well, Handies fit  me like a old glove, How something feels when I shoulder it make a big diffrence in what I choose to shoot.   Also I place very little on looks and alot on performance. All of my handies shoot well enuff to take the game I am after, usally with one shot. That what makes me happy.   MY .44 is moving into a favorite spot just behind the .357s and .45-70.

[mkgeorgetown]

Thanks again all for your comments. I think I will go ahead and get the 44 mag. When my son gets older he can use it for deer as well (should be easier on him than the 45/70!). I may then have to get me a 45/70  . I can't get enough firearms it seems, I just need more opportunity to shoot em all!!! I got to say though I am still intrigued by the 45/70.