Last weekend my wife and I were warming up the deer rifles to get ready for next weekend's mule deer hunt, and we had gallon jugs filled with water at various ranges. Nice, breezy day to practice. After a bit we switched to handguns for a break, and I decided to try my 44 magnum (Raging Bull 6") at the 290-yard jug. I lobbed 6 rounds, with some coming pretty close. She then used it to vaporize some short-range jugs, and handed it back to me with 3 rounds left. I shot at the 290-yard jug again, coming in a little high, and then I hit it - took the top clean off as Inspector Callahan might say. Not bad, I think, for standing with open sights. I never fail to be impressed with what a 44 magnum is capable of.
Sidearms & Scatterguns 44 magnum at 290 yards
- Thread starter flyrodder
- Start date
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
We used to play a game with our revolvers called "Jugs" We had 8-10 guys all sitting in a line about 3-4 yds apart all facing in the same direction. We would set up milk jugs starting at 75yds and go out to 300 or so. First guy takes one shot, if you hit you get to shoot another one, miss and its the next guys turn. If the guy who shoots after you shoots at the jug you missed and hits it your out... good way to waste alot of ammo and have a good time. The 300 yarders were quite hard to hit!!
We used to play a game with our revolvers called "Jugs" We had 8-10 guys all sitting in a line about 3-4 yds apart all facing in the same direction. We would set up milk jugs starting at 75yds and go out to 300 or so. First guy takes one shot, if you hit you get to shoot another one, miss and its the next guys turn. If the guy who shoots after you shoots at the jug you missed and hits it your out... good way to waste alot of ammo and have a good time. The 300 yarders were quite hard to hit!!
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
Sounds like fun! Holdover that obscures the target adds to the challenge, and those jugs do get pretty small.
Sounds like fun! Holdover that obscures the target adds to the challenge, and those jugs do get pretty small.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyrodder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like fun! Holdover that obscures the target adds to the challenge, and those jugs do get pretty small. </div></div>
Trick is to hold the front sight "up" in the rear notch (as opposed to level across the top of it) so the target still perches on top of the front sight. It allows you to see the target while still maintaining good windage. If you are crafty, you can file small grooves in the front sight and paint them or fill them with silver, brass, or gold wire to give you a repeatable holdover at known distances. Works all the way out to, "What the hell are you thinking?" distances.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyrodder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like fun! Holdover that obscures the target adds to the challenge, and those jugs do get pretty small. </div></div>
Trick is to hold the front sight "up" in the rear notch (as opposed to level across the top of it) so the target still perches on top of the front sight. It allows you to see the target while still maintaining good windage. If you are crafty, you can file small grooves in the front sight and paint them or fill them with silver, brass, or gold wire to give you a repeatable holdover at known distances. Works all the way out to, "What the hell are you thinking?" distances.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
Good shooting , for anyone interested in this kind of shooting,
google Elmer Keith .
Good shooting , for anyone interested in this kind of shooting,
google Elmer Keith .
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
Or just watch the video. This guy does a couple good one's on .44 mag. Had to buy one because of this,,,
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Or just watch the video. This guy does a couple good one's on .44 mag. Had to buy one because of this,,,
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRNDoVjFQJM"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRNDoVjFQJM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
Thanks for the front sight tip. I've gotten so used to scopes at long ranges that reminders of good open sight techniques are always appreciated.
Thanks for the front sight tip. I've gotten so used to scopes at long ranges that reminders of good open sight techniques are always appreciated.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
How do you like your 6" 44 Mag? i'm contemplating on purchasing one for my dad and I for his 50th Bday. How is the kick on it? Does the Porting make a diff? and how do you feel about its quality?
How do you like your 6" 44 Mag? i'm contemplating on purchasing one for my dad and I for his 50th Bday. How is the kick on it? Does the Porting make a diff? and how do you feel about its quality?
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
I really like it. Recoil doesn't seem bad - my wife and sons (13-year-old twins) don't want to shoot any of the 44 special loads I worked up for it and want full power (240-grain HPs over 25.5 grains of H110 if memory serves). The grip is comfortable and seems to absorb some of the pulse, and the porting likely helps, too, but I haven't compared it with non-ported 44s. It shoots well for me, and the 6" barrel seems to be a nice compromise length. As for quality, it is tight and smooth with a good trigger (both single and double action) and I have had no problems at all with it. My wife has a Taurus .357 and it seems to be of good quality as well.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
I really like it. Recoil doesn't seem bad - my wife and sons (13-year-old twins) don't want to shoot any of the 44 special loads I worked up for it and want full power (240-grain HPs over 25.5 grains of H110 if memory serves). The grip is comfortable and seems to absorb some of the pulse, and the porting likely helps, too, but I haven't compared it with non-ported 44s. It shoots well for me, and the 6" barrel seems to be a nice compromise length. As for quality, it is tight and smooth with a good trigger (both single and double action) and I have had no problems at all with it. My wife has a Taurus .357 and it seems to be of good quality as well.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
This thread reminds me how I need to shoot my Redhawk more. I love shooting that thing just need to load ammo for it so it's a little more economical to shoot.
This thread reminds me how I need to shoot my Redhawk more. I love shooting that thing just need to load ammo for it so it's a little more economical to shoot.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
Yeah - they're awfully proud of factory ammo for 44 magnums. On the other hand, I don't need to shoot it a lot to enjoy it.
Yeah - they're awfully proud of factory ammo for 44 magnums. On the other hand, I don't need to shoot it a lot to enjoy it.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
It is sure fun to shoot handguns that far. reminds me of the time I took the 45lc rifle out and by brother and I were shooting steel at 440yds.
It is sure fun to shoot handguns that far. reminds me of the time I took the 45lc rifle out and by brother and I were shooting steel at 440yds.
Re: 44 magnum at 290 yards
It's really fun to shoot handguns that far. I took my 1911 to 230 yards before. I didn't hit anything but I came close and it was fun
It's really fun to shoot handguns that far. I took my 1911 to 230 yards before. I didn't hit anything but I came close and it was fun
