.44 mag to .444 or .44/70?

unstableryan

unstableryan

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Hello,
I have a h&r .44 mag single shot. It’s ok, I don’t love it. Thinking I might if I find a more interesting way of shooting .429” bullets. Easy one would be .444 ream out, but then I was thinking. I shoot a lot of .45/70.

A .44/70 would be way more interesting. Pacific tool and gauge could probably make me a reamer. Has anyone here done something like this or has a better idea? .429” is fun because of light pistol bullets or I could cast some really heavy ones.

Looking for comments, suggestions, leads to someone that could help or what ever. The only requirement is that I can make the new cases from something commercially available now and the gun doesn’t need like $1000 in work to make it shoot.

Thanks,
 
The conversion will cost more than the gun is worth and the 444 and 45-70 will kick the heck out of you in that little gun. Nothing dull about a 44mag lots of data to be had for that cartridge.
 
warzaw said:
The conversion will cost more than the gun is worth and the 444 and 45-70 will kick the heck out of you in that little gun. Nothing dull about a 44mag lots of data to be had for that cartridge.
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Neither of those points are really that valid. It's an inexpensive gun but it's also quite heavy. It's a 20 gauge blank with a .429" hole drilled instead of a .615" hole. Besides, it won't kick any more than my marlin with 480's going 1700 or my .375 h&h, or a 12 gauge turkey load, or, or, or...

I would find it more interesting if it was in something more interesting.
 
unstableryan said:
Neither of those points are really that valid. It's an inexpensive gun but it's also quite heavy. It's a 20 gauge blank with a .429" hole drilled instead of a .615" hole. Besides, it won't kick any more than my marlin with 480's going 1700 or my .375 h&h, or a 12 gauge turkey load, or, or, or...

I would find it more interesting if it was in something more interesting.
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Nothing stopping you from your quest.....
When you contacting P Tand G ?

FLHTCUI
 
When I go back to work, I might make up a couple dummy cartridges and figure out what I am looking for a little closer. We also have a multi million dollar machine shop at work.. Half a dozen manual and cnc lathes...
 
Not if it is 1-32 with 300gr it won't.All .44mag and .444 would be better off with 1-20 like the Ruger Redhawk.
 
Don't forget that H&R used two different SB1 and SB2 frames for their HandiRifles.
SB1 (ductile cast iron frames) were meant for revolver cartridges (e.g. .22 LR, 357 &, 44 Mags.), shotguns and muzzle loaders.
The stronger SB2 (heat-treated cast steel) frames were for centre-fire rifle cartridges, up to and including 444 and 45/70.
When H&R were going strong they offered a service installing/fitting different barrels on customer's frames, but apparently would not install rifle barrels on SB1 frames due to safety and liability concerns.
Your choice, but be aware of possible risks involved.
It would likely be easier, cheaper and safer to sell your 44 and buy a 45/70.
 
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mbogo3 said:
Not if it is 1-32 with 300gr it won't.All .44mag and .444 would be better off with 1-20 like the Ruger Redhawk.
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Yes it will with a 1:32. My earlier Marlin 444 shot 300gr Hornady XTP and Speer UC under an inch at 100 yards. It even shot Hornady LeverEvolution more accurately than my current 1:20 Marlin 444.
 
Sorry to say the easiest path in this one was selling to a buddy and buying a gsg16 with the funds. Hippy ka yay!!!

He lives up in the mountains and has yard deer. Chucking 240-300 Grain cast at 1050 is attractive to him.
 
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