Contest open to U.S. residents only. Our test guns are both S&Ws: a blue M24-3 made in 1983 and a stainless M624 from 1986. The 180-grain hollowpoints from Sierra and Hornady offer reliable expansion, and Speer offers a 200-grain "personal protection" version of its Gold Dot Hollow Point specially designed for the .44 Special. Experimenters such as Elmer Keith proved that a heavily loaded .44 Special was very effective on big game. The authority on pistol and rifle loading data since 1996. Contest void where prohibited by law. 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 Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. No purchase necessary. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. Using an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter is suggested. Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook" #4. MD Smith has had a storied career from his family broadcasting AM radio business, to his 36 year career in TV broadcasting. .44 Special is a fun caliber to shoot. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM DIY 2022, P.O. and Western, were weaker in construction and have often deteriorated with age and should not be reloaded. ", "Truth is treason in the empire of lies" Ron Paul, Colt's Manufacturing Company Armorer Instructor. NEVER! Cast bullets work well in the .44 Special, including the original Lyman/Keith No. cast FP; 200-gr. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. The 7.5/Unique/240-250 REALLY IS a very nice "general purpose" load for the .44 Special, but I agree that it's too warm for older pieces and GOD HELP YOUR HAND if you shoot it in a Charter Arms ANYTHING! You want a light push fit through the cylinder throats. The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. A charge of 9.5 grains of Blue Dot produced 880 fps and consistent accuracy with the FTX. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. JHP 250 gr. The new 9mm suppressor can mount easily to any pistol barrel threaded x28 inches and doesn't compromise on sound suppression, gas blowback or recoil. JFP, 240 gr. 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. I second the motion to buy that new Lyman Cast Bullet handbook. For several years I used the M624 in IPSC-type matches, and my ammo was all powered by Red Dot. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Balloonhead cases, such as these from Peters, U.M.C. The Judge has been promoted! I have .44 Specials whose chamber throats are as tight as 0.427 and as large as 0.433, and I just took possession of a Spanish copy of the old S&W Triple-Lock with 0.437 throats. .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 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. Give a Gift Keith bullets from H&G, Lyman, NEI and RCBS loaded in .44 Special brass. Depending upon barrel length, sixgun and bullet, these loads will be in the 900 to 1,000 fps range. . That is why you dont see FPS by every load. Much has been written about sizing cast bullets to correspond with groove diameter. Subscriber Services. 2 alloy), and no leading was noted. 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 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . Then there is the question of what do you expect to use it for. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Modern Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers are stout, as they share the same outside cylinder dimensions as the Model 29 .44 Magnum; however, they are slightly shorter. Its a natural outgrowth of half-jacketed bullets, and unlike traditional jacketed bullets, consists of a full-length copper cup with a lead core. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? 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. Is there a preferred source of data? The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. Contest void where prohibited by law. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. HP, .44 with 225 gr. Available in a wide variety of calibers and bullet weights along with supersonic and subsonic options where applicable. Since I cast my own, I have a choice of H&G #503, Lyman #429421, NEI #260.429 and the RCBS #44-250KT bullets. The .44 Special is often ranked as one of the best revolver cartridges of all time. 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! As smokeless powders progressed and improved, by the early 1920s handloaders began developing loads that enhanced the performance of the .44 Special. In 1932 when Hercules 2400 powder first appeared, Keith loaded 18.5 grains in balloon-head cases to reach 1,200 fps. There are many bullet designs bearing the name Keith, but a semi-wadcutter design does not make it a Keith bullet. 44 S&W SPL LOW RECOIL 240GR FMJ. No purchase necessary. It is important to note that Keith would likely have been completely satisfied with the power and performance of his heavy .44 Special handloads, but wanted them available as a factory offering. 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. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. Bullet sizes vary from .429 for jacketed to .432 for some lead in diameter. This was the dawn of the smokeless era, and with it came some problems. With 5.5 to 6.0 grains of Red Dot, that same bullet does yeoman service in target loads, too. Light 44 mag loads w/ 231, Titegroup, Bullseye Charges less than those shown are not recommended, however, as there is the very real danger of sticking a bullet in the barrel. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. 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. Its best to shoot all lead bullets outside to avoid lead fumes. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. Left to right:- 250 gr. The Russian case is but .970 inch in length and just couldn't hold enough of the bulky new powder to achieve the desired velocities, so in 1907 Smith & Wesson lengthened the older case by .190 inch and a star was born. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson .44 Special and HS-6 loads? | Single-Actions http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1 They don't show any data for the 240gr using 2400 but do with the 250gr. Tightgroup is an excellent fast pistol powder. Buy 50 rounds of Herters 44 Mag 240 grain SP brass cased ammo: GunBroker is the largest seller of Pistol Ammunition Ammunition All: 973242959 . 44 S&W SPL LOW RECOIL 240GR FMJ - Magtech 44F. Give a Gift Cowboy Action has recently given the .44 Special a shot in the arm, and the lighter cast bullets further broaden the Special's appeal. Reloading The .44 Magnum - Reload Ammo Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. For the .44 Magnum to achieve its greater velocity potential when held to industry overall length specifications, it is necessarily loaded to a higher maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. All Ammunition Reloading; Reloading Equipment. What kind of gun? With .44 Special throat dimensions varying from .4285 inch to as large as .434 inch, I generally size cast bullets .430 to .431 inch to correspond favorably with most throat sizes. Ruger Redhawk 44 mag 51/2 barrel & Ruger 44 mag Super Blackhawk old model 71/2 barrel. Deployed military should use stateside address. When the .44 Mag was introduced in 1955, Hercules 2400 and IMR 4227 soon became the most popular powders for .44 Magnum hand-loads. Published on 10-20-2014 09:25 PM Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. A popular Cowboy bullet is the 200-grain RNFP. At 700 fps we are equaling the soft shooting of factory ammunition. 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. If you think I'm an unabashed fan of the old round, you're right. If Im looking for a little more velocity, I go with the Lyman/Thompson #429215GC that lubed, sized and gas checked weighs around 220 grains. Going up to my standard load of 7.5 Unique registers just over 1,000 fps from a 4 S&W Model 1950. 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). The 44 Special shines with a moderately soft 240-250 grain Keith style SWC bullet driven to the 900-1000 fps range. . But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .44 Magnum. 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. Filled with .44 Magnum cartridges, it is ready for target practice or hunting. 10grs is a hot load; maybe not unsafe, but hot. 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. Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin' Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Alliant - Power Pistol: 250 gr. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. 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. A Colt Single Action Army dating back to 1910 measured .431 inch, while a 1963 New Frontier SAA measured .430, a 2014-era New Frontier SAA ran .429 inch, and a 1980 3rd Generation Single Action Army measured .434 inch. The 240 grain #8610 bullets are intended for larger, more tenacious game, but also are effective for deer-size game. is only 15,000 psi. Subscriber Services. Our mission is to help you improve your skills, save money, and achieve greater accuracy with your reloads. 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). If economics are important, a one-pound can of Unique (7,000 grains) will fetch you 1,000 loads using a 7.0-grain powder charge. Missouri Bullet Company Cast Lead Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 240 Grain Hi-Tek Coated Semi-Wadcutter Box of 500. I used CCI-350 magnum primers with HS-6 and Silhouette powders, but regular primers would work just as well. At left is a reproduction of Keiths original No. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot shotgun powders, and HS-6 and Unique excel with these lighter bullets. 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. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. All handloads in the accompanying tables were assembled in modern cases from Starline (800-280-6660). But I'll trade a little sootiness & extra recoil for the added assurance. Forum; Reloading Tutorials; About; Login.44 S&W Special. Product #: 583380. It is easy to load and shoot while being easy on the budget. Number of Views: 5757, Published on 10-20-2014 09:20 PM 5, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company In all likelihood, it would be where I finished as well. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. Both bullets were seated out to their second crimp groove for overall lengths of 1.582 and 1.588 inches. Nosler, the world's finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, & brass. DO NOT use Magnum loads in .44 Specal Cases. Using bullets from Cast LRNFP, Nosler JHP, Berry's Bullets FP, Cast LSWC. 429421 cast bullet to a muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. Using 2400 in loading 44 Special - RugerForum.com They offer moderate recoil and muzzle report, low extreme spreads, and they are easy to shoot accurately while being capable of taking big game. If you have a lightweight .44 or older gun, always start with 10% less than amounts listed above, and work up to the full maximum loads. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. The handloads listed on this page encompass a suitable range of performance from plinking to personal protection. Therefore, I no longer use the .44 mag cases when loading down to .44 special velocities. Suitable powders for the .44 Special run the gamut of burning rates, depending on the bullet weight and velocities desired, but one stands out, and it is well known to the round's legion of fans. I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, Top 5 Most Accurate Factory-Loaded Rifle Cartridges, The Colt Anaconda .44 Rem. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 My favorite load with this bullet is 7.5 grains of TiteGroup for a modest velocity of 745 fps, light recoil and one-hole groups. Have a question? Both revolvers shoot this load well. The rifling is EDM (Electric Discharge Machining) rather than the traditional Smith & Wesson cut style that was present on all the companys sixguns manufactured prior to 2000. All Reloading Equipment; . SWC. In spite of being 110 years old, the .44 Special still ranks as one of the finest, most versatile sixgun cartridges, especially when handloaded. An oversized bullet will shoot OK, but any undersized in my experience won't. Winchester Lead Cowboy 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - Winchester cowboy loads with its flat nose, cast lead bullets and target velocities. Our goal is to bring you everything you need to accurately reload your own weapon of choice, along with all the accessories to go with it. 429421 bullet that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. .44 CALIBER 240 GR. JHC - Sierra Bullets I like to load the .44 Special using moderate amounts of powder thus providing a very economical cartridge to use any time in any .44 Magnum. But do you know how to properly use them? Accurates powders come in a number of speeds and there are loads from the fast No. A charge of 5.5 to 6.5 grains of Red Dot with just about any decent bullet - jacketed or cast - almost always results in adequate velocity, uniform ballistics and terrific accuracy. Real .44 Cowboy loads - American Handgunner While in the past fancy Goncalo Alves grips were standard, now weather-resistant neoprene panels are standard. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Number of Views: 5745, Published on 10-20-2014 09:21 PM It is within industry pressure guidelines at 15,500 psi, while offering moderate recoil and good accuracy. 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. Keith pestered the ammo companies to bring out heavier .44 Special loads, but there was a fear that such powerful loads would blow up an older, weaker revolver. 200 210 grain bullets will hit 800 fps with 5.2 grains of Tight Group or Bullseye. It is safe in any good post WWII Special, anddependably accurateif you usesoft alloy bullets, ~BHN 9,correctly sized for the revolver. Using bullets from Hornady HP-XTP , Hornady FP-Cowboy, Hornady HP-XTP, Hornady SWC-HP or SWC, Hornady HP-XTP or CL-SIL. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. You'll go far providin' you ain't burnt alive or scalped. Factory loads are readily available and range into the dozens, but reloading is the way to go. Available online most anywhere. Most modern jacketed bullets must be traveling at least 850 to 900 fps to achieve reliable expansion, a velocity that was easily reached with most 200-grain bullets using standard pressure loads. Learn how your comment data is processed. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The .44 Special was introduced in about 1907 and is an extremely accurate cartridge. .44 Magnum | Handloader Magazine JSP; Nosler 240-gr. (Ret.) A Colt Model P will probably not blow up, but it will loosen up pretty quick. Most famous was Elmer Keith. High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. A Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 (middle) .44 Special with a 6.5-inch barrel was used to develop the accompanying data. The Hodgdon site on-line has loading data for ~15,500 PSI loads. An occasional trip through the case trimmer will result in more uniform crimps - a big part of consistent ballistics - and better accuracy. Not much of a kicker, seated bullet to crimp grove LBT style bullet. models. Deployed military should use stateside address. Add to cart. 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. 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. Internal gun dimensions can vary significantly, including barrel groove diameter and throat dimensions. With the Oregon Trail 240 SWC over 26 gr. and the special requirements for residents of these states; CA, CT, IL, MA, NJ, and NY. SWC, 240 gr. 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. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.) The data in Table II was developed in a 2008 Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 revolver with a 612-inch barrel. 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. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The .44 Special is a joy to handload, but there are some important points to be aware of that will help handloaders assemble top-notch ammunition tailored specifically to their guns. Brass and some other items can be shipped via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail. For reloading .44 Mag, faster-burning powders are better for practice ammo while the slow-burners are better for maximum velocities. 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. .44 S&W Special (Pet Loads) | Handloader Magazine .44 S&W Special Load Data - PowderThrough.com For the mild .44 special loads, I recommend all lead bullets and loads that produce 700-850 FPS speeds. Much also depends on the particular model, age, and condition of the .44 spl. Jacketed Bullets in .44 Specials - GUNS Magazine Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The .44 Special and Unique | Load Data Article You can follow the Elmer Keith trail up to 1200 fps with 250 grain bullets, but the pressure is 22,000 - 25,000psi and bullet diameter, seating depth and alloyare critical. JFP, 240 gr. While Democrat Washington Gov. By comparison, revolvers typically chambered for the Special are lighter, handier and better suited for everyday belt carry. Colt New Frontier SAA .44 Spl., 7 1/2 " barrel, 629-6 S&W Mountain Gun Round Butt N frame Tapered Barrel 39.5 ozempty, This is my woods packin side arm, I sight this load 2" high at 25 yard mark (POI) and with this round I intend to take a Texas Whitetail and or hawg out to 50 yard mark with no compunction at all.Happy Trails Gentlemen. 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? Our 6204 members have posted 87352 times in 5929 discussions. Number of Views: 5765, Published on 10-20-2014 09:24 PM Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. 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. Using wheel weight alloy, they weigh approximately 255260 grains. It's superbly accurate and extremely versatile when handloaded to any of several power levels for plinking, personal defense or hunting. As to the heavier, 240-grain lead bullets, samples from Hornady and Speer were included. This site is going to be as much member run as possible. For more than 100 years it has served the shooting public, the military and handgun hunters with distinction. cast RNFP; 240-gr. For example, Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers have historically featured throats that measure .431 to .432 inch, though two L-frame revolvers and a recently manufactured Model 24-6 measured .4285 to .429 inch. (II) Limit one entry per household. Been using this load for years. For example, Remington currently lists a 240-grain jacketed HP or SP at 1,180 fps; Federal has a 240-grain JHP at 1,230 fps; Winchester lists a 240-grain HSP at 1,180 fps (all tested from a 4-inch, vented test barrel); and Hornady lists a 240-grain bullet at 1,350 fps from a 7.5-inch barrel. Forty-four Special cases manufactured since World War II (or very shortly thereafter) are of solid-head construction and are equally as strong as .44 Magnum brass. I recently read the .44 Special cast bullet is standardized at 0.430. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. Is there a place to go for load data for 44 Special loads. Bullet fit is key for accuracy. 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. Hodgon only shows HP38 for the .44 special loads. we are talking about. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Post WWII revolvers are stronger. Magtech FMJ ammunition delivers reliable, accurate performance on the range. The fun is in the fact that I can use one powder, Unique. During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman No. of black powder . The CBA is a international organization of shooters who enjoy casting and shooting lead alloy bullets for competition, hunting, experimenting, and casual shooting. When. I would defer to Hodgdon data for the .44 Special, although my deep seated loads in mag brass approximate COL for .44 Special. It is good. In my experience 300 grain bullets shoot high and achievable velocity in the Specialtoo low. 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. . The 225-gr. 2, Alliant Bullseye and Red Dot.
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