Does .44 Mag get any easier?

P

Pond James Pond

New member
I went to the range yesterday, and I shot all my guns, but concentrated on the .22 and 9mm.

However, I put two cylinders of Sellier Bellot SP .44 Mag down range. I came to a realisation: at the moment, I just don't enjoy shooting these stout loads...:(

I like the revolver. I want to like the round, but if I don't enjoy shooting it, I'd have to consider selling. After all, with the money it is worth I could get used rifle and a new Norinco 1911!!

I know that reloading is a way to build milder loads, but to do that I need to fork out quite a lot, and if .44 mag doesn't grow on me, it is going to be a lot of money for little reason.

So my question is have people felt the same and then found that they got used to it?
 
I don't know how S&B's ammo runs, but I enjoy shooting the Fioochi 50 round boxes that my local gun store sells. With a set of Pachmayr grips that covers the backstrap those .44's are down right enjoyable. They aren't "hot" loads by any means, but they are plenty fun.

If you are looking for something a bit milder you might want to try shooting .44 Specials. The typical load is roughly equivalent to a .45 ACP, you just don't have the slide action of an autoloader to absorb some of the recoil.
 
I worked with a fellow who started shooting his 44 mag with 700 fps loads.and shot it a lot. Each month he boosted it 100 fps until hunting season when it reached full loads and he was ready for deer !
I did some testing with factory loads with premium bullets .Federal Swift A-frame and Corbon DPX [Barnes all copper] were reasonable loads like my own handloads. The Speer Deep Curl bullets were considerably hotter. The A-frame and DPX worked very well on deer !:D
If you don't handload start with 44 spec , use good grips like Pachmyer, then pick a full load that's not too hot.
 
Try shooting at reactive targets, I like bowling pins, piece of steel hanging from chains, gallon milk containers full of water, etc...
 
To own and shoot a 44 mag now days, you really need to reload. I seldom shoot full power loads. A 250 grain Keith at about 1000 fps is outstanding and fairly easy on the hand. Midway can get you into reloading at a very reasonable price
 
I shot my Ruger Redhawk .44 mag. for years with a great deal of enjoyment. I am not very big and, for the most part, the recoil was not a problem. I did put on Pachymar Presentation grips. Tried other models and makes but these fit my hand nicely and I like the way they 'stick' without hurting like some.
As for the .44 rounds. I could handle almost any loading with comfort up to some max-max loads with 300 grain bullets. Those flat wear me out fast. A practice 'session' with those loads consists of one cylinder full then I'm tired.
But anything else up to about factory loads is fine.
If you do not already reload the starting costs can be a bit. But to shoot the gun a lot reloading is the way to go. I found the reloading to be an enjoyable and relaxing avocation all on it's own. To say nothing of the economically custom loaded ammunition I have on hand.
It is a good gun and a great pistol round. Hang in there with it. You will enjoy.
 
Just because it's a magnum doesn't mean you're required to shoot magnum loads all the time. If you reload, work up some lite loads. Most of what I shoot in my 44mag revolvers are no more than hot 44 special loads. If you don't reload, find "cowboy action" loads or 44Special loads. Either will be lighter than regular 44mag loads.

Currently, I have two rounds for my 44mags: 250gr@900fps and 300@1300fps (the latter for my Redhawk only). I'm working up a middle load that will be about 250gr@1100fps as a "walking around" load for my 629.

Gun weight and barrel length play a part as well. Loads that feel light in my Redhawk are pretty snappy in my 4" 629. What are you shooting?

Grip fit also matters. I like a grip that is short front to rear, but broad width-wise at the back where my palm contacts to spread the recoil force over a larger area. I also like one that doesn't place my hand too far below the bore axis (some put too much filler behind the trigger-guard, extending the grip downward).

Finally, when I'm shooting heavier loads out of my 44mags, I wear a Cabelas padded leather glove on my main hand, with the lower knuckle wrapped in medical tape for additional padding (gun really whacks that area good).

Cabelas Leather Handgun Gloves

Chris
 
This is why you see a lot of .44 magnums in the used gun section.

Last week I stumbled upon an old box of aluminum Blazer 200 grain and they were nice, mid power loads. I don't see them available anymore, just 240 grain which I will try.

I am also looking for other mid power loads if anybody knows of some.
 
I'm with Andy Griffith, only difference is about 99.9% of the time.
I’m a 44 Special fan/nut/crazzzy, and only own one 29. I picked it up because it was just so perdy!
I know that’s a silly reason to buy a gun but just how many reasons are there?
So shoot specials, there a lot more fun and you still have the magnum to impress friends and influence enemies.
 
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OP doesn't say what model gun he's shooting. I have shot the Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag and found the recoil uncomfortable. After that I avoided the round. Then I found such a good deal on a S&W 629 at a price I couldn't refuse. I find that S&W much milder to shoot. It must be the ergonomics. Now, the 629 is my favorite revolver to shoot.

I'll admit that I shoot it single action and no rapid fire :)
 
Well, thanks for the responses for far.

Here's some more background:
Mine is a 4" Redhawk with the Hogue grips as seen on the KRH444 page of the Ruger Website.

I have so far found 3 places that sell .44 Mag.

One places asks for €80 per hundred (:eek:),
another place (my indoor range) at €50 per hundred (still very steep)
and finally one shop that had the S&B .44mag SJSPsat €38 per hundred. Those are 240gr, 360m/s, 1008 Joule loads.

If I want to shoot my gun, I am pretty much stuck with those loads, unless I reload. I can't afford to regularly buy those, let alone the more expensive choices.

Some of you mentioned .44Spl.
I have tried these and they are great to shoot: I can concentrate on aim, trigger finger, and breathing, instead of "which corner of the room will my wrist end up in, this time?"

However, here is the stupid rule in this country.
My Redhawk is a .44mag. So on my licence it is recorded as such. I can only buy what is written on my licence. The Redhwak is a .44 Magnum, in the eyes of the law, not simply a .44. I can't walk into a shop and buy a box of Special.

I can buy .44 Spl at my indoor range at €45 per hundred. So I can shoot 50 Spl for €22.50 plus another €20 per hour of range time, or buy 50 Mags at €19 and pay €6.50 at the outdoor range.
Trying to shoot the more comfortable Spl load ends up costing me 40% more!!

It's a freakin' conspiracy!!!:rolleyes:

If I end up reloading, I think I would use the .44Spl load data and stuff it all in a Mag case...

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, which means I end up shooting my Redhawk very little...:(
 
I have shot the Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag and found the recoil uncomfortable. After that I avoided the round. Then I found such a good deal on a S&W 629 at a price I couldn't refuse. I find that S&W much milder to shoot. It must be the ergonomics. Now, the 629 is my favorite revolver to shoot.
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Same here. I had a Blackhawk for a short time and it was brutal with factory loads. Traded it in on a SXS shottie. Twenty years later I had the opportunity to shoot a 629 and found it a pleasure to shoot. I now own several and enjoy shooting magnum rounds outta them. Whether it was the grips, difference in grip angle or just how they fit my hand I dunno.

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, which means I end up shooting my Redhawk very little...
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I still don't own any gun for long if I don't enjoy shooting it. If you don't enjoy the Redhawk, I say dump it and move on.
 
I know that reloading is a way to build milder loads, but to do that I need to fork out quite a lot, and if .44 mag doesn't grow on me, it is going to be a lot of money for little reason
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You are pounding down the stretch. You know what you need to do, reload. Reloading will solve all your problems and give you the full versatility of the round.

Don't load 44 Special data into Mag cases. Use the 44 Mag start loads and if you want less recoil than that, use lighter bullets until you acclimate to big bore recoil.

Any investment in loading equipment would be money in the bank for you at your ammo prices. You'd recoup your money fast in ammo.

And yes, you will have to start casting your own 44s at some point to round the whole package out. But then your boolits are a penny apiece. ;)
 
Shooting gloves are cheap and easy, give them a try. Also try other grips. The only workable Redhawk grips I've found are Nills via a guy on eBay.

Chris
 
You know what you need to do, reload. Reloading will solve all your problems and give you the full versatility of the round.
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If only it were that easy!

Reloading may be the answer, but as yet, I don't even know if I can get all the roudn components over here.

Whilst I can buy all the reloading equipment abroad, I cannot legally buy ammo or components other than from weapon shops.

If I can't get the bits I need, it will just be a pipe-dream!
 
I almost NEVER shoot full .44 Magnum loads from my 629-1 4 inch .44.

240 gr at 1000 fps is my top load for it. Hits hard, shoot strait, and easy on the gun and me.

You need to reload to achieve that unless you find some 'mid-range' .44 Magnum ammo.

Deaf
 
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