How accurate is your .44 magnum rifle

webs · 10-17-2007, 06:15 PM

A few months ago I purchased a new .44 magnum rifle.The state I live in just legalized pistol cartridge rifles this year for deer hunting and I thought the lighter recoil of the .44(compared to 20 and 12ga.slugs) would be nice for my grandsons.I bought a New England Arms Handi-Rifle and put a 3x9x40 bushnell scope on it.I was pleased to find that after sighting in with factory winchester super x 240gr. hollow soft points,it would shoot 100 yard groups in the 3 to 4 inch range.It will only be used as a brush gun and most shots will be considerbly less than 100 yards.My question is how accurate does your .44 mag shoot?It would also be interesting to hear some comments on its killing power at ranges of 100yards and less.

Bravo · 10-18-2007, 02:05 PM

My uncle shoots 4 inch groups off hand (actually, one handed) at 50 yards with his .44mag Ruger Blackhawk. He is an incredible shot though. I'm guessing 3-4 inches with a rifle at 100 yards is about right, might be able to drop it to 2-3 with practice and handloading.

As for killing power, I've seen deer dropped on the spot with 50yard revolver shots. A rifle is going to give the bullet a higher velocity, and thus more energy at the target. I wouldn't recommend trying it, but if you were to hit a deer at 200 yards, it would probably drop with ease.

Lucas · 10-29-2007, 02:10 AM

^Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that a longer barrel will increase the bullet's exit velocity?

SilverRun · 10-29-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucas

^Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that a longer barrel will increase the bullet's exit velocity?

A longer barrel will increase velocity - up to the point that all powder is completely burned - then it may start reducing velocity due to friction. I didn't see where anyone said otherwise on this post though. Maybe I missed it.

I had a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. It was not overly impressive accuracy wise. I sold it a while back. I don't remember exact groups - somewhere around 3-4 MOA I think. I guess that would work for deer though out to 100 yards or so.

10-17-2007, 06:15 PM	#1
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 190 Images: 3	How accurate is your .44 magnum rifle A few months ago I purchased a new .44 magnum rifle.The state I live in just legalized pistol cartridge rifles this year for deer hunting and I thought the lighter recoil of the .44(compared to 20 and 12ga.slugs) would be nice for my grandsons.I bought a New England Arms Handi-Rifle and put a 3x9x40 bushnell scope on it.I was pleased to find that after sighting in with factory winchester super x 240gr. hollow soft points,it would shoot 100 yard groups in the 3 to 4 inch range.It will only be used as a brush gun and most shots will be considerbly less than 100 yards.My question is how accurate does your .44 mag shoot?It would also be interesting to hear some comments on its killing power at ranges of 100yards and less.

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10-18-2007, 02:05 PM	#2
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 1,466	My uncle shoots 4 inch groups off hand (actually, one handed) at 50 yards with his .44mag Ruger Blackhawk. He is an incredible shot though. I'm guessing 3-4 inches with a rifle at 100 yards is about right, might be able to drop it to 2-3 with practice and handloading. As for killing power, I've seen deer dropped on the spot with 50yard revolver shots. A rifle is going to give the bullet a higher velocity, and thus more energy at the target. I wouldn't recommend trying it, but if you were to hit a deer at 200 yards, it would probably drop with ease.

10-29-2007, 02:10 AM	#3
Lucas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lampasas, TX Posts: 6	^Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that a longer barrel will increase the bullet's exit velocity?