44mag.range

[highwayman]

bought a 44mag 14" barrel. what kind of range will i get using factor 240gr ammo. i hate to reload

[Lone Star]

There is excellent factory 240-grain ammo for both hunting and target shooting.  When you say "range" what do you mean?  A hunting maximum range will depend on your ability to hit an animal with a fatal shot.  I've fired .44 Magnum T/Cs very accurately out to 220 yards on the silhouette range, with groups small enough to give killing hits 100% of the time.  But that is at a known range firing prone in creedmore - I'd not try it in the field.  100-125 yards is probably a better maximum, again if you can place your shots in a vital zone.  If not, then 50 yards.  Or 25 yards.  It is entirely up to you, there is plenty of power out to 200 yards.

If you mean maximum safe range, then it could be up to a mile depending on the launch angle.


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[highwayman]

sorry i was not to clear. i meant a good hunting distant the round will kill a deer.if i cannot hit the vitals, i donnot shoot

[Zen900]

I have the Redhawk 44mag 5.5" barrel. The 240gr round has so much recoil I quit using the gun. Too hard to find 200gr and 180gr for sale. I wish I had not bought it. I gotta feeling Dirty Harry didn't use 240gr loads either.

[Lawful Larry]

sorry i was not to clear. i meant a good hunting distant the round will kill a deer.if i cannot hit the vitals, i donnot shoot

No problem out to 100 yds.  It can go out to 150 yds with no problem.  It will just depend on the optics you use. 

I would not try to go beyond 200 yds. which is not unusual for the Contender in .44 Mag. 

Here in Virginia I don't have to worry about going much further then 75 yds.  You should look to getting into reloading and make your shooting pleasures more fun.   

[Lone Star]

...I gotta feeling Dirty Harry didn't use 240gr loads either.

Actually, DH used .44 Special ammo in his M29 with 246-grain bullets; you might want to try that load.  While many on this board seem to think that it is effeminate to complain about recoil, the reality is that a great many shooters do not enjoy shooting the .44 Mag due to its recoil level.  That is one reason so many .44 Mags are seem for sale with less than a box of ammo shot through them.  There is nothing wrong with not enjoying heavy recoil.  I shot high-recoil handguns in IHMSA silhouette for years and did very well, but for general recreational shooting I either load down or use lighter cartridges.

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[Zen900]

Lone Star I like the 44 spcl loads in the 44mag but even with what little I know now I would feel confident telling anyone that doesn't  make their own handloads that the 44mag will be a headache to find ammo for unless you are a millionaire. 44spcl ammo is always sold out in the size I like. I've surfed 5 web catalogs and not a single one had any 44spcl I could afford. All I see is SOLD OUT even when I do find ammo at a decent price. The gun is a safe queen now because of that. The 44mag is a pain to shoot in more ways than just heavy recoil.

[Sharps-Nut]

     Hey read your post with interest.  I shot a 44 mag in a 7 1/2 redhawk for years and found the recoil very acceptable even loaded up.  I pleasure shot with 8 grains unique and 240 cast lead.  Very mild, I even had a 180 grain lead flat point load for my wife that was like 38 spl recoil level.  You really need to buy a press and reload for your old 44 you would find it to be your new best friend.  I can load mild target ammo for mine for around 5.50 per box of 5o, that takes the pain out doesn't it?   At 6'2" and a 180 I am no heavy weight but loaded right the gun will make you look  very talented.  Use the mag brass for the loads and I would recommend a lyman manual for data since they specialize in the lead bullet game.  Maybe find a friend that would load you up some.  Just hate to hear of the misfortune of a ruger as a safe queen.  Good luck hope it helps.

[handirifle]

The factory (Win) 240gr loads pack a good whallop even in my Win '94 Trapper, if you don't have it shoulderd correctly.  Many time the type of grip you have makes a BIG difference in how it feels.  I like Pachmayer grips on my 357 for that reason too.

[Arbyrod]

I shoot a lot of 44mag in competition.  A good target load is the Lyman 429421 240 bullet with 5 grains of Reddot. Very accurate and low recoil. Works good in my Redhawk and 10" Contender.

[highwayman]

I already owned a 30-30 barrel and i might be imaging things but the 44mag feels like it kicks less

[vonfatman]

I know when I shoot the warmer loads from my Ruger Super Blackhawk w/7.5" barrel
with Hogue grips, it is a LOT easier to handle than my 10" Bull Barrel on my Contender.
To me, it's much nicer to shoot the Ruger with the exact same loads.
Bob

[python357]

Hello, what can you tell about 44mag with a 14" barrel. Is 14" more accurate like 10" ?
Has someone tested this?
IŽll use a riflescope in order to shoot up to 100 meter, is there a recommended glass available?
Many thanks for your friendly help !

Python

[klong]

A 14" barrel is not more accurate than a 10" barrel. With each barrel accuracy can vary. I have had several barrels in both lengths and have been able to find equally accurate loads for each. I will say that the 14" is easier for me to shoot because it has less recoil, but it it easier to carry the 10". While the 14" is not overly cumbersome the 10"  is just easier. You can get a little more velocity out of the 14", so if you are trying to shoot 150 yards or so it will shoot flatter. Good, luck.

[Keith L]

Hello, what can you tell about 44mag with a 14" barrel. Is 14" more accurate like 10" ?
Has someone tested this?
IŽll use a riflescope in order to shoot up to 100 meter, is there a recommended glass available?
Many thanks for your friendly help !

Python

If using iron sights a 14 inch barrel will have a longer sight radius, and therefore seem more accurate.  But you plan on using a riflescope, which brings up a couple of points:
1.  I don't think the short eye relief in a riflescope will be pleasant in a 44 mag pistol unless you use the most mild of reloads.  You will want a pistol scope with long eye relief or you will be hitting your head with the scope each time you shoot. 
2.  If you are in the USA and put a rifle stock on a 14 inch barrel (or even worse a 10 inch barrel) you have created an illegal short barrel rifle (barrel shorter than 16 inches) and are putting yourself in legal danger.  If you are out of the USA then check and conform to local laws.

[Lawful Larry]

Didn't know they made a 14" barrel.  When I was in the process of getting a .44 mag barrel, all they had at the time were 12" barrels.  I personally like the 12" barrel.  Most of my barrels are 14" supers.  The 12" barrel seems to be easier to carry in the field.  I guess you could still get a 10" barrel from one of the custom houses. 

As far as getting a rifle scope for a hand gun, I have to agree with KeithL.  A handgun with that much recoil would play hell with your forhead.   

[python357]

Oh, thank you: I will use to mount a pistol scope with long eye relief !!! Sorry, but I didnŽt take care to my written words 

Tomorrow IŽl ask my gunexpert in order to buy one with 12"

Thanks,

Python