.44spl Range Ammo

Shmackey

New member
First, I thought I'd mention how difficult it is to find this stuff anywhere.

Now, with that out of the way...Who makes a jacketed, "light" 44 special load that's not a hollowpoint? Don't care if it's flat point, FMJ, TMJ, PSWC, etc. I just don't like shooting lead and my range doesn't like my shooting hollowpoints. Otherwise, Blazer would work.
 
Ehhh...do you mind my asking why the heck they don't like hollowpoints at your range!?

In some cases, hollowpoints are more accurate because the wider front end results in more bullet hitting rifling. So some competitive shooters use 'em, depending on circumstances.

That said...I'm thinking CCI Blasers? The aluminum-shell, FMJ stuff? Should be available in .44Spl? Nope, JHP only. Hmmm.
Tried PMC, CCI, Georgia Arms, Black Hills...nada. Dang, dude, you're just going to have to explain that JHP is it for this caliber.
 
do you mind my asking why the heck they don't like hollowpoints at your range!?

Good question. I was going to call and ask today. It certainly does make things difficult.

bulkammo.com has remanufactured 180-grain FMJ 44spls. Of course, they're out of stock right now.

Those Blazer .44spl HPs look really good for range ammo...I'll need to have a chat with The Silver Bullet range and see what's up.

While I have your attention: would you consider a 44mag, 240-grain PSWC going at 900fps a "light" load? National bullet makes such a creation, and I'm very interested because of the fact that the SWC bullet is their "copperized" version.

Here's their info sheet, which has the cartridge I'm talking about under .44mag.
 
A friend of mine gave me 100 rounds of 44 Special brass. I loaded 5.0 grains of UNIQUE behind a 240 grain JHP. A good PPC load.
 
Shmackey: a 240 doing 900fps is *very* light by .44Mag standards. Just about spot-on for .44Spl, I think.

The only .44Mag ammo I'm aware of that's milder is "cowboy action stuff", typically a 200 - 240 doing 750 - 800fps.

Most .44Mags with 240s pull 1,200 - 1,300fps or more. 1500 - 1600fps isn't unheard of, in the strongest guns (Rugers :)).
 
Jim,

Thanks for the info. That's what I figured--maybe just a tiny bit hotter than the usual plinking 44spl stuff.

I called to order some today, as it sounds like great ammo for my purposes. Unfortunately, they're out for now, but I'll buy a batch when they're back in. Who could resist copper-plated SWCs going at target speeds out of a mag cartridge? I can't.
 
See, if ya handloaded, you wouldn't have this problem.

Believe me, I know. And if I set up shop in my tiny apartment, the old lady would surely kill me with my own equipment. That said, the availability of PSWCs in 44 might just change my mind one day. One day.

Wish I knew a handloader in Colorado; I'd buy all the goods and whatnot just to get a big batch made up.

Side question: Is that bad form? To ask a handloader to cook you up a case? I'd compensate this person, of course.
 
Shmackey it depends on the fellow

I have another guy that i reload for, but when i work up a load i have his gun and work it up where i like the load. of course he's the head football coach, and i'm the assistant, so he's gotta be happy with his ammo or i may be in trouble. you never know;)
 
Shmackey
I feel your pain. This is one of the great reasons to reload. Hopefully in the future your circumstances will be such that you can get into that hobby.

My .44 Special plinking load is 15 grains of 2400 and a 240 grain cast bullet. This load is scary accurate in my Model 29.
 
Shmackey,

Not bad form at all. I don't like to do it much after an experience I had working up some handloads for a good friend in .30-'06 for elk. Actually it was his experience with my handloads. He got out to Colorado and they didn't act like they did when we shot them in Georgia in August. Go figure!:(

I'd just make sure it's someone you know. Let him shoot the first cylinder full. Watch him to see if he closes his eyes when he cooks of that first one!:D
 
Shmackey,
If you're looking for good reloaded ammo in Denver I'd look into a company called Denver Bullets & Ammunition. I'm not sure what calibers they load but you can give them a call at (303) 893-3146.
 
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