anyone have a handi in 44 mag.

[gould]

How do they shoot and what ammo are you shooting? And did you scope it or go with the open sights? I am going to get one if they shoot good and can't deside to go with open sights or a 4x scope. I have about 800 rounds of brass from my marlin lever action that I sold and now wish I did'nt but I really like 44 mag rifles and the handis.
Thanks Jason

[Wolfgang]

Gould,

I have a .44 Handi and I've tried just about everything that I know as well as a few things that I didn't know to get it to shoot.  All the guys here have tried to help me with it and as of yet I have not found a way to make it shoot.  I have tried the tricks to the forarm, I have tried many, many, handloads as well as factory loads.  All loads included jacketed bullets from very light to very heavy and of differing manufacturers.  I have tried cast bullets that I cast both sized and unsized and just when I thought I had a load that shoots well I would get slapped again as when I went out to the range with the same load on a different day and shoot it would be all over the place.   There have been others here that have gotten acceptable accuracy out of their .44's but sadly I am not one of them.  I have heard that some of the newer barrels have a tighter bore but that's a crap shoot.  Mine slugged out to .432 which is well over the accepted bore size of .429.  With all of that said, I have not given up completely on the .44 barrel yet but I am getting close.  I too like the .44 in a rifle and hope to find something that shoots consistently in it.  By the way I am shooting mine with a scope.

Best of Luck,

Wolfgang

[Don_K]

Wolfgang's (and others) previous 44 mag posts say it all! Do a search, very informative. ( I admire his resolve in trying to get this barrel to work)
 
I often hunt with a Super Blackhawk (44mag) and thought it would be a good idea to get a 44 barrel for my . 243 superlite frame. You know, same load for handgun and rifle. It seemed like a good idea until I started reading all the negative posts concerning the 44 barrels.
The oversize bore combined with the very slow rifling twist seems to be the problem. (The shooters with any luck at all were using .432 and larger sized bullets.) There is a big difference for us, at the end user level, between sorting a set up problem ( bullets, powders, primers, bedding, floating, correct combination of components, etc) and attempting to fix a design problem. We can't fix the bore diameter and twist.  You can do a search for 44 mag posts and they might help you with your decision.  I never tell anyone what to buy and I'm not saying don't buy one, just know in advance it might be a challenge to make it work.
 
I was sending my frame in for a standard contour .243 barrel and decided to get the .357 barrel instead of the 44. (I have a 357 handgun so I just switched gears a little.)
I really wanted the 44 barrel and it was difficult to turn down, but I didn't want to go on the "timeless voyage" trying to make it work.
Been there done that with other guns.(.243 superlite)   - Don

[Ranger J]

What Wolfgang said!
RJ

[MSP Ret]

I agree, I do not have one but most likely would if the bore diameter problem was corrected. All I have ever read of was the overlay large bore in te .44's and the loust accuracy they deliver. It is unbelievable that H&R/NEF knowingly continues to make these this way and continues to sell them to consumers with this glaring problem when the solution is just a phone call away. Simply call the barrel manufacturer and tell them to make the barrels at .429".
The sales would increase dramatically, as for now I think it is even difficult to sell a used .44 Mag barrel to anyone that knows the story of thier oversize bores. I have not heard of one single person that has been able to achieve great accuracy with these .44 caliber guns, especially those that are limited to factory ammo, which is what H&R/NEF reccomends for thier guns in the first place.
The solution is just a phone call away and they do not correct the problem!!! Someone in management should make the call. I cannot fathom how such a grievoius error is allowed to continue, are they purposely trying to slow sales or sink the company?  It's as if no one in the company cares at all. A simple fix to an obvious problem and it is not done, worse, they continue to manufacture guns and barrels with the same error. They lessen thier reputation with each and every one they sell. It seems to me there are other problems with incorrect bore diameters in other calibers also, .308/.311 in some caliber if I remember correctly, could the same uninformed person be making the same bad decisions within the company?....<><....

Is there any way we as a group or even an individual here reach out to the company with this obvious information or does the company truley not care about thier product?

[mt3030]

...didn't want to go on the "timeless voyage" trying to make it work....
...Been there done that with other guns.(.243 superlite)...

"Timeless Voyage". I like that description. I had the same trip with the 44 Mag and two 243s, a superlite and regular contoured barrel. Sold all three and moved on.

[gould]

Well now it looks like you guys saved me a lot of trouble with that 5 out of 5 not so good reveiwes. I think I will buy another Marlin for the 44 mag. That is just ashame I really wanted one in a 44 but it needs to shoot and them Marlins are great shooters.
Thank you all very much
Jason

[myarmor]

Lets just pray the New 444 barrels have the right twist rate and diameter 



-Aaron

[Don_K]

Gould,
I know what you mean. It is a drag the problem isn't being addressed.  I also really wanted a 44 barrel. But like you, I need it to shoot! Why else would anyone buy a gun? A friend has a Marlin 44 mag and it shoots very well. I thought about going that route myself, but I have other projects going right now.

The strange thing about this situation is NEF has chosen the barrel diameter and twist on the 44 for a reason. They could make it 1 in 18 or 20 and more importantly .429 bore diameter. Their lab testing has somehow shown some reason for the odd dimensions or they wouldn't make it to those specs. The cost is the same either way so I just don't get it.  Based on field data from 44 owners concerning accuracy (or lack of it) the .432 spec is not working. If they get it right, I'll definitely get one for my frame and so would a few others.  Enjoy the Marlin.  - Don

[mt3030]

For those considering the Marlin lever 44 Mag, I can also highly recommend it. Mine has seen a lot of service, especially when the kids were growning up. They went from the Marlin 357 to the 44 Mag. Easy to scope and fun to shoot!