Author Topic: 44 caliber handi-rifle (Read 2302 times)

Forestclimber · « **on:** September 04, 2009, 03:42:49 PM »

What is the range for deer hunting with a scoped 44 mag handi-rifle? What is a good factory bullet? I've only hunted with shotguns and muzzleloaders for deer up to now. I saw a youth model handi-rifle in 44 mag and liked it a lot. I need another deer gun like a hole in he head!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:30:02 PM »

Personal limitations for me are about 100 yards, in a good shooting rifle with a gay who is very familiar with his gun could likely double that. But the general consensus is 100-125 yard caliber. Treat it like a good shooting shotgun.

CW

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:46:21 PM »

cw please spell check!

GLL · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2009, 04:53:04 PM »

bigvarmnt:

Spell check will not catch that one !

What are the heaviest cast bullets that are reasonable with the .44 twist rate ?

Jerry

jim36 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2009, 05:30:15 PM »

"A gay who is familiar with his gun". C W, Did I miss something here?

Jim

fredster22 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2009, 06:18:36 PM »

Jim, Maybe too much aluminum in blood stream or 44 fever?

GatCat · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2009, 08:50:26 PM »

Gives new meaning to "straight" shooter.
Mark

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2009, 01:22:15 AM »

Would that be an actor from Brokeback Mountain or a citizen of San Fransissyco?

Sorry CW the straights made me do it

Forestclimber · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:38:34 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I did a BIG double take on the first one. HAHA. I do stuff like that all the time.

zoner · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:48:54 AM »

if he's not gay he might be able to do even better...who knows?

jim36 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:43:27 AM »

GatCat new meaning to the term "straight shooter" THATS FUNNY

I' still giggling. Good post.
Jim

OBXPilgrim · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2009, 05:08:58 AM »

a & u are so close together on the keyboard too.

Good one.

BBF · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2009, 07:21:38 AM »

That used to be a 100 yard cartridge. With the Hdy pointy bullet you can probably add another50 yards to that.

Re : a&u close together. I haven't got the foggiest what sort of keyboard you have. On mine a and u are exactly
4 1/4" apart

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2009, 07:27:22 AM »

Quote from: GLL on September 04, 2009, 04:53:04 PM

What are the heaviest cast bullets that are reasonable with the .44 twist rate ?

Jerry

Welcome Jerry! See the Twist Rate thread down the page.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,181997.msg1098885512.html#msg1098885512

alien319 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:46:06 AM »

What scope power would you recommend for the .44 Mag given its closer range shots?

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2009, 11:58:59 AM »

1.75- 4 X

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 05, 2009, 12:51:05 PM »

A nice 2x or 2½x would work great, no need for a variable, makes life easier mounting it nice and low.

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2009, 01:27:00 PM »

LOL you guys are hilarious!!! Sorry for the "faux pas".

I do use spell check, but as pointed out, it wasn't miss spelled, just miss typed.

For a scope I recommend a M8, VXI, VXII or variX Leupold in fixed 4, 1x4 or 2x7. The 2x7 is my hands down favorite for about everything that needs scoped. I have a couple 1x4's on my USH's and really like the 1x for the close fast shots!! Not to be a hypocrite, but my handi 44 currently wears a Pentax 4X as I don't use it much and haven't run across a used Leupold.

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #18 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:51:25 PM »

CW, I think I better let that faux pas type of saying alone. We know you are a straight shooter, I've seen the video.

Lefty Dude · « **Reply #19 on:** September 05, 2009, 06:46:26 PM »

The 44's are my favorite caliber, I have many including my Handi.

I just scored a nice Browning B-92/44. Will pick the piece up tomorrow.

Iron sights are the way to go, I shoot them all that way. And I have 71 year old eye's.

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:56:06 AM »

Lefty Dude, Please post a picture of the Browning if not against G.B.-Handi rules, I'd like to see it. You must eat A LOT of carrots if you can still use open sights. Lucky Man.

As far as range of the 44 goes, I'm not able to shoot mine well enough at 100 yds. YET! I would think 150 MAX if you are ALWAYS able to hit at that range. Have to look at speed, energy, and drop. Long ways for a hunting shot. Free Hand? Fast heartbeat? Lot of variables the farther you go. Not for me for deer yet but would lob one at a chuck in a heartbeat once I see where it hits. Shoot More, Shoot Better!

It's been said that the 240 Win White Box worked good for a lot of others. $34.00 at Wal-Mart. Anyone tried the Fed American Eagle 240 h.p. I bought a box at Dick's cause had a coupon about to expire and all they had I had a use for. Just shy of $40. Sure look good, almost hate to shoot them. I usually load my own.

myarmor · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2009, 12:17:25 PM »

All jokes aside, I agree with CW on the personal range of a 44mag of 100 yards, and maybe just a little over... Though as stated, I know it can fly longer, but to me I like it for what it does really great, short range hard hitter. That's it's application for me and the reason I own one.....other than the awesome fun factor

Have fun

-Aaron

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2009, 12:28:56 PM »

A good factory load is the Winchester White box 240 grain soft point. As has been pointed out, they are relatively inexpensive. Buy 1 box and try them out, you may find that they perform well in your rifle and if they do not, you are not out much. I have not shot a deer with them, but they should perform well, they are intended for Deer hunting. I normally load my own, but I bought 1 box just to try, and they out shot any thing I had loaded up to that point, so I bought a second box. I am going to have to decide to buy more or develop a good load myself. I just haven't got there yet. Been thinking of reaming mine to 445 Super Mag - just do not know yet.

I agree, the range is about 100 yards, maybe 125. Shoot your rifle enough to know it well. It has enough punch to kill deer beyond that, but those blunt bullets start dropping like a rock after 100 yards or so. Good Luck to you and Good Shooting

spikehorn · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2009, 02:00:12 PM »

I have a nikon prostaff 2X7X32 on mine and with the hornady LR ammo am shooting just under 2" at 100yds.

xhare · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:21:02 PM »

Forestclimber,

One of the things to remember about the 44 magnum out of a rifle is the velocity increase due to the lack of a cylinder gap and a longer barrel. In the past I have looked in ballistics charts (Hornady) to compare the ballistics of the 44 magnum from a revolver compared to the 44 mag from a rifle. With a max 240 grain load, the 44 magnum carbine will have about as much velocity at 125 yards (or so) as a 44 mag revolver does at the muzzle. So there is plenty of velocity to get the job done. The problem is that the trajectory starts to look like a rainbow past that distance despite the increased velocity.

Many people consider the 44 magnum revolver (scoped) to be an easy 100 yard deer firearm (with practice) and 75 yards for the less practiced. So the carbine does not give you that much of a range increase, but it will give you a considerably higher impact velocity at even 125 yards. Because of that, the 44 mag carbine has a stellar reputation as a deer cartridge. When you consider that the 240 grain load above burns about 24 grains of powder (H-110), the 44 magunm has to be considered one of the most efficient deer rounds available.

bigvarmnt · « **Reply #25 on:** September 07, 2009, 08:38:04 AM »

I looked at some brands on an internet optics sight last night and didn't find much in the low fixed power scopes. Computer was acting up a bit.

By the way I've been able to shoot my 44 so far, I'd have to change my suggested max range to 100 yds. I think 150 would be pushing it for all but a few shooters with exceptional equipment and ability. Hopefully that will change for me someday with practice and tweaking. I've not shot it over 100 yet.
I killed a couple of deer yrs. ago with a 45 round ball. Bet it drops at extended ranges. Both were shot at about 50 yds. Only 110 or 120 grs. I believe. Might have to dust off that old T.C. Seneca and see how she shoots now.
I shot a doe a couple yrs ago at 100 yds with Rem 700 M.L. with 240 xtp sabot. Don't know what the velocity was. She went about 30yds. I had to finish her off. Didn't hit her perfectly. So that's a possible problem with any gun/load/shooter. If she was at 150yds I may have missed her completly or worse.

spikehorn · « **Reply #26 on:** September 07, 2009, 11:38:33 AM »

the more you learn your gun and its pet load the more you will be able to expand its range. In my neck of the woods unless its an open field shots are less than 100 yds anyway. my longest shot to date was 134 paces with a 357mag riffle i had a good limb to rest on and shoot this gun alot. I guess the point i'm trying to make is the more you know your gun the confidence you will have

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #27 on:** September 08, 2009, 05:08:18 PM »

I have a bunch of 2.5 power scopes on several different types of guns. They work very well, low enough power to get on target fast and enough power to hit something at 200 plus yards. DP

petemi · « **Reply #28 on:** September 09, 2009, 05:18:36 AM »

My .44 is out just now being reamed to .445 Super Mag. and converted to extractor. I've only had it a short time and put a TruGlo 5 MOA red dot on it which is MOA deer at 50 yards, and that's what I want it for...... in the woods, close, early morning or evening low light. Before I sent it off to be worked on, I shot it from dust till outright dark and loved it. Both eyes open, if you could see the target you hit it. I don't know, at this point, if I will have .445s ready to go before deer season. If not, I'll shoot .44 225 gr. Hornady LE FTXs. I'm not trying to say the .44 is only a 50 yard rifle. That simply is what I want to use it for. It rings the 300 yard gong aiming high, but I wouldn't try to take a deer over 100 yards. I have more respect for the deer and my old a$$. My chasing deer around the woods with a flashlight days are long over.

Pete

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 09, 2009, 01:18:34 PM »

Old age is another reason to shoot deer closer !Of course out here in the Wild West of Texas us old folks shoot them close or far and either get in the jeep and go get them or let the young-uns clean and drag them back. (my personal favorite)