Henry 44 mag accuracy

[Sgt H]

220 the load I use in the 1886 for silhouette and gong matches out to 300 yards or so is a 340 grain RNFP from an RCBS 45-325-FN-U mold over 12.5/Unique fired by a CCI large pistol primer. Won first place in the lever gun class shooting this load at the Thunder Hole Smoke Out last October, targets out to 300 yards. This load averages 1185fps with an ES under 30. For longer ranges, like the Quigley match, 27 grains of 5744 under a 525 grain for about 1325. This load is not particularly pleasant with the cresent butt plate on the 1886, recoil shield is required. Even with that shooting 350 rounds of that load over 4 days between practice, playing and the match starts to wear on you. BTW those rounds amount to 26 pounds of lead sent down range.

[Tubby]

I bought a . 44 big boy last summer, and really liked it even though I was having trouble getting decent groups. I'm no marksman by any stretch, but know pretty much what to expect. I finally read somewhere (here maybe) that the rifle barrels are slightly oversized. I got some . 431 JSP and loaded those over 22 gr of 4227 and voila! Groups tightened up and it started shooting more to point of aim as well. Got 2 groundhogs at 63 yards (same den) with a nice rest on my bathroom window sill haha. I'm still no marksman, but at least it shoots where it's pointed now. Good luck and much fun with whatever you choose!

[Steve51]

I have the brass Big Boy 44 w/octagon barrel bought years before the loading gates were added and also have a Big Boy Steel 44 w/round barrel. I only shoot handloaded Hornady 240 gr. XTP JHP bullets around 1600 fps through them but both are very accurate for my shooting - mostly 25 - 50 yards.