Why the 44 Magnum
The 44 magnum came into being from the minds or early revolver hunting wildcaters. The 44 special, revolovers could handle more presure than 45lc, and handloaders began pushing the limits. Elmer Keith is acredited as being the father of the 44 Remington Magnum. I wont contest that, it was Elmer Ketihe who pushed the project at S&W and Remington. Their design teams liked what he had done and ran with it. In 1956 S&W with Remingtion Amunition gave birth to the 44 magnum. Ruger was hot on the heel and depending upon the story was covertly made aware of the developing round. Ruger brought to market the BlackHawk. The endresult of the magnum case is that it is just slightly longer than a 44 special case to prevent the magnums from being loaded inadvertantly in 44 special revolvers.
The 44 magnum produces in a 7lbs gun 11 to 11 1/2 ft/lbs of recoil. That is on par with the 243 winchester, which is widely considered one of the best all around (varmint- white tail) rounds going. Especially when young or smaller statured shooters are in question. It is a LIGHT recoiling round. The 25-06 is another light recoiling round at 13 ft-lbs. 223-556 is 7.6 ft/lbs. The machisimo surrounding this caliber steems from the word magnum and dirty Harry. It is a very capable and powerful handgun round, but the reason we do not see poilce carrying 44 magnums is they need to big and heavy to handle the presures. Seeing a police officer slide, a Desert Eagle 44 mag out of his jacket is laughable, and not practile.
Some data
12 g slug- 70ft-lbs. now many "governing agencies" like to say this is perfect for deer. It is not, a 12 g slug is a cannon ball packing a shit ton of energy, inside 100 yards. Shooting a 12 slug is not fun, or in any way desireable. They are big, heavy clumsy wepons inteded for SHOT. Huinting and shooting at water fowl and upland game. Yet, the "short range" most associate with these firearms is why they have allowed them. I have not any idea why anyone would want a fire arm that develops poor marksmenship and is not very good at its job. Its as if handing a 5lb sledge hammer to some one and push pins. The shot gun lacks any level of precision, and is best left for the uplands. I would no sooner head a field with a barret 50BMG for squirl ( which by the way the 33 lb barret, with muzzel break has just as much recoil as the vernerable slug.
This past season I hunted with a wonderful HR in 444 marlin. The deer was hit surgically in the chest, the 23lbs of recoil was just fine, and the deer bolted 30 yards and tumbled to the turf. The 444 is simply awesome. It is a 200yard deer slayer, and wont bust you up. The single shot side is not bad, but, I am sure a marlin in 444 would be fantastic. So why did I not go for the Marlin 444? I just did nt like the guns fit and finish. I was able to see what people were talking about and dollar for dollar the Henry is better. Why not the Henry 45-70? Trust me, it was heavily debated. It may well find its way here, but I had read about some mazine tube failures and while Henry is making good on those with customers. I'd rather wait untill its an issue of the past. Anther reason for 44 is amunition. Its avail about any where. I do plan on casting my own bullets and hand loading and 44 is cheaper, and you can back it up with a pistol.
So 44 mag. 250gr with 20gr H110 and wlp is netting 1501fps
zero balistically holds true (point blank) 25 yards and 100 yards with 70yrd being 2" high and 150yrd 8" low. I will be testing that data, in the gun, and creating a data sheet for quick refence while in the field.n 300 yards projects a 72" drop. This will be fun testing out in the actual gun.
It will also provide ample time to gain familurity with the Henry which is key.
I think the 44 based on my sons ability to shoot and will stress JOY in shooting the 444 will only be amped up!
This past season I hunted with a wonderful HR in 444 marlin. The deer was hit surgically in the chest, the 23lbs of recoil was just fine, and the deer bolted 30 yards and tumbled to the turf. The 444 is simply awesome. It is a 200yard deer slayer, and wont bust you up. The single shot side is not bad, but, I am sure a marlin in 444 would be fantastic. So why did I not go for the Marlin 444? I just did nt like the guns fit and finish. I was able to see what people were talking about and dollar for dollar the Henry is better. Why not the Henry 45-70? Trust me, it was heavily debated. It may well find its way here, but I had read about some mazine tube failures and while Henry is making good on those with customers. I'd rather wait untill its an issue of the past. Anther reason for 44 is amunition. Its avail about any where. I do plan on casting my own bullets and hand loading and 44 is cheaper, and you can back it up with a pistol.
So 44 mag. 250gr with 20gr H110 and wlp is netting 1501fps
zero balistically holds true (point blank) 25 yards and 100 yards with 70yrd being 2" high and 150yrd 8" low. I will be testing that data, in the gun, and creating a data sheet for quick refence while in the field.n 300 yards projects a 72" drop. This will be fun testing out in the actual gun.
It will also provide ample time to gain familurity with the Henry which is key.
I think the 44 based on my sons ability to shoot and will stress JOY in shooting the 444 will only be amped up!
