.44 special good cal?
- Thread starter CORB52
- Start date
I like it. I think pressures are a little lower than the .45. Recoil in my Tuarus (3 inch barrel) is pretty stout, but not unmanageable. Haven't shot any of the titanium revolvers, though. If you handload, you can "pump it up" a bit higher than factory loadings. If you happen to subscribe to the "bigger bullets make bigger holes, and that's a good thing" philosophy, the .44 Special certainly fits the bill.
Lots going for the .44 Special. That's why its been with us for a century and will probably be around for a long time to come.
Lots going for the .44 Special. That's why its been with us for a century and will probably be around for a long time to come.
The late Col. Charles Askins "facilitated
the journey into the lower regions" of many
BG's with a 44spl Colt. I believe the official count was in excess of 27. It was
his favorite caliber, even after the magnums
appeared on the scene.
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
the journey into the lower regions" of many
BG's with a 44spl Colt. I believe the official count was in excess of 27. It was
his favorite caliber, even after the magnums
appeared on the scene.
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
I love my Taurus .44 Special. Does nasty things to rabid canteloupes. 
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"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
-- Samuel Johnson
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"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
-- Samuel Johnson
Have you considered the availability and cost of ammunition and the diversity of loads available for the .44 Special? I do not now own or shoot the .44 Special, however, it seems to me that I see far less ammunition around for it than rounds for the 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 magnum/.38 Special, etc.
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited February 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited February 25, 2000).]
The .44 Special is a fine traditional cartridge--it's to S&W what the .45 Long Colt is to Colt's. Not to get into a discussion of stopping power, but the .44 Special Winchester Silvertip Hollow Point should be very good for defense. For that matter, I personally wouldn't want to be hit with a LRN in this caliber, either.
By reputation the .44 Special is an inherently accurate cartridge. Its traditional vehicle is the S&W N-frame revolver, in which recoil is not much of a concern. At least, my 6 1/2-inch Model 624 is a pleasure to shoot. Of course, recoil would be more of a consideration in a smaller or lighter gun.
HTH.
By reputation the .44 Special is an inherently accurate cartridge. Its traditional vehicle is the S&W N-frame revolver, in which recoil is not much of a concern. At least, my 6 1/2-inch Model 624 is a pleasure to shoot. Of course, recoil would be more of a consideration in a smaller or lighter gun.
HTH.
RWK, .44 SPL ammo is hard to find, unless you like lead (which I don't). Can't find brass, either. I have to buy .44 Mag brass and trim it. 
BUT, I can buy Blazer and pull the bullets (200gr GDHP).
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"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
-- Samuel Johnson
BUT, I can buy Blazer and pull the bullets (200gr GDHP).
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"If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance."
-- Samuel Johnson
I often carry my Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special when I'm wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It conceals well and I don't feel under gunned with it. I handload Speer 200 gr. HP's over 6 grains of Bullseye. This gives about 850 fps. The recoil is significant but not unmanageable.
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"I say that big talk is worth doodly-squat." Granny Hawkins from the Outlaw Josey Wales
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"I say that big talk is worth doodly-squat." Granny Hawkins from the Outlaw Josey Wales
But Coin, the older catridges (and most newer as well, 'specially revolvers) love lead - good hard cast lead bullets.
The SWC design shines in these calibers. Even if no expansion, they poke full-caliber holes through & through w/nice round holes for scoring, too.
Never shot .44spl but did down-load .44mags for years & shot almost exclusively a Keith-style cast SWC. A thing of beauty.
The SWC design shines in these calibers. Even if no expansion, they poke full-caliber holes through & through w/nice round holes for scoring, too.
Never shot .44spl but did down-load .44mags for years & shot almost exclusively a Keith-style cast SWC. A thing of beauty.
I like the .44 Spl. I was introduced to the round by my late great-uncle when I was 11 years old. That was 50 years ago.He was a railroad cop for the Santa Fe R.R., and he carried an S&W triple lock in .44 Spl. He swore by it too.
Coinneach. Starline, and I believe Midway both sell .44 Spl brass. We have a local gun store heren in Tucson that had a large batch they were selling in bulk. I got 200 rounds of brand new Winchester brass for $15.89 a hundred. If you want their phone # and address, E-mail me and I'll pass it on.
BTW. The .44 Spl and cast lead bullets were made for each other.
I do agree that the LRN is useless as a defense bullet, although I would not want to be hit by one. I would imagine that one of the new 200 gr. loads for the .44 would mke a good defense load though.
While I could load my S&W 624 up to near .44 Mag. specs via the old Elmer Keith data, I choose to use a 240 Gr. Keith style bullet at about 850 to 900 FPS. More than enough thump for casual desert ranging. Hammers the occasional "John bunny" and "yodel pup" with ample authority. I haven't seen any "griz" in the Arizona desert lately.
Paul B.
Coinneach. Starline, and I believe Midway both sell .44 Spl brass. We have a local gun store heren in Tucson that had a large batch they were selling in bulk. I got 200 rounds of brand new Winchester brass for $15.89 a hundred. If you want their phone # and address, E-mail me and I'll pass it on.
BTW. The .44 Spl and cast lead bullets were made for each other.
I do agree that the LRN is useless as a defense bullet, although I would not want to be hit by one. I would imagine that one of the new 200 gr. loads for the .44 would mke a good defense load though.
While I could load my S&W 624 up to near .44 Mag. specs via the old Elmer Keith data, I choose to use a 240 Gr. Keith style bullet at about 850 to 900 FPS. More than enough thump for casual desert ranging. Hammers the occasional "John bunny" and "yodel pup" with ample authority. I haven't seen any "griz" in the Arizona desert lately.
Paul B.