Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-16-2014, 03:19 PM
SLT223's Avatar
SLT223 SLT223 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 2,724
Liked 5,054 Times in 1,442 Posts
Default What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?

I'm new to this caliber, and have never even looked for it before. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-16-2014, 04:17 PM
regalsc regalsc is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 971
Likes: 169
Liked 563 Times in 334 Posts
Default

At the range I sometimes go to $50 for 50 rounds. I usually go to the gun shows for reloads $30 a box. The fact that they're reloads doesn't bother me because the gun is 44mag so a little extra powder won't hurt the gun I hope.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-16-2014, 04:35 PM
ralph7's Avatar
ralph7 ralph7 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,358
Likes: 9,227
Liked 6,399 Times in 2,220 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by regalsc View Post
At the range I sometimes go to $50 for 50 rounds. I usually go to the gun shows for reloads $30 a box. The fact that they're reloads doesn't bother me because the gun is 44mag so a little extra powder won't hurt the gun I hope.
What could go wrong, right?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-16-2014, 04:49 PM
JohnHancock's Avatar
JohnHancock JohnHancock is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 104
Likes: 262
Liked 53 Times in 38 Posts
Default

Georgia Arms has 50 rounds of 200 gr. Gold Dots NEW for $32. I picked some up for my Dad at a gun show a few months back and he swears by them.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-16-2014, 04:59 PM
max's Avatar
max max is offline
US Veteran
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: illinois
Posts: 6,299
Likes: 1,851
Liked 6,696 Times in 2,119 Posts
Default

44 special and cheap seem not to go together. The larger calibers, those starting with a 4 are usually pretty pricey.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 08-16-2014, 05:05 PM
Gunhacker's Avatar
Gunhacker Gunhacker is offline
SWCA Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SF East Bay - "the delta"
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 1,587
Liked 4,495 Times in 1,516 Posts
Default

Unless I know for sure the reputation of the manufacturer of the reman/reloaded ammo sold at Gun shows, I give it a pass.

In my opinion it's like playing Russian Roulette, and false economy when you consider what they are charging, and add in what you paid in gas to drive to/from the gun show, admission price (and in some venues, parking). If all you come away with is reloaded ammo, it isn't worth in.

On average, you can find factory (Black Hills, Remington, CCI/Speer, Magtech, Winchester etc) .44 Spl online from well known places like Cabela's, Gander Mountain, The Sportsman's Guide, Bass Pro or online ammo e-tailers, at prices between $35-45 per box of 50.

Take advantage of the ammo search engines (ammoseek.com, gunbot.net, slickguns.com) to sniff out the best prices.

If you play your cards right and take advantage of free shipping promotions or sales or discount codes from places like retailmenot.com, and then stock up... you'll do pretty good.
__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Last edited by Gunhacker; 08-16-2014 at 05:11 PM. Reason: spellin'
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 08-16-2014, 05:07 PM
STCM(SW)'s Avatar
STCM(SW) STCM(SW) is offline
US Veteran
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 5,498
Likes: 1,325
Liked 10,608 Times in 3,231 Posts
Default

The least expencive .44 Spl's?
Why, the one I reload!
__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 08-16-2014, 05:08 PM
Jerry N.'s Avatar
Jerry N. Jerry N. is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Livonia, Michigan
Posts: 412
Likes: 25
Liked 147 Times in 94 Posts
Default

Still, I've never understood why 44spl is so much more that 45acp. I don't reload. If I could buy 44spl for the same price as 45acp, I would shoot my Model 29 a lot more.
__________________
18-4, 15-4
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-16-2014, 05:31 PM
regalsc regalsc is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 971
Likes: 169
Liked 563 Times in 334 Posts
Default

I forgot to mention that I buy the 44 special reloads from the same vendor. We spoke the first time I bought them so he brings some for me (he is a reloader ) to each show. I have never had misfire & I save the brass & give it back. I felt 2 hours one was was too far to drive to get them from his home & shipping costs I didn't want to do so its an excuse to go to the gun show. I'm a little more picky about my semi-autos. They only get factory ammo but I do put gas from any gas station in my car.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-16-2014, 05:33 PM
steamloco76's Avatar
steamloco76 steamloco76 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
Default

I only bought my .44 Special revolvers because I reload. Anyhow, try the family owned SG AMMO dot COM for fair prices on .44 Special. Still not cheap, but fair. The CCI Blazer load with the Speer Gold Dot 200 grain JHP is a very accurate hunting and defense load at a decent price, otherwise try the PMC load.
__________________
Virtue,Liberty & Independence
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-16-2014, 06:18 PM
Duster340 Duster340 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Illinois
Posts: 527
Likes: 1,128
Liked 477 Times in 185 Posts
Default

Winchester Cowboy loads seem to be the cheapest around here @ $36 per 50 and shoots pretty nicely. That said, I reload which keeps feeding the 44 special more economical.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-16-2014, 06:35 PM
ralph7's Avatar
ralph7 ralph7 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 4,358
Likes: 9,227
Liked 6,399 Times in 2,220 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steamloco76 View Post
I only bought my .44 Special revolvers because I reload. Anyhow, try the family owned SG AMMO dot COM for fair prices on .44 Special. Still not cheap, but fair. The CCI Blazer load with the Speer Gold Dot 200 grain JHP is a very accurate hunting and defense load at a decent price, otherwise try the PMC load.
I like them as well.
Too bad a lot of ranges won't let you shoot aluminum cased ammo. Think it is only because they can't resell or use the brass, should you leave it there.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-16-2014, 06:43 PM
perrazi perrazi is offline
Absent Comrade
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,998
Likes: 845
Liked 898 Times in 488 Posts
Default

44spl, 41mag,22jet,10mm are all reloader rounds. if you reload, they aren't all that expensive. buying new each time gets pricey quick. spend a few boxes worth of ammo and get in to making your own.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-17-2014, 07:31 PM
John L. Carp John L. Carp is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: California
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

Georgia Arms if they are shipping! But the real question is what is the ammunition's intended purpose? In actual "street" engagements the .44 special has been used to stop goblins, but the popularity has waned in recent years. If one was shooting for the enjoyment of shooting, then PMC offered low cost factory ammunition, should you want to retain the brass for future re-loading endeavors. If you intend never to reload, then CCI Blazer with the 200 gr. Gold Dot is cost effective and as an added bonus is the ballistic equivalent, of the Speer Gold Dot .44 Spl. load, that is the current most effective controlled expansion LE/ defense loading. Also loaded in fifty count boxes, I might add.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-18-2014, 11:13 AM
ironhead7544 ironhead7544 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bainbridge GA
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1,632
Liked 606 Times in 385 Posts
Default

Reloading is about the only cheap way to shoot a centerfire these days. You can get the 44 cal cowboy bullets for reloading fairly cheap. I use the 200 gr RNFP cast. With a light load the brass will last a long time.

The Georgia Arms ammo is reported to be good. They come to the gun shows here in the Tallahassee FL area. I get my cast bullets from them.

You dont have to spend a fortune to get into reloading. Depending on how much ammo you need, the Lee Loader is an almost complete kit. I would recommend getting a separate priming tool The one with the kit can cause problems.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 08-18-2014, 11:48 AM
steamloco76's Avatar
steamloco76 steamloco76 is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
Default

One more thing about .44 Special reloading, the cartridge, like the .38 Special, make a very good beginners reloading round. Accurate loads abound and sourcing cast, plated or jacketed bullets is no problem.

A bit of advice abut brass. Avoid CBC/Magtech "Cowboy Load" brass if you can. They put a very, very heavy cannelure around the cartridge just under the base of the bullet. The cannelure is so deep that after just two or three reloads some of myh bras was separating and need to thrown away.
__________________
Virtue,Liberty & Independence
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 08-18-2014, 01:45 PM
Larry from Bend Larry from Bend is offline
Member
What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest? What brand 44 Special is the cheapest?  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NC Montana
Posts: 853
Likes: 90
Liked 483 Times in 201 Posts
Default

The two cheapest that I've found:

Blazer 200 grain JHPs (aluminum case).

Hunting Shack Ammo 240 grain lead
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
brand new 38 special brass ? rebs081 Reloading 9 11-22-2014 05:20 PM
38 special Top Break Brand Question? Rhetorician Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics 5 08-23-2014 04:57 AM
Cheapest .357 Mag? Slimdelight Ammo 16 04-05-2014 05:31 AM
Best .38 Special and .38 Special +P for my brand new S&W M&P 340CT .357 Mag. Revolver AFSteve Ammo 27 11-25-2012 02:04 PM
WTS: Smith & Wesson BRAND Ammo...38 special & 9mm Action45 Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 3 08-09-2012 01:44 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:53 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)