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Author Topic: 44 Special  (Read 566 times)

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Offline Old Griz

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44 Special
« on: February 19, 2006, 08:06:07 AM »
:cb2: Pardon my ignorance, but who developed the .44 Special and when?
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Offline PaulS

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44 Special
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2006, 04:34:10 PM »
Smith and Wesson developed the 44 Special as a smokeless powder replacement for the BP target round in the same caliber - the 44 Russian in 1907 Approx - if memory serves me.

It has proven itself to be as accurate as the old black powder Russian cartridge. It operates at slightly higher tha black powder pressure levels and that keeps its velocity on the low side - even with light bullets it is difficult to get 900 fps out of it without exceeding the SAAMI 15500 psi limit.
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Offline ironfoot

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44 Special
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2006, 04:50:37 PM »
PaulS
Does the low velocity help to make it an accurate round?
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Offline .44splx2

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.44spl accolades
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2006, 05:47:00 AM »
PaulS knows his stuff. I can only say that the .44spl is inherently accurate, versatile, underrated. An excellent hunting round until you get into very tough critters--hogs, black bears etc. Speer, Buffalo Bore, Cor-Bon, Hornady, PMC--thats the good stuff although I can't speak to saami specs.
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Offline unspellable

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44 Special
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2006, 07:50:32 AM »
No the low velocity doesn't make it accurate, but it doesn't hurt either.  Actually there are many factors that go into accuracy, perceived accuracy, and reputation for accuracy.

All else being equal, a shorter case will be slightly more accurate with lite target loads because there is less room for the powder to shift position.  This would be the mai nreason to favor the 44 Special over the 44 Magnum for target work.  (The difference is not as great as you think.  The 44 Mag case is longer, but the OAL is nearly the same so the powder room is not all that different.  I use the 44 Mag case in 44 Mag chambers even for lite loads.)

But there are many factors in a cartridge's repuation for accuracy or lack thereof that may have nothing to do with the cartridge.  An example is the 45 Colt which does not have a sterling reputation for accuracy.  Part of the problem is that the 45 Colt chamber is traditionally over sized and does a poor job of locating the cartridge.  This is not the fault of the cartridge itself.  there are two different nominal groove diameters and bullet diameters for this cartridge, again not an inherent fault of the cartridge.  It has a long case and so does not do so well with lite loads but this may change with the new Trail Boss powder.
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