.445 Handi

[schoolmaster]

Pros and cons for reaming a new 44 mag to .445 supermag for more long range punch? This one has the SB-1 frame.

[myarmor]

There has been a lot  discussed and debated about the 445 SM. Run the Search and you will find several threads..
Not sure if an SB-1 would be the best option for the 445, but I don't have one so I can't say.




-Aaron

[maglvr44]

Pros and cons for reaming a new 44 mag to .445 supermag for more long range punch? This one has the SB-1 frame.

PROS...  .445 Super Mag sounds cool!!!
CONS...  Brass is harder to find, costs way more, uses more powder, will not kill anything any more dead than the 44mag will, rebored barrels kill resale value, many dealers won't even look at them. Other than that a great "investment"!

[Ditchdigger]

I got 1650 fps. with a 300 gr.xtp in the 44 mag.,then I rechambered to 445 and the same bullet went 1977 fps. The 265 gr. Hornady went 2166 fps. and the 240 went 2250 fps. The 445 is about 125 to 200 fps behind the 444 Marlin.It use's about 4 or 5 gr's more of 296 than the 44 mag,and Midway has all the brass that you will ever need. It will still shoot the 44 mag and special just as good as it did before the rechamber.It take's about 5 to 10 minutes to do,and your 44 mag dies will work on the 445 brass.It's a very deadly caliber on deer and hogs.   Digger

[bigvarmnt]

Digger, Great info there. Did you rechamber a Handi barrel yourself and was it one of the older, bigger bores or a newer barrel? Sounds like an interesting project. Thanks BV

[Ditchdigger]

Digger, Great info there. Did you rechamber a Handi barrel yourself and was it one of the older, bigger bores or a newer barrel? Sounds like an interesting project. Thanks BV

Yes,I was one of the first one's to do it. Alot of the guy's here thought it was'nt possible to get these velocity's with the 445,but after 10 more guy's done there's and reported the same thing,they coceded it was a good caliber to use.Mine was one of the older barrels that miked out at .432 and the chamber was .006 " over also. The 357 max and the 445 supermag was developed by the same guy,to knock down the steel rams at 200 and 300 yds. in handgun competition,but the recoil in the 445 was a little to much for some.The recoil in the Handi is alot less than the 45 70 with the 300 gr. bullet at the same velocity,because of a lot less powder. Digger

[schoolmaster]

Thanks for all the info, I believe that the .445 rechambering will make my Handi even more versitile. I have a Handi rechambered for the .357 maximum and it is more useful in this configuration.

[bigvarmnt]

I'd think you'd get good results with the new barrels also?? Anyone done a tighter barrel? I like using the same dies.