2 alloy), and no leading was noted. Number of Views: 5750, Published on 10-20-2014 09:12 PM
Joseph Von Benedikt shows his custom 500 and how well it shoots. For defense purposes, a lighter 180- or 200-grain HP bullet makes sense. The Hodgdon site lists 8.0 gr of HS-6 as a max load for the .44 Special with a 240gr cast bullet. But do you know how to properly use them? Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Jul/Aug 2023, P.O. A few loads are offered, however, that utilize the Hornady 240-grain XTP-HP and Speer 240-grain Gold Dot HP.
The .44 Special is often ranked as one of the best revolver cartridges of all time. 1.450 in. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Medium-burn-rate powders, such as Alliant Power Pistol, Unique, Hodgdon CFE Pistol, Winchester AutoComp and Accurate No. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. There is no published data for +P in 45 Schofield caliber, and there won't be much in 44 Special, and the data that is, won't go to 25,000psi which is where the pressure ceiling is in the medium framed Rugers. Joseph VonBenedikt is with Joel Hodgdon to talk about the improved accuracy and long-range potential of the already reliable Core-Lokt ammo line. check out the. Guns were Ruger GP100 (three-inch barrel) and Smith & Wesson Model 629 (five-inch barrel). Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. It consists of 5.4 grains of Bullseye with any brand standard primer. After a while, however, even the most recoil-tough shooter looks forward to toning things down a bit. 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. For light loads with 250-260 grain bullets, 5.3 grains Vhitavouri 320 or 4.8 grains Tight Group will deliver 700 fps and good accuracy. If any of you have been through this process, I'd love to hear about it. 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 use a yet larger case, like the .44 mag with only a .44 special load in it, would make the matter much worse. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. JHP Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. JSP, (WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter, FP=Flat Point, HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point, (JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet), (Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start. Reloading Data .44 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) Metallic cast FP; 200-gr. He is a published fiction and non-fiction writer, earned his pilots license in 1965, and is the original founder of Reload Ammo in 1996. Colt Model 1861 Special Musket: What's Its Value? (I) Giveaway ends July 31, 2023. Free shipping for many products! Going up to my standard load of 7.5 Unique registers just over 1,000 fps from a 4 S&W Model 1950. Product #: 544483. HP, .44 with 225 gr. Would those others powders burn better? 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. 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. The CBA is a international organization of shooters who enjoy casting and shooting lead alloy bullets for competition, hunting, experimenting, and casual shooting. . Published on 10-20-2014 09:25 PM
They are true magnum bullets, featuring a heavy jacket and 1 1/2% antimony core, yet they will expand reliably at 44 Special velocities. Before the readership has a collective coronary, let me quickly point out that the .44 Special can live happily ever after on a steady diet of ammo loaded with quality cast bullets. .44 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) reloading data with 223 loads. With a satin stainless finish, this Model 629 is built on the traditional N-frame and weighs 41 ounces unloaded. For any loads over 1000 FPS, I suggest GC for sure or using a jacketed bullet. Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook" #4. 2, Alliant Bullseye and Red Dot. The cartridge was the fine, old .44 S&W Special stoked with hand-loads that pushed the 250-grain Lyman/Keith 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. Instead of using it in my lighter weight .44 Special sixguns, I mostly use it in .44 Magnums. To duplicate vintage factory loads, the 245-grain roundnose from Lyman mould 429383 is a top choice that is fine for small-game hunting. What bullet weights? Brass and some other items can be shipped via USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail. Its a natural outgrowth of half-jacketed bullets, and unlike traditional jacketed bullets, consists of a full-length copper cup with a lead core. 7, Ramshot True Blue, Alliant Unique and Power Pistol.
Missouri Bullet Company Cast Lead Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 240 Grain Hi-Tek Coated Semi-Wadcutter Box of 500. Since I have experimented with case position sensitive powder and found great differences, I now want bulkier powder that will better fill the case. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. Deployed military should use stateside address. The .44 Magnum was potent as it fired a 240-grain lead bullet with gas check to around 1,450 fps in production revolvers with 6.5-inch barrels; however, most current factory loads have been reduced. 44 special 240gr Hornady HP/XTP 2400 Starting 8.9gr for 600fps Max. Current industry maximum average pressure is established at a rather low 15,500 psi, which is in deference to early sixguns and select U.S.-manufactured and imported guns.
This load significantly increased the effectiveness of the cartridge while still being easily managed when shooting fast with double- action sixguns. Eventually Federal Cartridge offered a 200-grain lead SWC-HP at 900 fps (recently reduced to 870 fps), while Winchester followed suit with a 200-grain Silvertip HP and Remington with a 200-grain LSWC at the same velocity. The accompanying data has been listed in tables at 22,000 psi (Category 2) and 25,000 psi (Category 3) loads, with 15,500 psi standard pressure (Category 1) loads suitable for all revolvers covered in Handloader No. Other popular revolvers in Category 3 include the Ruger New Model Blackhawk, USFA SAA-pattern guns manufactured after 2001 and Freedom Arms Model 97. The .44 Special is an ideal cartridge for cast-bullet loads, with literally dozens and dozens of designs and weights readily available. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC: Which is Better? I have listed the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier revolvers in Category 2 (22,000 psi). A database of .44 S&W Special handloads. There are many bullet designs bearing the name Keith, but a semi-wadcutter design does not make it a Keith bullet. NEVER! 44F. 7 Accurate Solo 1250 Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? Though to me the .44 Special is not that special, and I dont need oodles of powder choices behind it for a particular use in the field. Ruger Redhawk 44 mag 51/2 barrel & Ruger 44 mag Super Blackhawk old model 71/2 barrel. Much also depends on the particular model, age, and condition of the .44 spl. Who knew wild turkey's were so stupid!? Using 2400 in loading 44 Special - RugerForum.com Most casting companies use hard alloy, it casts better and ships better. 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. Experimenters such as Elmer Keith proved that a heavily loaded .44 Special was very effective on big game. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. 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. Subscriber Services. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907.
Minimal leading. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Both bullets were seated out to their second crimp groove for overall lengths of 1.582 and 1.588 inches. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 Weight 240 gr at the best online prices at eBay!
However, .44 Special loads are so mild, you can really use whatever you want to. (II) Limit one entry per household. For me, the .44 Special and the above loads fit the bill nicely. I also drool in my sleep. Although it's a bit longer than the hollowpoints, loads with it fit comfortably in the S&W's cylinders. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. 429421 bullet that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. 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. 44 special and TrailBoss - SASS Wire - SASS Wire Forum 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. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Much has been written about sizing cast bullets to correspond with groove diameter. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Concealed Carry 2023, P.O. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. Revolver Is Back, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. RDM, Published on 10-20-2014 09:18 PM
A World Record Attempt and everyone is out at the range shooting and practicing. For everyday working .44 Special loads, I find 240- to 255-grain cast bullets at around 1,000 fps to 1,050 fps especially useful. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. If youshoot the Skeeter Load with hard bulletsyou cancrack the barrel extension on your revolver. Deployed military should use stateside address. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. That should provide a good baseline. Put one through the slats of a snow shoe bunny and you have an instant "stopper" and no lost meat. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. I am not casting, but order cast bullets on line. Number of Views: 5757, Published on 10-20-2014 09:20 PM
Number of Views: 5765, Published on 10-20-2014 09:24 PM
All Ammunition Reloading; Reloading Equipment. .44 Special (Hodgdon Data) reloading data with 130 loads. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. 2 Accurate No. Bullseye Powder For .44 Special? - Maryland Shooters An oversized bullet will shoot OK, but any undersized in my experience won't. His loads have been successfully tested and used by others for more than 25 years. The following are for 5 or 6 inch revolvers. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh cylinder that needs the "step" reamed to 6 30min chamfer? Even with 1907/1908-era smokeless powders such as Hercules Unique, velocity could have easily been bumped up to 900 to 950 fps while staying within todays pressure guidelines of 15,500 psi. All of the cast bullets shown in the load table were obtained from a local commercial caster and had a Brinell Hardness Number of 15 (the same as Lyman No.
The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" Unfortunately, the .44 Magnums greater power pushed the Special from the stage. 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. Select medium-burning pistol powders often gave outstanding accuracy while offering low extreme spreads and a modest muzzle report. For maximum velocity in .44 Mag ammo reloads, slow-burning powders are recommended. I am not about totest thisbecause the recoil at 1200 fps is decidedly unpleasant in a light-weight Special, and I am a wimp. Do not leave Tightgroup in your powder measure, even overnight. 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. .44 Magnum | Handloader Magazine .44 S&W Special Load Data - PowderThrough.com
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. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. Skeltons favorite handload consisted of the 250-grain Keith bullet pushed around 950 fps (4-inch barrel) using 7.5 grains of Unique powder. Unique is a great powder to use and have on your bench. We use cookies to make your experience better. Smokeless-powder ammunition soon appeared, and velocities were eventually standardized at 755 fps with the same bullet. 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.. Tried TB, "didn't fit my pistols". Taurus has redesigned this sporting pistol for performance. Because of the smaller case, pressures will be exceeded. (This was prior to the organization of SAAMI in 1926, resulting in the standardization of ammunition specifications and pressures.). 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . 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. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. Were not looking for long-distance hunting or max power. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 . In your Super Black hawk that should get you 950 fps at about 18,000 PSI. Since you are buying bullets, they will probably be too hard. That is why you dont see FPS by every load. Deployed military should use stateside address. 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). 44 Special Load Data - Nosler But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .44 Magnum. View attachment 127055 View attachment 127056 Since then, even the .44 Magnum's performance has been eclipsed by several bigger bore and more powerful handgun cartridges. The Oregon Trail Laser Cast 240 SWC shoots every bit as good as carefully home cast bullets. Accurates powders come in a number of speeds and there are loads from the fast No. If you want to baby your 44 Special revolver, or just want a decent plinking load, then 6.5 grains of unique or 4.7 grains of Red Dot is fine.
What kind of gun? An occasional trip through the case trimmer will result in more uniform crimps - a big part of consistent ballistics - and better accuracy. The .44 S&W Special - CHUCKHAWKS.COM All Rights Reserved. 5 by Bowen Classic Arms, (3) custom USFA with Smith & Wesson adjustable sights, (4) Ruger Blackhawk Flattop No. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Buy 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 Count: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Reloading Supplies Reloading Supplies Ammunition Reloading All: 981766936 . .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 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. Real .44 Cowboy loads - American Handgunner The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and my old Lyman #45 Reloading Guide differ on a starting load for the bullet i'm using (Lyman 429244 - 245gr gascheck). The authority on pistol and rifle loading data since 1996. A Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 (middle) .44 Special with a 6.5-inch barrel was used to develop the accompanying data. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. A Colt Model P will probably not blow up, but it will loosen up pretty quick. The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. 30 days easy returns; 100% money back guarantee. With the grips removed, it was an easy task to install the model in a Ransom Rest for testing using an insert for the N-frame, round-butt gun. 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. bullet. Post WWII revolvers are stronger. Hodgon only shows HP38 for the .44 special loads. 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. Target shooters flocked to the .44 Special. 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. Unique is still one of the most versatile powders on the market today.
The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. Using wheel weight alloy, they weigh approximately 255260 grains. Winchester Super X Cowboy Action 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - 50
I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data. I recently read the .44 Special cast bullet is standardized at 0.430. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. Powder: Bullet Weight: Bullet Make: Bullet Type: Powder Bul Weight C.O.L. Hard bullets may shoot OK withtarget or standard loads. Guaranteed Safe Checkout. In other words, a load comparable to the black powder .45, with a 250-gr. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. The Hodgdon site on-line has loading data for ~15,500 PSI loads. 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.
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. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Smith & Wesson 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). 44 Caliber: Diameter.429: . Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. .44 CALIBER 240 GR. JHC - Sierra Bullets This bullet is seated over 7.5 grains of Unique powder and stuffed in a .44 Special case, sparked with a large pistol primer. .44 S&W Special Load Data: Favorite Handloads - Shooting Times Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet. Been using this load for years. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. The .44 Russian proved very accurate, and it didn't take long for savvy target shooters of the day to realize its potential. First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. 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. Including, free printable targets, tips, safety instructions and of course gun loads. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. Therefore, I no longer use the .44 mag cases when loading down to .44 special velocities. Ruger's multi-role small frame autoloading rifle - Sear - combines AR-10 power with AR-15 Portability. JFP, 240 gr. 5 as produced by Bowen Classic Arms; at right is the original KEITH LONG RANGE COLT.. At 700 fps we are equaling the soft shooting of factory ammunition. Bullet sizes vary from .429 for jacketed to .432 for some lead in diameter. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. It is within industry pressure guidelines at 15,500 psi, while offering moderate recoil and good accuracy. It shares the same cylinder length as the Model 29-5 (bottom) rather than the short cylinder of the original Model 1950 Target (top). High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. Buy 50 rounds of Herters 44 Mag 240 grain SP brass cased ammo: GunBroker is the largest seller of Pistol Ammunition Ammunition All: 973242959 . Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Rounded up was a selection of bullets from Hornady, Remington, Sierra, Speer and Winchester. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. These .44 Special single-action sixguns include (1) a custom Colt New Frontier SAA, (2) Keith No. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Our Price: Number of Views: 5819, Published on 10-20-2014 09:14 PM
Reloading The .44 Special - Reload Ammo 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. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Cases for the .44 Special are straight-walled, so carbide sizers further streamline the loading process. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot shotgun powders, and HS-6 and Unique excel with these lighter bullets. SWC, 240 gr. You must be a subscriber to see the full article. Both are N-frames with trim 6 -inch barrels. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. 6.8 Western Ammo Options: The Load of Long Yardage, .458 Winchester Magnum History: The Complete Story. Taylor Knock-Out Factor Calculations What it takes to knock-out big game. It ties with two others as my favorite sixgun cartridge. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. .44 S&W Special +P (Pet Loads) | Handloader Magazine Stick to 200 grain load data with these bullets since all the lead is seated flush in the case. While in the past fancy Goncalo Alves grips were standard, now weather-resistant neoprene panels are standard. The Association's central purpose is to help shooters enjoy casting bullets, You must enable JavaScript to be able to use this site in full. 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. Is there a place to go for load data for 44 Special loads.
Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. Join the exclusive reloading community founded in 1996 and be the first to know about our latest news, reviews, and insights. It is a faithful rendition of the original and should quicken the pulse of .44 Special fans everywhere. However, as factory loaded with a 246-grain lead roundnose bullet at approximately 750 fps muzzle velocity, the .44 Spl.
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. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Purchase A PDF Download Of The American Handgunner Nov/Dec 2020 Issue Now! 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. Welcome to The Cast Bullet Association Forum, TC Contenders & Other Single Shot Handguns. The .44 Special The Perfect Load? - American Handgunner 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. Fortunately, S&W has recently reincarnated the M24 in its Classics series. 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.