Author Topic: How far have ya shot your 44 mag handi's (Read 1975 times)

stumped · « **on:** July 21, 2009, 09:41:08 AM »

I made up some hot loads and shot my new handi 44 mag. I am more than happy. I hit a paper plate 8 of 8 times at 175 and 1 1/2 inch group at 112 yards.

snakeman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:25:49 AM »

That is some fine shooting there. Give us some details about the components you used and the speed if you can.

snakeman

stumped · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:33:28 AM »

I'm using 240gr hp-xtps with 25.5 gr win 296. I believe 1850-1900 fps. I have a burrius scope. I have had a lot of people say 44 mag rifle doen't have the engery to make a clean kill at 170s range, but I shoot my muzzleloader with a 250 gr bullet and 100 gr powder and get the same engery and velocity and I have killed 2 deer over 160 yards with it.

mike@nds · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2009, 12:31:59 PM »

I've been wanting to make a "modern mini Buffalo rifle" for long range plinking in .44mag.

That Krag sight on a Handi got me thinkin'.........

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:13:36 PM »

A couple of weeks ago, we were shooting at a 5x10 inch cylinder gong at 275 yards. The gong was mounted with a sand bank backdrop, so it was easy to see your misses. If you didn't see it, someone was there to call it for you. I shot both the .44 Magnum and the .357 Maximum Handis. I didn't change the sights, just held over and walked them out there. It was fun. After a few rounds, I was able to hit the gong fairly regularly with both rifles. When I didn't, it was pilot error. The wind was blowing like crazy which didn't help, cause you had to factor that in too. But, as I said, it was a lot of fun matching shots with 4 or five other guys......some with very expensive hardware.

Pete

myarmor · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:23:20 PM »

Personally I haven't shot my 44 that far, 100yards, and I feel comfortable with that range for it. I not one to limit shooting practice ranges for calibers, but I have come to set some cartridges to the limits I see fit for them. Not to say don't have fun or practice long ranges, I mean try shooting a good 22LR at 200-300 yards

It's awesome practice. I am a person that wants to get the most out of a cartridge (safely of course

) but realize it's effective range. I'm happy keeping my shot's with my 44 to 100yards and a little more under the circumstances.
Anyway..Have some fun stretching it's legs! All I am saying is just use discretion at the target your going for.
Enough preaching

let us know your loads and the fun your plinking at!

-Aaron

stumped · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:30:55 PM »

How hot could I load say a 240 gr bullet with I have some H110. I think the max load is 25.5 gr h110 with a 240gr bullet, but does anyone kick it up any.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:02:09 PM »

Don't think anyone is gonna tell ya to put more powder behind the 240gr.

H-110 is a great powder for that weight in a 44 mag. If ya want more power or speed, get a 444 Marlin barrel or ream the 44 mag to 445 Super mag. Is the Handi barrel on an SB-2 frame stronger than a Ruger, yes it is. The 44 mag in the rifle barrel is pretty impressive compaired to a revolver, enjoy it or replace it. DP

stumped · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:28:29 PM »

An Info on the 445 super mag will help me. Can I use 44 mag dies, whats the fps with a 240 gr bullet, and how hard is it to ream 44 mag to 445 super mag. Also what reamer to use. Sorry for all the questions, but it is hard to find info on the 445.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2009, 12:36:56 AM »

Check this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_magnum

It has some more links in the footnotes

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2009, 01:22:26 AM »

I've chronoed the 300 gr. XTP at 1977 fps,the 265 gr. hornady at 2160 fps ,and the 240 gr. XTP at 2200 + fps.with 296 and a near max load from the Sierra book on the 445 supermag.The 180XTP's really zing out at around 2500 fps. And you can still shoot 44 mags.and specials in it. Its a very worth while project to do. Digger

Cheesehead · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2009, 02:16:39 AM »

Maybe the Hornady pointed Flextip could flatten the trajectory and extend range.

Cheese

stumped · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:26:55 AM »

I seriously thinking of reaming my 44 mag to 445 super mag. Where can I find info instructions on the process. I have seen on site how to ream to 357 max but can't find it.

snakeman · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:15:42 AM »

Yes. more info on this. Does reaming it out affect the accuracy of the .44 mag or special?

snakeman

Oldshooter · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:18:49 AM »

Quote from: stumped on July 21, 2009, 09:41:08 AM

I made up some hot loads and shot my new handi 44 mag. I am more than happy. I hit a paper plate 8 of 8 times at 175 and 1 1/2 inch group at 112 yards.

I'm curious about holdover or did you "0" it at 150 or 200

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:39:40 AM »

The 357Max reaming info is in the FAQs and Help sticky, where else should it be!!

Tim

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2009, 03:58:30 AM »

Quote from: snakeman on July 22, 2009, 09:15:42 AM

Yes. more info on this. Does reaming it out affect the accuracy of the .44 mag or special?

snakeman
[/quote
It did'nt affect my accuracy any with the 44 mags,but after you shoot the supermag its doughtfull you'll shoot the 44 mag much.Mine was the old barrel that slugged at .431 and the supermag made it shoot even better.The 44 mag dies will work,and its about in the middle between the 44 mag and the 444,leaning alittle toward the 444.Its a easy job to do with a reamer and a T bar. Have someone to hold down the ejector,use plenty of cutting oil,and start turning the Tbar. Stop when the cutter starts touching the ejector. Takes about 10 or 12 turns or about 3 minutes to finish. I lost count of the Handi 445's at about 12 that the guy's here did to there 44 mags. Digger

stumped · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:08:30 AM »

Oldshooter
I sighted in dead on at 100 and at 175 I used the point where my plex gets heavy. At 175 I'm guessing 7 inches.

stumped · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:11:01 AM »

Quote from: Ditchdigger on July 23, 2009, 03:58:30 AM

Quote from: snakeman on July 22, 2009, 09:15:42 AM
Yes. more info on this. Does reaming it out affect the accuracy of the .44 mag or special?

snakeman
[/quote
It did'nt affect my accuracy any with the 44 mags,but after you shoot the supermag its doughtfull you'll shoot the 44 mag much.Mine was the old barrel that slugged at .431 and the supermag made it shoot even better.The 44 mag dies will work,and its about in the middle between the 44 mag and the 444,leaning alittle toward the 444.Its a easy job to do with a reamer and a T bar. Have someone to hold down the ejector,use plenty of cutting oil,and start turning the Tbar. Stop when the cutter starts touching the ejector. Takes about 10 or 12 turns or about 3 minutes to finish. I lost count of the Handi 445's at about 12 that the guy's here did to there 44 mags. Digger

How do I know how deep to go. Or just use a dummy round to see if it fits.

gendoc · « **Reply #19 on:** July 23, 2009, 01:26:29 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on July 21, 2009, 05:02:09 PM

Is the Handi barrel on an SB-2 frame stronger than a Ruger, yes it is.

a ruger what??

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2009, 03:19:01 PM »

Stumped,the reamer will have a cutter on it that makes the cut for the rim,just take that cutter down to the oringinal rim cut and thats far enough.Do not cut out any more on the rim part of the chamber. Digger

Oldshooter · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2009, 04:38:45 PM »

Quote from: stumped on July 23, 2009, 11:08:30 AM

Oldshooter
I sighted in dead on at 100 and at 175 I used the point where my plex gets heavy. At 175 I'm guessing 7 inches.

Thanks, I was wondering how much drop at 175.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #22 on:** July 23, 2009, 04:50:38 PM »

I've shot at 100 and 200 yards. Not yet satisfied with results. Someday.

Petemi - the attached pix is for you.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #23 on:** July 23, 2009, 07:52:12 PM »

gendoc, Ruger SBH, probably the Redhawk and Super Redhawk as well. Don't think I would try to run the pressure up as high on one of them as the 25-06 or 270, I likes havin' all my fingers.

I don't load the 45's as hot as the 44 mag due to the thinner chamber walls on my revolvers. Tim would know for sure, but I'm sure they use the same steel for the 44 mag Handi barrel as the other high pressure barrels. DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** July 23, 2009, 08:27:15 PM »

All current production H&R centerfire rifle barrels are 4140 alloy.

Tim

stumped · « **Reply #25 on:** July 27, 2009, 05:20:21 AM »

Quote from: Ditchdigger on July 22, 2009, 01:22:26 AM

I've chronoed the 300 gr. XTP at 1977 fps,the 265 gr. hornady at 2160 fps ,and the 240 gr. XTP at 2200 + fps.with 296 and a near max load from the Sierra book on the 445 supermag.The 180XTP's really zing out at around 2500 fps. And you can still shoot 44 mags.and specials in it. Its a very worth while project to do. Digger

How were the groups with 296 and have you used any other powders. I read the 296 had poor accuracy and high C.U.P. in the 445sm. I have the sb1 frame and worried about the C.U.P. at the hotter loads. I'm hoping to shoot good to 200 yards.

petemi · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2009, 06:27:28 AM »

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on July 23, 2009, 04:50:38 PM

I've shot at 100 and 200 yards. Not yet satisfied with results. Someday.

Petemi - the attached pix is for you.

That Golden is one tough critter. Looks like his Magpie buddy is leaving town, and the other guy is suffering from a pain in the A$$.

I could use that eagle around here. Right now I'm having fox and coyote problems and I've got to be out of here for a week starting tomorrow.

Thanks for the pic.

Pete

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2009, 02:59:03 PM »

Stumped,I don't know what the pressure's are,but the 296 powder gave me about 1" average at 100 yds.with the 265 gr. hornady.The chambers of the Handi's are about .006" to big,and the brass will swell outwards until you get to the web.You can neck size or full lenght size with 44 mag dies. If my memery is correct the 296 was listed as the accuracy load or hunting load with most bullet weight's,in the Sierra book. Digger

stumped · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2009, 03:13:47 PM »

Shot my 44 mag after reaming it to 445 this weekend. I haven’t had a chance to reload any 445’s, so I shot my 44 mags and reaming it out did'nt hurt my accuracy at all. I shot at 90 yards 10 or 12 times and hit a circle the size of a golf ball every time. I hope to get my 445s reloaded this weekend and will report back. Also I rented my 445sm reamer from elk ridge reamers and they it got here in one day, worked great and was a breeze to do. Shipping and rental was only $54. Very happy with the project, just hope the 445 shoots as good as the 44 mags.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #29 on:** August 10, 2009, 03:19:12 PM »

Sounds like another reaming gone right! Congrats and hope the 445's do as well. DP