Opinion wanted: 44mag barrel length

woodchopper

woodchopper

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Almost ready to start building the 44 Rem Mag its going to be on a LeeEnfield No4 receiver

So now I need to decide what barrel length to go with. I've been waffling around lengths between 16" and 20" and have not cut the blank yet but I'm going to have to do that sooner or later.

Looking at opinions, where is the trade off where the extra length of barrel really does not yield more MV
 
I agree with the 16", it does look like thats where you get top velocity, in factory loaded rounds people have tested.

Velocity starts dropping off after that. If your hand loading extremely heavy rounds, with a packed case of the slowest burning powder, it might be slightly above that. But it generally looks like the sweet spot, for velocity.
 
I guess it depends a little bit on what loads you’d like to make and shoot through it, but I’d also go with 16 to 18 inches, whatever balances the rifle nicer? Or a little longer site radius for irons, depending on your eyesight.
 
hand loads certainly, and 240grn XTP would be my go to.

thinking the slowest powder that fills the case to 100%, perhaps IMR4227 or H110 looks good too but I will need to do a deeper dive on that.

just looked it up 16" barrel with 240grn JHP, 24 grn H110, shows 1750FPS MV

I think 16" might be the best option but I am open to being persuaded to go longer.
 
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woodchopper said:
Looking at opinions, where is the trade off where the extra length of barrel really does not yield more MV
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As shown in the Ballistics by the Inch data, the velocity flattens off around 14"-16", depending on the ammo used.

I am planning on 16" for my Enfield conversion. Anything shorter will look kind of odd with the sporter forearm and longer doesn't really add any noticeable performance.


Mark
 
If you go longer the muzzle blast is further from your face. Depending on your sensitivity.................

I haven't shot 44mag much but 12" I found blasty after too many rounds.
 
boxhitch said:
Please enlighten us as to why anyone would pick an Enfield for a 44mag build?
Not being smrtaz, just don't know me
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because I have several sitting around doing nothing.

bolt face and rim are almost exactly the same size 303 and 44 mag

I have all the bit to do it

and why not

( also I do my own machining, have both lathe and milling machine )
 
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boxhitch said:
Please enlighten us as to why anyone would pick an Enfield for a 44mag build?
Not being smrtaz, just don't know me
Click to expand...
Well, here are my reasons. Woodchopper may have his own.

1) I don't particularly like lever actions and the Enfield No.4 is a pretty smooth, fast bolt action with some decent history to it.
2) Enfield sporters are common and pretty cheap.
3) .303 rim diameter is only 0.026" bigger than .44mag, so the bolt face and extractor work without modification.
4) I have a buddy who is a machinist who will do the work for no cost to me. If I was paying for machine work this would be prohibitive.


Mark
 
mmattockx said:
Well, here are my reasons. Woodchopper may have his own.

1) I don't particularly like lever actions and the Enfield No.4 is a pretty smooth, fast bolt action with some decent history to it.
2) Enfield sporters are common and pretty cheap.
3) .303 rim diameter is only 0.026" bigger than .44mag, so the bolt face and extractor work without modification.
4) I have a buddy who is a machinist who will do the work for no cost to me. If I was paying for machine work this would be prohibitive.


Mark
Click to expand...
A challenge would be to make it a short action as well... like we used to do with Mausers... one was enough.
 
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