44 mag Handi

[rickt300]

Well I have been thinking about getting a Handi Rifle of some description for a while. I had one in 30-30 years ago (actually a Topper 158) that I shot a great deal.  I won a 44 mag on Gunbroker a week or so ago and it shipped to me yesterday from Louisiana.  In between I have been searching for posts on this caliber here and find some of these have accuracy issues. In it's pictures this particular rifle looks pretty new, it has the Williams style irons sights on it anyway. I picked 44 magnum as I have many rifles and this would be different enough yet still fill the role as a backup or loaner rifle for my night time hog hunting. I have several bullet molds, one in particular that throws an as cast diameter of .433 and 2 boxes of 240 grain XTP bullets.  My plan really is to use the 250 gr. keith design cast bullet at 1300-1400 fps, figuring recoil won't be bad and it will still kill hogs at less than 100 yards.  My next scheme will be to get a 1 in 9 inch twisted 223 as I have a bunch of 60 grain Hornady HP's to shoot up.  Just how much trouble is it to send your reciever into the factory to get a barrel fitted?

[brennemanj83]

With right bullet load combination you will find that the 44mag can be quite accurate.Mine will shoot 1 1/4'' groups at 100yds with a 310 gr Cast Lee bullet and 21.5grs of W296.The bullet drops from the mould at .431''.

[GeorgiaDave]

Greetings from Georgia !

   I just traded a .44 mag Handi that was very accurate with some hot loaded 180 gr jacketed bullets. I have shot this rifle, which has a 3X9X40 scope, at 300 yards and once I figured out the trajectory, could hit the gong all day long. I would not reccomend that distance for hunting, but it goes to prove that a .44 mag will certainly travel 900 feet and be able to hit the target. I had tried some 240 gr as well as some 300 gr jacketed bullets and the gun prefered the lighter 180 gr much better. At ranges under 100 yards this is a very effective load. as well as ANY .44 mag. Another cool thing about this gun is that it is an excellent choice in breaking in young shooters when using "pop gun" .44 special rounds. Little to no recoil and little muzzle blast while still being a big bore gun lends to an encouraging range session. I will soon have another, as well as a Buffalo Classic and a ?..........and a ?...........God Bless.
Dave

[petemi]

"and a, and a, and a, and a" etc. etc.  We're both sick.  But, we're among friends

Pete

[quickdtoo]

I picked 44 magnum as I have many rifles and this would be different enough yet still fill the role as a backup or loaner rifle for my night time hog hunting. I have several bullet molds, one in particular that throws an as cast diameter of .433 and 2 boxes of 240 grain XTP bullets.  My plan really is to use the 250 gr. keith design cast bullet at 1300-1400 fps, figuring recoil won't be bad and it will still kill hogs at less than 100 yards.  My next scheme will be to get a 1 in 9 inch twisted 223 as I have a bunch of 60 grain Hornady HP's to shoot up.  Just how much trouble is it to send your reciever into the factory to get a barrel fitted?

They've been putting the Williams WGOS sight on them for several years, before Marlin started making the barrels with tight bores, if yours was made before 2007, it will likely be overbore and won't shoot the jacketed bullets well, particularly lighter loads, the 1:38" twist just isn't friendly in combination with the loose bore. Those that were able to get reasonable accuracy went with .432" or bigger cast bullets, or pushed the 300gr XTP real hard with 110 or 296. You can find the build year info in the FAQs and Help sticky, although it could still have a late model accessory barrel on it which would be a good thing, slug the bore and go from there.

As far as getting a barrel fitted, read the Ilion Satisfaction Poll sticky, those that have had barrels fitted recently have been happy. Instructions for getting one fitted are on the Accessory Barrel page at H&R's website, you can save the order form that's in the FAQs and Help sticky here lots faster than trying to download the form from H&R, then print it. My preference for getting an accessory barrel is send the frame only and order a stock set at the same time, the frame can be shipped to them in a USPS Priority video box for about $10, insured with deliver confirmation. You may want a monte carlo stock for the 223 barrel if you're gonna scope it, depending on which barrel you order.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp