.44 Mag Question

[M.E.B.]

I have a S&W .44 mag 6" barrel. I have been trying to sight it in. It groups "OK" at 25 yds but at 50 yds I can just hit the paper it scatters them.

I am using 300 grain Hornady because that's what I shoot out of my .44 mag Henry.

I'm thinking its a bullet issues.

Any thoughts?

Whats a good bullet. I'm thinking of going to a lighter Hornady.

[J-Fish]

I bet the 6" barrel is to shot to stabilize the bullet (at that weight). Any "Key Holes" on the paper at 50 yards?

[jfk47]

I think it's a S&W issue. Had the exact same problem with my S&W. Tried several different brands/bullet weights and nothing worked. Finally sold it and brought a Glock.

[Texas Grown]

There are a lot of variables that it could be. But certainly trying a variety of different loads will help eliminate some of them. Or give you better results.

[CabezaBlanca]

I shoot 240 grain ammo out of a 10-5/8'' barrel with awesome results. If I do my part I can keep it on a 12'' target at 100 yards.

[txpitdog]

I really like the 240gr Nosler jacketed soft point. In a pistol it will expand a bit but holds together enough to break both shoulders and usually exit, and out of a rifle it expands without over expanding. I have only recovered one. I shot a 165lb boar hog in the front shoulder with my Marlin at a distance of about 10ft. The bullet was flattened against the shield in the far shoulder.

I don't care for hollow points or XTP in my 44's. They aren't bad bullets. I just don't like them. I really really like the 250gr Keith design, but it is too long to load in a rifle (unless you load 44sp...which is a beauty in the rifle!).

[J-Fish]

Each gun has a different load and harmonics that it creates with different loads..... If your a reloader this is where it gets fun to find what this pistol likes to shoot. If your not a reloader, just try some lighter, slower loads then you are using in the old Henry rifle.

I think I use a 240 gr lead out of my 44's at a reduced load and have a blast with them in pistol and long guns. Half the deer I have shot we manage to find the mushroomed bullet under the skin on the back side.... In other words, the deer absorbed 100% of the energy produced by the bullet. It doesn't get better then that.

[M.E.B.]

I bet the 6" barrel is to shot to stabilize the bullet (at that weight). Any "Key Holes" on the paper at 50 yards?

A few but then it will scatter.

[Mesquite Archer]

To eliminate a few variables are you shooting off hand, sand bag rest, Ransom rest? If you are shooting from a solid rest so those variables are out you are probably not getting the velocity out of the 6" barrel needed to stabilize the bullet like you are out of the 20" Henry.

[M.E.B.]

To eliminate a few variables are you shooting off hand, sand bag rest, Ransom rest? If you are shooting from a solid rest so those variables are out you are probably not getting the velocity out of the 6" barrel needed to stabilize the bullet like you are out of the 20" Henry.

I have a solid rest plastic pistol rest with the frame and the butt supported. I can put my .22 shorts target pistol in a fist size group at that distance.

[Mesquite Archer]

I have a solid rest plastic pistol rest with the frame and the butt supported. I can put my .22 shorts target pistol in a fist size group at that distance.

I kind of assumed but didn't want to assume, if you know what I mean. If the loads you are using are factory they are probably using a slower burning powder with the intent to be used in the lever guns. You might check into some handloads using a faster powder to get the velocity needed in the shorter pistol barrel. I read a good article awhile back on heavy bullets for handgun hunting, if I can find it I'll send you the link.

[M.E.B.]

http://www.hornady.com/store/44-Mag-300-gr-XTP/

The chart says a 7.5" barrel.

[4dog]

Go lighter till group closes up.

[M16]

I have a solid rest plastic pistol rest with the frame and the butt supported. I can put my .22 shorts target pistol in a fist size group at that distance.

That is likely your problem. You shouldn't be supporting the frame or the butt. Put a san**** under your wrist for support. Works okay for a .22 but not for a pistol with heavier recoil. Also have you had someone who is a good pistol shot shoot the gun?

[M.E.B.]

That is likely your problem. You shouldn't be supporting the frame or the butt. Put a san**** under your wrist for support. Works okay for a .22 but not for a pistol with heavier recoil. Also have you had someone who is a good pistol shot shoot the gun?

Never had a problem before. I had a S&W .357 and killed all kinds of stuff with it. I shot a turkey off my knee at 97 yds.

I am supporting the gun under the cylinder just in front of the trigger guard and my hand/grip of gun is touching the rest in the rear pretty much like I would do a rifle under the forearm and the butt.

This is not good?