Handi Large & Medium Bore Cartridge Comparisons (more added)

[jeepmann1948]

Between the semi gale force winds and my friend Mr Gout visiting I worked up a list of some of the conversion cartridges available for Handis. I used the 30-06 for a factory available example.Please note the 30-06 data is an average of 580 loads.
Thanks to Ammo Guide for the data

 

Name	Muzzle  Velocity  (Avg. f.p.s.)	Muzzle  Energy  (Avg. ft-lbs.)	Bullet  Weight  (Avg. gr.)	Data  Points	Case  Capacity  (Avg. grs. H2O)
.357 Remington Maximum	1873	1418	186	98	32.7
.445 Super Mag	1717	1516	233	61	47.6
.30-06 Springfield	2755	2490	155	580	67.1
.444 Marlin	2180	2579	245	96	67.2
.358 Winchester	2406	2655	210	155	57.3
.405 Winchester	1936	2657	312	43	73.8
.45-70 Government	1773	2673	382	130	72.5
.45-120/125 Sharps (Straight)	1736	2921	438	17	114.4
.338 Federal	2645	2996	194	102	56.5
9.3x74R	2345	3115	252	19	76.7
.35 Whelen	2522	3132	224	226	69.3
9.3x62mm Mauser	2380	3479	279	79	71.2
.338-06 Ackley Improved	2823	3599	205	27	70.3
.400 Whelen	2232	3983	362	16	74.3
.50-140 Sharps	1972	4127	471	8	134.2
.376 Steyr Improved	2700	4858	300	1	79

Enjoy
George

[tacklebury]

Cool data!  I still think a 9.3x74r is in my distant future build. 

[Shu]

I am a huge fan of the 35 calibers. 357 mag, 35 remmington, 358 win and 35 whelen. I have a 35 remmington in the works from a handi 357 mag. I'm going to cut chamber to take a rimmed case though. I'll run 30-40 krag brass throught my 35 rem die and trim to length.
 
I like the calibers the OP brought up but those 35s are pretty sweet.

[quickdtoo]

That's kool, thanks George! 

Tim

[bikerbeans]

george,
 
I feel for you on the gout, I've been having attacks on and off for over 20 years!
 
Hopefully your offending joint and the winds will abate and you can get back to shooting instead of number crunching.
 
BB

[jpshaw]

Neat data.  Liking my .444 more all the time with the new twist rate.  BTW never had the gout but my late father had it all the time.  Kept shoes that he had cut up just for the occasional flair up.  It's called the Kings desease you know since it's caused by rich foods or something.

[jeepmann1948]

This was the first time I ever had it in my Hands and I hope it is the last! Went to the doctor yesterday, got a $279.00 shot of steriods it is much better today.Waiting for the swelling to go down so I can use it. This one finger typing sure is slower .
 All of the data came from AmmoGuide.com. It is the best reloading site I have found on the web. Well worth the anual fee
Thanks for the concerns
George

[bikerbeans]

The average velocity for the 50-140 looks a bit low.  I think some of you 50-140 owners need to dump a bit more powder into those big cases and try and nudge that number up to the 2,200 FPS range.
 
BB

[jeepmann1948]

BB by "nudging " the velocity on the front end it will "nudge" the velocity on the back end as well
That would be a brother in law test load in my opinion
George

[quickdtoo]

That's a lot of nudging!! 

Glad the gout is better today George, I've not had my turn in that barrel and hope I never do, a friend at work had it in his feet for a couple decades, still had it when he retired, not a pain I'd wish on anyone from the pain I know he endured.    I've been taking allopurinol for kidney stones since 1984, my eurologist says I'll not likely ever have gout because it's a med for it at well.

Tim

[Shu]

Gout is no fun, I get flare ups every now and then and am taking Alpurinol daily. It does help prevent it though. I can't walk when it flares up. Get it in both feet. Stay away from stuff with high fructose corn syrup if possible. I hope you never get another flare up.

Thanks for the data, still love those 35s and think they are the best for stuff I hunt.

[wganz]

Cool data!  I still think a 9.3x74r is in my distant future build. 

That would be perfect for those big boars on the family farm.
Still debating a 9.3x74R vs. a .45-70 for that job with the current ammo craziness still going.
As someone with a 9.3x62mm previously said, "It knocks the squeal smooth out of them."

[Dinny]

The numbers for the 400 Whelen are impressive. Low velocity with high bullet weights probably means it has a rainbow trajectory though. That just means I would have to wait for the rhinos to get within 100yds. 

George, I'm glad you're feeling better now. You must have a pretty good doctor. I still feel like poo, I'm about to fire my medic...er doctor.

Thanks, Dinny

[petemi]

Dinny, you're too young for all these old folks diseases.  Mr. Arthur was strutting yesterday and last night.   I repaired about a mile of fences and at the last managed to bury the Silverado in mud and snow.  My neighbor backbladed snow with a big Kabota and pulled her out.  My whole body is still aching.  The horses were happy though, they got their pasture back.

George, I've only been reloading for three years, and I've always used smokeless powder.  Please PM me the info for using water.  It's a lot cheaper and easier to come by
 
Seriously, very informative.  Thanks for putting it together.

Pete

[Dinny]

Pete,
  I'm good, just a case of the flu bug going around my house. I notice the .358 doesn't lack much in the power range.

Thanks,  Dinny

[petemi]

Dinny, if we ever can get this Texas/NM hog hunt put together. the .356/.358, .38-55, Marlin .30.30 and Blackhawk .357 are the ones making the trip.  I'm really eager to use the first two.  I'm sure they're both more than capable.

[Ol BW]

  Well if you can't kill it with any of the cartridges on this list you need to leave it alone!!
 
BW

[bikerbeans]

George, I've only been reloading for three years, and I've always used smokeless powder.  Please PM me the info for using water.  It's a lot cheaper and easier to come by  
 

Pete,
 
 
You have to use magnum primers for consistent ignition of the H20.
 
 
BB