.44 Special?

mmattockx

mmattockx

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Does anybody here shoot much .44 Special? I have been looking at revolvers lately and was thinking about a GP100 in .357 with the 4.2" barrel, but it seems like there are more .44 Mag revolvers that appeal to me and lots of traffic in the EE in .44. I reload, so I can load light cast loads in .44 Special for plinking and making big holes in paper and have awesome power available with full magnum loads for laughs.

Sound reasonable? Or is there something I am overlooking in my enthusiasm for shooting thumb sized chunks of lead? Any particular models recommended or to be avoided?

Mark
 
Probably 80% of the rounds I shoot through my .44 Magnum are reduced loads, but I just use the magnum cases for everything for two reasons:

1. Once fired .44 magnum brass is more common.
2. No carbon fouling from the short cases to cause difficult extraction with the magnum cases.

Unless you want to shoot a lot of full-power loads with bullets heavier than the standard 240-250 grains, I would go with a S&W Model 29 or 629.

Here is my four-screw Model 29 with Ahrends Retro Target grips (it didn't have the original "Coke Bottle" grips when I got it):

DSC00086.JPG


I think that part of the appeal of a .44 Magnum is the ability to load to different levels of power, not just the full power loads.
 
Not yet, but I am thinking along those lines. I already reload so I'd probably reload the .44Magnum cases light rather than buy .44 Special as well.
 
624

Just today myself and Silverback shot my S&W 624, (amongst several other revolvers)
I really like mine, and I also have other .44 magnum sixguns as well.
This 6.5 inch barrelled gun seems to like my latest formula of Red Dot powder and PB 240 grain SWC cast loads. Its very accurate @25 yards, but alot of good sixguns are as good I'm sure, in the right hands.

Edit: The biggest hurdle I see with getting a .44 Special here is, they tend to sell for more than, .44 Magnums normally do on the EE.
Guess it's a supply/demand issue.
 
Whenever I take out my Ruger Super Blackhawk, I shoot a couple of wheels two-handed with .44 magnum and then a couple of wheels one-handed with "cowboy" .44 Special. Two totally different experiences.
 
I shoot 44spl in my antique 1858 Remington cartridge conversion...she'll chamber magnums with wc seated almost flush but not sense in stresses the ol girl out ;)
44spl is a nice shootable cal.
 
i shoot 44 sp loadings through the redhawk all the time- that way there's no " beauty ring" to clean like there would be if you were shooting 44 sp cases- the upside is you can also go to the "heavy" loads whenever you want, unless you're shooting something that's exp 44 special , or somethng like the charter arms bulldog
 
I shoot 44 Spl out of a revolver chambered for that caliber. In my 44 mag revolvers I shoot the same load - 6.5gr 7625 under a 240 grSWC.

44Spl revolvers are rare and more expensive. Also, 44Spl brass is harder to come by, too.

99.963% of the ammo I shoot in 44Mags are mild loads in Magnum brass. Very accurate.

I shoot mostly 38SPl in my 357 guns. I have some 357 brass for them, but can't remember the last time I used it.

44MAGTEST.jpg
 
Thanks for the info, gentlemen. I guess I should have asked about simply using magnum brass with light loads. That would likely be the way for me to go just to simplify brass supply and not get the cylinder gunked up from the short cases.

Any more gun info is appreciated. How do people like the Redhawk as compared to the Mod. 29/629? I will be looking for shorter barrels over the 9"+ ones if that matters.

Mark
 
I've got the 4.2" Redhawk. It's still a hefty piece... I like it though but can't compare to anything else as it is my first .44Mag.

No complaints although I was worried about the barrel initially being too short :D hehe.
 
Just some extra info:
I handload in .44 Special cases, 240 grain PB semi-wadcutter.
Over 6 grains of Red Dot powder.
I used in the past 6.4 grains, (a book max load for .44 special) but thought I'd try this newer load.
Seems just as accurate with 6 grains versus 6.4, and the cases are worked less.

Cheers
 
i've got both a 5.5 inch redhawk and a 7.5 with the scope mounted barrel- i use the 5,5 a lot more than the 7- it's balance is better, and the trigger is a little nicer- and i'm up to 10 grains of 231, which is considerably above your 44 special loads - the top end is 11=
 
If the biigest part of your diet will be light loads, a Smith's trigger is usually much nicer out of the box. If you plan to shoot mostly heavy loads, the ruger is more robust. IMHO
 
The 44spec., shootability-wise, is my favorite round. Owning the guns that are made for it are a major draw, and damn large at that.
My appreciation for the old round started with big damn rocks in the slingshot when I was a little fart. I load 95% of the like in my 44mags (in mag brass) and stay with special brass(obviously) in the Charter arms.
All in all, its a round that has tangible speed which translates into loads of laughs at the berms at and beyond 50m.
I like the round so much Im going to send Hamilton Bowen two 357's to convert to 44s. (He's the only one, after much research, that will do work for Canadians)
 
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