44 Special bullet choice

Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Just so happens, I had 200 new 44 Special Starline cases delivered today. Purchased them off the other forum. They were shipped in a small flat rate box on Dec 30th. Twice they went from Little Rock to Anaheim, California.................finally found out why. Guy wrote the wrong zip code. My zip code starts with a seven, he lead off with a nine. :headbang:
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I have vacillated back & forth about getting another 44 Special, and still might--my single-action Rugers all have 7.5" barrels, which serve well for hunting. Mostly, I wanted a 4"-4.5" holster gun--truth to tell. The S&W Model 625 serves very well for that purpose, as does the 686 x 4". I call that "Matter handled".
 
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Walks

Well-Known Member
I'm not even sure how many .44Cal Bullet molds I have anymore.
I think I have the RCBS .44 KT, don't use it much. I just hate that skinny front "driving" band.
All my Saeco's and H&G's are gone.
Got some of the "STD" Lyman .44's
Have collected a bunch of the Lee's over the past 20yrs, some are discontinued; 2cav & 6cav.

As much as I like shooting the SWC's, the old style RN & FP are just fun. Plus they look "cool".
There is something about sliding a RN or RNFP into the cylinder of a Revolver: Single or Double Action, taking a sight on a old can or "gong".
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
If that 32/20 is no longer tolerable, I know a few folks hereabouts that might give it a good home. I currently run 3 revolvers and a rifle in that caliber. YES, the caliber is a PITA--but all things excellent are both rare and difficult. There is a thread running here about at least one of us wanting to build his own bamboo fly rod. The world is more complex than just carbon-fiber fly rods and black rifles, far more nuanced and ramified.

The late John Kort's writings on the 44/40 WCF was one part of my route to success with both the 44/40 AND with the 32/20 WCF. The other half came from the late Ken Waters in his "Pet Loads" column in Handloader magazine about 40 years ago.
 
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JustJim

Well-Known Member
I don't think the 44/40 is a "bad" cartridge. I think the 44/40 (like the 38/40 and 32/20) make nice rifle cartridges. I've just found that over the years the 44 special (vs 44/40) works better for me in handguns.

It is relatively easy to work up a good load for the 44 special. Loading good ammunition for 44/40 handguns was always a pain due to the dimensional variety of chamber dimensions, and throat and bore diameters. It was never something I enjoyed. After loading for more than a dozen 44/40 handguns I just decided to not do it any more.
 
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Walks

Well-Known Member
I'm very fond of the .44-40, I'm down to 3 Rifles and 1 revolver. The revolver is a spaghetti gun and has a .44Spl cylinder fitted to it.
It's a heck of a lot easier to load for then the 1st Gen Colts my Dad went thru in the 1950's-60's.
 
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JustJim

Well-Known Member
Brass arrived today, so maybe I can find time to get started on this. I love the tinkling sound of a box of brass, such a happy sound!
 
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