Henry Rifle Forums

Finally quit raining. I got out for the first time with my BB steel .44 mag. What a pleasure to shoot. First loads clover leafed at 50yds. On a brighter day I will chronograph and share the results.

Sounds like a good time. What load were you shooting?
44 is a real 'hoot' to shoot as it can be loaded from mild to WILD

I would also be interested in the ammo used in your .44 at this outing. I'm glad you got to burn some powder.

I'm a hand loader, so I bought 500 rds of new Starline brass, 300 rds Hornady 240 HP XTP bullets. 1,000 Winchester large pistol primers. I decided to try Imr 4227 powder, it was available and said to be accurate. First loads were .23gr imr 4227 and were very accurate with ave. velocity of (1,464 fps) all signs were good so I bumped it .5 gr. to 23.5, 4227 same bullet. The accuracy stayed consistent and velocity rose to ave. (1.520). all pressure signs were good. Hornady 9th edition Handbook runs this load up to 24.2 gr. and they post higher velocity's than I am getting. I will creep higher for hunting loads and see where the accuracy is. Remember all rifles are individual so start low and work your loads up. Use your manual, posted loads should be researched, people make mistakes, misprints etc. Thank you for your interest, If I ever find pic's small enough to post on here I will share. Happy shootin!!