Author Topic: Handi .444 recoil question  (Read 1031 times)

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Offline Grabwad

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Handi .444 recoil question
« on: August 12, 2009, 11:52:39 AM »
1. How does the recoil of the .444 compare to say a .270 or 30-06?  I have a 11yr old son and I want to get something he can shoot without it scaring him.  He has shot a 30-06 and didn't have a problem. 


2.  If the .44 mag would be better, can I put a .44 mag barrel on a .444 handi?  I read that a rifle barrel can't be put on a .44 mag but I'm unsure if it would work the other way.

Thanks
Gregg

Offline jim36

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2009, 12:03:18 PM »
HERE ARE SOME RECOIL FACTS

3006  RECOIL ENERGY IN FT. LBS.     150 GR BULLET     17.6 FT LBS

444 MARLIN                                  240 GR BULLET      23.3 FT LBS

44 REM MAG                                 240 GR BULLET      11.2

  IT IS OBVIOUS THE LIGHT RECOIL OF THE 44 MAG.  I FEEL THAT IF HE SHOT THE 3006 , HE PROBABLY COULD HANDLE THE 444. IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH HID SIZE ALSO. HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE. KEEP HIM SHOOTING REGARDLESS, :) :)
                                   JIM

Offline jim36

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2009, 12:06:17 PM »
THE ANSWER TO THE BBL CHANGE, IS YOU WOULD NEED THE SB 2 FRAME FOR THE 444. CHECK OUT THE FAQ'S FOR A BETTY ANSWER THAN I GAVE YOU. GOOD SHOOTING
                                   JIM

Offline mitch132

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2009, 01:00:27 PM »
I read that a rifle barrel can't be put on a .44 mag but I'm unsure if it would work the other way.

This is since the new .44 Mag and .357 Mag handi's are being sold on the SB1 style shotgun frames, which cannot be fitted with any other cartridges than these two mentioned. A 44 Mag can be fitted to the .444's receiver (SB2) by following the barrel fitting procedure in the FAQ's, or by sending the receiver back for an accessory barrel.

The .444 is no pussycat, but if the stock fits him well he could probably manage it. You could always add some lead to the bolt hole in the stock and fit a recoil pad for further reduction. The .44 Mag would probably be a better choice since it wouldn't cause him to develop a flinch as bad.

Offline Grabwad

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2009, 01:29:51 PM »
I'm going to get the .444 and get a .44 mag barrel for him.  I already ordered him a youth stock so with just a few changes we have a gun we both can use. 

Thanks for all the help


I actually won a H&R "DU Geenwing Special" 3" 20 gauge crack barrel back in 1980.  I shot my first deer with it and Gabe killed hisfirst buck with it this past season.  I hope we have a few more good memories with our next H&R.


Offline jim36

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2009, 02:21:35 PM »
Absolutely PRICELESS. Wonderful moments to be shared. Congrats
                                       
                                               Jim

Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2009, 06:50:06 PM »
Now that's what it is all about.
Look at that smile.
Reminds me of my two boys first deer.

To share a moment in time such as this with your child is something that neither will ever forget.

WELL DONE GABE!!! :) ;) ;D


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Offline Default

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2009, 11:33:41 PM »
Grab ,

 I loaded up some of the .430 ( 44 caliber) 300 gr. Hornady XTP bullets in my 444 @ 1850 fps and 2280 ft.lbs. of energy at the muzzle , With recoil energy of 22 lbs from a 7 1/2 pound Marlin , the H&R is 7 lbs. which would make the recoil energy 23 lbs... I even got my recoil shy missus to shoot that load (with little complaint).. Point is the 444 can be loaded down .. Like with the 45/70 the 444 can be loaded from mild to wild .. You can load a 225 gr. Barnes X bullet @ 1891 fps with recoil at 16 lbs. from the handi with 1787 ft.lbs. of energy at the muzzle as an example of the lower recoiling 444 marlin loadings .. That was just from a quick search on the net using IMR/Win/Hodgon powders Data center and using that data with Bear Tooth Bullets calculaters ;)

 You might want to roll up some lower velocity loadings for the 444 when you get it and let the boy have at it , If he is shooting the 20ga and the 06 .. Then the 444 shouldnt be much of a leap if any depending on the load. I'm sure the recoil can be dropped even load with a little more research ..

  Hope this helps you out , And that Big Ol' smile is well earned , That is one dandy first buck .

    Default
 For giggles here is the wild load I'm going to work on next for my 444 / 330g LFNGCDCG H335 56.0  / 2244 FPS with 39 lbs. of recoil and 3691 ft.lbs. of energy at the muzzle, This one will leave a mark on both ends  ;D
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Offline petemi

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2009, 02:47:37 AM »
A kids first deer is a priceless moment......ya done good :D ;D :D

I think your choice of the .44 and .444 is excellent.  A kid can shoot the .44 all day without flinching, and that is very important, and it can't be said about the .444.  He can develop his skills with the .44 and hunt with the .444 as the need arises....again, ya done good.

Pete
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Offline Grabwad

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2009, 06:07:51 AM »
Its pretty cool to see him take the amount of game he has with that old 20 gauge!  He hit that deer with a slug at 30yds. That is the original barrel and its not a slug barrel.

I wish I could get a .44 mag barrel for that gun but a H&R rep told me they wouldn't put an new barrel on any gun made before 1987. :(


Another picture form that day

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Handi .444 recoil question
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2009, 04:32:09 PM »
The picture says it all.  I've got Handi's in both 44 mag and 444 Marlin.  Also have a pack of kids, go with the 44 mag first, they will like ya better.  My older boys will shoot the 44 and go thru a box of 50, one shot on the 444 and they put er down.  My 15 year old boy really likes my 35 Rem Marlins, sure wish they would get off their duff and do them on Handi's.  DP
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Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?