Paper punching, 4.5grs Bullseye under a 240-250gr SWC. That is why you dont see FPS by every load. Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. SWC, 240 gr. At 700 fps we are equaling the soft shooting of factory ammunition. Very low recoil, expected more with this heavy of a bullet. Whether we travel the sagebrush, foothills, forests, or mountains there are .44 Special loads that will handle any situation were likely to encounter. What bullet weights? No purchase necessary. The classic +P 44 Special load is a 429-421 over 7.5 grains of Unique. So, I'm going to start at 5.5gr and work up from there. For a "Knockdown" Load, I used 5.0grs of Titegroup under a 240-250gr RN. 5 are top choices for loads that push standard weight (250-grain) bullets between 900 to 1,000 fps. The classic Skeeter load of a 240-250 grain LSWC over 7.5 grains of Unique in a 44 Special casing is where I would start. Below, are two loaded rounds. Powders include Winchester, Hodgdon, IMR I DO always double check the charged cases before the projectile goes on, but I stick with bulkier powders as a "belt and suspenders" measure. Required fields are marked *. Number of Views: 5819, Published on 10-20-2014 09:14 PM Most modern jacketed bullets must be traveling at least 850 to 900 fps to achieve reliable expansion, a velocity that was easily reached with most 200-grain bullets using standard pressure loads. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. Since then, even the .44 Magnum's performance has been eclipsed by several bigger bore and more powerful handgun cartridges. Powders include Alliant, Winchester, Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, IMR, Accurate The .44 Russian proved very accurate, and it didn't take long for savvy target shooters of the day to realize its potential. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. I am not casting, but order cast bullets on line. JHP; and Sierra 240-gr. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Accurates powders come in a number of speeds and there are loads from the fast No. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. On the other hand, when pressures are held to 15,500 psi, most powders cannot push various 240-grain jacketed bullets fast enough to expand reliably. of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. Introduced in 1900 by Laflin & Rand of Haskell, New Jersey, later to be absorbed by DuPont, Unique was the Johnny on the spot powder to help the .44 Special move right along the popularity scale in subsequent years. 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. Jeff Bradley shows off the Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) from Christensen Arms at SHOT Show 2023. .44 S&W Special Load Data: Favorite Handloads - Shooting Times I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. Speer offers the perfect .44 Special jacketed bullet. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin' Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. for 240 gr, bullet for about same results. The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. Manufacturer #: 44B (50) UPC #: 754908168118. A Colt Model P will probably not blow up, but it will loosen up pretty quick. This gun differs from previous models in several areas; most notable is a cylinder length that is the same as the Model 29 .44 Magnum, which results in greater bullet jump or free-bore. If any of you have been through this process, I'd love to hear about it. All Ammunition Reloading; Reloading Equipment. Our test guns are both S&Ws: a blue M24-3 made in 1983 and a stainless M624 from 1986. I reduced it to 6.8/Unique/240 SWC, then to 6.5/Unique/240 SWC, The lighter loads were not as clean-burning, but an intentionally heavy crimp remedied most of that. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. This bullet is still widely popular. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. If Im looking for a little more velocity, I go with the Lyman/Thompson #429215GC that lubed, sized and gas checked weighs around 220 grains. 5 by Clements Custom Guns, (5) factory-engraved USFA PreWar SAA, (6) custom Colt Flattop Target pattern, (7) original Keith Long Range Colt and (8) a USFA factory engraved SAA. Left to right:- 250 gr. High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum .44 Remington Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Rifle Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 255 gr 265 gr 267 gr 270 gr 275 gr 280 gr 300 gr 320 gr 325 gr 330 gr 355 gr 5 and No. Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. Of course, the situation changed when S&W introduced the .44 Magnum 50+ years ago. 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . Everyday Workin' Loads .44 Special - American Handgunner Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Alliant - Power Pistol: 250 gr. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Gun Loads Forum - .44 Special Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Smith & Wesson Special .44 Smith & Wesson Special - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 267 gr Powder: ALL Accurate No. My standard loads are assembled with 7.5 grains of either Unique or Universal, 17.5 grains of #4227, or 8.0 grains of Power Pistol. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Medium-burn-rate powders, such as Alliant Power Pistol, Unique, Hodgdon CFE Pistol, Winchester AutoComp and Accurate No. Joseph Von Benedikt visits with Aaron Oelger from Hodgdon about the unprecedented demand on the shooting supply industry. Hodgdon H-110 also performed well when mated to the heavyweight 305- and 307-grain cast bullets; however, to prevent erratic ignition and possible hang-fires, loads should not be reduced. If economics are important, a one-pound can of Unique (7,000 grains) will fetch you 1,000 loads using a 7.0-grain powder charge. Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot shotgun powders, and HS-6 and Unique excel with these lighter bullets. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. | While Democrat Washington Gov. 429421 250-grain bullet (left) and the Lyman/Thompson No. Took this load form Speer #13 manual and it shot very well in both my 44 mags, very accurate and not even max. (II) Limit one entry per household. For example, Remington currently lists a 240-grain jacketed HP or SP at 1,180 fps; Federal has a 240-grain JHP at 1,230 fps; Winchester lists a 240-grain HSP at 1,180 fps (all tested from a 4-inch, vented test barrel); and Hornady lists a 240-grain bullet at 1,350 fps from a 7.5-inch barrel. Elmer laid down specific specifications for a bullet bearing his name: three equally sized full caliber driving bands, a deep crimping groove between the middle and top bands, a large grease groove between the middle and bottom bands and a flat bottom with no bevel. 2, No. Skeltons favorite handload consisted of the 250-grain Keith bullet pushed around 950 fps (4-inch barrel) using 7.5 grains of Unique powder. Bullets under 200 grains have never given me anything but short-range accuracy. He remarked that he liked it generally, but that it was too warm for falling plate competition. Manufacturer #: HT-430240EK. First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. We are currently populating the cartridge drop-down menu with updated cartridge renderings, new propellants and bullets, and links to complimentary product pages. 5 Accurate No. These .44 Special single-action sixguns include (1) a custom Colt New Frontier SAA, (2) Keith No. Most casting companies use hard alloy, it casts better and ships better. Available online most anywhere. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. The difference in Special and Magnum case lengths is .125 inch, and Redding includes a washer of that thickness to use under the die lock ring that makes switching calibers easier. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Experimenters such as Elmer Keith proved that a heavily loaded .44 Special was very effective on big game. I have .44 Specials whose chamber throats are as tight as 0.427 and as large as 0.433, and I just took possession of a Spanish copy of the old S&W Triple-Lock with 0.437 throats. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. We use cookies to make your experience better. Number of Views: 5750, Published on 10-20-2014 09:12 PM Gun Loads Forum - .44 Special Home Reloading Pistols .44 Special If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Hornady's new 225-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet borrows technology from the company's popular rifle ammo and is a good midweight hunting bullet. SWC+GC, 265 gr. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Bullets as heavy as 300 grains are available, but it's difficult to get enough velocity out of the Special case to make them useful. 50 rounds of Herters 44 Mag 240 grain SP brass cased ammo Left to right:- 250 gr. The Judge has been promoted! 15,500 PSI is the maximum SAAMI pressure. A World Record Attempt and everyone is out at the range shooting and practicing. In spite of being 110 years old, the .44 Special still ranks as one of the finest, most versatile sixgun cartridges, especially when handloaded. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2022. Keith 429244 and 7.5 Unique. SWC, 240 gr. That changed when Elmer Keith and the other .44 Associates of the 1920s and 1930s began handloading it to its maximum potential; then, the .44 Spl. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Concealed Carry 2023, P.O. These three lead bullets make the .44 Magnum a versatile cartridge (left to righ): The 200-grain wadcutter is inexpensive and great to shoot at targets. Full Metal Jacket projectiles are the ideal choice for training, target shooting and general range use. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. When. 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC: Which is Better? * (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Unique is about the best all around powder, but if you want a slower burning powder, I suggest 2400. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. The Hornady 240-grain swaged lead bullet makes an easy recoiling target load at 850 fps. That should provide a good baseline. I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data. The 180-grain hollowpoints from Sierra and Hornady offer reliable expansion, and Speer offers a 200-grain "personal protection" version of its Gold Dot Hollow Point specially designed for the .44 Special. It remains popular in both the .44 Special and .44 Remington Magnum cartridges. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. For the .44 Magnum to achieve its greater velocity potential when held to industry overall length specifications, it is necessarily loaded to a higher maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. For a bit more horsepower, including hunting deer-sized game, the load I prefer consists of 8.2 grains of Alliant Power Pistol with the 250-grain Keith bullet, which generally produces around 1,000 fps in most revolvers with barrels of 434 to 612 inches (or 950 to 975 fps with 4-inch barrels). HS-6 and Blue Dot are excellent choices for such applications. bullet. For those seeking rapid expansion, the Rim Rock 240-grain HP-SWC with a gas check (cast with a BHN of 11 to 12) will expand at around 950 fps, a velocity that can be surpassed with select standard pressure data. 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, Top 5 Most Accurate Factory-Loaded Rifle Cartridges, The Colt Anaconda .44 Rem. Reloading: Powder Comparison .44 Special Loads - Handguns All entries must be received by giveaway end date. This is not a true Keith bullet and even has a bevel base, however it shoots well. Number of Views: 5765, Published on 10-20-2014 09:24 PM Can't use 44 Special loads, none will get into the pressure ceiling. 44 Caliber: Diameter.429: . For these reasons, 240-grain bullets are best when used in conjunction with load data that exceeds industry maximum pressures. Out of my 5.5" Redhawk I get 828 fps. Instead of using it in my lighter weight .44 Special sixguns, I mostly use it in .44 Magnums. Shown is Elmer Keiths customized Keith Long Range Colt that was originally owned by Teddy Roosevelt. Would those others powders burn better? When considering an all-purpose .44 Special powder, Ken Waters, in Pet Loads noted, Im pretty sure my choices would be Unique and Blue Dot.. The manuals dont show every type of powder for every bullet weight for the .44 special. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" In other words, a load comparable to the black powder .45, with a 250-gr. It's just a personal thing with me, but I'm very VERY hesitant to put light charges of fast-burning powder into large capacity cases, like the .44 Special, for fear of double-charging a case and missing it. I also drool in my sleep. ", "Truth is treason in the empire of lies" Ron Paul, Colt's Manufacturing Company Armorer Instructor. 5.6 gr . MD Smith has had a storied career from his family broadcasting AM radio business, to his 36 year career in TV broadcasting. does not engender a reputation as a "hot" cartridge. What kind of gun? The Special case was lengthened from .97 inch to 1.16 inches and originally loaded with black powder, receiving 3 grains more than the Russian cartridge for a boost in velocity. Works well in a 3" Sheriff's Model, a 12" Buntline Special, and everything in between. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas.) During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman No. 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 Either 17.0 grains of #4227 or 8.5 grains of Unique will give right around 1,000 fps. Discussion: I no longer use the same bullets and cases for the special loads as I do the Magnum, since all my rifles and pistols use the magnum round. The .44 Special is a joy to handload, but there are some important points to be aware of that will help handloaders assemble top-notch ammunition tailored specifically to their guns. Since you are buying bullets, they will probably be too hard. 44 S&W SPL LOW RECOIL 240GR FMJ - Magtech (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Post WWII revolvers are stronger. Regardless of the loads chosen, be certain to use data exactly as listed, as changes in bullet design, bullet seating depth and overall cartridge length, primer, etc., will change the pressures and performance of the load. Besides, a carry revolver can always be charged with four .44 Specials and a pair of .44 Magnums. Please note that many of the starting loads in Category 2 are within industry pressure guidelines of 15,500 psi. If the pressures are too low or powder energy is insufficient, bullets will stick in the bore, so do not reduce suggested starting powder charges. There are plenty of bullet weights and styles available for reloading the .44 Special: (from left) 180-gr. By the 1920s smokeless powders had been significantly improved, which resulted in handloaders developing ammunition that enhanced the performance of the .44 Special to create +P loads. For everyday working .44 Special loads, I find 240- to 255-grain cast bullets at around 1,000 fps to 1,050 fps especially useful. Berry's Preferred Plated 44cal 240 Grain Flat Point Reloading Pistol Bullets quantity. Current industry maximum average pressure is established at a rather low 15,500 psi, which is in deference to early sixguns and select U.S.-manufactured and imported guns. 2 Accurate No. 44 special with titegroup powder - Cast Bullet Forum The 200- and 240-grain Oregon Trail RNFP bullets are good choices for cowboy action competitors. My long-favored cast bullet load of 7.5 grains of Unique used with this 240 jacketed . Velocity runs close to 1,000 fps, depending on barrel length of your shooter. Product #: 544483. Even with 1907/1908-era smokeless powders such as Hercules Unique, velocity could have easily been bumped up to 900 to 950 fps while staying within todays pressure guidelines of 15,500 psi. In 1870 Smith & Wesson developed the .44 Russian for its military revolver made for the Imperial Russian army, and a civilian model followed in 1878. This also helps powder to ignite properly and usually results in lower extreme velocity spreads and improved accuracy. I have listed the Colt Single Action Army and New Frontier revolvers in Category 2 (22,000 psi). All this resulted in changes in muzzle velocity with many loads. It was obstreperous enough in my 5-shot Taurus M431, which is a heavier piece than the CAs. SWC+GC, 265 gr. 200 210 grain bullets will hit 800 fps with 5.2 grains of Tight Group or Bullseye. 308 (June/July 2017). I used to load down the .44 mag cases to .44 special velocities. During 1927 and 1928, he designed the now-famous Lyman/Ideal .44-caliber bullet 429421 that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. Learn how your comment data is processed. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Suitable powders for the .44 Special run the gamut of burning rates, depending on the bullet weight and velocities desired, but one stands out, and it is well known to the round's legion of fans. For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. The Specials case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. 429421 bullet that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. Subscriber Services. While in the past fancy Goncalo Alves grips were standard, now weather-resistant neoprene panels are standard. (II) Limit one entry per household. The .44 Special (center) was based on a lengthened .44 Russian cartridge (left), while the .44 Remington Magnum (right) is based on a lengthened .44 Special case. The 250-grain cast bullet can be loaded up to 1,400 fps for big game hunting. Unique is a great powder to use and have on your bench. Revolver Is Back, A World Record Attempt: Practice Round and Media Day, Interview with Israeli Defense Forces, Part 1. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM May/June 2023, P.O. Taylor Knock-Out Factor Calculations What it takes to knock-out big game. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Let us hope that for the next century, the grand old .44 Special continues to make as many shooters happy as it already has. 44 Special Load Data - Guns and Ammo The new big bore pistols feature industry-first capacity, with a standard 15-round capacity and 22+1 rounds of 10mm or 18+1 rounds of .45 ACP from the extended magazines. Both bullets were seated out to their second crimp groove for overall lengths of 1.582 and 1.588 inches. The fun is in the fact that I can use one powder, Unique. But do you know how to properly use them? Nonetheless, many shooters still recognized the virtues of the .44 Special, especially when handloaded, because it offers low extreme spreads, lower recoil and muzzle report, and fired cases clear the chambers with ease. I do use it from time to time, however its more than I want for an everyday workin load at 1,200 fps with a 260-gr. Trigger pull on the test sample was set at 4 pounds. You can follow the Elmer Keith trail up to 1200 fps with 250 grain bullets, but the pressure is 22,000 - 25,000psi and bullet diameter, seating depth and alloyare critical. Much also depends on the particular model, age, and condition of the .44 spl. Deployed military should use stateside address. If youshoot the Skeeter Load with hard bulletsyou cancrack the barrel extension on your revolver. .44 Special - Unique powder While the original intent of the .44 Special may have been as a target round, savvy handgunners havelong since used the cartridge for informal shooting and the taking of small to medium game at moderate ranges. To help illustrate this information, sidebars are included containing sample dimensions from a variety of guns. Deployed military should use stateside address.