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Author Topic: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?  (Read 1275 times)

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Offline Jon in TN

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Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« on: December 22, 2009, 02:33:22 AM »
Well I've decided to do 44 mag project for my son to deer/hog hunt with next year in the woods. Yesterday I ran across a deal on a 1x4x20 leupold, so there's no lookin back! All I need now is the barrell and some ammo, but back to my question. Have any of you shortened your barrells? Reducing it's length to 18" would make the gun much easier for him to handle, but what would I be giving up? Or should I forget about this and when I find one just leave it 22"?

Thanks in advance,

Jon
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Offline knight0334

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 02:46:36 AM »
You wouldn't give up much if anything..   http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/44mag.html

18" barrel velocities are about the same as 20" barrel velocities in the Henry.   22" velocities wouldn't be much different seeing how there was virtually no increase from 18" to 20".  ...pressures had to be tapering off from the fast burn rate pistol powders.

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Offline petemi

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 02:50:16 AM »
I just got a .45LC BC carbine.  With its short stock and 20 inch barrel along with its light weight, I think it'd make a great rifle for a kid.

From what I've read, you'll not loose much shortening the .44 barrel.  I may cut my .357 to 16.5 when I ream it to max.

Pete
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Offline dwalk

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 05:22:01 AM »
more report to the shooter and possibly more recoil...you might want to consider a muzzle brake, too...
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Offline Jon in TN

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 05:29:58 AM »
Quote from: dwalk on December 22, 2009, 05:22:01 AM
more report to the shooter and possibly more recoil...you might want to consider a muzzle brake, too...

But how much more is the question? If I can get some of that front end weight off of him and make the gun more comfortable to handle, I would think it would be worth the trade off if it's not allot. That's why I'd like to hear from someone that actually did one of these or has at least been around or shot both before the cutting begins... I also don't want to screw up the accuracy...
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Offline burntmuch

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2009, 06:12:05 AM »
I cut my 357 max down to 17 inches. Love it. I have no info on the 44,
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Offline dwalk

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2009, 07:16:00 AM »
i suggest the muzzle brake, or perhaps a magna-port, as i have the standard factory 22" barrel in .44 mag and it "kicks like a mule"... :o

i also have a .357 magnum carbine (lever action) that has almost NO recoil in standard factory configuration, in contrast.

you should have no issues with accuracy as long as the muzzle crown is done correctly.
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Offline Lon371

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2009, 08:05:35 AM »
Quote from: dwalk on December 22, 2009, 07:16:00 AM
i suggest the muzzle brake, or perhaps a magna-port, as i have the standard factory 22" barrel in .44 mag and it "kicks like a mule"... :o

i also have a .357 magnum carbine (lever action) that has almost NO recoil in standard factory configuration, in contrast.

you should have no issues with accuracy as long as the muzzle crown is done correct



 What ammo are you shooting in the .44? I have shot several factory and a few reloads. None have kicked, at least what I call kick. I am recoil sensative and would be the first to say if it had.

Lonny
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Offline petemi

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2009, 08:09:01 AM »
I don't notice any significant recoil with my Handi .44, even with the .445 supers.  I must be getting numb in my old age ??? ???

Pete
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2009, 08:50:56 AM »
You may want to cut it down to 20" first and see how it balances. The .45 Colt barrel is 20" and it balances perfectly.
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Offline Datil

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2009, 11:49:13 AM »

 Pete You are still a young kid !!!!! ;D ;D     Datil
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Offline Thebear_78

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2009, 11:56:27 AM »
Go down to 16".  Long enough to be legal and plenty of barrel length for a 44 mag.   THe reduction in barrel weight will make it much easier for a kid to shoot.  I would avoid a muzzle break,  it will just ad more noise adn blast with little recoil reduction.  If you are afraid of reciol just make sure the stock fits him well and put a good pad on it, limbsaver or deseleratior.  A mercury plug in the stock wouldn't be a bad idea either it would help to balance the rifle a little and make it easier to hold up.
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Offline jedman

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2009, 11:58:17 AM »
  I have 2 of them with 18" bbl's and like them ALOT.  You give up nothing in my opinion.     Jed
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Offline dwalk

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2009, 12:03:38 PM »
Quote from: Lon371 on December 22, 2009, 08:05:35 AM
Quote from: dwalk on December 22, 2009, 07:16:00 AM
i suggest the muzzle brake, or perhaps a magna-port, as i have the standard factory 22" barrel in .44 mag and it "kicks like a mule"... :o

i also have a .357 magnum carbine (lever action) that has almost NO recoil in standard factory configuration, in contrast.

you should have no issues with accuracy as long as the muzzle crown is done correct



 What ammo are you shooting in the .44? I have shot several factory and a few reloads. None have kicked, at least what I call kick. I am recoil sensative and would be the first to say if it had.

Lonny
i've shot nothing but factory Magna-tech , Hornaday and PMC 240 SP ammo...
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Offline Jon in TN

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2009, 01:24:20 PM »
Quote from: dwalk on December 22, 2009, 07:16:00 AM
i suggest the muzzle brake, or perhaps a magna-port, as i have the standard factory 22" barrel in .44 mag and it "kicks like a mule"... :o


The recoil guide and everyone else I've spoke to says the recoil very light compared to other deer rounds... ???

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,120792.msg1098406584.html#msg1098406584
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Offline Lazermule

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2009, 03:48:44 PM »
Quote from: burntmuch on December 22, 2009, 06:12:05 AM
I cut my 357 max down to 17 inches. Love it. I have no info on the 44,

What type of ammo are you using?  How well will it group now?  Been thinking about shortening it for the boy.

LM
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Offline burntmuch

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2009, 03:57:40 PM »
Lazermule. To be honest Ive never shot it for groups. Its got a williams peep on it. I was shooting 180 XTPs out of it over some RE7 cant remember dose,  I could hit a softball sized pumpkin every time at 80 yards freehand. That was good enough for me. Ran out of the XTPs. Ive got some 170 grain speer flat points loaded up with Lil Gun. Need to shoot them. See if I need to order some more XTPs. If Michigan allows us to use pistal caliber in shotgun zones next year Im gonna get serious about it. I love the gun, never hunted with it though. If Im in rifle zone my 7mm-08 goes with me. Oh Yeah very very little recoil Or muzzle blast.
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Offline dieselten

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #17 on: December 22, 2009, 04:11:14 PM »
here is a pic of my 44 mag cut down to 16.5"

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Offline achildofthesky

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #18 on: December 22, 2009, 04:12:25 PM »
Now that looks like a HANDI rifle. Very cool!
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Offline Plainsman

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Dieselten???
« Reply #19 on: December 22, 2009, 04:19:31 PM »
Dieselten,

That's an awesome looking setup!  What do you have for sights on that?  I'd love to do something similar now! :)

Thanks for sharing the pic! :)
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Offline oldguytex

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #20 on: December 22, 2009, 06:30:13 PM »
I have a 44 mag Handi with a 22" barrel and I find its recoil very manageable even with 240 gr - maximaum loads.  I am fairly impervious to recoil at levels under 12 ga 3" slugs EQUIVALENT so I find it acceptable from the bench or off of sticks.

On the other hand I had a Winchester "Ranger or Trapper"  ( was about 5 years ago) with a 16" barrel and it was obnoxious with full bore loads.  It looked cool but you had to really "nestle the buttstock into your sholder with a  very firm hand hold from off hand  or you would get smacked in the cheek.  In other words the shorter barrel had muzzle rise which was a factor.  Noise from muzzle blast was noticeable. 

If you will only shoot a few rounds a year at the range and a few in the field - probably makes no difference.  However, if you go to the range more than a little bit I would not shorten it.

BTW the loads from the 16" barrel chrony'd fine as do the loads from the 22" Handi - not as much differnece as with some guns (H 110 is pretty well burned at 16" I noticed)

Regards,

 :) :) :)
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Offline dieselten

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Re: Dieselten???
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2009, 03:27:08 AM »
Quote from: Plainsman on December 22, 2009, 04:19:31 PM
Dieselten,

That's an awesome looking setup!  What do you have for sights on that?  I'd love to do something similar now! :)

Thanks for sharing the pic! :)


the front is a williams ramp and the rear is a backup sight from brownells.  I think it is called NECG or NCGS or something like that.
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Offline pondenck

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #22 on: December 23, 2009, 03:34:09 AM »
 I have a 44 mag cut to 18 . and cut barrel down to 780 for my stub gun.real light havent shot yet but soon.
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Offline rickt300

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Re: Cutting down a 44 mag barrel?
« Reply #23 on: December 23, 2009, 04:43:57 AM »
I shortened min 44 mag Handi to 17.5 inches. Recoil to me is very mild and my full power reloads using IMR 4227 are not that loud either. My rifle has a monte carlo wood stock and a 3x9 Bushnell Banner scope on it. I don't know what stock you have but with my heavy monte carlo stock my rifle is pretty muzzle light. I shoot it very well and it is quick into action out the truck window or carrying it around. If I were to do it again I would cut it at 18.5 inches for better balance. If you have a lighter buttstock a 17.5 inch barrel might be perfect.
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