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Old 09-11-2014, 10:14 AM
flatlanderia flatlanderia is offline
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Default 44spl ammo for non-reloader

Can you guys recommend some 44spl loads for a non-reloader? I have a 396 Mountain Lite and see Critical Defense, and Buffalo Bore. Looking for any other (mainly range shooting) rounds you all have used and recommend (and would be currently available somwhere!) Thanks!
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Old 09-11-2014, 10:16 AM
RussellD RussellD is offline
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Winchester 200 grain Silvertip. Mild and effective
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Old 09-11-2014, 10:22 AM
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The CCI Blazer ammo available here44 Special | SGAmmo.com is loaded with the very accurate and dependable Speer Gold Dot 200 grain HP. SG are great folks to deal with too.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:52 AM
Ben_hutcherson Ben_hutcherson is offline
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PMC makes a nice shooting a relatively inexpensive 44 special 180gr JHP.

The last time I bought some it was around $30 per box of 50-a good bit less expensive than the offerings from most of the "big name" makers.
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Old 09-11-2014, 12:28 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
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Don't forget the old standby: checking tables of individuals at shows. Found much ammo at very reduced prices from folks who had previously sold their gun in that caliber. Always possible to bargain with people who don't want to carry it home, especially those heavy .40+ caliber boxes!
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:42 PM
Ben_hutcherson Ben_hutcherson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaaskop49 View Post
Don't forget the old standby: checking tables of individuals at shows. Found much ammo at very reduced prices from folks who had previously sold their gun in that caliber. Always possible to bargain with people who don't want to carry it home, especially those heavy .40+ caliber boxes!
Good point! I'm still kicking myself for passing on the two boxes of Remington 41 Magnum for $15 each at a gun show a year and a half ago. I didn't have a 41 at the time(still don't) but a friend bought one shortly afterwards and I'm probably going to buy one sometime.

Considering that Starline brass is around $25/100, $30 for 100 rounds was a heck of a deal!
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:52 PM
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Given that I've been reloading since 1975, my 44 mag reloads with cast lead bullets cost me less than 10˘ each or $5 per box of 50. I may have to admit that I'm saving money casting bullets and reloading ammo.

Now, don't start that drivel about the value of my time -- I'm retired, the career is finished, and I'm real sure I don't want a job!
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:01 PM
Duster340 Duster340 is offline
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Can usually find Winchester 240gr cowboy loads at a fairly decent price around here, i.e. $35-$37 per 50 rounds at the local Basspro. I bought a few boxes to get some more brass to reload. It shoots nicely through my 2 1/2" Bulldog and are absolute cream puffs in my 7 1'2" Super Blackhawk.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:19 PM
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As long as you aren't desperate for ammo and keep your eyes open over a period of time, you'll find perfectly acceptable ammo at reasonable prices.

Frequent gunshows and smaller LGS.

If you get hung up on having it NOW and in quantity, you are looking at more expensive ammo.

I'm willing to buy well priced ammo for firearms I don't own, if it's something I might use in a yet to be acquired handgun.

That keeps me out of the market for things like 357 sig since I have no interest in ever owning such a pistol.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:25 PM
Otreb Otreb is offline
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The Horn CD isn't a bad SD/carry load, it hit the advertised numbers in a few 3" .44 sp revolvers I have, 879 and 910fps from a Rossi 720 and Taurus 431 respectively. My 4&5/8 Ruger NM Bisley hit 970fps....so a mild but fair performing 165gr load for .44sp. Typical cowboy 200fr LFP are hovering around 600fps, not much good for anything but fun and paper shooting.
The Silvertip and Gold Dot 200gr are also pretty slow at about 800fps, but they seem to perform OK in jello, if that's any value to you.
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Old 09-13-2014, 10:08 AM
Daimler1989 Daimler1989 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flatlanderia View Post
Can you guys recommend some 44spl loads for a non-reloader? I have a 396 Mountain Lite and see Critical Defense, and Buffalo Bore. Looking for any other (mainly range shooting) rounds you all have used and recommend (and would be currently available somwhere!) Thanks!
Hornady Critical Defense .44 Spl penetrates a Chrony at 10 meters with ease

don't mess with the .44 Special
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Old 09-13-2014, 10:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flatlanderia View Post
Can you guys recommend some 44spl loads for a non-reloader? I have a 396 Mountain Lite and see Critical Defense, and Buffalo Bore. Looking for any other (mainly range shooting) rounds you all have used and recommend (and would be currently available somwhere!) Thanks!
Flatlanderia--Holler at Georgia Arms. 1000 .44 at $490. Great shooting cowboy loads for the range/plinking.

They also have a number of other jacketed, heavier loads.

Georgia Arms - .44 SPECIAL

PS. Call them too. They show unavailability on many loads that they can put together for you if you ask.
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Old 09-13-2014, 01:40 PM
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Underwood Ammo has a nice selection of mild to heavy .44 SPL's.

Underwood Ammo - 44 Special

I also like the CCI Blazer 200gr Speer GD JHP. That's my current SD loads for the 24-3's and 1950.

Last edited by MikeyB; 09-13-2014 at 01:43 PM.
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Old 09-14-2014, 01:54 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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The winchester 200 grain silvertip is what I use in my 3 44 special revolvers. Think I have 6 20-25 round boxes stashed. The cowboy ammo is about $35 bucks a 50 round box. Problem is the win silvertip has become hard to find of late and the cowboy ammo is usually there. Reloading even with store bought cast lead bullets is way cheaper than what you would pay for the high sd stuff.The silver tip load I usually hit the ammo dealers at the shows. best I did on one day was 3 boxes. Frank
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Old 09-14-2014, 02:38 AM
lebomm lebomm is offline
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Federal 200gr. LSWCHP. Quite accurate in my 4" altered M28 and my 4 5/8" Ruger NM Flattop Bisley.

Larry
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Old 09-14-2014, 04:15 AM
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Natchez sometimes carries BVAC .44 spl. loads. New ammo, using Star-Line brass, and cast 240 grn SWC's at about 825 fps. Prices are very reasonable, and it shoots good. Very similar to the load I handload for range use in my .44 spl. revolvers.

Larry
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Old 09-14-2014, 06:45 AM
ironhead7544 ironhead7544 is offline
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CorBon makes a good self defense load. The Speer Gold Dot is what I use. Chronoed at 815 fps from a 3 inch S&W barrel. BIG hollow point.

None of the ammo is cheap. The cowboy loads marked 44 Colt will also work in the 44 Special and sometimes you can find that load when no other is available. The modern version sold now is only slightly different than the 44 Special.

Check Buffalo Bore also.

Best is to start handloading. Way cheaper and a big assortment of bullets available.
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