May 30: 44 Mag Single Shot

[WilliePete]

Hi Folks -

With me being new here, you're getting in on the middle of the action as far as my progress getting this HSS dialed in. I've made a few trips prior to this one for getting Skinner sights set up and checking different loads (I roll my own). This is almost there: Skinner aperture sights at 100 yds. I'll drift the rear a hair and check it one more time, probably.

In checking my MV's, I've come up on a bit of an issue: I'm running noticeably below 'published data' for this load. I'll post the officially question thread in the "Other Henry Rifles/Single Shot" forum section in a bit for those who do similar hand loading and adjusting; some input and comments would be appreciated.

IMG_1372.jpg (104.74 KiB) Viewed 647 times

[BigAl52]

Looks like a pretty good group to me at 100 yards with irons

[WilliePete]

Thanks. I really like aperture sights. They always seem to work much better than they should.

[JEBar]

Looks like a pretty good group to me at 100 yards with irons

agree ... his single shot is a true shooter

[fortyshooter]

That's good shooting from a hundred!

[Headhog]

Looks like a pretty good group you've got going on there. I'd say you're just about dialed in.

As for your concern with you load being less than the published numbers, I've never paid attention too. The folks that publish load data are using test barrels made to precise specifications. They usually are longer than most production barrels and have chambers with minimum SAAMI specifications. The powder and bullet manufacturers want to make sure your load is safe. Even if your production barrel meets the tightest specifications the load you are using will not exceed a pressure that will cause a catastrophic failure.

I would be more concerned with how my loads group. If I felt I needed greater velocity I'd look to at different bullet and powder combination.

Paul

[BigAl52]

Good advice Paul. Im the same way accuracy is what its about all the rest are just numbers

[WilliePete]

My MV is averaging at 1460. That’s right at 200 fps over my 5 1/2 barrel SBH. That’s around a 16% increase over pistol barrel; I figure I should be over a 20% increase, at least in the high 1500s to maybe the low 1600s.

My concern is the rifling. It has a 1:20” twist, which is normal for this caliber, but it has *twelve* lands cutting the pill. I figure that’s about 48-50% obturation. That is a lot of metal cutting. Is that much necessary? Maybe it is, IDK. Here’s my theory: Henry could have gotten it down to maybe 8 lands at around 38-40% obturation and still effectively stabilized the round with less cutting and had better velocity. The upshot, to my mind, is that that much cutting negates that nice long 22” barrel’s ability to develop velocity, effectively rendering it a 16” tube length or some such.

Again, just a theory, and I may be way off in my logic. I’m happy to be corrected by some more astute ballisticians here. Fire away. But as Paul says, I’m tickled with the accuracy and performance otherwise, I’m just hung up in this ‘principle’, and trying to figure out what may be the hang up, if there really even is one.

PS: 240 gr XTP, 22.5 gr IMR 4227. Yes, it’s a ‘cooler’ powder, and I selected it precisely for its accuracy and not its power/speed....and also because it’s what I can get

[Vaquero]

Looks like some pretty fine shooting at a hundred, especially with just the irons.
I never worried about Vel., neck I don't even own a chrony.
My best load for my Big Boy was 17.9 grs of 2400 and a 240 gr XTP.
But the barrel has been replaced since then and I really haven't gotten around to finding out what the new one likes.

RP

[Sir Henry]

Thanks. I really like aperture sights. They always seem to work much better than they should.

So do I. It looks like you are almost there. I’ve drifted sights over and have found a slight drift can put you twice the distance off in the other direction.

Great shooting at 100!