.44 twist rate vs bullet weight?

[Redthies]

I know there is an older thread on this, but searching does not bring it up for me.

My BBSC .44 Mag is an early version (02/17/2015) so I’m presuming it’s the 1:38 twist. I’m trying/hoping to be able to shoot 225 grain bullets in either the FTX LeverEvolution or preferably a copper monolith for deer hunting. I went through an entire box (EXPENSIVE!) of Barnes TTSX yesterday after confirming my zero at 50 yards with hand loaded 240 grain cast hp bullets. I could not get ANY consistency out of it. I’m very frustrated as it was hard to find the copper ammunition I prefer, and they aren’t cheap.

My question is this: Is the 1:38 or 1:20 of the newer Henrys better suited to lighter bullets? If it’s the 1:38, I’ll try another brand of copper, but if it’s 1:20, I’ll look at having Henry re-barrel this thing. I really was looking forward to hunting with it this season, but I guess the old faithful Marlin will be coming out of the safe at this point.

Target below was as good as I could get with the Barnes. Shot at 60 yards off a bipod on bench. (Small holes are Ruger American .22LR shooting Eley Tenex in top, and Eley HP bottom, both rapid fired).

[BigAl52]

Wow thats terrible for the Barnes TTSX. I use those in my 338 Win Mag Redthies and they shoot almost as good as my handloads. I was really impressed with those when I shot them. It wasnt just one box either I shot 2 different bullet weights of the Barnes in my rifle. I think Id be making a phone call to Henry

[BigAl52]

Oh forgot to add also that the FTX bullets shot very well also when I tested them in my 45-70.

[Redthies]

Yeah, I use the TTSX in my .30-30 Marlin, and my Ruger 7-08 and they have been fantastic in both. I shot my 7-08 with 139 grain Hornady Superformance copper yesterday and they are also fantastic. I wanted a heavier bullet for elk/moose and the TTSX in 7-08 is only 120 grain.

I found some .44 Mag Federal Premium 225 gr with Barnes “Expander” copper, but I’m not sure I want to pay the $67 per box plus shipping ($100 for dangerous goods) in order to have the same experience I had with the VOR-TX. No, actually I AM sure I don’t want to do that. If I knew they would work, I’d pay the money as $1.70 per pound for organic venison (possibly X 10) is a fair price to pay.

[Redthies]

Oh forgot to add also that the FTX bullets shot very well also when I tested them in my 45-70.

I’ve got 4 boxes of the FTX but have read less than stellar reviews of its hunting performance. I found an excellent article on .44 Mag ballistics I’ll link below. Tons of good info, and very well written.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowle ... agnum.html

[Shakey Jake]

I don't have a .44 mag Henry, Mine is a Marlin. I will say you've got that Ruger American shooting fine!
Jake

[North Country Gal]

Found this in the Barnes catalog

"Requires a 1:20” barrel twist rate or faster: VOR-TX handgun 44 Remington mag 225 grain XPB"

Have heard this before from other users, too, on the Barnes copper 225s.

[Redthies]

Found this in the Barnes catalog

"Requires a 1:20” barrel twist rate or faster: VOR-TX handgun 44 Remington mag 225 grain XPB"

Have heard this before from other users, too, on the Barnes copper 225s.

Perfect… I should have read the fine print!

[Redthies]

Oh look… It says 1:20 or faster right on the box (in tiny print of course). At least I know it’s not just me!

I wonder what the odds are other 225s require same twist? I’ll see what Federal says.

[Redthies]

I don't have a .44 mag Henry, Mine is a Marlin. I will say you've got that Ruger American shooting fine!
Jake

Thanks Jake. The credit goes to Ruger on that one. The American line (I have a few) are fantastic value. Every one I’ve ever shot is very accurate right out of the box. They are honestly better than my M77 Mk2s that I used to have.

Is your Marlin a 336 or 1894? If I can’t find copper that I can shoot out of this 1:38 or Henry won’t put a 1:20 twist on it for free, I likely will part ways with this one. It’s not terrible with the heavier bullets, but if a rifle is staying in my safe, it needs to earn its keep, and that means I need to be happy with it shooting my chosen hunting rounds well.