44mag help

Cubslover

I loaded some rounds for a friend who hunts whitetail with his S&W Mod 29 8 3/8". The 10rds I loaded were 240gr SJHP's over 22gr H110.
He grouped 4 in 3" at 40yds, the rest were well outside. 4 of the others were below the target elevation line. Cases showed NO signs of stress.

Any ideas? I'm going to change some factors to see if it makes a difference. I'm thinking....bump it up to 23gr H110 with a heavier crimp.

I'm at work right now. I'll try to get a picture of the target up when I get home.

Bill Costik

First off I would be trying the gun out for myself, or a third party, at least see if the ammo is at fault or maybe your friend is flinching under recoil?

Not trying to be a smartazz here. Just because your friend hunts with a .44 does not mean he is a good shot with it. One of my friends hunts with a .338 for whitetail. He missed 4 shots at bucks this past year. I think he is flinching, but I would not tell him that because he won't listen.

dcso3009

You may want to try a harder crimp on these loads. I had a similar load that did not group well. I crimped them harder and now they are awesome!

Pearyw

23 gr of H110 is my standard load for 240 gr. I guess I have loaded and fired a couple of thousand. You can go to 24 gr, but I like the 23 gr load to help case life.

41magdan

When you load with H-110, it is required that a heavy and consistant crimp is used. Accuracy will suffer, not to mention the inconsistant speeds the same load can deliver. Also are you using a CCI 350 primer? Highly recomended for H-110. My 44 last time I took it out gave me 5 shot groups that were touching, at 25yds. One hole group, out of a Dan Wesson with a 7in ported barrel. 23gr. of H110. Like stated previously, you have to figure if it is the load, the shooter or the gun? I have met people on the range that can't hit the target. So they think it is the guns fault. They have asked me to check and I shoot bullseyes with the same pistol. So you might want to check them yourself. Hope the info helps, Dan

Cubslover

Lots of advice.

Thanks alot guys!

DONDALINGER

You can bump the load up to 26 grains of H110, but that is the maximum. I use this load in both my Super Redhawk and Deerfield Carbine. Good accuracy and penetration with no signs of high pressure. [:D][:D]

bpost

My bet is anticipation of recoil and relaxing the wrist.

Have someone else shoot the load that has pistol experience.

You do know that loading for another person is BAD?

dcloco

This is actually kind of ironic.

I shoot, regularly, with several friends. I shoot a 44 Magnum and a 357 Magnum. They are simply amazed at how accurate that I am with their 45 auto's, 40 auto's, and 9 mm auto's......

I keep telling them....try a couple cylinders of the 44 magnum...it takes ALL the jump out of you when shooting something else.

Try it....it works!

Oregunner

<First off I would be trying the gun out for myself, or a third party, at least see if the ammo is at fault or maybe your friend is flinching under recoil?>

My first thought as well. If they all sound normal & some are hitting the dirt in front of the target a flinch is a likely culprit. Try this- you load the gun for him. Leave two empty cases in it. You'll find out if he's flinching, I guarantee it. That is exactly how I learned years ago. I still short load myself sometimes just to check.

SCorvers

Crimp it good. At 22 gr., I wouldn't load it any hotter for a pistol. 24 is about the max for the 44 and that's for a rifle. I personally use 23.8, 240 gr JHP, and Federal Magnum Pistol primers for my rifle. I really like the H-110 for this round.