« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!  (Read 775 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline jpshaw

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1063
  • Gender: Male
Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« on: February 16, 2012, 04:50:01 AM »
I have an older .44 barrel with the oversize (.432 not .429) bore.  I really like the barrel since it has the older screw adjustment sights not the Loosen the screw, slide "and hope you stopped at the right place" of the newer iron sighted barrels.  Have been using the Remington 240 gr soft point bullets but accuracy even with the 4x scope is only about 6" at 100.  However, it's killed several deer during Louisiana's two week Primitive hunts.
 
My question is would oversize (I've found .432) cast bullets increase accuracy enough to warrent buying them and would the non-expanding slugs kill as well as the factory 240 grain soft points?  I really don't want to spend the bucks for another one or a .444 barrel.  I do like the 20 inch twist of the newer .444 barrels though.
Logged

Offline LedLobber

  • Maker of Smokeless Smoke.
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 86
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2012, 08:11:36 AM »
If the bore itself is measuring .432, I would say YES, you WOULD benefit from using Hardcast, Gas Checked bullets. There are a couple Cast Bullet makers that will Custom Size to whatt you want. I think it is pretty typical to get a cast bullet that measures at least .001 Over your bore diameter to get a proper gas seal, to make sure the bullet enters the rifling true and not off center, and to make sure you don't get leading probelms. So, I would say find a cast bullet that is gas checked and sized to at least .433. You will be AMAZED how much better your accuracy will be!


They are making some Wonderful cast bullets for hunting now. A lot of them are a WFN (Wide Flat Nose) and LFN (Long Flat Nose) with a Huge Meplat (frontal section, or nose, of the bullet) for tremendous knock down/shock power. The WFN is better for shorter ranges and the LFN is usually a bit better for reaching out because of the slightly higher ballistic coefficient.


Here are a couple TERRIFIC Cast Bullet Manufacturers that will custom size :
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html


Montana bullet works does .433 bullets as Normal Stock, I do believe.  :D
Logged
I like BIG Boolits.

Offline Fred McIntire

  • Trade Count: (31)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 582
  • Gender: Male
    • http://www.FredMcIntire.Com
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2012, 08:22:57 AM »
I vote for Beartooth Bullets !  Excellent performance with their gas checked bullets. Very

knowledgeable too about the different Handi rifle barrels. 
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43302
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2012, 11:39:12 AM »
A better choice in determining cast bullet diameter is to use the biggest diameter that will chamber, that would be one that will just fit in an unsized fired case, cast bullets can't be too big as long as it can be chambered, they'll size down to the groove diameter when they're fired.  ;)

I'd go with Montana before Beartooth if you want to get the bullets timely, I've ordered lots of bullet from BT, excellent bullets, about half the time they have taken a month or two to arrive. I've not ordered from Montana myself, but I've only seen glowing reports for their service and products. Mt Baldy is another good one I've dealt with as is Western which is fast most of the time, but not always. There are prolly 40 or 50 cast bullet sources listed in a sticky in the Cast Bullet forum here on GBO.

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline petemi

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (73)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7386
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2012, 01:37:38 PM »
At Tim's suggestion, a year or two ago, I got 260 gr. .433 Hard Cast, gas checked, Wide Flat nose heat treated bullets from Montana for my .44.  They're 24.90 per hundred. It's an older barrel like yours.  They shoot well in the rifle as either .44 mag or .445 SM. 

http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html

Good luck,

Pete
Logged
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
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline jpshaw

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1063
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2012, 01:34:23 AM »
Thanks for the replys guys.  I really didn't want to buy a new barrel.  I use the .44 during the Primitive season in Louisiana, which is the week before the regular gun season and the week following.  The rest of the time I use my .30-30 Handi or my 7-08 since my stand is fairly open.  When I hunt the thicker stuff I will use the .44 during normal season.  It does seem to put them down.
Logged

Offline LedLobber

  • Maker of Smokeless Smoke.
  • Trade Count: (9)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 86
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2012, 05:54:59 PM »
Hope you find a cast bullet you like. You will love the benefits. :)
Logged
I like BIG Boolits.

Offline goofyoldfart

  • grumpy old fart as well as goofy old fart.
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 333
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2012, 08:12:30 PM »
you might also try LBT moulds. Veral is a sponser on GBO and can make you a mould any way you want it. God Bless to All.

                                             Goofy
Logged

Offline Vic49

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 483
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2012, 01:09:01 AM »
Is there any factory loaded ammo that will help with the accuracy problem of the overbored .44mag?
I don't shoot it much and would like to forego the cost of dies-bullets-powder etc.
Logged
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Thomas Jefferson
Handi rifles
Knight, T/C and CVA Muzzleloaders
Bowtech and Diamond bows

Offline jpshaw

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1063
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2012, 01:58:46 AM »
Quote from: Vic49 on February 18, 2012, 01:09:01 AM
Is there any factory loaded ammo that will help with the accuracy problem of the overbored .44mag?

I haven't found one Vick.  I would be all over it too.  I've reloaded for .44 and have the dies so I might try it.  I'm not going to be casting anything though.  I will just find me some .432 or .433 cast and try them.  I just hope they won't lead the barrel too much since I will need to get them up to about 1700 or 1800.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43302
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2012, 04:57:22 AM »
Quote from: Vic49 on February 18, 2012, 01:09:01 AM
Is there any factory loaded ammo that will help with the accuracy problem of the overbored .44mag?
I don't shoot it much and would like to forego the cost of dies-bullets-powder etc.

Have you checked with Buffalo Bore? 44 Mag rifles have a different bore spec than revolvers, it's bigger because that's the SAAMI specification for rifles.

Tim

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=54
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Vic49

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (30)
  • Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 483
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2012, 05:05:47 AM »
Thanx Tim, after you mentioned it I got to diggin in the cabinet and lo and behold there is a partial box of Buffalo Bore. I had forgotten I even had them. Pricy to say the least.
Logged
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Thomas Jefferson
Handi rifles
Knight, T/C and CVA Muzzleloaders
Bowtech and Diamond bows

Offline jpshaw

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1063
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2012, 10:06:54 AM »
I'm going to keep them below 300 since the twist of these older barrels is the 1 in 38 too.  I'm actually probably going to go with 240 to 265 to go with that twist.  If I could get that group down a bit I would be happy.  I don't plan on making a tackdriver out of it, just a decent 100 yd rifle for the thick stuff.
Logged

Offline quickdtoo

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (149)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 43302
  • Gender: Male
Re: Older .44 Handi cast bullet question!
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2012, 10:18:28 AM »
All H&R 44mag barrels are 1:38", only late model 444 Marlins are 1:20".

Tim
Logged
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »