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Straight wall muzzle energy

17 Dec 2023
@ 09:47 pm (GMT)

Ryan

MD requires straight wall cartridge calibers to be used in some counties for rifle hunting. I have selected .44 mag as my cartridge and had a few questions.
I've been looking for research on muzzle energy because MD requires a minimum of 1200f/lbs of energy at the muzzle.
I am running a Henry Big Boy X Model, 17.5 in barrel, 44mag. I am attempting to confirm that the muzzle energy produces is around 1300 f/lb (with the correct ammunition).
What recommendations are there for ammunition and how can I confirm the energy produced?

Replies

18 Dec 2023
@ 07:19 am (GMT)

Quote this

Nathan Foster

Re: Straight wall muzzle energy

Hi Ryan, please read what I have written in the first paragraph of the factory ammo section of the .44 mag article. This contains the correction factors for comparing published factory data (handgun velocities) versus rifle velocities.

If you have a chronograph, obtaining the muzzle energy is as simple as plugging the bullet weight and muzzle velocity into a ballistics calculator. If you cannot obtain the muzzle velocity, you will have to make an estimate using the formula I prescribed in that first paragraph.

As a basic guide for your rifle, the 225gr Hornady FTX with an MV of 1800fps has an ME of 1618 ft-lbs. If you have a very slow barrel which only produces 1700fps, the ME would be 1443 ft-lbs. But more than likely, yours will be somewhere between 1770 and 1800fps.

The 240gr Hornady XTP factory load produces around 1700 to 1740fps. The same goes for book loads (i.e. 24gr H110). ME at 1700fps is 1540 ft-lbs.

In other words, your rifle meets the required energy levels.

All the best.