I would like to hear from others that have shot a bolt-action rifle in .44 Remington magnum - what type of factory ammunition have you used (shooting paper or game). I would like to hear about the good, bad and ugly. Thanks in advance.
Bolt-action 44 Rem Mag - Factory Ammo?
- Thread starter eastwest
- Start date
I don't quite get where you are coming from.
Any 44 magnum factory ammunition I have used has been very good and loaded right up there with maximum hand loads from a reloading manual.
I don't really see why shooting them in a bolt action rifle would be any different.
Any 44 magnum factory ammunition I have used has been very good and loaded right up there with maximum hand loads from a reloading manual.
I don't really see why shooting them in a bolt action rifle would be any different.
Well, I recently picked up a bolt-action rifle in 44 magnum (a Remington 788) and was wondering what sorts of experience others have had, with the different types of factory ammo that are available, in a bolt-action rifle setting.
With all due respect, I really do not understand where you are coming from either (all 44 mag ammo shoots "very good"), but thanks for your valuable input...
With all due respect, I really do not understand where you are coming from either (all 44 mag ammo shoots "very good"), but thanks for your valuable input...
Sorry, I guess I should have explained it in simpler terms.
I thought this statement, "Any 44 magnum factory ammunition I have used has been very good and loaded right up there with maximum hand loads from a reloading manual." explained it quite well.
Very good= No visual defects, accurate, consistent, and as stated, loaded right up to industry standard velocity.
Any factory ammunition I have used has been on a par with my top loaded reloads.
You will have to explain what you mean by "bad," and "ugly," before I could go any further with that.
Also, you will have to explain the signifigence of how it matters whether the ammunition is to be fired in a rifle where the bolt is pushed forward and locked by means of a little handle on it, or whether the bolt is pushed forward and locked by means of a lever.
Other than the Leverevolution ammo most of it is intended for handguns. Frankly I think you're limiting your self by only asking about factory loads. The cost of .44Mag factory ammo is so high that you'd be wise to get into reloading soon even if with only a modest single stage setup. You'll easily save the cost of the reloading gear very quickly with the expense of .44Mag factory loads. Or at least you will if you shoot them much.
And if you're getting into even a modest setup for the .44Mag you may as well look at getting the dies and spare plates to allow reloading any other rifle size rounds you're shooting as well. That would ensure that you recoup your money on the reloading gear even quicker.
And the flexibility of being able to try different bullets and powders to find the most accurate loads would be high. If you can get in touch with other .44Mag reloaders in your area you could likely arrange to share or buy a few of each bullet that they use or split orders of boxes so you can zero in on what works well with your barrel. It's also possible that the best bullet willl be a plain base or gas checked hard cast rather than a jacketed one.
And if you're getting into even a modest setup for the .44Mag you may as well look at getting the dies and spare plates to allow reloading any other rifle size rounds you're shooting as well. That would ensure that you recoup your money on the reloading gear even quicker.
And the flexibility of being able to try different bullets and powders to find the most accurate loads would be high. If you can get in touch with other .44Mag reloaders in your area you could likely arrange to share or buy a few of each bullet that they use or split orders of boxes so you can zero in on what works well with your barrel. It's also possible that the best bullet willl be a plain base or gas checked hard cast rather than a jacketed one.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'll chime in, in support of handloading too. A starter single stage kit as mentioned by BCRider is chump change, pays for itself in no time, and adds ridiculous versatility.
Until you reload, really can't help ya, but if you get in the reloading game have plenty of pistol magnum in a rifle pointers. That 300gr XTP bartell named would be my pick too for hunting.
Until you reload, really can't help ya, but if you get in the reloading game have plenty of pistol magnum in a rifle pointers. That 300gr XTP bartell named would be my pick too for hunting.
Ruger 77-44 is one in twenty
The Remington 788 in 44Mag has a 1:38 twist rate.
Perhaps this could be a sticky: http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reference/pdf/Twist%20Tables_Rifle.pdf
I am an avid handloader, thousands of rounds a year, but if you are only going to use the rifle for hunting a few times each season, then factory ammo may be all you need. Having said that, if you start doing it, you will load for everything, and most likely quite enjoy all the advantages the oither guys have posted about.
Best,
Ted
Perhaps this could be a sticky: http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reference/pdf/Twist%20Tables_Rifle.pdf
I am an avid handloader, thousands of rounds a year, but if you are only going to use the rifle for hunting a few times each season, then factory ammo may be all you need. Having said that, if you start doing it, you will load for everything, and most likely quite enjoy all the advantages the oither guys have posted about.
Best,
Ted
I have 4 .44 magnum rifles - Ruger 77/44, Ruger .44 Carbine, Winchester 94AE, and a Ruger 96/44. I love these little guns! I hunt deer and black bear with them. I use only Hornady 225gr leverevolution ammunition. Its good quality stuff, pushing the 225gr bullet out of an 18" barrel at 1750 +/- fps. Feeds reliably in all actions, and seems consistently accurate across the four rifles. Of course I'm tempted to try something different (have shot winchester white box & S&B ammo as well) but I prefer the Hornady. It is very effective on game - I have taken two deer - Complete pass-thrus with major expansion, DRT (Dropped Right There!) Now looking to get my first black bear with it.
We had a Rem 788 in 44mag at our family huntin cabin back in the late 80's, and we shot a few rounds of factory 240gr Remington that devastated javex jugs out to hundred yards. But killed nothing bigger that porcupines that were destroying our out house and outbuildings.
Great an hard to find rifle you have there ! Good luck finding what works for your rifle!
Great an hard to find rifle you have there ! Good luck finding what works for your rifle!
