Optimum barrel length for .44 mag?

[Diggers]

I’m looking at buying a .44 mag lever gun. I’m wondering what would be the best length barrel for the .44 as far as getting maximum FPS?

Is there a point where there is too much barrel for this pistol round?

 

[Lloyd Smale]

There pretty effecient in anything from 16-20

 

[CraigC]

18-20". You will probably never see any more velocity out of a 24" but velocity should NEVER be the primary concern. Particularly if you need the extra sight radius. The .44 doesn't need every FPS it can get to be effective.

 

[Diggers]

That's a good point CraigC.

I guess the difference of 100-200 FPS in a .44 rifle is a lot lower down on the list than an accurate hit at 100 yards.

Sight radius wins.

 

[CraigC]

The added 300-400fps over a sixgun barrel does flatten trajectory nicely but the bullet coasting down the last 4-6" of a 24" barrel isn't gonna make any difference. At most it would be 20fps, if any.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I've always had good luck with both of my 24" barreled lever actions.But I'd have to dig thru a bunch of load data books to find out what my loads chrono'd.

One's a Winchester 94AE -44 mag,the other is a Uberti 1873 -45 colt

 

[56hawk]

Between 16-18 will get you the maximum fps. See this link for the details:
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/44mag.html