Gun Loads Forum - .44 Special Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. But don't be misled. This is not a true Keith bullet and even has a bevel base, however it shoots well. Contest void where prohibited by law. The .44 Special is an ideal cartridge for cast-bullet loads, with literally dozens and dozens of designs and weights readily available. It's just a personal thing with me, but I'm very VERY hesitant to put light charges of fast-burning powder into large capacity cases, like the .44 Special, for fear of double-charging a case and missing it. 7, Ramshot True Blue, Alliant Unique and Power Pistol. 250 gr. Having always been a fan of moderate loads using lead bullets suitable for casual paper punching, the .44 Special naturally comes to mind for use in .44 Magnum revolvers. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. Stick to 200 grain load data with these bullets since all the lead is seated flush in the case. Filled with .44 Magnum cartridges, it is ready for target practice or hunting. Start load of 7.8 shot very well for my friend. 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 If you think I'm an unabashed fan of the old round, you're right. | XTP; Hornady 240-gr. JFP, 240 gr. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. For general-purpose plinking, target work and even defense, using one of the various 245- to 255- grain cast SWC profile bullets pushed around 850 to 875 fps will prove effective and pleasant to shoot. Powders include Alliant, Winchester, Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, IMR, Accurate Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. Missouri Bullet Company Cast Lead Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 240 Grain Hi-Tek Coated Semi-Wadcutter Box of 500. Since I have experimented with case position sensitive powder and found great differences, I now want bulkier powder that will better fill the case. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. ($0.15 per bullet) Ships today from MidwayUSA. ", "Truth is treason in the empire of lies" Ron Paul, Colt's Manufacturing Company Armorer Instructor. Normally, you use the 44. special cases in guns chambered for the .44 special cartridge. Joseph Von Benedikt is with Jorge Spat to learn all about it. This site is going to be as much member run as possible. Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. Several years ago, a prominent gun magazine asked readers what their favorite powder was for reloading the .44 Special. Fun, accurate and economical load. Join the exclusive reloading community founded in 1996 and be the first to know about our latest news, reviews, and insights. All Rights Reserved. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Subscribe To American Handgunner I used CCI-350 magnum primers with HS-6 and Silhouette powders, but regular primers would work just as well. Meet the all-new Taurus Judge Executive Grade, a revolver featuring a hand-polished satin finish, presentation-grade wood grips, a brass rod front sight and an exceptional hand-tuned trigger. Using bullets from Hornady HP-XTP , Hornady FP-Cowboy, Hornady HP-XTP, Hornady SWC-HP or SWC, Hornady HP-XTP or CL-SIL. bullet at 900 fps left little to be desired. Required fields are marked *. _________________________________________________. Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. Thanks and enjoy your stay. 50 rounds of Herters 44 Mag 240 grain SP brass cased ammo However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. 5 are top choices for loads that push standard weight (250-grain) bullets between 900 to 1,000 fps. It is a faithful rendition of the original and should quicken the pulse of .44 Special fans everywhere. Make sure to watch till the end. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Regardless of the loads chosen, be certain to use data exactly as listed, as changes in bullet design, bullet seating depth and overall cartridge length, primer, etc., will change the pressures and performance of the load. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. With 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot, that same bullet does yeoman service in target loads, too. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. Hodgdons has data for 44 SP for 165 - 240 gr bullets. The "Skeeter"load. It shares the same cylinder length as the Model 29-5 (bottom) rather than the short cylinder of the original Model 1950 Target (top). For the .44 Magnum to achieve its greater velocity potential when held to industry overall length specifications, it is necessarily loaded to a higher maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. 5 built by Bowen Classic Arms. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The .44 Special was introduced in about 1907 and is an extremely accurate cartridge. Winchester Lead Cowboy 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - Winchester cowboy loads with its flat nose, cast lead bullets and target velocities. By the 1920s smokeless powders had been significantly improved, which resulted in handloaders developing ammunition that enhanced the performance of the .44 Special to create +P loads. Its best to shoot all lead bullets outside to avoid lead fumes. SWC. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. A charge of 9.5 grains of Blue Dot produced 880 fps and consistent accuracy with the FTX. For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin' Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. In your Super Black hawk that should get you 950 fps at about 18,000 PSI. * These three lead bullets make the .44 Magnum a versatile cartridge (left to righ): The 200-grain wadcutter is inexpensive and great to shoot at targets. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Both bullets were seated out to their second crimp groove for overall lengths of 1.582 and 1.588 inches. Even the potent .357 Magnum delivers less muzzle energy than a 240/250-grain cast SWC on top of a case full of 2400 or 4227. Is there a place to go for load data for 44 Special loads. For Cowboy Shooting, I used a lite load right out of the Hodgdon Cowboy Action Data pamphlet. However, when specifically handgun hunting I rely on the same bullets pushed to a velocity of 1,200 fps to help extend effective range, which in practical terms shares the same velocities and trajectory as most current .44 Magnum 240-grain JHP factory loads while offering better penetration, less pressure and the unique advantage of being fired in lighter guns that usually feature a lower bore axis for less felt recoil. That changed when Elmer Keith and the other .44 Associates of the 1920s and 1930s began handloading it to its maximum potential; then, the .44 Spl. 10grs is a hot load; maybe not unsafe, but hot. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. The 255-grain Lyman Thompson-designed mould 429244 with a gas check also produces excellent terminal performance and minimizes barrel leading. Our Price: . The new 9mm suppressor can mount easily to any pistol barrel threaded x28 inches and doesn't compromise on sound suppression, gas blowback or recoil. I like to load the .44 Special using moderate amounts of powder thus providing a very economical cartridge to use any time in any .44 Magnum. The old balloon-head cases are certainly weaker, and being nearly ancient often display signs of breakdown by becoming brittle or plagued with corrosion, etc. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I replicate that load with a Lyman 246 grain round nose or a Magma 240 grain round nose and 5.0 grains of Bullseye in my Ruger Bisley Flat Top. For example, Remington currently lists a 240-grain jacketed HP or SP at 1,180 fps; Federal has a 240-grain JHP at 1,230 fps; Winchester lists a 240-grain HSP at 1,180 fps (all tested from a 4-inch, vented test barrel); and Hornady lists a 240-grain bullet at 1,350 fps from a 7.5-inch barrel. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The following are for 5 or 6 inch revolvers. Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. It is important to note that the .44 Special has an industry overall cartridge length of 1.615 inches, while the .44 Magnum is actually shorter at 1.610 inches. WMR, WSF, WST, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div. Taylor Knock-Out Factor Calculations What it takes to knock-out big game. The Hodgdon site on-line has loading data for ~15,500 PSI loads. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. Bullseye Powder For .44 Special? - Maryland Shooters Out of my 5.5" Redhawk I get 828 fps. I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data. In my experience 300 grain bullets shoot high and achievable velocity in the Specialtoo low. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. 4.3 Grains of Trailboss. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Dies are made by virtually everybody, and for years they have been configured to accommodate both Special as well as Magnum cases with minor die adjustments. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. All Rights Reserved. For example, Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers have historically featured throats that measure .431 to .432 inch, though two L-frame revolvers and a recently manufactured Model 24-6 measured .4285 to .429 inch. Using an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter is suggested. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Deployed military should use stateside address. References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. For these reasons, 240-grain bullets are best when used in conjunction with load data that exceeds industry maximum pressures. Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. Deployed military should use stateside address. Reloading Press & Equipment; Molds; Share. Below, are two loaded rounds. VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted. If you want to baby your 44 Special revolver, or just want a decent plinking load, then 6.5 grains of unique or 4.7 grains of Red Dot is fine. (This was prior to the organization of SAAMI in 1926, resulting in the standardization of ammunition specifications and pressures.). My experience shooting those behemoths suggests they exceed my limit. In spite of the frequent criticism of the .44 Special for being somewhat underpowered, it can be amazingly accurate, has been chambered in many top-notch guns and when handloaded offers power and unusual versatility that make it capable of hunting big game, defense or target work. Both revolvers shoot this load well. The 180-grain hollowpoints from Sierra and Hornady offer reliable expansion, and Speer offers a 200-grain "personal protection" version of its Gold Dot Hollow Point specially designed for the .44 Special. ; they are best relinquished as collectors items and should not be used with the accompanying data. Using 2400 in loading 44 Special - RugerForum.com Whether we travel the sagebrush, foothills, forests, or mountains there are .44 Special loads that will handle any situation were likely to encounter. JFP, 240 gr. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? HS-6 and Blue Dot are excellent choices for such applications. of black powder . The .44 S&W Special was originally loaded with a 246-grain lead RN bullet over 26.0 grains of black powder for a muzzle velocity of 780 fps, which was a ballistic improvement over its parent cartridge, the .44 Russian. Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. The classic Skeeter load of a 240-250 grain LSWC over 7.5 grains of Unique in a 44 Special casing is where I would start. Charges less than those shown are not recommended, however, as there is the very real danger of sticking a bullet in the barrel. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. I recently read the .44 Special cast bullet is standardized at 0.430. The revolver pictured above is a reproduction Keith No. Cowboy Action has recently given the .44 Special a shot in the arm, and the lighter cast bullets further broaden the Special's appeal. Reloading Data .44 Special (Hodgdon Data) Metallic - Load Data Not much of a kicker, seated bullet to crimp grove LBT style bullet. I loaded some for a friend's 6" S&W 624. There is no published data for +P in 45 Schofield caliber, and there won't be much in 44 Special, and the data that is, won't go to 25,000psi which is where the pressure ceiling is in the medium framed Rugers. The .44 Special is really anything but special in terms of performance, as least as factory loaded. A good, hard 240-grain semi-wadcutter at close to 1,000 fps will take deer, elk and black bear. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. To help illustrate this information, sidebars are included containing sample dimensions from a variety of guns. I use that load extensively. Overall fit and finish is good, the front cylinder edges are rounded for easy entry into a holster, belt or backpack. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. over the decades have fired many rounds of cast 240 SWC deep . Left to right:- 250 gr. The Specials case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. The 240-grain cast bullet loads shown also offer potent protection. 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, Top 5 Most Accurate Factory-Loaded Rifle Cartridges, The Colt Anaconda .44 Rem. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Suitable powders for the .44 Special run the gamut of burning rates, depending on the bullet weight and velocities desired, but one stands out, and it is well known to the round's legion of fans. Subscriber Services. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 gr. JHP Winchester Super X Cowboy Action 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - 50 44 S&W SPL LOW RECOIL 240GR FMJ. Using standard weight 240-gr. Typical factory loads drive a 246 grain lead RN bullet at a claimed muzzle velocity (MV) of 755 fps from a 6 inch barrel. 5 by Bowen Classic Arms, (3) custom USFA with Smith & Wesson adjustable sights, (4) Ruger Blackhawk Flattop No. These bullets are extremely effective on up to deer-size game. I have revolvers with longer barrels, but the shorter barrel makes more sense when carried on the hip, and a slight velocity loss is unimportant. For a bit more horsepower, including hunting deer-sized game, the load I prefer consists of 8.2 grains of Alliant Power Pistol with the 250-grain Keith bullet, which generally produces around 1,000 fps in most revolvers with barrels of 434 to 612 inches (or 950 to 975 fps with 4-inch barrels). U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.) No purchase necessary. Missouri Bullet Company Cast Lead Bullets 44 Cal (430 Diameter) 240 I got this load from Elmer Keith and is a great practice, self defense, and small game load. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Theyre certainly capable of doing everything we expect the sixgun to do. .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 Number of Views: 5757, Published on 10-20-2014 09:20 PM If any of you have been through this process, I'd love to hear about it. The manuals dont show every type of powder for every bullet weight for the .44 special. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. is only 15,000 psi. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. No. Forty-four Special cases manufactured since World War II (or very shortly thereafter) are of solid-head construction and are equally as strong as .44 Magnum brass. An occasional trip through the case trimmer will result in more uniform crimps - a big part of consistent ballistics - and better accuracy. The claimed muzzle energy (ME) is 310 ft. lbs. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. 1,200 fps. Bullet fit is key for accuracy. 44 special and TrailBoss - SASS Wire - SASS Wire Forum Berry's Preferred Plated 44cal 240 Grain Flat Point Reloading Pistol models. 240 gr. Early ammunition contained 26 grains of black powder that pushed the 246-grain, lead roundnose bullet 780 fps. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. A favorite load of mine using a 240 grain cast bullet is in 44 Magnum cases, not 44 Special. I am using it to knock down steel targets from 20 to 50 yards. Number of Views: 5819, Published on 10-20-2014 09:14 PM By comparison, revolvers typically chambered for the Special are lighter, handier and better suited for everyday belt carry. HP, .44 with 225 gr. The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. Revolver Is Back, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. Magtech Cowboy Action Ammo 44 Special 240 Grain Lead Flat - MidwayUSA I still favor genuine Keith designs for general use, as they are accurate, perform well on game, are easy to cast, and without a gas check, they are especially economical. Learn from CBA members that have been casting their entire life. The Association's central purpose is to help shooters enjoy casting bullets, You must enable JavaScript to be able to use this site in full. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. The .44 Magnum was potent as it fired a 240-grain lead bullet with gas check to around 1,450 fps in production revolvers with 6.5-inch barrels; however, most current factory loads have been reduced. It is good. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Just saying. Mag. (II) Limit one entry per household. They offer moderate recoil and muzzle report, low extreme spreads, and they are easy to shoot accurately while being capable of taking big game. Additionally, their charge weights are lighter (reducing powder costs) and also offered a notably reduced muzzle report, which makes them especially pleasant by comparison. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum .44 Remington Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Rifle Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 255 gr 265 gr 267 gr 270 gr 275 gr 280 gr 300 gr 320 gr 325 gr 330 gr 355 gr I used the M24 for jacketed bullet loads and the M624 with cast bullets. Though to me the .44 Special is not that special, and I dont need oodles of powder choices behind it for a particular use in the field. It was left to handloaders to fill the power vacuum. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson 429421 bullet to improve the .44 Specials accuracy and terminal performance. Unique is a great powder to use and have on your bench. Of course, the situation changed when S&W introduced the .44 Magnum 50+ years ago. Unfortunately, the .44 Magnums greater power pushed the Special from the stage. JHP 250 gr. http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/4%20Special.pdf, Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. A Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 (middle) .44 Special with a 6.5-inch barrel was used to develop the accompanying data. 2 to the slow No.9. After a while, however, even the most recoil-tough shooter looks forward to toning things down a bit. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. This load significantly increased the effectiveness of the cartridge while still being easily managed when shooting fast with double- action sixguns. First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. 44 Special +P load suggestions - Gunloads.com As to the heavier, 240-grain lead bullets, samples from Hornady and Speer were included. The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. Works well in a 3" Sheriff's Model, a 12" Buntline Special, and everything in between. If economics are important, a one-pound can of Unique (7,000 grains) will fetch you 1,000 loads using a 7.0-grain powder charge. If Im looking for a little more velocity, I go with the Lyman/Thompson #429215GC that lubed, sized and gas checked weighs around 220 grains. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. Product #: 544483. The difference in Special and Magnum case lengths is .125 inch, and Redding includes a washer of that thickness to use under the die lock ring that makes switching calibers easier. Light 44 mag loads w/ 231, Titegroup, Bullseye 429421 cast bullet to a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. It is true that guns made prior to 1956 utilized a different grade steel than revolvers chambered for .44 Magnum and later production .44 Special revolvers, but they are nonetheless strong and can easily handle loads that generate 25,000 psi. Modern Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers are stout, as they share the same outside cylinder dimensions as the Model 29 .44 Magnum; however, they are slightly shorter. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC: Which is Better? Hodgdon H-110 also performed well when mated to the heavyweight 305- and 307-grain cast bullets; however, to prevent erratic ignition and possible hang-fires, loads should not be reduced. The .44 Special (center) was based on a lengthened .44 Russian cartridge (left), while the .44 Remington Magnum (right) is based on a lengthened .44 Special case.