44 Special
- Thread starter Brad
- Start date
No thanks. I did enough hotrodding with my BH in 45 Colt. That short 4 5/8 barrel and large holes in steel make for a light, snappy revolver when shooting a 265 WFN over 25 gr of H110.
I don't have large hands or wrists and it was not fun. I don't do that anymore.
I don't have large hands or wrists and it was not fun. I don't do that anymore.
I shot 36.0 gr H-110 under a 240 gr bullet in an FA 454. Over 2,000 ft/lbs muzzle energy, nearly as bad for the shooter as the shootee. Interesting to shoot a load like that but it's not something you would want to spend an afternoon shooting. 
I bought the 454 back when they first came out and FA included a load data sheet with the revolver. They recommended 36 to 39 gr H-110 with the 240 gr bullet. I never did get around to trying the 39.0 gr load.
They also recommended using the thick jacket FA bullets because the much thinner jackets of the Sierra 240 would strip the jacket off the core. Definitely a load only for large things that absolutely must be shot.
.
I bought the 454 back when they first came out and FA included a load data sheet with the revolver. They recommended 36 to 39 gr H-110 with the 240 gr bullet. I never did get around to trying the 39.0 gr load.
They also recommended using the thick jacket FA bullets because the much thinner jackets of the Sierra 240 would strip the jacket off the core. Definitely a load only for large things that absolutely must be shot.
.
I used to think of getting a 454 but not any more. If I feel the need for that kind of horsepower in a handgun I have a 309 JDJ barrel for the 'Tender. A 165 pushing 2400 fps does get ones attention. Shooting 2 inch groups at 200 is a nice thing however.
Yeah, I bought a 44 special to shoot as a 44 special. A 265 gr SWC at 750 is still a potent load.
Yeah, I bought a 44 special to shoot as a 44 special. A 265 gr SWC at 750 is still a potent load.
Anyone that knows me also knows that I am a fan of the .44 Special and have been for many, many years. I have a 6.5" Model 24, a 6.5" Model 624, a 4" Model 624, a Cimarron 4 3/4" SAA, and a couple of Ruger .44 Special Flattops (one a 5½" and one a 4 5/8" SS). No doubt, the .44 Special is one of the all-time best field revolver loads EVER!
My field load in one of these full size revolvers is the Mihec correct copy of the H&G #503 (both solid and hollow point) ahead of 7.5 grs. of Unique. That gives that 250 gr. Keith bullet about 950 fps. I also favor the LBT 240 gr. WFN for moderate range use for self defense and in the field.
Then there is my 200 gr. group buy double ended wadcutter that we have mentioned here before. 5.0 grs. of Red Dot chronographs at just under 900 fps. 4.0 grs. gives a nice light recoiling target load for quick recoil recovery.
Ben;
That little snubby of yours should be just the thing for "serious" work with a proper load for it's size.
FWIW
Dale53
My field load in one of these full size revolvers is the Mihec correct copy of the H&G #503 (both solid and hollow point) ahead of 7.5 grs. of Unique. That gives that 250 gr. Keith bullet about 950 fps. I also favor the LBT 240 gr. WFN for moderate range use for self defense and in the field.
Then there is my 200 gr. group buy double ended wadcutter that we have mentioned here before. 5.0 grs. of Red Dot chronographs at just under 900 fps. 4.0 grs. gives a nice light recoiling target load for quick recoil recovery.
Ben;
That little snubby of yours should be just the thing for "serious" work with a proper load for it's size.
FWIW
Dale53
fiver
Well-Known Member
I tend to mostly treat the 44 special as a 44 caliber 45 acp.
similar ballistics and weights and loads and I'm generally happy with the results.
when I want to step things out some I break out the super-magnums.
I had the fore-runner to the 454 casull [called the 450 express] in the NAA revolver and found it to not be too bad.
it's grip shape took some getting used to but wasn't too bad once you did.
now the 445 will blow your hair back and ring your ears when you get it stoked up with 4227 or 1680 and a 300-315gr bullet. [I wear both plugs and muffs]
but the muzzle brake built into the barrel and shroud combination is surprisingly effective at keeping the pistol under control.
put the shorter 4 or 6 inch barrel on and things change drastically.
I think it's just different.
now the 458 win mag in the contender will for sure cause you to doubt you have any wrist muscles as it's muzzle starts coming up toward your forehead.
similar ballistics and weights and loads and I'm generally happy with the results.
when I want to step things out some I break out the super-magnums.
I had the fore-runner to the 454 casull [called the 450 express] in the NAA revolver and found it to not be too bad.
it's grip shape took some getting used to but wasn't too bad once you did.
now the 445 will blow your hair back and ring your ears when you get it stoked up with 4227 or 1680 and a 300-315gr bullet. [I wear both plugs and muffs]
but the muzzle brake built into the barrel and shroud combination is surprisingly effective at keeping the pistol under control.
put the shorter 4 or 6 inch barrel on and things change drastically.
I think it's just different.
now the 458 win mag in the contender will for sure cause you to doubt you have any wrist muscles as it's muzzle starts coming up toward your forehead.
Missionary
Well-Known Member
Greetings
Another 44 Special happy shooter when up north there. Am very happy to shoot 250 grainers at 750 - 850 fps. If I need more revolver that that is why there are 41 mags and 45 Colts about. The 44 Russians were well noted to be well suited for "equalizing conditions". I doubt I need much more today.
Our 44 is a Taurus Titanium with a 2.5 barrel. Little 5 shot is so light it can be forgotten it is there. Been eyeing the older ROSSI'S with adjustable sites for a back up plan.
Mike in Peru
Another 44 Special happy shooter when up north there. Am very happy to shoot 250 grainers at 750 - 850 fps. If I need more revolver that that is why there are 41 mags and 45 Colts about. The 44 Russians were well noted to be well suited for "equalizing conditions". I doubt I need much more today.
Our 44 is a Taurus Titanium with a 2.5 barrel. Little 5 shot is so light it can be forgotten it is there. Been eyeing the older ROSSI'S with adjustable sites for a back up plan.
Mike in Peru
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Another .44 Special fan, there.
The first, a new 6 1/2" Model 624 Lew Horton Special, was a birthday present from my wife.
The second, another Lew Horton Special, bought used, is a 3 1/2" Model 24 that came complete with its factory option, matching left-handed holster.
The first, a new 6 1/2" Model 624 Lew Horton Special, was a birthday present from my wife.
The second, another Lew Horton Special, bought used, is a 3 1/2" Model 24 that came complete with its factory option, matching left-handed holster.
9
9.3X62AL
Guest
I'm a heretic--I did away with the 44 Special a couple years back. Now I just assemble "Skeeter's Load" into 44 Magnum brass, and 8.3 grains of Unique duplicates performance of the 7.5 x Unique in the shorter Special hulls. Lyman #429421 at 950 FPS is a VERY useful load, and about 80% of my 44 Magnum shooting iconsists of this concoction.
Ricochet
Member
OK, here is something I've thought of for years and finally did just now. These are the group buy .433" 200 grain double ended wadcutters from a few years back. They have a crimp groove at each end and a great big lube groove in the middle. I sized them to .430". Flaring the case mouth just enough to let the bullet start easily into the case using my old Lyman die lets the bullet seat easily with fingers right to the top of the rear crimp groove, no seating die needed. Then I used my Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die to apply a very firm crimp. I know some of you hate the FCD, but it did a fine job here. I dipped the bullets of the loaded cartridges into a molten waxy lube mixture, let it harden and then pushed the bullets into a spare unsized fired .44 case to remove the excess lube on the sides and leave the groove filled. I didn't bother to clean off the meplats, they're waxy. The crimp holds the bullet very tightly. They don't wiggle or turn, and I can't pull them out by hand. There's not a lot of case holding the bullets, so I'll need to do some test shooting to be certain they can't pull out on recoil. I don't expect a problem with that. The next alternative if one wanted a little more bullet in the case would be to crimp over the band at the rear of the lube groove. These leave about 1/16" in the end of a Bulldog's chamber necks. Those holes filled with flat lead look very businesslike. I loaded these with 5.6 grains of #2, which Accurate says is a maximum standard pressure (14,000 p.s.i.) load for a 200 grain cast bullet giving 950 FPS in an 8" barrel. These bullets are seated much farther out, the case volume is greater than a .44 Magnum at normal seating depths, so it won't be a hot load. But it should be manageable to my little wife and should effectively protect her if she needs it.
I've brought the .44 Special full circle. S&W brought out the externally lubricated .44 American. The Russians specified the smaller, inside lubricated bullet resulting in the .44 Russian. The .44 Russian was lengthened to the .44 Special, and now I'm loading the .44 Special with outside lubricated bullets!
I've brought the .44 Special full circle. S&W brought out the externally lubricated .44 American. The Russians specified the smaller, inside lubricated bullet resulting in the .44 Russian. The .44 Russian was lengthened to the .44 Special, and now I'm loading the .44 Special with outside lubricated bullets!
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I know that we've learned a lot about handgun accuracy, bullet design, load data, sizing, etc by shooting handguns at 100 and 200 yards.
I use a handgun for self defense 80% of the time, the other 20% for just casual paper punching.
I don't shoot past 25 yards with handguns. For all those that like to shoot farther, I say enjoy yourselves ! !
Ben
I use a handgun for self defense 80% of the time, the other 20% for just casual paper punching.
I don't shoot past 25 yards with handguns. For all those that like to shoot farther, I say enjoy yourselves ! !
Ben