Not much of a kicker, seated bullet to crimp grove LBT style bullet. While the original intent of the .44 Special may have been as a target round, savvy handgunners havelong since used the cartridge for informal shooting and the taking of small to medium game at moderate ranges. | Since then, even the .44 Magnum's performance has been eclipsed by several bigger bore and more powerful handgun cartridges. A few loads are offered, however, that utilize the Hornady 240-grain XTP-HP and Speer 240-grain Gold Dot HP. First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. SIG Sauer Announces New P320-XTEN 10mm Pistol, Federal Ammunition History: 14 Things You Didn't Know, Revic Optics BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder: Review, SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested, Silencer Central Streamlined Suppressor-Purchasing Process Shakes Up Industry, 5 Best Red-Dot Optics for SIG Sauer P365X & XL Pistols. Product #: 583380. Bullet sizes vary from .429 for jacketed to .432 for some lead in diameter. could legitimately claim top gun performance. I DO always double check the charged cases before the projectile goes on, but I stick with bulkier powders as a "belt and suspenders" measure. Cast bullets work well in the .44 Special, including the original Lyman/Keith No. Many guns will easily handle loads that generate 22,000 psi, 25,000 psi and even more; those loads will be discussed here in a future Pet Loads article. It's best to shoot all lead bullets outside to avoid lead fumes. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data. Hard bullets may shoot OK withtarget or standard loads. But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .44 Magnum. I replicate that load with a Lyman 246 grain round nose or a Magma 240 grain round nose and 5.0 grains of Bullseye in my Ruger Bisley Flat Top. December 18, 2018 By J. Scott Rupp Give a Gift Welcome to The Cast Bullet Association Forum, TC Contenders & Other Single Shot Handguns. What is most interesting is that sometimes velocities were faster than those from an original Model 1950 Target with the same barrel length, but other loads recorded lower speeds. Accurate 43-257H 260 gr SWC in a 5 1/2 " Special, 4.8 grains Tightgroup gave me 700 fs with low SD and excellent accuracy. bullet at 900 fps left little to be desired. It gives about 950 f/s.Not a top load but a good usable one. Add to cart. For general-purpose plinking, target work and even defense, using one of the various 245- to 255- grain cast SWC profile bullets pushed around 850 to 875 fps will prove effective and pleasant to shoot. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. 5 built by Bowen Classic Arms. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. Many of these revolvers will handle loads that generate 25,000 psi with ease, as I have multiple guns (with minimally cut chambers) that have digested. JSP; Nosler 240-gr. Charges less than those shown are not recommended, however, as there is the very real danger of sticking a bullet in the barrel. In 1932 when Hercules 2400 powder first appeared, Keith loaded 18.5 grains in balloon-head cases to reach 1,200 fps. Look for your answers in our Forum and in our bi-monthly publication the Fouling Shot. All Rights Reserved. The handloads listed on this page encompass a suitable range of performance from plinking to personal protection. To use a yet larger case, like the .44 mag with only a .44 special load in it, would make the matter much worse. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Ammunition Reloading. SWC+GC, 265 gr. I haven't chronoed these yet but based on my Hornady manual using lead 240 gr data, these should be running between 800-850 fps. Published on 10-20-2014 09:25 PM To duplicate vintage factory loads, the 245-grain roundnose from Lyman mould 429383 is a top choice that is fine for small-game hunting. Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. 10grs is a hot load; maybe not unsafe, but hot. Hornady's new 225-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet borrows technology from the company's popular rifle ammo and is a good midweight hunting bullet. Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. It is especially important when handloading the Cutting Edge 200-grain Raptor or 240-grain Solid bullets to use the exact data and overall cartridge lengths as listed, or pressures will change rapidly. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. When smokeless powder loads appeared, velocity was standardized (with the, same bullet) at 755 fps, which is offered by Remington and Winchester (although actual velocities usually hover around 700 fps). The Judge has been promoted! Deployed military should use stateside address. His loads have been successfully tested and used by others for more than 25 years. With 6.0 grains of Unique and a 51/2 sixgun the result is a very pleasant shooting, and accurate, load of 825 fps. Just saying. Deployed military should use stateside address. Minimal leading. Both revolvers shoot this load well. What bullet weights? However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. For reloading .44 Mag, faster-burning powders are better for practice ammo while the slow-burners are better for maximum velocities. But I'll trade a little sootiness & extra recoil for the added assurance. Unfortunately, the .44 Magnums greater power pushed the Special from the stage. A LEE size die can reduce them if they are too large. Number of Views: 5765, Published on 10-20-2014 09:24 PM | A popular Cowboy bullet is the 200-grain RNFP. We typically ship within 7 days, 2 weeks maximum if there is a delay in paper works. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin' Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. The .44 Special is often ranked as one of the best revolver cartridges of all time. The Hornady XTP, Sierra JHC, Speer GDHP and Nosler JHP and JSP versions are all suitable for the .44 Special. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. For this bullet 8.5 grains of Unique results in 980 fps in a 4 barreled S&W while 15.5 grains of #2400 goes up to 1,140 fps. Powders include Winchester, Hodgdon, IMR 44 S&W SPL LOW RECOIL 240GR FMJ. Forum; Reloading Tutorials; About; Login.44 S&W Special. For lead bullets near 900 FPS, I recommend a GC (Gas Check), the little copper bottom on the lead bullet as below (5th item from left). However, .44 Special loads are so mild, you can really use whatever you want to. What kind of gun? For me, the .44 Special and the above loads fit the bill nicely. The Special case was lengthened from .97 inch to 1.16 inches and originally loaded with black powder, receiving 3 grains more than the Russian cartridge for a boost in velocity. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson ($0.15 per bullet) Ships today from MidwayUSA. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" It is good. I got this load from Elmer Keith and is a great practice, self defense, and small game load. Even when bullets of this diameter are used in guns that have a tighter barrel groove diameter of .4265 inch to .428 inch (typically found in the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier SAA), accuracy is still excellent. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. Taylor Knock-Out Factor Calculations What it takes to knock-out big game. We show you how. The classic +P 44 Special load is a 429-421 over 7.5 grains of Unique. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. JHP All entries must be received by giveaway end date. That changed when Elmer Keith and the other .44 Associates of the 1920s and 1930s began handloading it to its maximum potential; then, the .44 Spl. Bullet weights ranged from 180 to 240 grains. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. 4.3 Grains of Trailboss. The manuals dont show every type of powder for every bullet weight for the .44 special. Subscribe To American Handgunner Most notable was Elmer Keith, a cowboy, hunter, big-game guide, and by the middle 1920s a gun writer. The .44 Russian proved very accurate, and it didn't take long for savvy target shooters of the day to realize its potential. Make sure they are a snug slip fit inyour cylinder throats. This is not a handicap, as many powders are capable of pushing 250-grain bullets 850 to 900 fps (roughly equal to the .45 Colt factory load), while a few select powders can push the same bullets over 1,000 fps while staying within pressure guidelines. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. I still favor genuine Keith designs for general use, as they are accurate, perform well on game, are easy to cast, and without a gas check, they are especially economical. Your email address will not be published. A charge of 9.5 grains of Blue Dot produced 880 fps and consistent accuracy with the FTX. I used the M24 for jacketed bullet loads and the M624 with cast bullets. Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum .44 Remington Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Rifle Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 255 gr 265 gr 267 gr 270 gr 275 gr 280 gr 300 gr 320 gr 325 gr 330 gr 355 gr When. The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. Learn how your comment data is processed. we are talking about. The .44 Special is an excellent field cartridge, and when combined with handloads is capable of taking varmints and big game. I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. No purchase necessary. The "Skeeter"load. (Ret.) No doubt, several long trainloads of .44 Special, loaded with Bullseye, 700-X, and other fast-burning powders have been safely shot, probably before I was born! References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/4%20Special.pdf, Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to Post WWII revolvers are stronger. I used to load down the .44 mag cases to .44 special velocities. and Western, were weaker in construction and have often deteriorated with age and should not be reloaded. They are true magnum bullets, featuring a heavy jacket and 1 1/2% antimony core, yet they will expand reliably at 44 Special velocities. .44 Special (Hodgdon Data) reloading data with 130 loads. In 1953 Keith traveled to the Smith & Wesson and Remington plants to further discuss the matter, at which time he suggested they lengthen the case and make it a .44 Magnum, which became a reality in late 1955. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. Many other manufacturers, including USFA, Freedom Arms, Ruger and several foreign companies have offered good-quality sixguns. The .44 Associates and several industry notables helped influence Smith & Wesson and Remington to ultimately develop the .44 Magnum, though it was primarily Elmer Keith that was the ultimate persuader. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. Factory loads are readily available and range into the dozens, but reloading is the way to go. Regardless of bullet diameter chosen, the expander ball die should measure at least .003 or (better) .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter to achieve correct bullet and case neck tension. Not even in a .44 Magnum pistol. I can't agree more. With a 51/2 barreled sixgun, 9.0 grains of Unique is just under 1,200 fps. . (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. XTP; Hornady 240-gr. The classic Skeeter load of a 240-250 grain LSWC over 7.5 grains of Unique in a 44 Special casing is where I would start. XTP; Nosler 240-gr. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM DIY 2022, P.O. HP, .44 with 225 gr. Also, as previously indicated, the chamber throats measure a comparatively snug .429 inch. That is why you dont see FPS by every load. Free shipping for many products! models. Gun Loads Forum - .44 Special Home Reloading Pistols .44 Special If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. The 240-grain cast bullet loads shown also offer potent protection. For several years I used the M624 in IPSC-type matches, and my ammo was all powered by Red Dot. Elmer laid down specific specifications for a bullet bearing his name: three equally sized full caliber driving bands, a deep crimping groove between the middle and top bands, a large grease groove between the middle and bottom bands and a flat bottom with no bevel. Number of Views: 5750, Published on 10-20-2014 09:12 PM My favorite load for my Ruger Blackhawk 44 Special is something I got from an article by Skeeter Skelton. My .44 Special loads are the 240 Hornady XTP over 18.5-grain of H110 for 1,114 fps from a 6-1/2 Smith & Wesson, 17.0 grains of #4227 for 960 fps in a 5-1/2 Colt Single Action and 18.5 grains of #4227 for 1,050 fps from a 7-1/2 Colt Single Action. Having always been a fan of moderate loads using lead bullets suitable for casual paper punching, the .44 Special naturally comes to mind for use in .44 Magnum revolvers. 7 Accurate Solo 1250 The original loading was a 246 grain round nose lead bullet at about 700 fps. The 44 Special shines with a moderately soft 240-250 grain Keith style SWC bullet driven to the 900-1000 fps range. By the 1920s smokeless powders had been significantly improved, which resulted in handloaders developing ammunition that enhanced the performance of the .44 Special to create +P loads. Number of Views: 5768. jacketed bullets from Hornady, Sierra, or Speer with any of my first mentioned standard load powders result in slightly slower velocities than cast bullets, giving right around 900 fps from a 51/2 barrel. These bullets are extremely effective on up to deer-size game. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. It is easy to load and shoot while being easy on the budget. HP, .44 with 225 gr. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet. Nonetheless, many shooters still recognized the virtues of the .44 Special, especially when handloaded, because it offers low extreme spreads, lower recoil and muzzle report, and fired cases clear the chambers with ease. Trying to make a 0.430 bullet work for all of these would be an exercise in futility. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Number of Views: 5745, Published on 10-20-2014 09:21 PM The Hornady XTP, Sierra JHC, Speer GDHP and Nosler JHP and JSP versions are all suitable for the .44 Special. . The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? For Cowboy Shooting, I used a lite load right out of the Hodgdon Cowboy Action Data pamphlet. #375. Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook" #4. I reduced it to 6.8/Unique/240 SWC, then to 6.5/Unique/240 SWC, The lighter loads were not as clean-burning, but an intentionally heavy crimp remedied most of that. The data in Table II was developed in a 2008 Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 revolver with a 612-inch barrel. Additionally, their charge weights are lighter (reducing powder costs) and also offered a notably reduced muzzle report, which makes them especially pleasant by comparison. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. For the vast majority of us, the .44 Special will do everything needing doing with the sixgun. Can't use 44 Special loads, none will get into the pressure ceiling. In spite of being 110 years old, the .44 Special still ranks as one of the finest, most versatile sixgun cartridges, especially when handloaded. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM May/June 2023, P.O. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. and the special requirements for residents of these states; CA, CT, IL, MA, NJ, and NY. The difference in Special and Magnum case lengths is .125 inch, and Redding includes a washer of that thickness to use under the die lock ring that makes switching calibers easier. As Beagle6 says,the Skeeter Loadis not a top load, but at 950 -1000 fps it has enough power to down anything short of Bison and Bears. Either 17.0 grains of #4227 or 8.5 grains of Unique will give right around 1,000 fps. Purchase A PDF Download Of The American Handgunner Nov/Dec 2020 Issue Now! Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. Buy 50 rounds of Herters 44 Mag 240 grain SP brass cased ammo: GunBroker is the largest seller of Pistol Ammunition Ammunition All: 973242959 . Been using this load for years. less than a comparable .44 Magnum, and also less recoil while still being more than adequate for any situation which should arise. Contest open to U.S. residents only. During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman No. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but it's better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. (II) Limit one entry per household. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. The revolver pictured above is a reproduction Keith No. The .44 Special (center) was based on a lengthened .44 Russian cartridge (left), while the .44 Remington Magnum (right) is based on a lengthened .44 Special case. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. All Rights Reserved. The .44 Special is an ideal cartridge for cast-bullet loads, with literally dozens and dozens of designs and weights readily available. Go Back. 1,200 fps. .44 Special: When the .44 Special was introduced in late 1907, even though the brass was longer than the .44 Russian and the Triple-Lock sixgun was certainly stronger than the S&W Top-Breaks, for some strange reason it was loaded to the same level as the .44 Russian; they simply increased the black powder charge from 23 to 26 grains. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. For a bit more horsepower, including hunting deer-sized game, the load I prefer consists of 8.2 grains of Alliant Power Pistol with the 250-grain Keith bullet, which generally produces around 1,000 fps in most revolvers with barrels of 434 to 612 inches (or 950 to 975 fps with 4-inch barrels). You'll go far providin' you ain't burnt alive or scalped. I have listed the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier revolvers in Category 2 (22,000 psi). Put one through the slats of a snow shoe bunny and you have an instant "stopper" and no lost meat. Using bullets from Cast LRNFP, Nosler JHP, Berry's Bullets FP, Cast LSWC. Tightgroup is an excellent fast pistol powder. In other words, a load comparable to the black powder .45, with a 250-gr. Cases for the .44 Special are straight-walled, so carbide sizers further streamline the loading process. When considering an all-purpose .44 Special powder, Ken Waters, in Pet Loads noted, Im pretty sure my choices would be Unique and Blue Dot.. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. 2 alloy), and no leading was noted. Mag. Contest void where prohibited by law. I have several Smith & Wesson N-frames from different eras that have been used extensively with full-power .44 Special (Category 3) loads without issue. Full Metal Jacket projectiles are the ideal choice for training, target shooting and general range use. This also helps powder to ignite properly and usually results in lower extreme velocity spreads and improved accuracy. The Cast Bullet Association is an organization of shooters who enjoy shooting cast lead bullets in rifles and handguns for competition, hunting, or informal target shooting. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 2, No. Thanks and enjoy your stay. With 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot, that same bullet does yeoman service in target loads, too. This gun differs from previous models in several areas; most notable is a cylinder length that is the same as the Model 29 .44 Magnum, which results in greater bullet jump or free-bore. Select medium-burning pistol powders often gave outstanding accuracy while offering low extreme spreads and a modest muzzle report. It is true that guns made prior to 1956 utilized a different grade steel than revolvers chambered for .44 Magnum and later production .44 Special revolvers, but they are nonetheless strong and can easily handle loads that generate 25,000 psi. A better question would be, why not? for 240 gr, bullet for about same results. Much also depends on the particular model, age, and condition of the .44 spl. Montana Bullet Works offers quality hand-cast bullets, such as the 280-grain LFN-PB and 250-grain LFN-GC. The Hornady 240-grain swaged lead bullet makes an easy recoiling target load at 850 fps. The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. The following are for 5 or 6 inch revolvers. A few of their advantages include lower cost especially if you cast your own substantially reduced barrel wear, greater velocities with less chance of sticking bullets in the bore, straight and deep penetration on game with the added shock associated with a large meplat and good accuracy, especially when loads are tailored to a specific gun. Even the potent .357 Magnum delivers less muzzle energy than a 240/250-grain cast SWC on top of a case full of 2400 or 4227. Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman 429421 bullet to improve the .44 Specials performance. Left to right:- 250 gr. Whether we travel the sagebrush, foothills, forests, or mountains there are .44 Special loads that will handle any situation were likely to encounter.