Author Topic: More transfer bar problems and 44 mag loads question: UPDATE!!!UPDATE! (Read 1626 times)

jloehm · « **on:** July 29, 2011, 10:02:50 AM »

Out shooting this morning (still trying to find a load for my .44) and squeeeeze, click. Pull hammer back and squeeeeze, click. Upon investigation, the top of the tansfer bar was nowhere to be seen. I shake the gun and sure enough a little rattle inside. So, the outing was cut short. Between the frustation of trying to getting this rifle to shoot something decently and now this! Well, back at home I strip the frame and the pin holding the transfer bar together is gone! I call H&R and they want me to send it to the factory. Now, I was without this rifle for about 2 months getting the barrel fitted, have it back for about 200 rounds worth of endlessly frustrating load workup, and now they want me to send it back! Well, that dog won't hunt! I drag out one of my older frames and swap out transfer bars (Thanks FAQS) and I think I'm back up and running. I'm starting to believe this rifle isn't worth the headaches.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:10:36 AM »

Transfer bars breaking are a known issue and it's one of the recommended spare parts to have on hand as recommended in the FAQs. The newer t-bars are built a little better, that's what H&R will install for you, ask for a return shipping tag and send a Handi back with the bad part in it and get a new one on their dime.

Numrich had them in stock last week when I checked, Brownells was backordered, dunno if they have them yet or not, when they do, it will be the new one.

Tim

BBF · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2011, 11:35:21 AM »

Unless you hunt near home, I would never go with just a Handi with me. I have one modified without the transfer bar however that opens up another can of worms.

jloehm · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2011, 05:02:27 PM »

Well, luckily I carry my .44 bisley blackhawk to all shoots and to the deer woods with me, but after the malfunction I was too disgusted to enjoy shooting it. Just interested what groups others are getting out of their .44 handi's. Best I have managed to muster out of mine is 1.5" at fifty. To my mind a good hunting rifle should be clover leafing at fifty.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2011, 06:58:17 PM »

I'm still having eye to sight issues with what's on my .44 Handi. I put one of the 1 piece DMZ mounts on it but I still haven't gotten a scope for it yet. As far as I can tell, when I do my part it's wickedly accurate at 50 yards but I'm not 100% sure of the group size yet...

Tony

jloehm · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2011, 04:11:26 AM »

What load happens to be working for you? Still experimenting with loads. 240 xtp on top of max H110 is getting me 1.5" doing my part. I need to experiment with this load and find the "sweet spot". Most loads seem to be more like 3-4" at fifty. I do have a load worked up for my son that is shooting 1.5" at 100! 9 gr. Unique under a 200 gr. nosler JHP.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2011, 08:17:03 AM »

My newest 44 Mag shot the 240gr XTP over H110 pretty good at 50yds, never shot it at 100yds, it's now a 444 Marlin. My 2007 44mag shot decent at 100yds using a peep sight with the 225gr FTX factory ammo, it's now a 445 Supermag.

Tim

BBF · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2011, 08:33:23 AM »

You may have posted before if you tried other bullets besides the Hdy 240.
Did you consider Cast.
For a 50 yard plus minus a few, you should find something that works. BTW to how much distance do you figure on using the 44?

keith44 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2011, 08:49:18 AM »

My .44 Handi prefers cast over jacketed bullets. 1 1/2 inch group at 50 yrds is good enough for Deer, but I would expect something more like 3/4 to 1 inch at 50 yards, scoped and with a good rest, and a great load mine will do 1" at 75 yards (give or take a couple feet). That's with oregon trail 240 gr RNFP over 2400.

BBF · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2011, 09:04:40 AM »

The great thing with cast is that you can size them the way the rifle prefers if you bother to go through the steps to find the right diameter.

keith44 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2011, 09:49:26 AM »

I shoot unsized or .432 diameter

seems to work best with both the Handi and my Ruger Super Redhawk.

Singlebarrel · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2011, 01:14:13 PM »

I am waiting on my 44 Mag Handi from H&R. I sent it back for the third time. 6 inch groups at 50 yards with scopes after literally hundreds of rounds, free floating, shiming, etc. trying to find something that would work. This time they are supposed to be sending me a replacement rifle.
I am getting punchy about this. Can I dare hope the replacement will be any better?

jloehm · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2011, 04:36:14 PM »

I haven't tried cast yet. I have a micro groove barrel, and was trying to get a jacketed bullet to work. I have used Nosler 200 JHP's, xtp 200's, xtp 240's, and Rem. 300 JHP's. I've used unique, 2400 and H110 in all different configurations with cci 300 primers and 350's for the 110. I'm going to experiment a little more with the 240 xtp and H110 to see if I can find a sweet spot. I'm also going to get ahold of some 225 FTX's and play around with those. A .44 Rifle should be a 100-150 yard rifle to my mind.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:02:32 PM »

$:-\$ I sure wish I wouldnt read anymore about making loads over max book data...........
Dont we have enough trouble with the antigun crowd without giving them more reasons to call us idiots?

Buster95 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:34:05 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on July 29, 2011, 10:10:36 AM

The newer t-bars are built a little better

When they have begun to install these new T-bar (serial numbers) ?

Buster95 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:38:06 PM »

Quote from: scatterbrain on July 29, 2011, 11:35:21 AM

I have one modified without the transfer bar...

How did you do that???

jloehm · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:58:41 PM »

I typed a long reply about going above max, pressures, and safe load workups and such, but realized my original statement of bumping above max was probably one of those things that shouldn't be typed (at least not here.) Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor, so out of respect for GB and other members I decided just to edit my post. I'm not overly concerned with anti's calling me much of anything (most of them couldn't help much in a load workup), but the opinions of my brethren in arms means something....sometimes.

Quick, I like the group of 240 xtp and 23 gr. H110, I hadn't gone that low with the powder. My books started at 23.5 gr., but I'm gonna have to give it a try. I hope nobody calls me an idiot for going below book starting loads.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2011, 07:54:07 PM »

The Hornady 8th 44mag rifle data lists H110 for the 240gr XTP as 19.4gr start to 24.8gr max at a COL of 1.6".

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2011, 04:07:51 AM »

Thanx for understanding what I was trying to say.

jloehm · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2011, 12:09:10 PM »

FINALLY!!!! I might have found something! 24.5 H110, 240 xtp, starline brass, cci 350 primer. I did a load workup from 23 gr. H110 on up in .5 gr. increments. As I went up the patterns tightened! The flyer is probably my fault.

keith44 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2011, 01:14:28 PM »

Now that's what a Handi should do!! Great job finding what your gun wanted, you will be well satisfied. The only problem is it can get really boring shooting such small groups all the time

dave29 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:05:39 PM »

Nice work!

I must have got lucky with my .44 mag. It shoots factory LeverEvolution ammo so well, that I may not even attempt to load for it.

av-doctor · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2011, 03:58:59 PM »

i'd like to see 100yd group , i loaded some 240 speer jhp with 19.5gr of 2400 shot groups just like that when i went to 100yds they opened up to about 6 inches. i like an ass loaded the whole box so i kept for plinkin,my best so far is 240xtp with 20.5gr of 2400 about 1 1/2 at 100

BBF · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:37:00 AM »

I've had good accuracy with the 240 Hdy myself from a Ruger levergun.

phatgemi · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:33:41 AM »

Quote from: jloehm on July 31, 2011, 12:09:10 PM

FINALLY!!!! I might have found something! 24.5 H110, 240 xtp, starline brass, cci 350 primer. I did a load workup from 23 gr. H110 on up in .5 gr. increments. As I went up the patterns tightened! The flyer is probably my fault.

Man I don't know if I would call that a "flyer". Looks pretty good!!!!

Spanky · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:56:35 AM »

The XTP's and H110 seem to be the hot setup for the 44's. That's what I shoot in mine too.

Spanky

BBF · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:02:33 PM »

Win ~~298~~ err 296 duplicates H-110

quickdtoo · « **Reply #27 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:05:35 PM »

Quote from: scatterbrain on August 02, 2011, 02:02:33 PM

Win 298 duplicates H-110

Make that Win 296.

BBF · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:17:24 PM »

Arrrrgh! Thanks Tim.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2011, 02:30:39 PM »

By the way, Win. 296 IS H-110 now days. DP