Author Topic: Baaad 44 mag (Read 1265 times)

bigvarmnt · « **on:** August 17, 2009, 11:30:17 AM »

Helped my buddy pick out a sb2 HX 44 mag with sights for his sons 16th birthday. Cleaned and polished the barrel for him. We tried to sight it in Sat. with Win 240 gr soft point white box. About 75 yards, bench with bags, one under frame against trigger guard. We both have failing eyesight, BUT. Odd to me all mine are the upper holes, his are the lower holes. What does this mean? The two closest to the black dot are at about 35 yds just to make us feel better before we quit. He's not all that impressed. I bought similar one 2 weeks earlier and another for my son for Christmas. I put a Leupold 2-7 on mine but haven't shot it much as have been loading 223s. Now I have 180, 200, 240 XTPs and 265 FP Interlock to load for mine. Also bought a box of American Eagle 240 gr Jacketed Hollow Point $40 bucks, boy times have changed. Obama Promised we'd get change. Hope we can get it to shoot better for his son. Hope mine shoots better too. If it shoots this bad next time I will try without forend. Trigger is pretty good. I told him the Win W. Box were sposed to shoot good. He bought 3 boxes @ $34. each. Doubt he'll want my help again.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:29:52 PM »

Old eyes and iron sights aren't a good combo for me, I can do good with a peep sight, but not open sights, I quit shooting them over 10yrs ago. $:-\$ Get a scope on it and shoot it again.

Tim

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:35:18 PM »

I'm in the same boat, need some kind a glass to hit stuff. I have an old Weaver 1.5 power that is 4 times better than iron sights. What year is the manufacture of that barrel, could have one with the oversized bore. DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:43:37 PM »

Should be a good bore.

Tim

Quote from: bigvarmnt on August 17, 2009, 11:30:17 AM

Helped my buddy pick out a sb2 HX 44 mag

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:10:38 AM »

I can't shoot with iron sights any more - Bi-focal glasses. I get the sights in focus and the target is fuzzy, if I get the target in focus the sights are fuzzy

Here is a picture of a 3 shot group with the Winchester white box 240 solid points at 50 yards. I think I could do better. I have a 2X7 Bushnell Banner mounted. It was a special at Gander Mountain with Butler Creek flip ups for $68. They still have them but the price is up to $90 now.

BTW they clocked right at 1800 fps @ 15 feet with my Beta Master Crony, they probably were more like 1400 fps since the Crony's are junk and you cannot get a good reading from them

Good Luck and Good Shooting

billy_56081 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2009, 01:32:16 AM »

I am curious about what you meant when you said you polised the barrel? Put a scope on it and find out if its your eyes or the barrel.

tykempster · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:22:57 AM »

People always blame their eyes for not being able to shoot irons anymore.

But I have better than 20/20 vision, and the target and sights are NEVER both in focus for me. I wouldn't say I'm good with iron sights, but I'm not awful. Did anyone ever used to be able to focus on the sight and target? I would be amazed.

pvtschultz · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:53:28 AM »

That is why you are supposed to focus on the front site and let the rest be a bit fuzzy.

I find that the 6 o'clock hold works very well for me with open sites, but I still much prefer glass or dots to open.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2009, 05:19:00 AM »

i always focus on the target
20 /20 in right eye shoot rifle and shot gun that way....OK/average
20/50 in left eye...shoot hand gun left handed and left eyed
have met VERY few to out shoot me with hang gun

some times use reading glasses......54yo

Oldshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2009, 05:31:36 AM »

When I was a kid my uncle would set up 22 brass out at 25 yards and we would shoot(with open sights) until we missed! after sitting out a bunch while he shot I got better at it and could at times sweep the board. now I can still do that but only with a peep! It is definitely my eyes that have changed!

You might try a tiny dot, you know aim small miss small.

LC '92 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2009, 05:50:33 AM »

For iron sight shooting, your focus should be on the front sight. The target will be a blur. This is accepted practice for those of us that shoot NRA High Power with irons sights out to 600 yards.

I'm 54 too and wear bifocals.

I hope this was helpful.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2009, 06:10:15 AM »

i do prefer optics
one focal plane
had optics on my air rifles as a boy

i tried that focusing on the front sight
won't work for me
just plase the blured sight over the target in focus

under stress evolution takes over and you focus on the threat
or the buck

my 44 rifles have optics red dot on one/2.5X10 on another/one open
44 hand guns all open

a 44 rifle is baaad no matter how you shoot it [unless you miss]

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2009, 10:52:32 AM »

Perhaps I should rephrase "I can't shoot with iron sights any more". I can shoot with iron sights, I just can shoot much better with a scope. When I say fuzzy I mean I can see the irons OK, the distant target hardly can be seen, it is not just fuzzy. I use 1" diamonds at 100 yards, I can't see it. I use the tricks like setting the target on top of the bead, but if you can't see the diamond then you can't hit it. That is just the way it is. If I focus on the target, the front sight (bead) almost disappears, you have to make sure the front sight is snugged in the bottom of the rear sight! I used to shoot with irons all the time and they still cannot be beat for a quick running shot, which I can do, it does not have to be that precise. But a ghost ring really works better for that. When I was younger and shot 22 rimfire all the time. I could not afford a scope so you do what you can, I used iron sights and I still can if I needed to, but I still will shoot better with optics because I can see the target better. Now that I have aged a little, I can't do as well as I used to. You can say it does not make any difference, but I know what I can and can't do and I know I shoot with more precision using a scope than with iron sights - period.

bigvarmnt - Try a scope on that 44 Mag and see if it makes a difference. It does not have to be a powerful one, even a 2.5X can make a difference. I will not make a shooter out of a non shooter, but it will let you know if it is the sights/eyes or the gun - no guess work.

Good Shooting and Good Luck

billy_56081 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2009, 01:36:32 PM »

I'm still wondering what you did when you polished the bore?

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2009, 02:43:07 PM »

Well Billy I'm getting ready to do it again to my 223. When they're new I clean them thoroughly, then run a few patches with USP Bore Paste several times. Then clean that out and run some patches with Flitz. Then clean that out. Been doing that for a few years. Don't know if it helps but figure it can't hurt. Most barrels, especially Handis seem to be filthy when new.
Everything ya'll said is right on. I shouldn't even have shot it with these eyes. Waste of bullets. Mine is scoped and think I will do better with it. I may put a red dot on it thats on a 10" 44 mag contender barrel if I'm not satisfied with the 2-7. Tim, I looked through a 32" 45-70 the other day and I think I would like the peeps. I told my buddy we should just see how his son does shooting it. 16 yr. old eyes are better than 55 ones. I used to shoot open sights pretty good. Won an expert marksman medal and certificate many years ago. They were target rifles. I can tell it's my eyes. Thanks for the replies.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2009, 03:44:43 PM »

Ok bigvarmint, was just wondering and hopin that was what you were doing and not something more aggressive in your polishing.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:07:38 PM »

I get such a laugh from the posts on "accuracy" , like it matters in the least if "Joe Blow" shot a group 1/16" tighter than yours!
Go buy a box of clay birds, have a friend walk through the woods and place them randomly(at typical game shot ranges), when you can spot and break them in under in under 5 seconds, you are good to go!
Your quarry will have NO idea whatsoever somebody else's gun "shoots 1/16 inch "better"
Good Lord, like it matters! you either hit it or you miss!

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2009, 12:23:28 AM »

maglvr44 - accuracy is a relative thing. What is good for you is not necessarily good for me. If you take 2-3 shots at game during the year at 50 yards, then it really is not a big deal if you shoot 8 MOA - it will get you in a 4" circle, small enough to poleaxe a deer. If you are shooting PD out to 500 yards or more, then shooting 8 MOA is a big deal. Even 1 MOA will be having you miss more than you hit. Part of the fun of shooting my rifles is to see how small I can shoot groups. I take extra care in handloading my cases. I prep cases, In some of my rifles, I turn necks. Part of the shooting fun for me is at the loading bench. Yes I try to get groups as small as I can, but that is me; my wants and my expectations. If that does not trip your trigger, then that is OK too. You just have different expectations than I do. I prefer single shot rifles and do not care for "black" rifles. But I understand that there are lots of people that get a kick out of their black rifles and I would not want to infringe on their right to do so. Their wants and expectations are just different than mine. Your suggestion of setting up targets at random places is a good idea and practical for hunting situations where ranges are not too far. If you are hitting them then you are good to go. You are right a 1/16" does not matter - heck 1/2" does not make any difference. But if you can not hit them; is it your aim, is it your ammo, is it your rifle? Better go to the bench and find out what your accuracy is. Good Luck to you and Good Shooting

Oldshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2009, 08:12:31 AM »

Quote from: LaOtto222 on August 19, 2009, 12:23:28 AM

maglvr44 - accuracy is a relative thing. What is good for you is not necessarily good for me. If you take 2-3 shots at game during the year at 50 yards, then it really is not a big deal if you shoot 8 MOA - it will get you in a 4" circle, small enough to poleaxe a deer. If you are shooting PD out to 500 yards or more, then shooting 8 MOA is a big deal. Even 1 MOA will be having you miss more than you hit. Part of the fun of shooting my rifles is to see how small I can shoot groups. I take extra care in handloading my cases. I prep cases, In some of my rifles, I turn necks. Part of the shooting fun for me is at the loading bench. Yes I try to get groups as small as I can, but that is me; my wants and my expectations. If that does not trip your trigger, then that is OK too. You just have different expectations than I do. I prefer single shot rifles and do not care for "black" rifles. But I understand that there are lots of people that get a kick out of their black rifles and I would not want to infringe on their right to do so. Their wants and expectations are just different than mine. Your suggestion of setting up targets at random places is a good idea and practical for hunting situations where ranges are not too far. If you are hitting them then you are good to go. You are right a 1/16" does not matter - heck 1/2" does not make any difference. But if you can not hit them; is it your aim, is it your ammo, is it your rifle? Better go to the bench and find out what your accuracy is. Good Luck to you and Good Shooting

I agree with this philosophy since if it dont shoot a tight group at the bench then forget hitting anything at great distances in the field. and like he said if 50 yards is your range then it dont matter

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2009, 12:03:20 PM »

I like the game of placing the claybirds throughout the woods. Hope to play sometime. We weren't trying to outshoot each other, we were just trying to get the sights close for his son when he gives it to him. We would rather not have him missing or wounding critters if WE can help it. I mostly shoot paper to get a scope sighted where I want it. Then it is only shot to hit what I want. I set up clay birds, cans of soda, 1/2 gallon & 1 gallon milk jugs full of water, 20oz water filled bottles at various ranges. In the snow I put a little food coloring in. I used to shoot skeet, trap, and sporting clays. I would let puller decide what house and when to pull and I would try to shoot it from gun down position. Have to figure it out QUICK DTOO. I set up a trap thrower and would start walking and have the puller send the bird where and when he decided. I'm not all that for or against target shooting. It has it's place for me. I need to have a gun sighted in pretty close or I don't see a reason to shoot it. What we were getting was pretty iffy for me at 75 yds and we didn't even try at 100. I also like small groups, ONE HOLE preferably. I pretty much live for "One Shot One Kill" My bolts have a single shot follower in them. Dinner time!

alien319 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:43:42 AM »

This was already said once or twice but all of my training in the Marine Corps has taught me to trust my training and trust that clear front sight and blurry target! It is even harder with regular open sight versus the nice target type peeps on the M16 especially at long range. Those targets at 500 yards are quite hard to see when the front sight is crystal clear. That's not that bad of shooting though! It should be able to put some deer in the freezer!