Need opinions on an Encore 44 mag

[handgunhuntr]

I currently own an Encore pistol in 30-06 and am looking at investing in a 44 mag barrel.  What are you feelings on this set-up?  Do you gain that much over a 7.5" revolver?  What kind of accuracy can be expected?  I am wanting a 10" barrel for handling but would a 12" be better?  What are your thoughts...

[Grumulkin]

You won't gain much velocity over a 7.5 inch revolver.

I would go with the 10 inch barrel.

After quite a bit of work, I got my SSK Industries 44 Mag. Contender barrel to do about 1.5 inch 3 shot 100 yard groups.  For ease of getting good accuracy, you'll be much less frustrated with a bottle necked cartridge.

[handgunhuntr]

As I said, I do have a 15" 30-06.  My basic want for the 44 mag is I'm hopful in the future of hunting a certain state that only allows straight wall pistol cartridges.  I have had a 454 and out of the short barrel was just down right nasty.  I figure this is my best option?

[EdK]

I would agree that a Encore barrel of 10-12" will not buy a lot over a revolver. At the same time how will you be hunting? If you will be sitting in a stand at the edge of a field why not get a barrel as long as your 30-06? Good velocity boost as well as more weight (maybe even combined with optics) to tame recoil. I wouldn't want that for stalking but it sounds as if you are looking to get a legal round more than a compact gun. Also consider 357maximum or 375 Winchester for straight walls that shoot a lighter bullet for flatter trajectory and less recoil. A Encore is a lot of beef for a 44mag.

[gunoil]

like my factory 12 inch... they say about 20 25 feet loss per inch of barrel?  thanks WORM  WORM

[Grumulkin]

As I said, I do have a 15" 30-06.  My basic want for the 44 mag is I'm hopful in the future of hunting a certain state that only allows straight wall pistol cartridges.  I have had a 454 and out of the short barrel was just down right nasty.  I figure this is my best option?

Different states have different handgun rules.  Some set a limit on case length.  Some, as dumb as it is, don't allow "straight tapered" cases.  In Ohio, any kind of straight walled case in a handgun is OK as long as the barrel is at least 5 inches long.  If you didn't like the 454 Casull, a 44, 41 or 357 Magnum would be your best bet and of those three, I'd probably pick the 44 Mag.

[Ranger413]

I'd disagree with the statements made on there not being a big difference between a Contender barrel and the 7.5" revolver.   Now, granted, the figures in my reloading book are for the 14" Contender you will surely see a big difference in velocity gain shooting the .44 out of a gun without the cylinder/barrel gap.  If I recall correctly, which I'll ammend my post if I'm way off, my Hornady book shows (on average) about 400 fps gain from the revolver loads to the 14" contender loads.  I have a 12" barreled Contender that I have yet to shoot.  I think it balances well and even with a 10" barrel I don't think your figures would be too much less than the 14" figures. 

[luckydawg13]

I'd disagree with the statements made on there not being a big difference between a Contender barrel and the 7.5" revolver.   Now, granted, the figures in my reloading book are for the 14" Contender you will surely see a big difference in velocity gain shooting the .44 out of a gun without the cylinder/barrel gap.  If I recall correctly, which I'll ammend my post if I'm way off, my Hornady book shows (on average) about 400 fps gain from the revolver loads to the 14" contender loads.  I have a 12" barreled Contender that I have yet to shoot.  I think it balances well and even with a 10" barrel I don't think your figures would be too much less than the 14" figures.

+ #1 you will pick up at lest 4oo fps more to me thats a lot or at lest a nice edge 
i would get the 15" barrel over the 12"  but thats just me but my barrels are scoped
and i use a rest

[irold]

I also agree  that you'll get an advantage with a closed breech vs a revolver.  My Encore with a 12" 44 mag barrel was throwing a 240XTP, loaded with 296 , out at an average of 1635 fps , where as my 7 1/2 Blackhawk Bisley using the same load chronied at an average of 1452.  My Blackhawk usually gets a little better than the manuals report.......still around 200 fps is a significant difference , at least in my opinion.

regards , irold

[Ranger413]

I had a chance to look over the reloading data in my Hornady manual.  All loads, pretty much regardless of bullet weight (and using H110 powder) show a difference of right at 400 fps between th 7.5" and 14" barrels.  For example: 

Using the most popular .44 bullet weight of 240 grains and a max load of H110 you'll get 1400 fps for the 7.5" barrel vs. 1800 fps for the 14".  You can also throw into the mix the Ruger .44 carbine with 18" barrel.  The Hornady manual shows that its also at 1800 fps.  I'd imagine that a 12" barrel would loose you only about 100fps max compared to the 14" tube.  10" may be at or slightly more than 100 fps less.

[bilmac]

Load the 454 down a little.

[Three44s]

Load the 454 down a little.

+10!!!

I am a confirmed .44 mag fellow but if I had a .454 anything ..... I'd load it down first and second look at anything else that could keep me in that grand cartridge.

Three 44s

[Keith1]

Handgunhunter,
      I have both a 10 inch Contender and a 7.5 Ruger. I shoot the 320 grain Cast Performance bullet out of the Contender. Out of the Ruger I shoot the 240 grain Hornady. Both pistols were loaded with 296 powder.

On March 10 of last year I checked  the speed of both pistols.

   Contender produced 1437 FPS.
   Ruger produced 1421 FPS.

From those results you can see that the Contender is quite a bit more powerful.

Regards, Keith