Except my 360PD (Speer SB .357s) I use Rem. 125 SJHPs in my .357s.

In my 5" 629 I use a handload that yields over 1000 fpe. I like handgun cartridges that have an "identity crisis", meaning that they're trying real hard to be rifles. I'm not content with the notion that handguns (not full size one's anyway) are strictly hole pokers. The closer they get to rifle ballistics, the better they will be. The load that Buckeyeshooter is using, the Fed. 180 gr. is the best full power factory load in .44 magnum IMO. I was concerned with the level of penetration it gives so I created what the factories won't, a full power .44 meant for human coyetes. I used the Sierra 165 gr. JHP that Corbon uses in their excellent mid-power load. It is about the perfect bullet as far as weight and design for that caliber.

After a brief fling with 125s in 357, I've gone back to 158s. The 158s at 1250 or so are a lot easier to control in follow up than the 125s going 200 to 250 fps faster, at least in a K frame.

Now, I am eyeing a Model 28 as my next acquisition. Then I'll probably burn all my 125s through it.

I still need a 18 or 617.

Corbon makes a 140 gr. JHP that might interest you, Wyatt. It seems like a logical middle of the road compromise.

I might give them a whirl, but honestly, Remington 158s feel like big Specials and hit HARD. Just not on my end of the gun like the 125s do.

One thing I can say from having shot Perma-Gel with .44 cal. Sierra 165s is that the things will give you all the old school Remington .357 style fragmentation you can ask for. That jacket is quite thin. The things fragment good even after four layers of denim.

While not strictly as asked, the .44 Special I run is a 1000 FPS with a 255 grain K/G/C SWC so, answer B.

quote:

Originally posted by SuperMan:
GF..I somewhat share your concern about the 175 ST but then I remember a) the round has a very good track record b) we aren't taking .35 guns... Once one gets over .40 velocity seems to get a little less important. Try the 210 GD HPs...they expand nicely, have a large meplat so even if they don't open up they will cut a BIG hole and the recoil is moderate. Didn't you sell your M58 and get a long barrel M57?

Bob

Bob,

I still have both the 57 and 58, though both are semi retired owing to ammunition costs (I don't reload at the current time). Not that it is necessary a reliable indicator, but there was an anecdotal account on Midwayusa's "reviews" regarding the .41 Magnum Silvertips where a user complained about having trouble dropping a deer with them. Hunting stories are almost as notoriously "fishy" as fishing stories are, but poking around a bit, I found a few other complaints online from hunters about the Silvertips when used for relatively "man sized" game such as deer and sometimes pigs. Obviously both have different nervous systems and anatonomies than do humans. Mostly I found myself wondering, if I was going to use a load with 10mm ballistics, that perhaps I should just buy a 10mm auto. In the end, I just became lazy and promoted a G27 that was once the BUG to the 58 to "primary" status.

...from Blue Steel to Plastic... ..another gone to not just the "Dark Side"...but the "Black Hole"....

I would also not be running Silvertips against deer...if one is going to run a lightweight bullet it would be the Buffalo Bore using the 170 Sierra JHC at 1600+- fps. I use the same bullet with 26.0 grains of H110 and it is a very reliable performer.

Read a story in one of the gun rags a few years ago about some gun writer who was testing a 657 Classic Hunter and shot a pig with a Silvertip...dropped the hog on the spot but wrote in the article that he was later advised that was not a real great round for hogs as it is made to open up in humans and won't penetrate too far..


I don't carry the .41 all that often as a PP fiream in general everyday carry but when I do I have leaning toward the Gold Dots...

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
While not strictly as asked, the .44 Special I run is a 1000 FPS with a 255 grain K/G/C SWC so, answer B.

That is a good 200 fps over most any commercial load...what gun are you carrying it in?

Bob

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=739010

I bought four boxes of these Buffalo Bore 250 hc lead Keith style bullets at 1000fps at special pricing, yesterday. They shoot great in my 329pd, not target loads, they are for pigs and other critters in the field.

Tell you what, if you want an ass-kicking load in 44 Magnum, check out the 240 grain semi jacketed soft point from Fiocci.

1375 fps and 1000 lb-ft of energy will get your attention, especially in a 3" Model 29.

B/B's heavy .44 Specials.
In a 696, as a H/D and heavy carry Bob.
I know, I know, "too hot a load for that thin a forcing cone on a 696".
But, seems to work just fine, as long as it really IS a lead bullet hitting the forcing cone? (See my previous opinions Re: 125 JHP light/fast/jacketed bullets with timing a bit off in K frames).

quote:

Originally posted by SuperMan:
...from Blue Steel to Plastic... ..another gone to not just the "Dark Side"...but the "Black Hole"....

Only half way to the darkside. I still carry my 442 as a BUG and occaisionally take my 12-3 out for a walk instead of the Glock. One of these days I'll happen upon someone with a 3 or 4" 29-5 who wants to swap it for a long tube 57 and go back to big bore six gunning. Years ago I started with only two handguns, a dubious Chicom 9mm Tokarev and an 8 3/8" 29-5. After the Toke became temperatmental, I only had the big Smith. I spent over a year with it as my only working handgun and for a time forgot that it was "too big", since it was all I had.

I'll have to give the Gold Dots a try though when I get the .41 bug again. I'd grown increasingly fond of the 240gr Castcores, despite being much less... pleasant... to use than the STHPs (at least out of a 4" gun fitted with wood stocks optimized for concealment) for the simple reason that I was convinced that there was little to go "wrong" as expansion was a non issue and under penetration unlikely to ever be a concern.

For a time I was trying to switch over to a .44 so that I could use the Garret "Defender", a sedate load by their standards, which seemed to operate on a similar theory to the Federal offering. I was unable to find a suitable deal on a suitable platform at the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Tell you what, if you want an ass-kicking load in 44 Magnum, check out the 240 grain semi jacketed soft point from Fiocci.

1375 fps and 1000 lb-ft of energy will get your attention, especially in a 3" Model 29.

I don't know anything about Fiocci . . . but I've never heard anything bad about that brand of ammo. I have two cases of white box Winchester 240 grain jsp - it runs real good in my Marlin lever gun, its listed to run about 1250fps, a little faster in that rifle, I'm sure. I'll have to get a box or two of Fiocci - I like the prices these days.

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:
In my 5" 629 I use a handload that yields over 1000 fpe. I like handgun cartridges that have an "identity crisis", meaning that they're trying real hard to be rifles. I'm not content with the notion that handguns (not full size one's anyway) are strictly hole pokers. The closer they get to rifle ballistics, the better they will be. The load that Buckeyeshooter is using, the Fed. 180 gr. is the best full power factory load in .44 magnum IMO. I was concerned with the level of penetration it gives so I created what the factories won't, a full power .44 meant for human coyetes. I used the Sierra 165 gr. JHP that Corbon uses in their excellent mid-power load. It is about the perfect bullet as far as weight and design for that caliber.

I shot a woodchuck with my .44 handload this afternoon. To put it mildly, it was quite impressive. It was definately the worst gunshot wound I ever saw in my life.