44 Magnum Accuracy?

[dannyfro]

Hey all I was wondering about the Accuracy of the 44 Magnum Handi Rifle? I have been picking at the idea of getting one as it would seem a fun rifle to shoot and toy with while seeming relatively affordable. What are your experiences? What loads worked well? Performance on game? Thanks again for your input.

Dan

[quickdtoo]

I have two, they both shoot great, lots of posts on them, get a late model SB1 and you'll do well, older SB2 models made prior to 2007 not so great.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,230616.msg1099285308.html#msg1099285308

[dannyfro]

Thanks for the info Tim. If I was to get one i would buy new as I haven't seen a single used one around ever. Thanks again.

Dan

[keith44]

The accuracy potential is there, if you do your part

I know, I know, I'm wearin' this pic out, but it is appropriate to this thread as well.

Below is an example of 40 yard group with open sights

[quickdtoo]

100yd group with my other 44mag Handi, Hornady 225gr FTX factory ammo, WGRS peep, Firesight front, my old eye. 

Tim

[petemi]

50 yard scoped shot with 240 gr. XTP out of an older overbored barrel.

Pete

[Ranger J]

I have one of the 'new" barrels on my Handi and it shoots excellently well.  Mine prefers XTPs with heavy loads but will also shoot 180 gr OT cast over Trail Boss really well.  On the other hand  the 'old' 44 barrel I once had would have made a good tomato stake, maybe.

RJ

[gcrank1]

Buying one new doesnt mean it is new production; it could be new 'old' stock. You need to make a copy of the Alpha Code (in the FAQs) to carry in your wallet so you can check the year of production.
BTW, the 444 can be loaded down to 44 Mag, or even 44 Special, etc.
Dont disregard the 45Colt either, it is in the same class of arm for your interest, especially if handloaded.
But then there is the 45-70 that can be loaded up or down............and seems really hard not to easily find successful loads for.
Point is, Big Bores, Big Bullets = Big Fun 

[LAB55]

Shot mine Sunday at 65 yds. Didn't shoot quite as well as Petemi's, but close. Lot's of fun to shoot!

[dannyfro]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. My main interest in the 44 Mag is the fact that it is relatively affordable to shoot if reloaded and with everything on the rise I am still beating my head against the wall for a reasonable plinker cost wise. I thought on the 357 Magnum as well but i like the upgrade in frontal mass and power of the 44 Mag. I'm still on the fence.

Dan

[keith44]

since you're looking to reload anyway, is the .500 S&W mag still in the line up??  Talk about frontal area, and power upgrades.

Sorry, guess that makes the fence wider .  Part of the fun of this addiction is picking out the next one.

[mbyoung72]

Hey I just saw your post and thought I would tell you a little about what I have found with the 44 magnum handi. I am kind of a accuracy nut and for some reason wanted to get the best out of my 44 mag like it would make a huge difference on a 100 yard deer rifle. Out of the box it shot about a 8" 100 yard group using 225 grain hornady ftx ammo. After prying off the forend literally and fixing clearance issues it shot a 4" 100 yard group with the same ammo. I started handloading 265 grain hornady ftx with H110 and I got the groups down to 2.5" @ 100 yards. Then said the heck with hornady and handloaded a 240 speer gold dot with a H110 and got it where it will consistantly shoot between 1.25" and 1.75" inch groups @ 100 yards. This is after over 100 rounds fired and load development for max accuracy with both the 265 grain hornady and 240 grain gold dot. This is as good as this rifle can get in my opinion. I have multiple targets to show "consistant groups" listed above. All groups where 3 shot groups.

[300winman]

Hey I just saw your post and thought I would tell you a little about what I have found with the 44 magnum handi. I am kind of a accuracy nut and for some reason wanted to get the best out of my 44 mag like it would make a huge difference on a 100 yard deer rifle. Out of the box it shot about a 8" 100 yard group using 225 grain hornady ftx ammo. After prying off the forend literally and fixing clearance issues it shot a 4" 100 yard group with the same ammo. I started handloading 265 grain hornady ftx with H110 and I got the groups down to 2.5" @ 100 yards. Then said the heck with hornady and handloaded a 240 speer gold dot with a H110 and got it where it will consistantly shoot between 1.25" and 1.75" inch groups @ 100 yards. This is after over 100 rounds fired and load development for max accuracy with both the 265 grain hornady and 240 grain gold dot. This is as good as this rifle can get in my opinion. I have multiple targets to show "consistant groups" listed above. All groups where 3 shot groups.

Have you tried H4227 or IMR-4227, I have had good luck with them in my 44mag and 445SM Contender, they are a bit tamer.......I also use H-110 and AA-1680, but found the recoil a little excessive and the powders to be a bit dirty, but there is power in those loads!!!  I like both the 265FN and 300xtp from hornady, but the Sierra 240JHC has become my favorite. 

I think a 44mag handi would be good 100yd deer gun......Someday I would like to buy a barrel for my Handi and bore it to a 445SM..

[dpe.ahoy]

I got one of the newer ones 2 years ago, was busting Clays at the 100 yd berm with iron sights.   I don't shoot that good with irons, but it does.  DP

[mbyoung72]

I haven't tried those powders yet. I went with the H-110 first cause it seems to give the best velocities when used in the 44 mag. It seems like handi .44's shoot most accurately with 240 grain due to the slow rate of twist. It is a great 100 yard deer rifle, there have been 5 whitetail taken with mine at ranges from 30 to 75 yards and all were one shot kills with complete pass throughs. That is pretty good busting clays at that distance with iron sights. When I zero'd mine I centered the 3 shot group around the bullseye so I would be no further than one inch away from point of aim. I can shoot the bottom of coke cans all day @ 100 yards, however, mine is scoped.