I'm gonna clarify what I wrote above just a little, and give the topic a bump because I see it as an important one.
The .44 Special is an excellent cartridge in its own right. In a good strong revolver it can be anything from a big .38 wadcutter, to an 'Elmer Load'- a 250 SWC at 1250 fps or so. Folks, you can shoot through a whole lot of critter with the latter.
Their is no 'problem' with the .44 Special so long as you match your gun & load to what you're likely to encounter. When you're packing a .44 Magnum (or anything else) in AK, my recommendation would be to load with something capable of about two feet of penetration in wet newsprint.
Here are the Linebaugh Penetration Tests for those who haven't seen them.
The .44 Special is an excellent cartridge in its own right. In a good strong revolver it can be anything from a big .38 wadcutter, to an 'Elmer Load'- a 250 SWC at 1250 fps or so. Folks, you can shoot through a whole lot of critter with the latter.
Their is no 'problem' with the .44 Special so long as you match your gun & load to what you're likely to encounter. When you're packing a .44 Magnum (or anything else) in AK, my recommendation would be to load with something capable of about two feet of penetration in wet newsprint.
Here are the Linebaugh Penetration Tests for those who haven't seen them.