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44 mag. rifle
hogdowg
Member Posts: 9 ✭✭
Just started to reload the 44 mag 240 gr JSP, for hunting deer. I Plan on using this round in a Ruger44/77 bolt action. I'm using a standered Winchester primer and 23gr of the IMR 4227 power. It seems that it is not a very accurate round at 50 yds. Just wondering if any one has any ideas or suggestions on making this a little bit better (accurate)round.[:(!]
Comments
I never liked 4227 in a 44 mag. BlueDot is what I use currently. 2400 was ok, the old 5744 was my favorite.
Could you give us a rough group size at 50 yards, golf ball - 7" paper plate.
You have shot other rifles with similar sights at similar distances and shot with acceptable accuracy?
You have reload ammo for other firearms with your equipment and shot it with acceptable resulting accuracy?
Just trying to help sort out the variables for acceptable accuracy; could be the: loading equipment, components, ammo configuration, rifle or You.
2400 is dirty, but it is what works in my old Ruger Deerstalker Carbine. I load mostly H110 or 296 in my Smith 29s and Colt Anaconda.
I think your beating a dead horse, trying to get accuracy out of IMR4227 in a 44 Mag.
W.D.
I'm not sure I would crimp the bullets in a bolt gun. You have a lot more options than using the cannelure.
I run mostly CCI large pistol primers with cast bullets Lyman 429421 in the wheel guns and Saeco 240g round nose in my 94AE. The SWC will function in the lever gun but not as nicely as the round nose, plus with the RN it will hold 10 instead of only 9.
I also didn't like H110 but 296 was ok.
(Unique works in rifles as well, but the H-110 gives better velocity and accuracy results in my 1894 Trapper. )
I also didn't like H110 but 296 was ok.
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It's the same powder.
It may well be a busted scope, Simmons scopes are about the bottom of the barrel when it comes to scope quality and you may have a busted one.
If you still get lousy groups with a different powder I would switch scopes or even shoot it iron sights to see if the groups improve. Lots of loads get blamed for lousy accuracy when it is equipment failure.
With all that said I still never had any luck with 4227 in the 44 mag but Lord knows I tried every thing from 215 cast to the venerable 429421 and several jacketed bullets from 180-260 grains. Never did get 4227 loads to come close to 2400 or Blue Dot. It was a lot of shooting to burn up the 2 pounds of it I bought, most of the shooting was a waste of lead. [xx(]
It may well be a busted scope, Simmons scopes are about the bottom of the barrel when it comes to scope quality and you may have a busted one.
If you still get lousy groups with a different powder I would switch scopes or even shoot it iron sights to see if the groups improve. Lots of loads get blamed for lousy accuracy when it is equipment failure.
That was also my thought, just the mention that some of the shots were on top of each other before the POI shifted. Check the tightness of your rings and bases as well as try to test the rifle with a different scope.
The only thing I would suggest is that you try some factory 240's. I intend to do that if I can find some. My records show that 240 gr. Remington SP factory loads grouped the best in the Win. 94. Good luck!
It may well be a busted scope, Simmons scopes are about the bottom of the barrel when it comes to scope quality and you may have a busted one.
This.
I had a Simmons scope that came on a Savage rifle and it wouldn't hold zero for squirt. Changed the scope and started getting sub 1" groups @ 100 yards.
I used H-110 or 2400 in my loads. They have good accuracy out my rifles and hand guns.
+1 on the H-110. 26 grains pushing a 240 grain XTP is a hot load for the Super Redhawk and the Deerfield Carbine. Good consistent accuarcy and penetration.
Don
I used 240 grain winchester keith style lead with a gas check, long discontinued, but with a max load of ww296 and mag primers which at the time was, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY 24 gr, It was super accurate out of both my SBH and carbine.
I had tried several other weights and types of bullets, and different loads etc, none were better then the winchester/keith style bullet. I think the lead gas check engaged the rifling better. A recovered fired bullet showed very good,deep engraved rifling.
It was a great hunting load and took down a large black bear at 150 plus yards.
If you can find ww296 and a good 240 grain keith style lead gas checked bullet I think you might have a winner .
I shot both a 44 lever action rifle and a ruger redhawk. Most loading manuals list 44 mag rifle loads as well. Myself since I shot both I wanted a load I could use in both. If you compare the loads from both the rifle and pistol in your manuals. The rifle uses only loads such as h110 or 296 and as high powered as possible. Remember a pistol round that has to travel out a rifle is going to need something extra. One of my favorite loads is h110 with 23.6 grans with a 240gran jhp traveling at 1425 in a pistol and when shot out of a rifle you add 400 fps or 1825. A accurate load in both pistol and rifle. Don't take my word for it review 44 mag rifle data and u will see the recommend only fast powders and high end loads. Good luck and have fun!