300 gr bullets in a .44 Mag BB

[Pitchman1968]

Does anyone have experience using 300 gr jacketed bullets in a Henry .44 Mag BB? A few years ago I loaded 50 rounds .44 Mag using Hornady 300 gr XTPHP bullets atop 17 grs of Accurate #9. These rounds were loaded for my S&W Model 29 Classic with a 6" barrel which I used for Florida hog hunting. Those loads averagely chronied at 1250 fps. I have 30 of those rounds left, and I am thinking of using them in my Henry .44 MAG BB. Are there any "Watch Out For's" that I should be aware of before firing these rounds through my Henry BB?

[tractortad]

The Henry will handle the power of any 44Mag round, but some of the big heavy bullet stuff is too long to cycle thru a Henry (or a Marlin for that matter). Additionally, the 1/38 twist rate on your Henry may not give you the best accuracy when you start launching bullets heavier than 240g.

[Pitchman1968]

Tractortad, Thanks for your 30 years Sub service. I'm currently shooting Hornady 240 gr XTP's using 20grs of #9. Getting two and half inch groups at 75 yards off a bench rest; which is good enough for deer hunting up here in New England. However, I want to tighten up the groups to 1", so I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight. Don't want to scope the rifle because, as a prior Navy guy myself, I am a traditionalist.

[tractortad]

I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight.

Great idea, Pitchman. We've got 7 Henrys and 6 of them wear receiver mounted Skinners - they really improve the sight picture over the buckhorn. In my opinion, it's the best improvement you can make to a Henry rifle....

[Squatch]

I've shot the 300 gr Hornady Critical Defense rounds through my Big Boy. They shot just fine.

I think if you go any heavier than that you might find the twist rate is too slow to stabilize them well.

[Steve51]

Tractortad, Thanks for your 30 years Sub service. I'm currently shooting Hornady 240 gr XTP's using 20grs of #9. Getting two and half inch groups at 75 yards off a bench rest; which is good enough for deer hunting up here in New England. However, I want to tighten up the groups to 1", so I'm thinking of replacing the factory Marble sight with a Skinner peep sight. Don't want to scope the rifle because, as a prior Navy guy myself, I am a traditionalist.

2 1/2" groups at 75 yds. with Henry factory iron sights sounds very good to me. I have the Skinner barrel mounted peep sight on mine and I would be very satisfied with that group at 75 yds.