Author Topic: .44 specials (Read 811 times)

Totin'a10 · « **on:** March 15, 2004, 05:04:42 AM »

Could I please get some feedback/wisdom/recommendations on the various .44 spls and suggested loads? I'm interested, primarily, in the steel guns. Lightweight is over-rated. Many thanks!

I should clarify that as I don't reload YET , I'm referring to commercial ammo. Thanks! :oops:

dpastor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2004, 09:10:38 AM »

Totin'

A .44 Special is an underrated round. In original form (no +P) it gives .38 Special velocities with 50% more lead. Makes bigger holes too. Yes, there are "defense" loadings for it. My Taurus "441" with 4" barrel is very accurate with 240 gr semi-wadcutter lead bullets, less so with 200 gr RN "Cowboy Action" bullets. Depending on the final bullet sizing diameter, pick a load that is comfortable from the reloading tables. My own gun likes 11.5 gr Alliant 2400 (picked for max volume of powder in the large case). with 240 gr moly lubed bullets. I noticed that these were sized about .0005 larger than others that I tried. Standard lubed lead worked well with about 12.4 gr with the same recoil. For cost reasons, I do not reload any jacketed bullets.

You can always shoot Specials in a Magnum gun. However, for a magnum gun to be comfortable to shoot, it will be much heavier. For example, it gets tiring to hold up my Ruger Redhawk for 50 to 60 rounds. The loud noise and recoil make it fun to shoot, however. The soreness comes hours later. The Taurus .44 Special is a joy to shoot and is not tiring at all.

unspellable · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2004, 02:10:29 AM »

For social purposes the Winchester 44 Special Silver Tip Hollow Point is widely available and a pretty good load.

The Corbon might or might not be a trifle better, but it is harder to find and will cost more.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2004, 06:49:33 AM »

If you're hoping for expanding loads in the 44 Special, the only consistent performer I've found yet is the Silvertip. The Cor-Bon 180-grain load shoots hard, kicks a lot, but the Sierra bullet they use seems way to hard, and I got zero expansion out of a three-inch, and tested the whole bloody box, trying to get one to open up.
If you don't care about expansion, and are relying on .429 diameter to get the job done, you might as well get the heaviest SWC lead bullet you can find. Whatever you do, don't shoot anybody with the old-style blackpowder pointed load. It just tends to irritate them.
PJ