Ruger GP 100 44 SPC

[Petrol & Powder]

The SAAMI limits for 44 Special are held ridiculously low (Yes,... I know why they are held low).
For years I have advocated for a sanctioned 44 Special +P rating.
A slightly warm 44 Special load will do about 95% of what a 44 caliber round is called upon to do. When loaded to take advantage of the strength of a modern 44 Special revolver, the 44 Special is an extremely capable cartridge. That generally means exceeding the SAAMI limits by a little.
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as 44 Special +P (but there should be IMO).

Rant off

 

[CZ93X62]

Yessir. "Skeeter's Load" (Lyman #429421 atop 7.5 grains of Unique in 44 Special brass) is a very useful and superbly-accurate load. In a large-frame wheelgun it can be fired all day quite comfortably. Depending on barrel length, velocity will run 875-975 FPS.

Those of us that plumb the depths of SAAMI spec references know that a .433" throat diameter is at the upper end of 44 Special and 44 Magnum acceptable dimensions, per SAAMI. If your S&W revolver comes from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, expect large throats.

 

[462]

If your S&W revolver comes from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s, expect large throats.

Yep.
My 6 1/2" Model 624 and 3" Model 24 have 12 .432" throats.

 

[Rally]

The SAAMI limits for 44 Special are held ridiculously low (Yes,... I know why they are held low).
For years I have advocated for a sanctioned 44 Special +P rating.
A slightly warm 44 Special load will do about 95% of what a 44 caliber round is called upon to do. When loaded to take advantage of the strength of a modern 44 Special revolver, the 44 Special is an extremely capable cartridge. That generally means exceeding the SAAMI limits by a little.
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as 44 Special +P (but there should be IMO).

Rant off

I guess I don't get it. Why not just down load the .44 mag? I have both, and shot plenty of deer with both, and yet to recover a bullet, with good results. I've not had to use either in a self defense situation, but can't conceive a bad guy stopping a .44 special, no matter how much bling he/ she is wearing.

 

[oscarflytyer]

The SAAMI limits for 44 Special are held ridiculously low (Yes,... I know why they are held low).
For years I have advocated for a sanctioned 44 Special +P rating.
A slightly warm 44 Special load will do about 95% of what a 44 caliber round is called upon to do. When loaded to take advantage of the strength of a modern 44 Special revolver, the 44 Special is an extremely capable cartridge. That generally means exceeding the SAAMI limits by a little.
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as 44 Special +P (but there should be IMO).

Rant off

Can't disagree with this. Also why my first 44 SPC was/is a NM Flattop! And LOVE it. The Skeeter Load and 2400, as well as Power Pistol - all pushing a Keith 255. And, all my 44 SPC loads would be considered book +P loads, but all more than safe in my guns.

Yep.
My 6 1/2" Model 624 and 3" Model 24 have 12 .432" throats.

Well DANG! REALLY?!? I JUST bought a 624 and shot it first time today. I have pin gauges, but in a move and can't check. If they are oversize, that sucks! One reason I want no part of a Ruger Redhawk. Been down that crappy path... HOPE mine are an anomaly/max .431 and I don't have to cast special. But of COURSE, THAT will NOT be the case, I am sure! Regardless, I do like the 624!

 

[Brad]

I size to .432 for my 624 and it does wonderfully with them.
I shoot almost exclusively the NOE copy of the HG 503 which runs 265 gr. I use 4.5 gr of Titegroup for 750 FPS. No needs for more than That.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I guess I don't get it. Why not just down load the .44 mag? I have both, and shot plenty of deer with both, and yet to recover a bullet, with good results. I've not had to use either in a self defense situation, but can't conceive a bad guy stopping a .44 special, no matter how much bling he/ she is wearing.

Valid question.
The answer is, "yes, you can download the 44 Mag". But another question is, "Why is there such an extreme spread in maximum pressures between 44 Special and 44 Magnum "?
Once you step up the 44 MAGNUM, the gun must be significantly stronger. Wouldn't it be desirable to have a gun chambered for 44 Special that was rated for say......20K or 22 K psi ? The extreme pressures of a 44 mag are seldom needed. The 44 Special works beautifully at pressures just beyond what SAAMI dictates. If the 44 Special could be loaded to the Skeeter load and still be within sanctioned pressures, you can have a smaller/lighter gun that does 90% of what a 44 mag does.
Because most modern 44 Special guns CAN safely withstand pressures well beyond the pitiful SAAMI specs, a lot of people take advantage of that strength.

 

[oscarflytyer]

^^^ zero desire for a 44 Mag. Had 'em. eh. 44 SPC has the kool factor. Granted, at least for now, mine are strong guns. I load them to hole paper and also to poke a deer inside 25 yds if I so desire. Hunting loads are up there, but nowhere near hot, and not max. No need. Also, SPC vs Mag - don't want the carbon build up in the 1/10" open cylinder bore shooting a SPC in a Ma Also same reason I have a bunch of 38 SPCs and a cpl Mags. Diff guns and diff purposes. And the Mags aren't loaded max/hot either.

 

[CZ93X62]

90% of my 44 Magnum loads are put up as Skeeter Load/Long Version--that #429421 ahead of 8.5 grains of Unique or 9.5 grains of Herco in Magnum cases. Not quite 1000 FPS from the 5.5" Redhawk, in which they are docile. They will likely be even gentler in the Bisley Hunter; I haven't tried them out yet. I'll get to it eventually--maybe tomorrow. 900-1000 FPS is a good place for any cast SWC of standard weight from 32 to 45 caliber to run.

The 44 Magnum is grossly over-loaded when in factory trim. Loads like that really only make sense in a lever rifle. Why the 44 Special remains so weakly loaded by the factories......we can guess at the answer, probably has something to do with lawyers and courtrooms. The 44 Magnum loaded to the level of the now-defunct 41 Magnum lead SWC loads (about 950 FPS from a 4" barrel) is my idea of a superb all-purpose carry load for all but the most demanding of tasks. I know this runs across the grain for the hand-cannon enthusiasts among us. That's OK, handgunning is a big tent, and there's room for those folks as well as us mere mortals that prefer to have our thumbs in the OEM locations instead of drifted halfway to our elbows.

 

[Missionary]

Age is a funny thing... One hundred year old items has always been a big interest in my life. Especially firearms and pocket watches.
Today many of those one hundred year old items are 150 years+ and still enjoyable to haul about and put to use. Good old friends that are full of many more good years.
I recon if I vary much from that is the Dan Wesson line. No they are not all perfect ( I near spoke heresy). It sure was nice to go buy a revolver and not have to be armed with a pocketful of tools to be half-way sure the critter was going to not just fire but to do so accurately without needing all sorts of adjustments. Sadly they never made a 5 shot 44 Special or 45 Colt or best a 41 Special on that dandy Model 15 frame. I would have been very happy with a 5 shot 41 Colt !
So yea we have our little herd of 5 shot 44s. Super idea that has been around since 1870's with those fine little center fire S&Ws. No they were not perfect either but they served a good "belly gun" purpose. The S&W 696 had hope except they will crack.
Today here we are stuck with another affordable Ruger that will go bang and keep on doing so with near any sane load that will get stuffed in it.
So carry your tools to the toy store if you want a precision shooter right out of the box. I think I will go take a nap and dream of a 5 shot Dan......

 

[JonB]

gee, I hope I didn't open a can of worms with my mentioning 41 mag in a GP-100 ?
It had nothing to do about "Mag", it has to do with my giving up everything to do with my dislike for the antiquated 43 calibers and all their vintage hang-ups ...and being that I am all setup for 41 caliber (many molds and such).

I guess a GP-100 in 41 special would be fine, but it's such a rare caliber, I can't imagine Ruger would ever do that, and I am not about to have that type of custom work done, as I just can't afford that. add to all that, the brass is almost unobtanium, unless you trim down the 41 mag case.

 

[Missionary]

Have you looked at the Taurus 41 5 shot ? We have one in 2" and 4". With 240 grain lead plodding along at 8-900 fps it is a nice revolver package.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I never have been a 43 Mag caliber.
But nit at all because of preformance!! I just like the odd ducks the under dogs. I gravitated to the 41 Mag and 45 Colt later the 454 Cassull as my taste and ability for more costly guns left Colts in my safe. 454 was better then blowin up a Colt with hot 45 Colts.

I had a Bulldog early on and sold it cause it was just rough. Not apearing as well Made as a Colt Smith or Ruger. Smith came out with the K frame 5 shot 44 spl and I bought it immediately. NO IDEA why or when I sold it. But it was a mistake.
I had two early short cyl black hawk 357 revolvers. I sent the 6.5" off to make it a 44 spl. The gun was a gift to my Father and its a favorite!
I have had a few 43 mags but they never did anything that my 45's couldnt so they where sold.
I bought a S&W 57 one day. This was and remains hands down THE MOST ACCURATE DA revolver I ever shot!! I bought a 41 mag Black hawk and it too was remarkably accurate.

They where all great calibers and like the most the biggest differences are our own preferences.

The 44 spl is a classic. At least in my eyes. A 41 Spl in a small revolver would be awesome! Our friend bob here just got himself one and he is loving it! I need to get pop to bring that 44 down so we can shoot it some more. I have a peanut-butter jar 3/4 full of Lyman 429421's ichin to take a spin.

CW

 

[CZ93X62]

Every maker that puts out a 41 Magnum gets the dimensions correct. I think that has a lot to do with their inherent accuracy. The 41s have none of the measurement poetry shown by the 44 and 45 caliber revolvers through the years.

 

[Glaciers]

My one gripe with the 44 caliber guns is you go from the small Charter Arms or Rossi 5 shot (the Rossi has more weight) to expensive Smiths or custom revolvers with nothing in between. I picked up a Smith 69 5 shot 44 mag couple of years ago, as a matter of fact I just noticed it in the back of the box and said to myself hey I need to play with this one. I like my 4" Smith model 29 so much I just forgot I even owned the 69. The Ruger GP100 in 44 SPL is on the list even though I have a nice model 24 -6". I was disappointed that Ruger did not bring that out in a 5 shot magnum. I don't mind cleaning carbon rings out of cylinders.
Went with the 44 back in the 60's and saw no reason to get into the 45 Colt. I have owned a few, but, not for a long time. The evaluation of the 45 revolver has come along ways since I got into 44's. So rather than be totally scattered out way beyond my budget, especially in retirement, I concentrated on certain pistol calibers. 22 of course, 38 because it's a big sweet 22, and the 44 SPL & magnum. Being in Alaska and my frequently being in big coastal Bear country I was looking for more handgun power. Sad to say I felt a little under gunned with the 44 mag and 310's. Yes I carried a rifle, but it was leaning against a tree, or in the skiff, or just not to hand. So, I was not worm and fuzzy about the 454 as it was just to snappy and difficult to control. Ah the 480 Ruger in their ugly Super Red Hawk, with the 410's out penetrated the 454 with 360's and it was controllable. Great under valued cartridge.
But, while I miss being on the Islands, I fell just fine carrying a 44 mag with SPL's or magnums around black bear country. I do think that maybe the Ruger GP 100 44 SPL might be the ticket as I'm not going to subject my model 24 to be dragged around as its in fine shape. It gets its share of targe action, but, it's pretty and going to stay that way. One of the calibers I culled was the 45 Colt. Still got a ammo can full of once or twice fire hulls. Maybe some day, but, I've got 44's so why?

 

[JonB]

Have you looked at the Taurus 41 5 shot ? We have one in 2" and 4". With 240 grain lead plodding along at 8-900 fps it is a nice revolver package.

I haven't...because I haven't seen one in my area.
I'm reluctant to buy a Taurus revolver online, as there is about a 50% chance you'll get a lemon.

 

[Missionary]

I do understand the 50% Lemon twist. I do some research into the seller before I think about it. If the seller will not answer some basic revolver function questions I move on. I am in no rush.

 

[Winelover]

The issue I have with 44 Spl revolvers is that they are just too heavy. If I'm going to tote all that unnecessary weight, Might as well be a 44 Magnum. Reason, I went with CA Bulldog. Yeah, the finish isn't that great but it carries like a J-frame, on steroids.

I'd be open to the light weight Rossi's but they aren't available locally and scarce, even on line.

 

[Bret4207]

Couple of observations-

Firstly, it just tickles me to death to see so many mention the 3" M24! I lucked into one some years back and it's just a gorgeous hunka machinery. Of course, being so gorgeous, I'm scared to death to mess it up and it tends to stay someplace safe...as in the safe!

Secondly, I see mention of the CA Bulldog. Love mine and I'm not the least bit shy of sticking it in a pocket or on my belt and traipsing off through the boonies or under a machine. But yeah, it's not a Smith or even a Ruger as far as finish work goes. If someone were to give it just a little more beef in a couple spots so they weren't quite so prone to shoot loose and do a bit more finish work on edges and add some decent adjustable sights, you'd have something that would sell a bit more readily. There is still a market for "working mans guns", especially right now. The CA BD frame size in 22, 32, 38 and 44 would make a decent line up to my way of thinking. Of course I'm not the one footing the bill and taking the risk, but I can dream can't I? As it is, I'll just keep using sane loads and know that with my eyes (such as they are!) she's going to torque more and more to the left as the range increases. I can live with that.

 

[Missionary]

That is another reason we bought some Rossi 720's years back. Adjustable sights and light. Treat them like a short range Special belly gun for CC and they last a long time.
Today they are selling for lots more and it makes me smile.
But we should have bought 3 S&W 696 and left them in the boxes for a rainy hungry day.