Nope. 4" was made for .357 mag. 5" is the Goldielocks for .44 Rem Mag.
Opinion wanted: 44mag barrel length
- Thread starter woodchopper
- Start date
Agree to disagree, but what I can say with absolute authority is that 357 mag from a 2 1/2 inch barrel is far far worse than 44 mag from a 7 inch barrel. As in it makes you that ####### on the line kind of worse.
A 7 inch model 29 was one of the most sublime Smith & Wesson I’ve ever shot.
If I lived in the US or carried a revolver, I’d choose a 357 mag with a 5 inch barrel.
I don't really disagree with you as much as Its just a different preference. I'd love to own and shoot a Dirty Harry...wouldn't want to carry it though. My 5" 629 was a bush pilots bear gun (shorter barrel to clear a holster more effectively), and I simply do love it and carrying it, around the range is fun. Heavy, but fun. I haven't taken out my GP 100 in far too long. That thing (4.2") doesn't miss. It's boringly accurate. The sting of Magnums are fun, and I used to love running steel plates with it...but I don't think I've even shot it this year!?
Either round are effectively deadly if defending ones life in the U.S. It would basically be like being shot with a rifle round (read: dead right there).
I'm thankful for the hand guns I have, but there are so many more I would have if we were ruled by adults. (Coonan right on the top of the WTB list).
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
so its started, was busy this weekend and didn't do a lot of lathe work, made a muzzle protector for the 22 Hornet and started breaching up the 44Mag, i am happy with where it is now had to do a few cuts to get it to tighten up where I wanted it, I made the decision and cut the barrel to length as well, 16" it will be. Next will be to contour it and then chamber and cut the extractor cut out.
Lee Enfield
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Alberta
Pity I didn't see this.... i think you would have been much happier in the 20" to 24" range.
Unless you're shooting reduced loads.
16 is a good length. Long enough to get most out of the cartridge, short enough to be handy. I've had 44 mags in 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 10, 14, and 20 inch. 16 would seem to be a sweet spot for a two hand gun, I think. - dan
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
yes I was looking at that last week, there is not a lot to gain from going longer then 16" even handloading with slower powders. I originally thought of using IMG4227 but it looks like that is not as efficient as H110, (240grn XTP)
I also think I have figured out my taper, knox (1.25" long) 30deg taper to .850" then a 2.5" taper to .750", straight for 8" then a final taper down to .680 at the muzzle. (last .640" threaded for 5/8 24TPI) or I might just go with a .750" to the muzzle. there is just not a lot of barrel to make nice long tapers on.
OR maybe to quiet it down a little. Longer sight radius helps with iron sights plus I find a little weight out front helps with offhand accuracy. But to each their own.
Little weight out front... so like, handling purposes? Lol
And to quiet it down a little. Which a longer barrel certainly helps with. - dan
With 240gr federal I'm getting 1630fps with a 12" barrel. Love how some are still stuck on the mith of 50 to a 100fps a inch, and apply it to every caliber. I'd go18" just for the sight line, 16 minimum.12 definitely sucks for shooting past 20yds. But maybe it's just my old eyes.
I meant the rifle hangs better offhand with a bit longer barrel.
Which is a handling characteristic...
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
reamed the chamber last night
slowest speed for the lathe and lots of oil and frequent cleaning of chips from the reamer.
just need to cut the extractor slot and put it all together and adjust the bolt head for headspace.
Need to build something for the threaded muzzle.
slowest speed for the lathe and lots of oil and frequent cleaning of chips from the reamer.
just need to cut the extractor slot and put it all together and adjust the bolt head for headspace.
Need to build something for the threaded muzzle.
the cadet martini in 357 Max does make a nice handy sized lil rifle with a 19" barrel ,did a couple of them up a few years ago and also 40 cal rimmed on the same actionOh I have a Martini Henry action with a 30" 45-70 barrel (1.25" no taper) already on it for buffalo gun
but I like your idea
Mini Martini action in 357 Maximum
the intent of the Enfield 44Mag will be another truck gun option (next to the savage 340 in 357 Herret)
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
for un update, the chamber was finished and I grabbed some wood out of the bin and put a little red dot on top for testing.
I want to get a synthetic stock and properly mount a little red dot but right now its good enough for testing.
so I fired off a few 44 mag rounds I had on hand and all is good .
Now I have been asked why do an enfield in 303 to 44 and was asked if the conversion is dangerous because the rounds are so close in size.
well here it is, yes you can feed a 303 into the 44 mag and fire it, it will fill the chamber and a way into the rifling.
I want to get a synthetic stock and properly mount a little red dot but right now its good enough for testing.
so I fired off a few 44 mag rounds I had on hand and all is good .
Now I have been asked why do an enfield in 303 to 44 and was asked if the conversion is dangerous because the rounds are so close in size.
well here it is, yes you can feed a 303 into the 44 mag and fire it, it will fill the chamber and a way into the rifling.
