truly "special" .44 special

[Oso]

Not sure if you were looking at this or not, but it’s a good resource with real world testing.

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .44 Special Results

(statement of intent)

ballisticsbytheinch.com

Thanks - this is exactly what I was looking for during my quick “Google It” search this morning.

 

[357Mag]

I've been debating next year's guns. Likely a .22lr lever action for the rifle. For the handgun I'm stuck between a plus capacity .357M and a .44M revolver. I've never had a .44 of any variety. I do not like recoil and always figured I wouldn't like shooting it. I just found this ammo this evening, .44 Special, 510fps and 104# energy. In a revolver the size of the Super Redhawk Alaskan or 629 Deluxe it can't be any more than a non-+P .38 if even that much. Maybe more like a .22M. Then I just have to find a load recipe to make something similar. Lyman Cast Bullets was no help for load recipes as their lightest entry is for a 205gr bullet. So the data hunt is on.

https://choiceammunition.com/produc...tcfp-black-hi-tek-coated-cast100-hand-loaded/

Leo -

Howdy !

If you get a chance, review “ Magnum Force - Target practice “ on YouTube.

They ask Inspector Callahan ( Clint Eastwood ) what load he is shooting in his
M-29. He responds to them, as he is walking back from posting his target.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[mmcu]

If you're looking for a fun-to-shoot, low recoil load in the 44 Magnum, try 4.7 grains of Titegroup behind a 240 grain Berrry's FP bullet. I use Starline 44 Mag brass and a CCI 300 primer.

Recoil is very manageable and it's reasonably accurate as well.

I stopped using full-power loads as the arthritis in my hands made it quite painful. The load detailed above is a joy to shoot!

Here's a typical 6 shot group out of my 5.5" barrel 629 Classic at 15 yards.

 

[cdgaydos]

If you want a low recoil 44 cal in a revolver... try 44 Russian...
The grandfather of the 44 mag...

 

[Steve Donlon]

I've had a couple of 44 Mag Pistols that I shot 44 special loads in. Fun but had to scrub the lead out of the cylinders. Had a 44 special (Lipsey's) Ruger flat top that was a lot of fun to shoot and very accurate. I moved to a 45 Colt flat top that gave me more versatility and had a lot more published loads and available bullets. Then I got a Redhawk in 45 Colt which was SWEET. Double action. Load as hot or as mild as you want and still shot like a dream. But, it was HEAVY. The only one that has remained in the safe was the 45 flat top Blackhawk. Sambar stag grips and a western holster. I cast my own bullets for about 40 years but a cross country move put an end to that.

I had one of those Lipsey's Ruger flat top's with a 4 5/8" barrel and it was my favorite pistol for awhile. 231 or auto comp for light loads and 2400 for self defense or packing out in the middle of no where. I gave it to my nephew along with a Henry 44 mag rifle. I keep thinking about a Ruger 45 Blackhawk with the extra 45 ACP cylinder. But I also got tired of cleaning the cylinders on the 44.

 

[jds holler]

"At some point all of us were the boy standing against the wall at some homecoming dance."

When I was that boy, I didn't have to hook-up with the homecoming queen to know that she was't my type. When I had a girlfriend on the back of my bike, I didn't care near as much about how she looked as how well she handled on a tight corner. -- and that we were having fun.

I've never understood the handgun/cannon thing, except for killing big critters. I've shot plenty of the 44's, and at max or near, they're just not much fun for me. Load them down -- and why bother. jd

 

[Steve Donlon]

"At some point all of us were the boy standing against the wall at some homecoming dance."

When I was that boy, I didn't have to hook-up with the homecoming queen to know that she was't my type. When I had a girlfriend on the back of my bike, I didn't care near as much about how she looked as how well she handled on a tight corner. -- and that we were having fun.

I've never understood the handgun/cannon thing, except for killing big critters. I've shot plenty of the 44's, and at max or near, they're just not much fun for me. Load them down -- and why bother. jd

For me and friends it's more for protection where you really might need it. A single action pistol is bomb proof and safe under the worst conditions. But now days, I don't get into that kind of situations. As far as loading them down, we need to practice a lot to shoot good, so lighter loads are a good thing. I loose my pistol skills faster than my rifle skills over time and need to practice often. I went out this morning shooting my 45 acp, and was reminded how much I do need to practice.

 

[Leo_B]

I have really been enjoying researching and studying all things .44 and I have REALLY been enjoying great discussion here. That said, common sense (marginal at best) is arguing well the better option is the 2.5" GP100 as I already have dies, powder and primers for it and it is less expensive as a bonus, both to buy and to feed. And the 8oz weight savings is good also. I've lasted 68 years without a .44 and can probably last a while longer. So I'm at least going to accept the input and entertain the notion of a GP100 or maybe a 686 Plus.

 

[bozo699]

Leo -

Howdy !

If you get a chance, review “ Magnum Force - Target practice “ on YouTube.

They ask Inspector Callahan ( Clint Eastwood ) what load he is shooting in his
M-29. He responds to them, as he is walking back from posting his target.


With regards,
357Mag

It’s a light special……gives better performance and lighter recoil than a .357 magnum with wadcutters
Wayne

 

[joshb]

Well, you all got me thinking and I went to check my eyeball assessment. Mine is the 3 inch barrel. I found a review that tested ammo. Interesting. Where’s my brass?

 

[358WCF]

I had a good friend some years ago who moved into a cabin in the wilds of the Poconos from downtown Joisey City. There were black bears in the area & they raided her trash from time to time. There were also the beginnings of unsavory types of 2 legged varmints starting to move into the area. Until then she never fired a gun of any type, but we decided she needed a pistol of some sort just in case, so went looking one Saturday. After 5 or 6 gunshops & a fairly large gun show, we stopped at another local shop on the way home. There was a Taurus stainless 2 1/2" 44 Spl. from an estate. Almost new in original box for under $200... it was the mid '90s. This is one of the good Taurus' with S&W style innards & is virtually maintenance free except for a brass brush down the bore once in a while & cleaning off the powder residue after use.

Factory WW 200 Silvertips clocked 771fps from the short barrel & shot reasonably well to the fixed sights, penetrating 5 gallon water jugs the, 1st at 10 feet, opening to over .550" mushroom. It was very manageable & actually fun to shoot. She liked it & pestered me to go to the range often.

Middlin' handloads with 200 or 240 Missouri SWCs (I think they were American brand back then) & Unique or 231 were cheap & accurate enough to keep her shooting. She ended up in hospice (cancer) a few years later & on my last visit she asked if I wanted the pistol. It sat in the safe for a while until I was looking for a new "thing" to fiddle with a few years back. It still shoots acceptably for what it is & is great fun plinking stuff at distances to 75 yds. The sights & my eyes kinda suck, but it will still hit steel plates of various sizes out to 75 with regularity. My daughter loves shooting it, my pistolero buddy even likes it, & I'm glad to have it. I even made up some shot shells out of full length 445 SuperMag brass for it. It's hell on snakes. Versatile & fun.

So the moral is... just poke round & see what's available. It might not be your dream pistol, but you may be surprised what pops up. It wasn't quite what we were looking for (think a small S&W 38 Spl of some sort). We were just looking to see what was around that day & happened to stumble into it. It turned out better than the original plan & has been serving a useful purpose for 3 owners over 3+ decades & my daughter will make 4 sooner than later.

Edit: Forgot to expand on the shotshells. They use c.150gr of #8 shot in a 410 wad shortened to 1.070". At 10' the pattern is fairly dense at 8" & all shot penetrated some heavy roof flashing. Try that with a 38...

 

[357Mag]

I have really been enjoying researching and studying all things .44 and I have REALLY been enjoying great discussion here. That said, common sense (marginal at best) is arguing well the better option is the 2.5" GP100 as I already have dies, powder and primers for it and it is less expensive as a bonus, both to buy and to feed. And the 8oz weight savings is good also. I've lasted 68 years without a .44 and can probably last a while longer. So I'm at least going to accept the input and entertain the notion of a GP100 or maybe a 686 Plus.

Leo -

Howdy !

One can coax great performance out of a quality ( example ) 4” .357Mag revolver.

Here’s a group I shot years ago, when I was shooting multiple times weekly; as an
NRA-certified handgun instructor. “ Practice, practice, practice “ !!

I practice w/ bona fide’ .357Magnum ( and not reduced wad cutter ) loads still today; using my own 158-172gr lead SWC reloads…..and 125JHP factory loads for carry.
Works for me !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Leo_B]

Unless I opt for the 3" 629DLX it will be 2.5"-2.625" depending on selection. The logical side is leading back to a .357 as I already have reloading supplies for it, just needing brass and bullets to complete them. And lower costs all the way around as well. The 2.5" GP100 is looking like the logical choice, the 627PC having 1 more round and 1/8" longer barrel but costing about $370 more, too much extra. So unless the I want a .44 kid comes back really strong I think the sensible GP100 has to claim it.

 

[Oso]

Unless I opt for the 3" 629DLX it will be 2.5"-2.625" depending on selection. The logical side is leading back to a .357 as I already have reloading supplies for it, just needing brass and bullets to complete them. And lower costs all the way around as well. The 2.5" GP100 is looking like the logical choice, the 627PC having 1 more round and 1/8" longer barrel but costing about $370 more, too much extra. So unless the I want a .44 kid comes back really strong I think the sensible GP100 has to claim it.

Why are you looking at a snub nose? Are you planning to use this as your carry gun / last resort?

Regardless of factory loads or powder puff loads, a 4” barrel on 38/357 has a better balance and sight radius, while still being easy to maneuver.

 

[brokeasajoke]

My 44spl GP100 5.5"

 

[bozo699]

Leo -

Howdy !

One can coax great performance out of a quality ( example ) 4” .357Mag revolver.

Here’s a group I shot years ago, when I was shooting multiple times weekly; as an
NRA-certified handgun instructor. “ Practice, practice, practice “ !!

I practice w/ bona fide’ .357Magnum ( and not reduced wad cutter ) loads still today; using my own 158-172gr lead SWC reloads…..and 125JHP factory loads for carry.
Works for me !


With regards,
357Mag

That’s nice shooting in a short amount of time with full house .357 loads
Wayne

 

[357Mag]

That’s nice shooting in a short amount of time with full house .357 loads
Wayne

Wayne -

Thanx !

I used to shoot/carry a 5” M-27, which had that great top rib.
To practice my DA trigger pull w/ the gun empty, I progressively added dimes to a stack positioned just behind the front sight ramp. When I finally got to where I could pull the trigger until my arm ached, the stack was 10 dimes tall…. but; stayed in-place.
This was no direct correlation to practical defensive work, but still did contribute in its own way towards giving me good trigger manners.

Those 5” -27s were THE “ Cadillac of Revolvers “; and not the Python ( IMHO ).
I know shoot/carry a full custom M-520 ( surplus NYSP ) that is configured w/ a frame-width 4” Douglas “ pinned “, recessed cylinders, smooth combat trigger, bobbed hammer, thinned trigger guard ( Rt side ), manganese phosphate finish; and custom
Herrett’s stocks in Goncalo Alves.

Gives me the same great balance as a 5” -27, in a shorter + fixed sight configuration.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[kelbro]

You might try to locate a nice Monson-made Dan Wesson 357. It's the 'switch barrel king' of the pistol world. They can sometimes be found at a reasonable price. I have 6 different barrels and three different grips for mine. Fantastic shooter. Beautiful blueing.

 

[K22]

Commentary on Leading using Lead Bullets

For many years I shot 38 Speer Swaged 148 grain Hollow Base Wadcutters using target charges (Speer published data) of 231. I would go an entire outdoor season of competition never having to clean the bore due to leading issue. My S&W Model 14 retained accuracy the entire season without having to resort to any lead removing procedures / chemicals / mechanical devices.

At the end of the season and before the start of the indoor competition winter season, I would clean the bore with Hoppes # 9 and a bronze brush. Then I would go through the entire indoor season never having to clean the bore relative to lead issues.

In both cases, I never experienced lead build up in the bore. Accuracy never declined. But let me emphasize, these were swaged bullets drive at low velocities (Speer published data). These bullets / loads were capable of "X" ring accuracy at 50 yards as tested from a Ranson Rest from a quality revolver, i.e. S&W Model 14.

So, if one is seeking a low recoil and target grade accuracy for general purpose target shooting one might want to consult the Speer swaged bullet target load data.

 

[Oso]

You might try to locate a nice Monson-made Dan Wesson 357. It's the 'switch barrel king' of the pistol world. They can sometimes be found at a reasonable price. I have 6 different barrels and three different grips for mine. Fantastic shooter. Beautiful blueing.

Huge Dan Wesson fan… the Monson facility made the nicest. Highly prized are DW’s where the bluing patinas to a rich plum/purple.