An oversized bullet will shoot OK, but any undersized in my experience won't. Either weight can be driven over 1,000 fps and provide about all the power that can be comfortably housed in a medium-weight revolver. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. #375. It is important to note that the .44 Special has an industry overall cartridge length of 1.615 inches, while the .44 Magnum is actually shorter at 1.610 inches. for 240 gr, bullet for about same results. Phil Sharpe, in his book Complete Guide to Handloading, used Unique for 38 of 160 .44 Special loads to include bullets weighing from 145 to 260 grains. Powder charges used in the .44 Special case seldom require magnum primers, although they are frequently recommended with ball or spherical powders. 5 by Bowen Classic Arms, (3) custom USFA with Smith & Wesson adjustable sights, (4) Ruger Blackhawk Flattop No. Velocity runs close to 1,000 fps, depending on barrel length of your shooter. This revolver is equipped with the usual target trigger, target hammer, and adjustable target sights complete with a red insert on the front blade and a white outline on the rear notch. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl. . They are accurate in Smith & Wesson and other guns with a .430-inch groove diameter. Rounded up was a selection of bullets from Hornady, Remington, Sierra, Speer and Winchester. This load significantly increased the effectiveness of the cartridge while still being easily managed when shooting fast with double- action sixguns. To duplicate vintage factory loads, the 245-grain roundnose from Lyman mould 429383 is a top choice that is fine for small-game hunting. Its a natural outgrowth of half-jacketed bullets, and unlike traditional jacketed bullets, consists of a full-length copper cup with a lead core. They offer moderate recoil and muzzle report, low extreme spreads, and they are easy to shoot accurately while being capable of taking big game. The SAAMI maximum pressure limit for the .44 Spec. ( 6) Write a Review Q&A (4) Our Price: $73.99. 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. Tests have shown, however, that using bullets that are close to throat diameter to begin with usually yield best accuracy while increasing pressures very little, if at all. Cast bullets work well in the .44 Special, including the original Lyman/Keith No. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. 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. My long-favored cast bullet load of 7.5 grains of Unique used with this 240 jacketed . For "Full Power" 7.5grs Unique under a 245gr SWC. 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. 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. have introduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act (H.R. In spite of the frequent criticism of the .44 Special for being somewhat underpowered, it can be amazingly accurate, has been chambered in many top-notch guns and when handloaded offers power and unusual versatility that make it capable of hunting big game, defense or target work. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. one says 5.0gr of Unique, the other says 5.7gr. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 gr. By comparison, revolvers typically chambered for the Special are lighter, handier and better suited for everyday belt carry. All handloads in the accompanying tables were assembled in modern cases from Starline (800-280-6660). SWC-HP is one of the first jacketed bullets offered by Speer nearly 50 years ago. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. Using bullets from Cast LRNFP, Nosler JHP, Berry's Bullets FP, Cast LSWC. 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). Whether it's punching paper, whacking steel, hunting or protecting what's yours, the .44 Special makes a lot of sense. I loaded some for a friend's 6" S&W 624. We show you how. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. ; they are best relinquished as collectors items and should not be used with the accompanying data. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. These three lead bullets make the .44 Magnum a versatile cartridge (left to righ): The 200-grain wadcutter is inexpensive and great to shoot at targets. The Oregon Trail Laser Cast 240 SWC shoots every bit as good as carefully home cast bullets. In your Super Black hawk that should get you 950 fps at about 18,000 PSI. .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. I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data. Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. I used the M24 for jacketed bullet loads and the M624 with cast bullets. Shown is Elmer Keiths customized Keith Long Range Colt that was originally owned by Teddy Roosevelt. I have listed the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier revolvers in Category 2 (22,000 psi). 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. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Going up to my standard load of 7.5 Unique registers just over 1,000 fps from a 4 S&W Model 1950. Montana Bullet Works offers quality hand-cast bullets, such as the 280-grain LFN-PB and 250-grain LFN-GC. 2, No. 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. 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. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. Brass and some other items can be shipped via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail. For defense purposes, a lighter 180- or 200-grain HP bullet makes sense. 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). . Instead of using it in my lighter weight .44 Special sixguns, I mostly use it in .44 Magnums. The cartridge was the fine, old .44 S&W Special stoked with hand-loads that pushed the 250-grain Lyman/Keith No. We typically ship within 7 days, 2 weeks maximum if there is a delay in paper works. The 250-grain cast bullet can be loaded up to 1,400 fps for big game hunting. Although they could not fully duplicate the velocities obtained with classic magnum revolver powders such as Alliant 2400, they were not far behind and are excellent choices for +P loads. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 gr. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. His loads have been successfully tested and used by others for more than 25 years. check out the. Groups run 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" at 25 yards with this load if a decent bullet is used and accuracy follows to 50 yards, which is the maximum distance . The .44 Special is based on the black-powder .44 Russian case that earned a superb accuracy reputation in domestic and international target competition. .44 Special is a fun caliber to shoot. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Balloonhead cases, such as these from Peters, U.M.C. For full-power loads that push 240- to 280-grain bullets to around 1,200 fps, Alliant 2400 remains a top choice, as it ignites easily while producing top velocities and accuracy. It was obstreperous enough in my 5-shot Taurus M431, which is a heavier piece than the CAs. Full Metal Jacket projectiles are the ideal choice for training, target shooting and general range use. Hard bullets may shoot OK withtarget or standard loads. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. No purchase necessary. For me, the .44 Special and the above loads fit the bill nicely. cast SWC; Hornady 200-gr. 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. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. .44 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) reloading data with 223 loads. The Hornady XTP, Sierra JHC, Speer GDHP and Nosler JHP and JSP versions are all suitable for the .44 Special. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. Guaranteed Safe Checkout. Discussion: I no longer use the same bullets and cases for the special loads as I do the Magnum, since all my rifles and pistols use the magnum round. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. . However, .44 Special loads are so mild, you can really use whatever you want to. Much has been written about sizing cast bullets to correspond with groove diameter. 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. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Unique is a great powder to use and have on your bench. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM DIY 2022, P.O. With a satin stainless finish, this Model 629 is built on the traditional N-frame and weighs 41 ounces unloaded. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It is within industry pressure guidelines at 15,500 psi, while offering moderate recoil and good accuracy. 30 days easy returns; 100% money back guarantee. Speer offers the perfect .44 Special jacketed bullet. My standard choice for loading the .44 Special is whats normally known as the Keith bullet. I do use it from time to time, however its more than I want for an everyday workin load at 1,200 fps with a 260-gr. It remains popular in both the .44 Special and .44 Remington Magnum cartridges. 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. 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). After a while, however, even the most recoil-tough shooter looks forward to toning things down a bit. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. The .44 Special is really anything but special in terms of performance, as least as factory loaded. less than a comparable .44 Magnum, and also less recoil while still being more than adequate for any situation which should arise. Modern solid-head cases, such as the Starline case (right), handle loads of all pressure levels. 5 built by Bowen Classic Arms. I push this with 16.3 grains of #2400 yielding 1,217 fps from a 51/2 barrel. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson were celebrating passage of a bill to ban so-called assault weapons in the Should life go sideways at home, at work, in North Korea or aboard the International Space Station, you really wont find a better defensive tool. Contest open to U.S. residents only. In other words, a load comparable to the black powder .45, with a 250-gr. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. 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 This site is going to be as much member run as possible. 429421 bullet that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. NOTE: Velocities are lower in the larger cases so speeds and pressures are different. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. Standard pressure loads are suitable for all guns and are within SAAMI specifications of 15,500 psi. We use cookies to make your experience better. I used to load down the .44 mag cases to .44 special velocities. SWC, 240 gr. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Bullseye starting loads should be OK. VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted. 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! Manufacturer #: 44B (50) UPC #: 754908168118. JFP, 240 gr. Keith 429244 and 7.5 Unique. Learn from CBA members that have been casting their entire life. Also, as previously indicated, the chamber throats measure a comparatively snug .429 inch. All this resulted in changes in muzzle velocity with many loads. For maximum velocity in .44 Mag ammo reloads, slow-burning powders are recommended. Although the new S&W large-frame Hand Ejector revolvers of 1908 were fully capable of handling stiffer loads, the Special was never factory loaded to its full potential. Then there is the question of what do you expect to use it for. Internal gun dimensions can vary significantly, including barrel groove diameter and throat dimensions. Using wheel weight alloy, they weigh approximately 255260 grains. In my experience 300 grain bullets shoot high and achievable velocity in the Specialtoo low. Including, free printable targets, tips, safety instructions and of course gun loads. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Welcome to The Cast Bullet Association Forum, TC Contenders & Other Single Shot Handguns. of black powder . Subscriber Services. This is not a true Keith bullet and even has a bevel base, however it shoots well. It is a faithful rendition of the original and should quicken the pulse of .44 Special fans everywhere. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot shotgun powders, and HS-6 and Unique excel with these lighter bullets. Contest void where prohibited by law. Let us hope that for the next century, the grand old .44 Special continues to make as many shooters happy as it already has. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. 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. check out the. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. 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. SWC+GC, 265 gr. They are true magnum bullets, featuring a heavy jacket and 1 1/2% antimony core, yet they will expand reliably at 44 Special velocities. I am not about totest thisbecause the recoil at 1200 fps is decidedly unpleasant in a light-weight Special, and I am a wimp. The handloads listed on this page encompass a suitable range of performance from plinking to personal protection. But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .44 Magnum. It's just a personal thing with me, but I'm very VERY hesitant to put light charges of fast-burning powder into large capacity cases, like the .44 Special, for fear of double-charging a case and missing it. (II) Limit one entry per household. This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. For those seeking rapid expansion, the Rim Rock 240-grain HP-SWC with a gas check (cast with a BHN of 11 to 12) will expand at around 950 fps, a velocity that can be surpassed with select standard pressure data. 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. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. (I) Giveaway ends July 31, 2023. The data in Table II was developed in a 2008 Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 revolver with a 612-inch barrel. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. 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. With member reviews, stories, and creativity! The loads I have tried today are all 240 gr's, and OAL set to 1.45" Unique 6.5 gr = 640fps 7.0 gr = 749 fps 800X 7.0 gr = 650 fps Bullseye 5.5 gr = 720 fps AA#2 6.0 gr = 708 fps For those that load for the 44 special, max 15500 loads what are some of your pet loads you like? Post WWII revolvers are stronger. If this is your first visit, be sure to My favorite load for my Ruger Blackhawk 44 Special is something I got from an article by Skeeter Skelton. 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. Cases for the .44 Special are straight-walled, so carbide sizers further streamline the loading process. The Hodgdon site lists 8.0 gr of HS-6 as a max load for the .44 Special with a 240gr cast bullet. 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . If you think I'm an unabashed fan of the old round, you're right. Just saying. 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. Do not leave Tightgroup in your powder measure, even overnight. 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. 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. The point being, the overall length of straight-wall, sixgun cartridges is a crucial measurement in relation to pressure and velocities. Learn how your comment data is processed. Can't use 44 Special loads, none will get into the pressure ceiling. During 1927 and 1928 he designed the well-known Lyman/Ideal .44- caliber No. The fun is in the fact that I can use one powder, Unique. 9mm, 10mm/40S&W, 45 ACP pistol barrel that won't "plunk" your handloads? First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. View attachment 127055 View attachment 127056 Put one through the slats of a snow shoe bunny and you have an instant "stopper" and no lost meat. December 18, 2018 By J. Scott Rupp | With a resurgence of interest in the .44 Special, along with outstanding new guns, several smaller ammunition companies are now offering loads with bullet weights that range from 135 to 255 grains at a variety of velocities. If you drop a bullet into each chamber in your cylinder, if it falls through any/all of them, it is too small and will probably lead the barrel and not shoot all that well. 44 Caliber: Diameter.429: . JHP Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM May/June 2023, P.O. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. Handgun Data. Manufacturer #: HT-430240EK. Using an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter is suggested. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. could legitimately claim top gun performance. Product #: 583380. Tried TB, "didn't fit my pistols". For this assignment, a Smith & Wesson Model 629 with a 4-inch barrel was used, because it is modern, hefty and well-made. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Therefore, I no longer use the .44 mag cases when loading down to .44 special velocities. You want a light push fit through the cylinder throats. 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. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). JSP * The 225-gr. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Jul/Aug 2023, P.O. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. Nosler, the world's finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, & brass. 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 Bullet weights ranged from 180 to 240 grains. While Democrat Washington Gov. It's superbly accurate and extremely versatile when handloaded to any of several power levels for plinking, personal defense or hunting. HS-6 and Blue Dot are excellent choices for such applications. . A few loads are offered, however, that utilize the Hornady 240-grain XTP-HP and Speer 240-grain Gold Dot HP. At left is a reproduction of Keiths original No. Would those others powders burn better? Overall fit and finish is good, the front cylinder edges are rounded for easy entry into a holster, belt or backpack. Our 6204 members have posted 87352 times in 5929 discussions. He remarked that he liked it generally, but that it was too warm for falling plate competition. (II) Limit one entry per household. Other popular revolvers in Category 3 include the Ruger New Model Blackhawk, USFA SAA-pattern guns manufactured after 2001 and Freedom Arms Model 97. Bullet fit is key for accuracy. All Rights Reserved. Out of my 5.5" Redhawk I get 828 fps. 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. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Deployed military should use stateside address. Explore our articles, guides, and join our community to get started on your reloading journey today. | Left to right:- 250 gr. 9.9gr for 750 fps The test gun was a 3" Charter arms Winchester cases Winchester WLP primers COL-1.500" Edit to add Link to Alliant load data. 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. Using standard weight 240-gr. Whether we travel the sagebrush, foothills, forests, or mountains there are .44 Special loads that will handle any situation were likely to encounter. Is there a place to go for load data for 44 Special loads. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. 200 210 grain bullets will hit 800 fps with 5.2 grains of Tight Group or Bullseye. The load consists of a Lyman Ideal 429421 cast bullet, designed by Elmer Keith, himself. Ammunition Reloading. NEVER! High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. Below, are two loaded rounds. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s).

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