44mag pistol ammo

M

michael t

New member
I picked up a S&W 29 6" first of mo. Been shooting 240gr Magtech 44 mag ammo. Picked up a box of Remington/umc green box 180 gr at wally world.Was going to use in my lever gun but decided to try in pistol. Wow! Fire, noise and heavy recoil.:eek: I thought the lighter round would be a softer shooter . What gives!!
 
Increased speed and powder charge weight with the 180gr Remingtons. I've fired the 240gr Magtech stuff before and didn't think it was too bad. And the brass is tough as nails. (Let's just say I'm still loading the LE stamped stuff from 5-6 years ago. ;) )

Haven't tried the 180gr UMCs in my 6" 629 though, and I haven't tried anything in a 300gr either.
 
Tried some of the newer Rem 180 gn sjfp's, after they first appeared on the shelfs here. These appear to be a replacement factory load for the Rem 180 sjhp's, which may overexpand, depending on use/ intended purpose/firearm being used?

The 180 grain sjfp's chronoed at 1900 fps from a 7 1/2 in Ruger Bisley, bout 1950 fps from 10 inch contender (different chronograph and a friend's pistol) and 2100 fps from a 16 inch Marlin.

Only shot bout two cylinder's worth through the Bisley, saving the rest for the carbine. Two cylinders worth was enough to induce a serious flinch, as i am not practiced enough with the full bore pistol rounds. They may extend the trajectory some over the heavier bullets, while increasing the penetration capability over the 180 grain hp's ?
 
Magtech loads their 240gr down pretty light, about 750ft/lbs. I've shot about 2-300 of their cartridges.

Their brass is nice, by the way.

I then loaded some Hornady XTP 180gr hollowpoints behind some H110 and held on tight for the ride! Holy $#!+ those are powerful... But they shoot really flat out beyond where I can shoot accurately.

I've never bought any factory 180gr magnum loads, only PMC's 44 special JHP's. Those were light.:D
 
If your going to shoot any amount of 44 mag rounds you will eventually be reloading for them. It just makes too much sense with the high cost of factory ammo for this particular caliber. I shoot about 200 rounds a month minimum. I've had several range sessions that cost close to $100.00 for an hour and a half. Not to mention the ammo is custom made for the power, velocity,recoil, etc, and is of much higher quality. You might as well just bite the bullet and go buy that reloading kit.
 
I've found that the lighter weight 357M(125gr) and 44M(180gr) have a more pronounced crack sonically than the heavier slower loads. They tend to produce a different type of recoil. While the heavier loads produce more recoil, the ligther loads produce kind of a violent snap that can be hard to tame.
 
I picked up a box of the UMC 180 stuff hoping it would be a bit easy on the hands in my Mtn gun. It was not,it actualy was a chore to get tru the entire box of 50.
 
the ligther loads produce kind of a violent snap that can be hard to tame.

I belive that says it very well. Thanks for all the replies. My 1911,s and all my 380's are unhappy that this wheel gun is getting attention and their not. I had for gotten how much fun a large revolver really is. :D
 
Yes, absolutely get into reloading! Save that brass. (And the revolver makes it really easy to keep it all.) I've calculated that it costs me about $4.10 per 50 rounds of .44 Special (240gr SWC) and roughly $4.75 for a .44 "Magnum" loaded with the same bullet. (I quote "Magnum" because I only load them to about 1000 fps for the lead bullets.) A box of jacketed .44s doing full-tilt-boogey costs me about $9.50. Hey, there aren't many other college kids I know that have a .44 Magnum and will take it out and put 50-100 rounds a week through it! :D

Well, yesterday I found out my girlfriend likes it when loaded with .44 Specials. She ran it 3-times round the cylinder. No balloon or pumpkin will ever be safe again! :eek:
 
In factory trim 44 mag wise that load you bought is on the hot side(pressure wise), and also very dirty. Try finding a different brand, you'll be much happier.
 
Here's my take on the subject:

.44mag guns used: 4" Taurus Model 44
5 3/4" Redhawk

Factory Ammo & Comments:

180gr Remington: Agree with previous posts that it is a fast, sharp pulse on recoil. Best ammo for exploding melons and other fruit and filled gallon milk jugs.

240gr Winchester White Box: One of the best stock rounds for the "Magnum Experience", i.e. muzzle blast, noise, concussion, moderate recoil.

305gr CorBon Flat Nose Penetrator: Yawn. Recoils less than the 240gr WWB

320gr CorBon Hard Cast Lead: See comments for the 305gr

Favorite Handloads (so far):

240gr LSWC @ 1,000 fps.

240gr XTP @ 1,400 fps (Wow!)

300gr XTP @ 1,200 fps

It might just be me, but I don't find the recoil of any of these to be unpleasant. Of course, the Taurus is fairly heavy and ported, and the Redhawk is very heavy (but not ported).

I second the opinion that if you want to shoot it a lot (and you should), you have to handload. It will pay for itself very quickly. I use a Dillon 550B and a variety of powders including HS7, AA7, Universal, and H110 with excellent results.

John Limbach
 
I knew I that will have to start reloading when I bought my .44. I actually don’t even mind it, since I save so much money; I’m shooting jacketed ammo and it costs me 1/3 of the factory stuff. :)

I haven’t tried Remington’s 180gr yet but I know that have more energy than regular 240gr ammo; around 1050ft-lbs.

Oh yeah if you want a ridiculously large muzzle flash try 30gr of H110 powder behind 180gr bullet, it also gives you the best velocities (1800fps with 200gr bullet :eek: )
 
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