Hey folks my SBH 5.5 inch barrel is being very picky. so far the best i have shot with it has been With PPU 44 mag 240 gr loads and 165 gr specials from hornaday. I wasnt wanting to reload for this revolver, but if i have to i will. I have installed a wolf spring kit, polished the trigger did a little sight work which im not crazy about FYI. I wanted to keep it with open sights for the handiness. I m much better at hitting 4" clay targets than shooting groups out to 50 yards. What the heck can i do to get his shooting.

Also I want a light 44 mag load or heavy specials.
Thoughts?

The short barrel is going to be harder to shoot well with open sights. One of the new Mini Red Dot Optical Sights might be the best solution to shooting the short barrel SBH up to it's potential.

Then you need to try and wear it out, which requires reloading.

Myself I would load for it. My 480 SRH and my brothers 44 SRH have not had a factory round fired in them after leaving the factory. It is much easier to load what you want to shoot. Not to mention much cheaper. My brother has fired over 100 rounds of 310 grain WFN 44 Magnums in the last couple days. My billfold would have hated to have bought that much custom 44 magnum ammunition from Buffalo Bore or some other loader.

I was not much help, and probably did not tell you what you wanted to hear.

Bob

My SBH loves 240XTP's with Unique powder. I'd start there.

240 cast, 9-9.5 Tite group, 240 XTP, I"ve been using 21.5, IMR 4227.

I am going to recommend 10 gr Unique with the 240 XTP also. I have never not had good results with this load. I have used this loads in at least 6 different revolvers with barrels from 5.5" to 10" with very good results including the one you described.

My first question is what is it that you are planning to hunt with said .44 Magnum?

like you i want to keep open sights on my sbh. ive found that one ragged hole aperture sight and a fiber op for the front works well. as you may well know, your gun if stock has a rx3 red grip frame. this is shorter than the super blackhawk grip. a consistent grip is #1 for accuracy. maybe trying different grips may help. i've have hogue one piece hardwood grips. don't care for the "feel", too thick, it is tremendous help with my accuracy. maybe a tight spot in the barrel where it threads into the frame? of course what type of accuracy are you looking for? i'm happy with paper plate at 75-100 yards off hand. thats heart and lung size of most big game and thats all i need.

Try the Hornady 240grn XTP's in factory loads for the 44 Mag. I purchased some at Cabela's and after shooting two groups off of sand bags at 50 yds with my Ruger Blackhawk Hunter I'm sold on them. It shoots 3 into a 2" group at 50 yds.
I have a great handload with the same bullet and H110 and they shoot just about as good.
Mike

For the guys that use Unique with the 240's....how does that fair as a hunting load?

For plinking, practice and woods loafin', I like a 240gr SWC over 10.0gr Unique for about 1100fps out of the short Bisley or 629MG. Also an excellent deer/hog load.

Thanks everyone for the help. My SBH is taking a ride tomorrow I traded it off for a Contender with a scope. Life is good. I really wanted something to hunt with. I do way to much reloading now as it is. I am opting for something thats a little more flexible. Thanks for the input everyone.

How exactly is a single shot more flexible than a revolver?

Because you can quickly and easily change the barrel to use another caliber.

I am referring to function in the field when multiple shots need to be fired in succession, like when things go western and you find yourself on the receiving end of a torqued-off fur bearer. Single shot not so flexible IMHO.

nothing more satisfying than taking game with a revolver. i'd just master that lil thing.

Max
That's why you carry that second little .45 beasty tucked cross draw on your left hip.

Torqued Off Fur Bearer?

I've got a .500 for that, junebug!

All it takes is "One Good Shot", Whitworth

And if that one good shot is flubbed?

Now you know nobody on here ever flubbs a shot.

I will say that my [GUNS] are flubb proof.

If anyone's interested I have a nice set of custom grips and and a fantastic chesty style holster left over from the sale of my SBH I m looking to part with!

Let me know

Thanks

Tell me about the grips. Who made them? What wood,etc?

PM sent

PM sent about holster.

Hornady xtp 240 grain with 19.8 grains of accurate #9 behind it in the Winchester large pistol primer shoots well in about every 44 I own