Deserately seeking .44 Spl...

Cold Warrior

Cold Warrior

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Just getting my first .44 Magnum, and began searching for some .44 Spl for practice & plinking...but I can't find any at my usual suppliers!
Where have all the Specials gone? When I was doing the CAS series using .38 Spl in my .357 ("lead loads only")... obviously no jacketed magnum loads
for safety reasons, e.g. ricochets off steel targets), but now I'm unable to find the old .44 Spl in the shops; I don't want to use the magnums for plinking
at the range because they're overkill (and more expensive!.
So howcum the .38 Spls are so readily available, and the .44 Spls not?
Does anyone have an online source??
 
Can't help you but I have wondered the same. I've thought about adding a S&W model 29 to the collection but the lack of reasonably priced ammo ( I don't reload) has held me back. I have quite a bit of commercially reloaded .38 spl stockpiled that I use in my various .357's but I don't ever recall seeing .44 spl offered from any of the usual suppliers.
 
If you haven’t started reloading, then you may want to start reloading for 44 Rem mag and 44 S&W special.

44 special is pretty hard to find. Got some cases from X-Reload and Campro projectiles.
 
I bought 1/2k of starline brass just for that reason, it's also actually cheaper in 44 spl. to buy the components seperately than to buy the loaded rounds if you are using lead.
 
emerson said:
Reload. My 240gr Campro go 700fps out of my Blackhawk with a Titergroup load. Same bullet goes 1400fps over H110.
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+1. Reloading is the only affordable answer in .44 Mag. No need to use .44 Special brass, either. I use magnum brass for all my loads from powder puff to thermonuclear level.


Mark
 
You guys need to track down someone who does bullet casting. I now only cast my BPCR bullets as a local guy has fun casting and selling his bullets for fun fun and profit. At the rate I burn up pistol bullets for IDPA and CAS, I'd rather buy them cast, sized and lubed.
 
"I don't want to use the magnums for plinking at the range because they're overkill"

Well, where are you planning to use the .44 Magnums? If you're not going to actually shoot them, why acquire the gun?:p
(OP is a buddy of mine)
 
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sailor723 said:
Can't help you but I have wondered the same. I've thought about adding a S&W model 29 to the collection...
Click to expand...

Going a little off topic here, but your post reminded me of a recent thread on the S&W Forum where a guy scored a GORGEOUS 29. (Thanks to governmental f***kwittery, this would be a dastardly, evil Category 12.6 up here, alas. "Too easy to conceal", I guess.) Here's a preview:

View attachment 176937
 
As mentioned above, .44 Magnum ammo is fundamentally a DIY proposition if you want to shoot enough to become proficient. My preference is for magnum cases for both light and heavy loads, so you have only one type of case to keep in inventory and don't have to worry about die adjustments or a second die set.
 
you DO know you can use 44 mag cases trimmed to fit all it takes is a tubing cutter and some time- just the same way as u can use 357 mags in a 38 special- just a little thinking outside the box
 
Doubletap has Starline 44spl. brass in stock right now @ $269/k . At $50-60/ box for loaded rounds, it's a good deal. Get 500 rds. Brass and 500 rds lead for about $80 and youre good to go.
 
t-star said:
you DO know you can use 44 mag cases trimmed to fit all it takes is a tubing cutter and some time- just the same way as u can use 357 mags in a 38 special- just a little thinking outside the box
Click to expand...

I would only do this to salvage cases with cracked mouths or if you got a really good deal on once-fired brass and actually had a gun that was .44 Special only. The pricing I have seen recently for 1F brass is comparable to new Starline cases, so I would just get them if you must have .44 Special cases.
 
Find a buddy that reloads. If he does not load 44 magnum, buy a set of dies, a box of bullets (I use DRG 240g LSWC) and a bag of 44mag brass.

Load a few to hi vel and the rest at 44Spl powder charges.

Im one evening you can make several hundred rounds of good ammo.

You are better off using 44Mag brass in the gun. That way you don't get a gunk build up in the cylinder.
 
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mmattockx said:
+1. Reloading is the only affordable answer in .44 Mag. No need to use .44 Special brass, either. I use magnum brass for all my loads from powder puff to thermonuclear level.


Mark
Click to expand...
:agree: What he said. Just use 44 mags & load 'em down. I use 4 gr. of Red Dot under a 240 gr. LSWC and it's a nice little target/plinking load. And at this power level cases last indefinitely.
 
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