Assuming a .44 Magnum is not to be used for hunting, is it a simply a loud novelty item?

No, it's just cool.
It's also a lot of fun and very expensive to shoot.
Nothin' wrong with that!

You don't have to load it to max velocity. When kept to 1000 fps or slower, it's pretty nice to shoot and is still a very capable caliber.

Depends on where and how you live. I don't "hunt", but I am darn glad to have one when I am out in black bear country! I don't leave home without it. Downside is the guns are big and heavy.

The .44 is sure followed by a lot of hype! Today, it isn't much more than an "intermediate" cartridge, given that we have the .454 which is twice as powerful, and the .460 and .500 which are close to three times as powerful.

With Speer 200gr GDSB, it's a viable defensive gun.



Admittedly not what I usually carry, but I *could*

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

>>>Today, it isn't much more than an "intermediate" cartridge<<<

My take is a bit different. I have several times shot a deer at near 100 yards and it penetrated from end to end. I have NEVER recovered a cast bullet from a deer. Deer are large, here in Ohio, being corn and bean fed.

I have a couple of .454 Casulls and a TC in .375 JDJ. They are certainly more powerful but actually far more powerful than a common deer hunter needs. In fact, at reasonable ranges the .44 Magnum will take anything (and certainly have) on the North American Continent in the hands of a competent shooter/hunter.

You could make a good argument for "needing" more power when hunting the big bears or Elk and Moose but more power means more recoil and most people have a limit to what they can handle. I am not particularly recoil sensitive but as I have gotten older I have realized that ENOUGH is REALLY enough...

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

I'm not a hunter, and I suppose my .44 is kinda a novelty. It's expensive to shoot, and I don't like gun show reloads, nor do I reload.

You can probably count the number of boxes of Magnum loads I shot on 1 hand. But 44 Specials are real sweet to shoot

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Hell no...as far as I am concerned, it is the best cartridge for plinking any day of the week. It can snap a bowling pin right off the bench at 50-100 yards, try that with a 9mm or 38. With the proper handload it is very accurate, cutting a playing card on edge gets lots of looks when you use a 44 mag.

So you are NOT a non-hunter, so how is this relevant to the OP's original question???

As the cartridges get more powerful, the guns get bigger to handle the recoil (eg Ruger SRH, X-frame). It all comes out in the wash....

I don't shoot anything but paper these days.

.44 mag is a whole lot of fun to shoot. It's extreemly accurate and versatile calliber.

Makes a very comforting carry gun in the woods when bear or other distructive animals are around.

Certainly cheaper to shoot if you reload, but what isn't.

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Pete.

44 mag.can and is used for anything any other caliber is used for...hunting,targets,plinking,self defense,etc.if the ammo cost is to high...reload for about six bucks for 50 rounds...way less then that if you cast....

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

No, it's an extremly effective caliber for fun, self defense, punching hard cover and distance shooting. A 44 mag is my road trip companion, loaded with DPX's. Downloaded it can be used for training a new shooter or just punching paper. I love the 357 mag but I feel the 44 is more versatile.

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

Definitely not just a novelty item if you are a non-hunter. It can be used for ANYTHING. The real selling point of the 44 is its versatility. For the handloader, you can load everything from 45ACP velocity up to full house loads for long range shooting.

If you don't handload, then you are quite a bit more limited with ammo.

It all depends on what you want it to do.

IC

Interesting point. I never really gave it much though until seeing this thread. I would have to agree that except for hunting applications it is a novelty gun and cartridge combo.The .44 mag is not really a good fit for most of the gun games like IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, Steel Challange, or Bianchi cup. It can be used in these games, but even at an intermediate level, it is still too powerful for fast follow up shots. It is an extremely good fit for silhouette shooting, although that is more of a practice for hunting application. Even if you are a reloader, it is more expensive to load than most other cartridges. The bullets are more expensive, new brass is very expensive and used brass is almost non-existent. In my mind the only place it truly excels is as a defensive weapon for bear country.

I have bought 100 pieces of 44 mag brass and do have about 1500 rounds of ammo. All my other brass is range pickups from the local indoor range. I load my ammo from minimum to 90% maximum. Recoil varies from lite 38 Spl to HANG ON CHARLIE BROWN. Barrel length varies from 3" to 10-5/8" .

Cost to reload is what you make it. My cast bullets are almost free -- scrounged range lead and molds were paid for 20 years ago. I use either 215 gr gas check or 235 gr plain base. Bowling pin loads were 255 SWC GC and AA #9 powder. Hit pins flew off the table. I load mostly mid-range load and shoot 1 load in all my 29 / 629s. Recoil varies with barrel length.

I bring 1 box of war loads with me to the range for the macho guys to try. Generally 6 rounds is enough. Free recoil lessons.

I am a non-hunter except for prairie dogs but I sure do enjoy my 44s !

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S&WHF 366

As someone relatively new to reloading and largely a paper puncher, I love 44 mag. I primarily load two loads, one with 180 grain Hornady cowboy bullets and Unique powder, at around 800-850 fps, even in my three inch 629, recoil is minimal, it would be great for any of the competitions. My other load, that I'm still working up is heavy, my goal being accuracy and power out to 100 yards, but using a medium weight, 240 grain bullet.

Sir, that's how I tend to view it. My .45s, both Colt and ACP, are plenty enough for the things I actually do with handguns. If I need more than that, I have rifles.

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

As someone with somewhere around 140,000 .44 mag rounds under his belt, 90% of which were 25 H110 and 250 cast, and with NO game animals taken with said cartridge, I feel obliged to comment.

Powerful, accurate, cheap to shoot (as loaded above), doesn't spit the brass on the ground, throws floating things 40 feet in the air, and puts a grin on my face every time I fire it.

Where did this crazy idea come from that the only reason to own a particular gun is for some specific HUNTING purpose?

Only reason I don't shoot .44s so much any more is S&W makes the .500 now...

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JR, the 500 Specialist

I know a lot of guys who bought .500's, just for the novelty of having "the most powerful production handgun in the world". Got to outdoo Dirty Harry....afterall.

For many years my 44mag's have been carried as side arms while bear hunting with my 30-06. Back in '94 i picked up a bigger caliber rifle in 338win mag for bear hunting and i no longer carry my 44mag's. I travel much lighter yet more powerful. I still love and shoot my 44's and i do take them out for a fresh air walk at times too(CCW). My point is we can still enjoy them wether we hunt with them or just shoot paper or plink with them. We don't need to kill anything to enjoy them. Thats what its all about, " responcible gun ownership" so many miss this point, its all about having fun with them and being safe too. Bill

BTW; Maybe we just may see Dirty Harry again for one last time with the 500 S&W? Its also too bad that Lee Van Cleef is gone or maybe we'd see another spaggetti western. I think that two more of these movies would be awesome today. Just one last time to see it on the big screen and on the movie house bill board. I can remember seeing the "good, the bad and the ugly" on the bill board as if it was yesterday. Come on Clint i'm sure you have two awesome movies left in you.

My response is similar to the others. I have asked myself the same question and for me the answer is yes, it is more than a novelty item. But only because I reload. If I was shooting only factory loads, it would simply be too expensive. However, for those of us that do reload, the economics still generally makes it affordable as a target/plinking round. While I certainly have loaded some very large and loud loads for it, the great majority of what I load and shoot are basically .44 special target loads using a light charge of Unique pushing a 240 gn. semi wadcutter. It is exceptionally accurate and a pleasure to shoot.

I suppose the next question would be if I have a Model 14 that is a tack driver, why bother with the expense of the .44 at all? If that is the case, why not carry the question farther and simply use a .22 if all you are after is to punch holes in paper or knock down cans? My best answer is that I can afford to shoot all 3 and each has its own pleasures and demands. I probably run 100 rounds of .44 for every 200-300 rounds of .38, for every 500 rounds of .22.

Besides, the .44 target load makes a darn decent home defense load in the old Charter Arms Bulldog I keep close to my bed. Of course, that is in cut down brass. It will punch a big hole, but not penetrate 3 walls behind the bad guy.

I have a 629-4 Mountain Gun chambered in .44Mag. IMHO, it is the most versatile revolver S&W ever made. Loaded with the proper .44 Mag. ammo, it will knock down anything walkin' North America. It's 4" tapered barrel makes it easy to tote in the woods. Loaded with .44 Spl. ammo, it is a great paper puncher (mine shoots one ragged hole groups @ 50 feet) with a very comfortable level of recoil. This revolver is FAR more than "simply a loud novelty item".....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

A lot of owners probably don't have a specific use for a .44 Mag, except enjoyment.

I carry mine on wilderness horsepack trips where Griz live. My nephews would kinda give me a ribbing for "needing to carry a gun" in the Bob Marshall. Then one night 2 Griz came ambling thru camp, causing 8 horses to break out of a corral or tear out picket pins. We spent the rest of the night chasing horses with 2 Griz in the immediate vicinity. The nephews sure seemed to be sticking close to me that night.

I also spend about 2 weeks every year living in a wall tent in Black Bear country. We've had problems. I keep the .44 at hand there also, but with a different handload.

I don’t think any guns are novelty items. All guns can have legitimate uses. A .44 magnum can be used for many types of target shooting, be used for a good woods gun against animal attacks, and with proper ammo selection can be a very good defensive gun. You will hear wails of over penetration woes but again it’s all about how you load it. If nothing else it is a great gun to have to do nothing more than to look at and every once in a while take to the range and squeeze off a cartridge or two just to remind yourself how it feels. And if nothing else then the Model 29 is a fine work of art that I would think less of you for calling it a novelty item.

Nice cap to an interesting thread. To avoid a repeat of the original heresy, should this thread perhaps be made a sticky?

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Formerly Model520Fan

I agree with this..

I reload just about everything I shoot...the only .44 mag I have left is a S&W 629 Mountain gun which I bought thinking that if I ever do any hiking in bear country, it would give me some comfort..

seeing as I do mostly .45acp shooting it was a natural for me to also include .45 Colt...now thats a fun cartridge to shoot...I reload with the same powder grain for both ACP and Colt..

the .44 mag can be downloaded as well just like I do with my .357's...never made sence to me to shoot .38's in a gun chambered for .357 mag..

anyways I got off topic...sorry...the .44 mag is no different than any other to where it can be downloaded and used as a plinker...if you dont reload and have thoughts of shooting quite a bit, then I would look into reloading equipment...its a whole nother hobbie in its self..I use Dillon machines

No!!!!!!!!!! Owning one just shows the world that you are indeed "A man of discerning taste".
Stay thirsty my friend

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Forum consigliere

Boy!!!!!!!!!!! you sure wouldn't know it by reading some of the bear threads

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Forum consigliere

Inspector Harry Callahan was the best 44 Magnum salesman that S&W ever had.People shoot it because it's the best all around handgun cartridge.IMHO!

Novelty? IMO no. It is a well understood, relatively docile, handgun cartridge that is chambered in a couple lightweight revolvers, making it ideal for back country self-defense.

S&W329pd info

being a country boy that does not hunt, if i could only have one gun & caliber it would be the 44 mag.I shoot my model 18 daily,but limited to one gun i would have a hard time decideing which one of my six 44`S TO KEEP.

I have 4 of them now and will have a couple more before the year is out. I think it is about the most versatile revolver on the market and if I could only have 1 caliber it would be the .44 magnum.
I can shoot bullets ranging from 180 grains to 300 grains and I can make them go anywhere between 700fps and 1500fps depending on the bullet weight.
I can shoot out to 100 yards and know that my bullet will have enough energy to remain accurate and lethal.
I carry a 4 inch 29-2 when outdoors as it's a great comfort to have in bear country or out at the ranch to deal with snakes and predators.
The gun just makes sense.

While the 44 magnum was designed as a hunting round there are several short barrel guns and with the right load it can be a great defense gun.

Don't think its much of a novelty round since S&W decided to produce this 629 PC snubbie last year. It sure isn't for hunting.



Product: Model 629

I can only think of the .44 mag as the most utilitarian caliber available.

From a 180g bullet @ 800fps to a 265g bullet @ 1400fps and all points in between. Nothing it can not do well from SD to hunting.

You need to reload to take advantage. Given this, some will say the .38Spl or .357 are as versatile, realize that you can download the .44 to .38 levels, but you can not load the .38 up to .44 levels.

now about the only thing I hunt anymore are two legged deer but I have a pile of 44's for one reason it is simply THE MOST VERSATILE HANDGUN ROUND ......period

No, it's not a novelty, no more than are the .454 Casull, .460 S&W and .500 S&W.

They're just big bore handguns that have a great deal of capability. Fun, you don't have to run them at full throttle all the time to enjoy them. Don

You hear quotes like "the .44 has taken every game animal on the continent". Well....there is a huge difference between "hunting" a bear that is quietly standing there not expecting anything, and defending against a determined attacking bear. Any fool would want the most powerful gun they could find!

Thanks to Elmer Keith the 357mag, the 41mag and the 44mag have taken all the game in north america. Of course there probably was a guy with a rifle backing him up incase....
Bill

As I once read, the .44 is Elmer, Skeeter, and Clint, wrapped in the American flag.

History is good enough reason to own one, and they are very fun shoot. I think anybody who has a more than a couple of guns has some that aren't practical, whatever that is. But I'm not getting rid of my Luger, Walther PP, Swedish Mauser, etc., and I don't consider them novelties. They're a part of firearms history, and as much fun to shoot as anything else I own.

If we all just had the bare minimum we needed, the world would be a poorer place, for me.

Well....it's versatile...but no longer King of the Hill...but a great and classic round that works quite well for any endeaver....I prefer the the .41....but there is no accounting for taste..

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Semper Paratus

I tried the soft lead from Hornedy one time and then gave it away after cleaning all the lead out the barrel, even at light loaded for 800-900 fps it was a PIA. Went back to the hard cast, and for light loads using use IMR's Trail Boss and found that with IMR's TB, CCI 350 primers, and 230 gr H/C LRNFP loaded for about 850/900 fps is easy to shoot in my 629 3" with no more muzzle hop then my 2206 (22 LR) and at 10 yards as fast as I can pull the trigger they all go into a 10" paper in about 8 seconds. And no lead build up to speak of, and that really makes it enjoyable.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

Well, like I said I'm pretty new to reloading. I just dropped into my local shop and the Hornady's is what they had. I haven't shot them all yet as I've been more interested in the heavy loads, but I have decided not to buy them again as they seemed soft even in my novice opinion. I've been on the hunt for something different, but haven't come to any conclusions yet.

Soft isn't always bad. All swaged bullets are soft in comparison to cast bullets but as long as velocities are kept to a reasonable number, say 900 fps or less, you can get excellent accuracy and minimal leading.

148 gr. HBWC's typically give excellent results in .38 Special revolvers when kept to 800 fps or less.

A novelty?! Surely you jest sir! It is without a doubt the most adaptable cartridge out there if one reloads. If not it can still be pretty versitile if you choose your ammo correctly.
It can and is used for various jobs as stated above, but my favorite job for it is when I go to the range and watch the hi-capacity nine crowd dump magazine after magazine at a target like their favorite celluloid hero. Thats when I slip the 29 Classic out of it's bag, load it with Federal 180gr full house loads and let 'er rip! The fireball and defening BOOM if enough to make the 9mm crowd stops and starts looking my way!
And if nothing else the revolver that shoots it the Model 29 is one of the most iconic sixguns ever made! A true work of art!
And no I don't hunt with it...YET! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

The sweged bullets have their place I guess in black powder guns shooting 700 to 900 FPS range, but I'm not into cowboy action shooting and all the cleaning required from BP and soft lead bullets. In a 44 magnum you can with proper powder and cast bullet shoot 800 FPS to 1500 FPS w/o excessive leading.

The 44 is however no where near the bullet choice offerings as the 10 mm Automic round. Not sure how that happened or why, but in jacketed bullets you have 135, 145, 155, 165, 170, 175, 180, 200 and now 220 or 230 grain jacketed bullets in HP, TC, and ball. Lead is about the same with 145, 165, 170, 175, 180 and 200 grain in various forms such as as RN, RNFT, SWC, SWC/HP, and WC. I have loaded and shot all the jacketed variations except the 200+ grain jacketed bullets and all of the lead mentioned except the 145 grain bullets.

The wound channel on pig shot with 135 gr JHP Nosler at 1650 FPS+ is bigger then a 44 Magnum 240 gr JHP, it reminded me of a whitetail I shot in the early '70's with 257 Roberts in 90 gr BTHP running about 3300 FPS , the exit wound was about 4 or 5 inches in diameter with heart and most of lungs either pulverized or blown clear out of the animal.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

DING DING DING! Some people should write the above comment backwards on their foreheads so they'd see it every time they looked in a mirror!

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JR, the 500 Specialist

Sir, I take umbrage at your post. I am not just any fool-now off with you.

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Forum consigliere

The .44 magnum makes an excellent & intimidating defense gun for the home when loaded with appropriate ammunition and for target shooting I found that I could out shoot my carefully massaged Colt Python with an off the shelf M-29
(the Python got traded!)

Another happy Python owner, mine went out the door 18 years ago -- good riddance. I'll keep my S&W revolvers, just not sure how many., more than 3.

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S&WHF 366