44 Magnum Range report

[LaOtto222]

Shot a few today out of my "new" 44 Mag

Here is the rifle



Here is the 265 Hornady load with 21.0 grains of 2400 IMR 4227. Bullet jammed in to the lands and no crimp COAL is 1.822". The bottom crimp groove is just inside the case mouth. 4 shots at 50 yards; just at 1 inch



Here is 245 Cast, 7.6 grains of Unique, crimped. Just under 1.5" at 50 yards.



This was with a 1.3X power scope. I am sure these loads would do a little better with a higher power scope. Any rate, it is in the kill zone at 100 yards.

BTW, I also tried a Beartooth Cast gas checked 265 with 21.0 grains of 2400 IMR 4227. It did not do well, some where around 4" at 50 yards

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[8uck5nort]

Nice shooting LaOtto. I feel sorry for whatever gets in your sights if you choose to squeeze the trigger.
 
Coincidently I had my 44 mag out yesterday after fixing a loose scope bridge and ran som 265 gr FTX using 21.5gr H110 and had very similar results. Just a tad over 1 inch at 50 yard. My COAL was about 1.950. I had a 2-7x33 redfield on mine so you make me feel like I should of done a whole lot better punching that paper. Practice, practice, practice.
 
I also shot some 225 FTX and 240 JHP as well, but did not get the grouping as small as I did with the 265 FTX.
 
I tried using some Herco powered 225 FTX's, but they did not do well at all, so I guess scratch that powder off the list

[cwlongshot]

with luck, ill go tomorrow  ill report back in myown thread but i have 4-5 calibers to shoot...
The first groups are good. Your right the scope is somewhat limiting.
But 4""@ 100 works just fine!
 
CW
 

[geezerbiker]

What's that scope on this rifle and who made the mount?

Tony

[wileynet]

what are some good powders for the handi in 44 mag, i have h110, titegroup, will be loading 220 grain cast kieth, and a 300 grain kieth type, also some 160 grain in 44 spl, but will buy other powders if more successful.

[quickdtoo]

What's that scope on this rifle and who made the mount?

Tony

See Another Scout Mount in the FAQs, the Weaver 92a TC base will bolt right on H&R barrels with 2-hole rear sights(WGOS), all that's needed are one or two additional mounting holes to be drilled. Mine worked fine with just 2 screws with a Weaver 2x28 scope on my 357Mag.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,131059.msg1098486243.html#msg1098486243

[twoshooter]

2400 is hard to beat, regardless of the initial results you had. I have difficulty getting pictures posted, I just worked up a load for my 444 and a 300 gr cast of 21gr of 2400, mine went under an inch @ 50 yards .

[wileynet]

thanks may get a pound

[LaOtto222]

The scope is a 1.3 X Bushnell Magnum Phantom. It is a rail mount, it takes no rings. Back in the day T/C had special mounts that matched up to a rail on the bottom of the scope. This scope was used when I bought it, back in about '78 or so. I had it mounted on a 10" T/C barrel. I did not like the eye relief. It was too short for me to extend my arms all the way out. I took it off years ago because of that and it was just setting on the shelf. I do not think they make them any more. I had to drill and counter sink another hole in the mount to match up with the rear sight holes. For now, I have just the two #6 screws on it. It seems to be holding well enough, but I will add a third one anyway. I have got 3 #8-32 bottom taps ordered and when I get them, I will make the third hole. I like to use Black Oxide #8-32 cap screws because they are easy to get and cheap. It is pretty easy to make precision holes and do counter sinking with a vertical mill. You just have to be careful of the depth.

The Hornady 265 is the FP Interlock. Not sure what they Chronograph at. I was just developing loads. Once I get it down, I will chronograph them to see what velocity I am getting. They shoot just about 5" lower at 50 yards than the 7.6 Grains of Unique load shown and about 1" to the left. The 245 cast shoot at 1082 fps average and to point of aim at 50 yards. I know the 265 Hornady's are not too hot, just guessing I think they would be around 1500 fps. I wrote the wrong powder on the target  . It is 21.0 grains of IMR 4227. 21.0 grains of 2400 in a 44 Magnum would be a bomb

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[twoshooter]

Actually , with a 250 gr cast, 22 gr of 2400 is the maximum load, I used to shoot 180 gr HP's out of a SBH Hunter with 23.5 gr of 2400. Elmer Keith pioneered  the 44 mag by putting ridiculous amounts of 2400 into 44 SP cases. My lyman manual rates the previous cast load @ 1635 fps from an 18 1/2 Ruger carbine barrel.

[AtlLaw]

And I use 20.5 gr. of 2400 with a 240 gr. jacketed bullet and am .5 below max. from my sources... 

[LaOtto222]

I am not sure where the sources are that list 21 grains of 2400 as being alright. Here is what I am going by....

Hornady 8th edition 2400 is not listed for the 265 FP.... IMR 4227 is listed and Max is 21.9 grains (my load is 21.0 grains) This is the data I was going by since I was using a Hornady bullet. I wanted to use 2400, but like I said it was not listed.
Lyman 49th edition 18.3 Max for 2400 with 265gr Jacked SP
Nosler 6th edition 17.5 Max for 2400 with a 250gr Partition HG HP
Speer 14th edition 17.5 Max for 2400 270 GDSP (Gold Dot)

There are a few sources that list 21.0 grains of 2400 as max for a 240 grain bullet. Please be careful when matching up powder weights with bullet weights. 21.0 grains is way over the load limit from what I consider reliable sources. 2400 is a very good powder, but it can be over loaded.

Good Shooting and be careful. I sure would feel very badly if someone misread my loading and blew up a gun or got any physical damage. I am not chastising anyone. Naturally, you can do what ever you like, but please do not take any data I put out by mistake and use it.

[YRUpunting?]

Here's the 21.0 gr max 2400 loading:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=33

[8uck5nort]

FWIW I was getting a respectable 3 shot average of 1650 fps on my chrony using 21.4 gr of H110, but with the Hornady 265 FTX.
 

[AtlLaw]

I'm sorry Otto. The misunderstanding about charge weights was my fault.  You have my utmost respect and when I saw this:
 

21.0 grains of 2400 in a 44 Magnum would be a bomb

I got real worried about my load.     After my post, which was more to invite your input then anything, I reread your post and realized you were referring to that charge with a 265 gr. Hornady.  Big difference from my 240 gr. load! 
 
For the 265 gr. Hornady and 21 gr. of 2400, seated way out to max OAL, QuickLoad estimates the pressure at 44K  +/- for 1500 FPS.  WAY over max!
 
The 240 gr. load I use produces about 35K psi.  Again, big difference!
 
Sorry... 

[cwlongshot]

Something to realize and NOT get caught up in is charge weights and bullet weights. 
What I mean is( THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ITS NOT CORRECT)
 
25g powder W 240g bullet
23g Powder W 270g bullet
?g Powder with a 300g Bullet
 
And you GUESS 21g or so as a max loading. The missing variable, ESP with say a XTP bullet, is seating depth!!  If you seat a bullet LESS it opens MORE powder cap and LOWERS pressures so you may actually find someloadings HIGHER with a heavier bullet.
 
Im not sure this is whats happening, I know we have a number of new loaders here and I just wanted to be sure all are aware.
 
CW

[twoshooter]

I also checked, my Lyman 49th Ed is as you said. My loads listed for jacketed were for much lighter bullets, and my 22 gr load is for a CAST 250 gr, which is rated at 36K psi. We do not want anyone damaging a gun here, let alone themselves. I have used a few loads for years that now raise a few eyebrows, I think mostly because of attorneys and larger safety margins, but no use to push ones luck. I also rarely use jacketed bullets in anything larger than a 357/358 dia. The load you have looks good.

[LaOtto222]

Here's the 21.0 gr max 2400 loading:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=9&cartridge=33

Please check your bullet weight, I think you are looking at data for a 240 grain bullet, I am using a 265 grain bullet - there is a difference.

Everyone - I understand completely, it was my fault for saying 2400 in the first place. I wanted to try a 2400 loading, but the Hornady manual did not list 2400, so I used IMR 4227, which I also have on hand. I am still trying to "fix" my mistake of saying 2400 when I meant to say IMR 4227

8uck5nort - I think that H110 and W296 are THE powders for the 44 Magnum for accuracy and velocity, but I wanted to try a load that I could use a standard primer on. This is because I have around 4000 standard primers and about 800 magnum primers on hand. I think accuracy comes mostly from the rifle/barrel, then the bullet selection then the powder selection and finally the primer selection in that order. You may have to increase or decrease bullet seating depth or powder weight but basically in that order. It all comes down to barrel harmonics - get a combination that works consistently from one shot to the next. Cases come into play if you are looking for cutting edge precision, but with straight walled cases, it is not going to make a bunch of difference. I do keep all my cases segregated by head stamp.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[quickdtoo]

H110/240gr XTP worked real good in my 20" 44mag Youth Handi first time out of the box before I rechambered it to 444 and made it a an octagon superlight.

Tim

[wileynet]

okay i read almost every post, i cant remember in which load book i read it, but there was an asterisk when using load data with xtp and one other type bullet that stated to decrease loads by 10 % because of the seating depth could cause dangerous pressures is this still the case, wish i could remember the manual

[quickdtoo]

It's a Hodgdon H110/W296 warning.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

For those loads listed where a starting load is not shown, start 10% below the suggested maximum load and then approach maximums carefully, watching for any sign of pressure (difficult extraction, cratered and flattened or blown primers, and unusual recoil). H110 and Winchester 296 loads should not be reduced more than 3%.

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%.

[wileynet]

okay i found it it referred to gold dot hollow points and xtp it is in the lee 2nd edition pg 123, what really grabbed my attention is the example of reduction in case capacity of a 45 acp by seating a bullet just 1/16th of a inch deeper reduces case capacity 14%

[quickdtoo]

See CW's last reply, any time you change seating depth, it changes the pressure for a given load, as CW stated, if you increase cartridge length(shallower seating depth), you decrease pressure, the opposite happens if you seat a bullet deeper than specified, throw in another variable such as a bullet with a different profile and bad things can happen. This is particularly critical when working with H110/W296, decreasing seating depth will in effect reduce the charge even tho the actual charge weight will be within their recommendations.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

H110/240gr XTP worked real good in my 20" 44mag Youth Handi first time out of the box before I rechambered it to 444 and made it a an octagon superlight.

Tim

That is a nice grouping for a 44 Mag, Tim. The H110/W296 is a very good powder for the 44 Mag, I have used it for years and always have some on hand. I do not have any of the XTP bullets in that weight. I do have some 240 Remington Hollow points, but I do not think they are as tough a bullet as the 265 FP I am using. You can use the 265 FP in the 444 too.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[quickdtoo]

Thanks, the 265gr Hornady FP is really a 444 Marlin rifle bullet, it's considerably tougher than other .430" bullets which are mostly made for pistols, the Hornady 8th lists its muzzle velocity range as 1500-2200fps, I've shot it in my 22" 444 Marlin Handi and it's very accurate at 100yds, never hunted with it tho. For hunting I would think the 265gr FTX would be a better choice in that weight for a 44mag rifle for terminal performance on game, it has a little broader muzzle velocity range of 1300-2300fps.

Tim

[LaOtto222]

I bought the 265 FP's for my 444. I was just curious how they would shoot in the 44 since the Hornady manual lists them in the 44 Magnum section. Even though I have a 444 barrel, I have not done any load development for it yet. It is not legal to hunt deer with in our state and it is a little over kill for varmints . I bought it after seeing your groups during your load development. Three overlapping holes at 100 yards for a big bore is pretty impressive. I will get 'round toit one of these days.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[quickdtoo]

Unfortunately I think Hornady lists them in additional applications just to sell em, not because they work well. 

Tim

[dpe.ahoy]

Unfortunately I think Hornady lists them in additional applications just to sell em, not because they work well. 

Tim

Even with little to no expansion, that .430 hole is gonna leak like a sieve when the bullet passes on thru the game animal.  I've taken a few mule deer with em out of a 44 mag rifle, they hit pretty hard and never stop in the deer.  DP