Possibly Wrong Barrel?

[parson48]

I posted last week re. a sb1 44 mag that gets terrible accuracy. I did contact Casey at custermer service and they're sending me a UPS label to send it in to the shop.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how it can shoot so poorly. Today I measured from the breech end of the barrel to where the rifling begins and it measures over 2.26". If I understand correctly, I should deduct the case length to arrive at the throat length. This leaves a lot of space before the bullet engages the rifling.

Also, as I stated in a precious post, this barrel has a twist of 1 in 19-20 inches, or roughly twice the 1 in 38 mentioned in the stickies.

Is it possible that they might have used a 444 blank for this particular gun? And, would that excessive throat length result in my accuracy problems?

Thanks
parson 48

[Lon371]

 Wow that is wierd. .444 overall length is 2.55, .44 mag is 1.61. That would be a long jump. Heck trim you some 444's back and try again? I have no idea.  Hmmm

 Please Hold the next avalable expert will be with you shortly 

Lonny

[quickdtoo]

I just checked my 2007 barrel, it's 1:38", COL for the 240gr XTP is 1.749" to the lands, COL will vary for different bullets due to different ogive shape and bullet length. Can't answer the question on them using a .444 Marlin blank, it's always possible and makes sense if you ask me, for the same reason they used 1:9" .224" barrels for both the .223 and 22 Hornet, one less barrel blank to stock.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Even if the chamber is long enough, a 444 Marlin will not fit in a 44 Mag chamber. The diameter of the 444 is bigger in the base than a 44 Mag. It tapers down to a 44 Mag diameter at the mouth.

[trotterlg]

Measure the chamber diameter at the breach, if it is larger than .471 it is a .444.  The rim diameters are the same.  I would guess the 44 mag would fire in a .444 chamber.  Larry

[parson48]

I just measured the chamber. It is right at .471.Not certain what a .44 mag ought to be.

parson48

[quickdtoo]

Sounds like a .444 chamber as well as barrel, my .444 is .472", 44mag is .462", measured just inside the rim cut with a hole gauge.

Tim

[parson48]

DO you think that this might be the reason for the extremely poor accuracy? I placed a round in the chamber and was able to wobble it around.

Regardless, I'm sending it to the shop as soon as I receive the mailing label from them. It sure would be nice to have it back prior to deer season here in Indiana.
parson48

[trotterlg]

Sounds like a .444 mismarked, you may want to keep it and buy a new .44 mag barrel.  Larry

[quickdtoo]

The throat length doesn't help, but 357mag barrels have just as long a jump when shooting 38s and still shoot good, but the oversize chamber certainly will hurt accuracy. If you had a 444 round you could find out real quick! It is marked 44Mag, isn't it?

Tim

[quickdtoo]

Sounds like a .444 mismarked, you may want to keep it and buy a new .44 mag barrel.  Larry

That wouldn't be a good idea unless you have an SB2 frame to use it on.    H&R should compensate him for his trouble tho too.

Tim

[parson48]

Yes, it is marked as .44 Rem. mag. Like you said Tim, I wouldn't want to shoot a 444 round in the sb1 frame. I do wish that they'd put the tighter twist in the 44 mag.

Hopefully, they'll be able to get this back to me fairly quickly. I was told that warranty work was given priority, whatever that means.
parson48

[chipmunk]

Wow if they managed to mix a 444 in with the 44s then I have serious issues with their quality control!  Was this gun made in Ilion?  Maybe it was made by the same person that screwed up my tamer 20.  When they figure out the problem, please try your best to get them to tell you what they found wrong.  If they really did that then...just wow. 

I was told a similar remark when I spoke with them about my repair.  She said "They've been doing a great job on the repairs."  When I asked "what about the barrel program?" she kinda laughed and said no comment.

Good luck getting your gun back.  We are both in the same boat now.

[PHATINJUN]

All I can say is I am sure glad everything that I have is good and have no problems with any of the 27 or so guns that they previously made. Hopefully these will keep me happy til they get this whole mess they got going now straightened out or they blow up the ship it just seems like they keep stuffin powder in the hold and it will probly blow before it gets better. Kurt

[quickdtoo]

Hopefully, they'll be able to get this back to me fairly quickly. I was told that warranty work was given priority, whatever that means.
parson48

Repairs can be made in as little as a week or two including shipping, it happens regularly, but the 44mag barrel is out of stock right now, that will be the hold up. 

Tim