I used to handload, in fact loaded .44 Magnum for my Model 29s, but am not now doing so. But I learned enough to know that an optimum load for a gun with a 6-1/2 inch barrel cannot be optimum for a carbine with a 20 inch barrel. In fact, my old Sierra loading handbook gives different loadings for rifle vs. handgun. They show hotter loadings for the rifle but, of course, nobody is going to load that commercially, since if it'll fit in a handgun, somebody's going to shoot it in one.

So, now that I own a Winchester 94 in .44 Magnum, and since all the .44 Mag ammo out there (that I'm aware of) is loaded with handguns in mind, how does a person pick the one that would be best in a carbine?

When I bought the rifle, the dealer (out in the country, of course) had three surplus 50 round boxes of 240 gr. Federal Hydra Shock which I bought worth the money, and I have since bought (to get my order at Midways up over the minimim) a 50 round box of Black Hills 240 gr. JHP. Have shot most of a box of the Federal, and a few of the box of Black Hills. They seem to print on a target at 50 yards about at the same place, but with the Black Hills producing a smaller group. I haven't shot enough yet to feel that results to date are in any way conclusive.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should be using? I bought the rifle for coyotes and wild pigs, so JHP seems to be the bullet type I need. Any help on this would be appreciated.

eljay

Most of my loading data has about the same loads in the rifle and pistol sections. The rifle data reflects the higher velocities you will get with the longer barrel and often omits the loads with the faster powders.

Factory ammo that is labeled ".44 Magnum" has to be safe to shoot in pretty much any firearm that is also labeled ".44 Magnum".

Try several different brands. My Marlin levergun liked the MagTech 240 softpoint better than any of the other factory ammo I tried in it. It is about half the price of most other stuff so I would surely recommend trying at least one box in your rifle.

Most of my loading data has about the same loads in the rifle and pistol sections. The rifle data reflects the higher velocities you will get with the longer barrel and often omits the loads with the faster powders.

Factory ammo that is labeled ".44 Magnum" has to be safe to shoot in pretty much any firearm that is also labeled ".44 Magnum".

Try several different brands. My Marlin levergun liked the MagTech 240 softpoint better than any of the other factory ammo I tried in it. It is about half the price of most other stuff so I would surely recommend trying at least one box in your rifle.
Thanks for the input. Is that ammo round nosed or flat? I will definately order a box and try it. It was one of the loads I considered when I ordered the box of Black Hills. I find myself wishing I still had my loading equipment, so I could develop a load for this rifle, but I don't, so guess I'll just find the best commercial ammo I can for it. Again thanks!
eljay

I had been out of the loading business too, my brother got all our old shared equipment. I kind of got back into the shooting bug with my new .44 rifle and it didn't take long to figure I couldn't shoot it much at the price of factory ammo.

Look at the little Lee hand press, it works like a champ on pistol cartridges. You can get the press and dies for 50 bucks, you can be loading for the price of a few boxes of ammo. With the hand press you wouldn't have to have a bench. My loading "room" is a cardboard box in the closet. :D

+1 on the Lee hand loader

especially with the cost of factory ammo.

Watch this eljay. I'm a bean counter, I can't help doing this kind of thing.

You already have 200 perfectly good empty 44 cases.

Buy the Lee hand press and a set of dies for $50. 1,000 cast bullets for $60, a pound of unique for $15 and 1,000 primers for $20.

$145 American dollars for 1,000 cartridges to shoot in your rifle. That's $7.25 per box of 50.

If you can't buy this stuff locally add $30 for shipping from Midway and your still only at $8.75 a box.

Watch this eljay. I'm a bean counter, I can't help doing this kind of thing.

You already have 200 perfectly good empty 44 cases.

Buy the Lee hand press and a set of dies for $50. 1,000 cast bullets for $60, a pound of unique for $15 and 1,000 primers for $20.

$145 American dollars for 1,000 cartridges to shoot in your rifle. That's $7.25 per box of 50.

If you can't buy this stuff locally add $30 for shipping from Midway and your still only at $8.75 a box.
I hear ya, bean counter! But I seem to remember that, when I was handloading, I had a bunch more stuff. Let's see...case sizer, powder measure (RCBS dropper), primer installer, tumbler for cleaning cases, powder scale to check the powder dropper, I can't even remember what else.

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, and yes, I've been considering it ever since I came up with my 94 in .44 mag. I'd love to be able to work up a good round for this gun! And I have found myself saving the cases.

I'm not at all familiar with the Lee hand press, maybe it does more than my RCBS press did. My only experience with Lee was loading shotgun shells for a time with their original LeeLoader.

And I may pursue this idea. But it would be more for working up a good round for the gun than the savings. I probably don't shoot the rifle enough to justify doing it for that. And I know, justification ain't always necessary.

Thanks for the input, and the suggestion. It is under consideration! ;-)

eljay

eljay:

JHPs will flatten coyotes, but if you're after pelts, JHPs will blow big holes in the far side.
Pigs can be tough, so you need more penetration than expansion. I'd go for a hard-cast load from Garrett, Federal, Corbon, or Buffalo Bore.

Darrel