Accuracy, or lack of, in 44 Mag

[tonygrz]

I was looking at a new Handi-rilfe in 44 mag.  It was posted here earlier that there was a problem with accuracy in 44 mag.  When it's said that they are not very accurate, what size groups are we talking about?  At 50 yards, can I expect 2 or 3 inch groups or bigger 5 or 6 inch groups?  Since most my shooting will be under 75 yards I'm not looking for MOA accuracy.

Thanks for all your advice and info.

Tony

[quickdtoo]

2007 Marlin made 44mag barrels are accurate, older models were the ones that had problems.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,124928.msg1098439809.html#msg1098439809

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,133534.msg1098505164.html#msg1098505164

[quickdtoo]

Be aware that the new 2008 SB1 44mag in synthetic stock can't be fitted with any barrels other than shotgun/Huntsman barrels, I'd either get an SB2 frame fitted or find an NX serial numbered wood stocked rifle.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Gander Mountain (Duck Hill) had a special run of synthetic stocked 44 mags that were on the SB2 frames. I bought mine last fall and after all of the hub bub about SB1 frames I got a little worried and checked. It is a NX serial number and the barrel says SB2. I was worried because I have sent it in (Nov 5) to get two more barrels put on and have not got it back yet.

[quickdtoo]

I seriously doubt H&R  produced any of the SB1 rifles is 2007, probably not even yet, you wouldn't be able to tell by what the barrel is stamped anyway, frames aren't marked SB1 or SB2,  lots of barrels aren't marked SB anything, just the chambering, my 308 BB, .444 and 45 Colt don't have SB2 on them to name a few.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

Tim...I only have 4 barrels "in hand"; 30-30, 223 ultra, 44 mag and 357 mag. They all say SB2 on them. I do not think H&R would put a barrel marked SB2 on a SB1 frame; would they? Do you know if the "new" 44 and 357 barrels will be marked SB1 or will they have no markings as to frame? I know this is a stretch, but how is a fellow to keep all of the frames straight if they are not marked and have to rely on serial numbers.

[quickdtoo]

I just got new 357 and 44 accessory barrels, they're both marked SB2. You can see the diferences in the SB1 and SB2 frames in the FAQs, one addtiional difference that's not shown there is the SB2 is skeletonized around the stock bolt hole, an SB1 is solid. I keep forgetting to post a pic of the two when I have a stock off of one of em.

H&R knows which are which, they're the last word on what's what, by serial number......except for 1:9/1:12" .223 barrels.

Tim

[tonygrz]

Thanks for all the great info.  I'm really learning a lot from you all.  Gave up on the 45/70 because of recoil sensativity (shoulder bursitis) so was thinking a 44 mag would be less stressful on my poor old shoulder.  If I get this 44 mag, I'll send in the receiver and get a 357 mag barrel and maybe one day they'll make a 327 mag barrel.

Thanks again,

Tony

[Vic49]

I have 3 .44's two are 2007 and the third is older that I fit to another frame. All three shoot less than an inch @ 80 yds. with either green box Remingtons or Federal Fusion ammo. None of them would shoot the Buffalo Bore stuff as well but they seemed to pack more punch. My two Grandsons, wife and myself love shooting them. Very little recoil.

[MSP Ret]

Tim, just as some barrels are marked SB2 and some are not I believe I have some SB2 receivers that are skeletonized and some that are not. I will try to get some time to remove some stocks and check today but I do not think that may a good way check if a receiver is a SB1 or an SB2, to many variations in what they have done in the past. I do believe the pictures and explanation posted in the FAQ's are a good way to check....<><....