optimal barrel length and loads for the .44RM

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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it's actually probably the reverse...what is the best / hottest load for the .44RM with what barrel length to maximize it's velocity?

rifle would be something like a Mare's Leg, or one of the shorter 16 - 18" lever's or perhaps the Henry single shot.

thinking about a good 100 yard load, using a low power scope or a magnifier with a holographic.
 
I shoot 311gr hard cast @ 1500 fps from my 16.5" Marlin, with Hodgdon Lil'Gun. To compare, HSM Bear Load 305gr does about 1250 fps, I was surprised how mild it was
 
Mr. Friendly said:
it's actually probably the reverse...what is the best / hottest load for the .44RM with what barrel length to maximize it's velocity?

rifle would be something like a Mare's Leg, or one of the shorter 16 - 18" lever's or perhaps the Henry single shot.



thinking about a good 100 yard load, using a low power scope or a magnifier with a holographic.
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Here you go:


http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/44mag.html
 
Mr. Friendly said:
it's actually probably the reverse...what is the best / hottest load for the .44RM with what barrel length to maximize it's velocity?

rifle would be something like a Mare's Leg, or one of the shorter 16 - 18" lever's or perhaps the Henry single shot.

thinking about a good 100 yard load, using a low power scope or a magnifier with a holographic.
Click to expand...

I don't see the need to go any more than 16", you won't really be picking up much speed if any speed after that. I wouldn't run away from a 18" barrel 44 mag but any longer than that and you are probably going to see a reduction of FPS
 
Lil gun was my go to for my redhawk and carbine, 44 mag is great out of a large frame revolver at short range but highly overrated in a carbine IMHO
 
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Mr. Friendly said:
is that sarcasm tb? I know after the gas is burned and fully expanded, if there's barrel left, it will cause drag and slow down your projectile.

that's why I asked about optimal barrel length and load, so the two can match up nicely.
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Well a 24" 44 Mag, with H110 powder, has 94% of the powder consumed by the time the bullet exits the muzzle.

your bullet doesn't slow down in the bore due to drag. Sorry Gatehouse
 
todbartell said:
Well a 24" 44 Mag, with H110 powder, has 94% of the powder consumed by the time the bullet exits the muzzle.

your bullet doesn't slow down in the bore due to drag. Sorry Gatehouse
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drag is the wrong word...it would be from the friction created between the projectile and rifling after there is nothing more to accelerate it.

can you tell us more about your load through the 24" barrel? bullet type / weight? how much powder? also, how do you know it's only burned off 94% of the charge? what are the maths? :D
 
todbartell said:
Well a 24" 44 Mag, with H110 powder, has 94% of the powder consumed by the time the bullet exits the muzzle.

your bullet doesn't slow down in the bore due to drag. Sorry Gatehouse
Click to expand...

I have an old H&R 44 Mag Shikari single-shot that has a 24 inch barrel but I haven't shot anything through the chrono so I have no idea what the muzzle velocity actually is? I doubt it is getting much more velocity than an 18 inch barrel would have but that said I can't see it loosing much if any velocity either.....:confused:

I like the sight radius with the 24 inch barrel and it balances nicely as well. I'm certainly not going to trim it down...:rolleyes:
 
It's been noted, especially in pistol cartridges in rifle barrels and rimfires like the 22LR that once a barrel gets too long, the velocities start decreasing. The powder charge is small and has burned quickly, it's expanded to it's maximum potential and yet there is still barrel left, so there is friction that slows the bullet down.

Actually I just saw someone else already posted this chart, but as you can see, in 3 out of 4 loads, the 44 MAG drops velocity from 17" to 18"

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/44mag.html

After a certain length, at the very least, you will get minimal velocity gain from going to a longer barrel and at worst, you could drop FPS. Some people like longer barrels though, especially with iron sights, so there is that.

This differs from say a 300 magnum, where you have lots of slow burning powder and the bullet is going to keep accelerating in a longer barrel. Optimum barrel length for velocity for some magnums is probably longer than the 24-26" barrels most of them wear, but who wants to hunt the mountains with a 32" barrel? :)
 
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If a barrel is long enough, the bullet will eventually loose velocity and I would hazard to say quicker than without the barrel, since there is more friction inside the barrel than there is outside of the barrel. Whether this applies or not to realistic barrel lengths with various cartridges and loads is for someone else with a lot of time on their hands to confirm.
 
Gatehouse said:
I wouldn't run away from a 18" barrel 44 mag but any longer than that and you are probably going to see a reduction of FPS
Click to expand...

prove it

giphy.gif
 
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