Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Brian Pearce recently had an article in Handloader Magazine, by the way, you need to subscribe to that magazine if you venture out into the unknown from time to time, about the 44 Magnum in a "+P" configuration.
I have to be honest, I thought to myself: "Why in the world would someone waste time fooling around with a cartridge that is already running at the high end of handgun pressures and push it higher?"
Then, I bought an Encore! (This may be the reason that my M657 quest is put on a temporary hold! No moola!) Just in case you think within yourself: "This is a Smith & Wesson forum!" Remember, they now own Thompson Center.
I put off owning one of these because they just weren't practical at the time. I wanted more shots available to me, quicker. That and raising 5 kids on mostly one income, I had no extra cash for such stuff. Now that we are empty nesters, LOOKOUT!
At any rate, I was at Gander Mountain in Indianapolis. On the shelf, they had a limited run of the T/C Encore Muzzleloader that is able to have the barrels switched for $449! Now, there are some stores that have the muzzleloader only version for near that same price so, if you look for one, make sure it can have the barrel changed. If you have to do a FFL form, then it is one that can be switched out. The M/L only version does not require one. Something to remember.
So, we took another side trip and ended up getting a 44Mag Pro Hunter carbine barrel for it as well. I have been fooling around with trying to get accurate loads, 1 1/2 MOA, from the various carbine rifles available with little to no success. The Marlin 1894 has turned in some 1 1/2 MOA groups, and that is acceptable for what it is. I even got the best groups lately with my Mihec 434640 bullet. That is a win/win in my book.
I moved on to a Ruger M77/44 bolt action with the expectations of having a tack driver. Well, most folks that shoot factory ammo are reporting 3-4 MOA groups with them. After several scopes, and changing my shooting techniques, I am able to get under 2 MOA groups with it. That with 240gr Hornady XTP and a full load of WC820 (lot loads like H110) for right at 1800fps from the 20" barrel.
All of that is okay but I wanted better. Now, Thompson Center single shot pistols are second to none for accuracy. I have a friend that won the "smallest group" competition at a local range with the older Contender carbine in 223. I naturally figured that a 44Mag carbine from them would be at least close to that accuracy. I wasn't disappointed either!
With the 22", 8 lands and groves, and the same load mentioned above, this little jewel is turning in some pretty awesome groups. 1 MOA right now. Very impressed!
Not only that, it looks really cool! The barrel is fluted and stainless steel while the action is blued. At present it is wearing the black composite stock it came with but I see some wild wood in its future!
Now, I am going to try some loads that are close to Brian's data in it with one small bullet change. I am going to use the Hornady FTX bullet designed for the 444 Marlin, 265gr.
I figure that the spire point will provide better external ballistics than the 300gr XTP that he used. What I am looking for is a round that will take deer to elk sized animals, maybe even a big hog, at 100 yards with a minimal drop. Flatter shooting if you will.
So, here is a picture of the bullets for comparison:
You will notice that the FTX has a cannelure closer to the base of the bullet than either the 240gr (far left) or the 300gr (far right). Using Elmer's logic in bullet design, this seems to be a win/win here too. The OAL makes them impossible to chamber in any handgun I own as they stick out of the cylinder by a bunch!
Here is what one looks like loaded:
In Brian's data, he also lists the OAL of the 300gr, remember, it sticks in the case the same amount as the 240gr, and if you measure to the furthest part of the jacket, where the ballistic tip is crimped in, these cartridges are really close to his measurement.
So, sometime this week, I will be heading to the range to test these babies out.
I will post targets and chronograph data then.
Suggestions are welcome though. I may just try to work some of it in when I test these!
I have to be honest, I thought to myself: "Why in the world would someone waste time fooling around with a cartridge that is already running at the high end of handgun pressures and push it higher?"
Then, I bought an Encore! (This may be the reason that my M657 quest is put on a temporary hold! No moola!) Just in case you think within yourself: "This is a Smith & Wesson forum!" Remember, they now own Thompson Center.
I put off owning one of these because they just weren't practical at the time. I wanted more shots available to me, quicker. That and raising 5 kids on mostly one income, I had no extra cash for such stuff. Now that we are empty nesters, LOOKOUT!
At any rate, I was at Gander Mountain in Indianapolis. On the shelf, they had a limited run of the T/C Encore Muzzleloader that is able to have the barrels switched for $449! Now, there are some stores that have the muzzleloader only version for near that same price so, if you look for one, make sure it can have the barrel changed. If you have to do a FFL form, then it is one that can be switched out. The M/L only version does not require one. Something to remember.
So, we took another side trip and ended up getting a 44Mag Pro Hunter carbine barrel for it as well. I have been fooling around with trying to get accurate loads, 1 1/2 MOA, from the various carbine rifles available with little to no success. The Marlin 1894 has turned in some 1 1/2 MOA groups, and that is acceptable for what it is. I even got the best groups lately with my Mihec 434640 bullet. That is a win/win in my book.
I moved on to a Ruger M77/44 bolt action with the expectations of having a tack driver. Well, most folks that shoot factory ammo are reporting 3-4 MOA groups with them. After several scopes, and changing my shooting techniques, I am able to get under 2 MOA groups with it. That with 240gr Hornady XTP and a full load of WC820 (lot loads like H110) for right at 1800fps from the 20" barrel.
All of that is okay but I wanted better. Now, Thompson Center single shot pistols are second to none for accuracy. I have a friend that won the "smallest group" competition at a local range with the older Contender carbine in 223. I naturally figured that a 44Mag carbine from them would be at least close to that accuracy. I wasn't disappointed either!
With the 22", 8 lands and groves, and the same load mentioned above, this little jewel is turning in some pretty awesome groups. 1 MOA right now. Very impressed!
Not only that, it looks really cool! The barrel is fluted and stainless steel while the action is blued. At present it is wearing the black composite stock it came with but I see some wild wood in its future!
Now, I am going to try some loads that are close to Brian's data in it with one small bullet change. I am going to use the Hornady FTX bullet designed for the 444 Marlin, 265gr.
I figure that the spire point will provide better external ballistics than the 300gr XTP that he used. What I am looking for is a round that will take deer to elk sized animals, maybe even a big hog, at 100 yards with a minimal drop. Flatter shooting if you will.
So, here is a picture of the bullets for comparison:
You will notice that the FTX has a cannelure closer to the base of the bullet than either the 240gr (far left) or the 300gr (far right). Using Elmer's logic in bullet design, this seems to be a win/win here too. The OAL makes them impossible to chamber in any handgun I own as they stick out of the cylinder by a bunch!
Here is what one looks like loaded:
In Brian's data, he also lists the OAL of the 300gr, remember, it sticks in the case the same amount as the 240gr, and if you measure to the furthest part of the jacket, where the ballistic tip is crimped in, these cartridges are really close to his measurement.
So, sometime this week, I will be heading to the range to test these babies out.
I will post targets and chronograph data then.
Suggestions are welcome though. I may just try to work some of it in when I test these!
