.44 Special

U

USNavyPO1

Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Messages
8
Reaction score
5
Location
Green Bay, WI
Greetings, everyone. Today, I purchased a model 29-3, and it's beautiful. This is the first (and probably only) .44 magnum I will own, and it's such a classic revolver that I couldn't pass it up. Anyway, can anyone recommend a good .44 Special ammunition brand? In my area, it seems .44 special is hard to come by, except for "cowboy" loads. I've heard that cowboy loads are very dirty, and are meant for single-action revolvers (which makes sense), but I can't seem to find any other type around here at the moment. Are there manufacturers out there that make them jacketed, or are they all lead? Any info on this caliber would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
Register to hide this ad
Hornady makes a Critical Defense load that looks like it came out of an old Flash Gordon movie. It's got that red tip. . .165 grain at 900 fps. It will get up around 300 foot pounds. There are others. Winchester used to make a silver tip. They are all anemic because of the older guns out there that they think might blow up. . .yeah right! Get on the internet and look up 44 Special Ballistics 101. That will give you an idea of what's out there.
 
" Cowboy" loads will not hurt or dirty your revolver. They are loaded to "target ammo" velocities with lead bullets, cowboy action shooting does not require full bore loads.
To be honest, they are accurate and fun to shoot. Might not be a bad idea to try a box since they are available and for a trip to the range to shoot targets and tin cans a jacketed hollow point at maximum velocity is not really needed.
You just might find out that all the info you've heard about "cowboy" loads are not quite 100% correct.
It would be something to shoot until you find jacketed ammo.
The best brand is the one you can get your hands on...at least during these scarce times.
Gary
 
Last edited:
Normally, no, I would not give you a pass. but I see you're Navy, so allowances must be made.

KIDDING! :) My "Little Sis" is on the USS Paul Hamilton, they are on a 9 month deployment. Only about 52 days left. I can't wait for her to come home.

.44 Special is a Kitty cat in the 29, enjoy shooting it.

I retired from the Army after 20 + years. Bless all those who carry the mission on. Thank you for your service.

USNavyPO1 said:
...and I just realized that I posted this in the wrong area. Please forgive my insolence.....
Click to expand...
 
Congrats on your 29. Needed some brass when I got my Bulldog awhile. I picked up a few boxes of winchester 240 gr 44 special cowboy loads. They're easy to find, shot great, were no dirtier than any other lead loads I've used and were $32 per 50. I'd get more in a second if the need arises. Haven't tried them in my 629 but have no doubt they'd shoot well and be cream puffs. On a different note, reloading sure helps the feeding of 44 mags.

Be well
 
Last edited:
I like the Federal 200 SWCHP loads (C44SA). At 25 yards out of a 4" barrel it will penetrate the cab of a '65 Dodge pickup and leave a fist-sized dent in the dash. Or so I read on the Internet.
 
I recently picked up one of the late run "pre' model 24's - an N-frame in 44 special. I've shot a few 240gr lead commercial loads and some of my own 200gr plated and lead reloads in it. As others have said, an N-frame with 44 specials is a real puddy-cat. About like shooting a K-frame with some fairly hot 38 specials or mild 357 loads. You'll love it.
 
Last edited:
The Hornady Critical Defense should be a decent load depending on your bbl length, it gets about 900fps in my two 3" .44sp revolvers and just under 1000fps from the 4&5/8" Flattop Bisley.
The Blazer 200gr Gold Dot also does pretty well, mid 800fps range in the 3" guns. The Speer brass cased 200gr Gold Dot always comes in a good 150fps slower, so can't recommend that one.
 
Atlanta Arms & Ammo used to make a 240 gr plated .44 Spl round that is hardier than a cowboy round but is less than the SD offerings - just a nice load. While .44 Spl is still included in their index, there is none showing on their site. I'd say that it would be worth a call to see if they still produce this. They make a great product and are terrific to do business with.

Good luck!

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
I shoot my Redhawk with Winchester 240 grain cowboy loads and Reminton 246 target loads. Both are accurate and I've had no issues with fouling. The Hornady is also a good round but more pricey than tha others. Enjoy your new 29!
 
A second on the recommendation for Underwood Ammunition. My last purchase was 500 rounds of .44 Special 240-grain JHP. Very good performance in all of my revolvers (Model 29, Model 629, Colt Single Action Army, Model 1950 Target) and as clean as anything I have used.

I usually reload .44 Special, but found myself in need without much time on my hands, so I purchased the case. Glad that I did.
 
You might look at Georgia Arms, they offer both 200 gr LFN and a 200 gr Gold Dot
(they can not call it a Gold Dot but it is.).
The LFN round can also be had in magnum brass at the same velocity about
750-800fps, the Gold Dot load is listed at 850.
The price is $25.00 per 50 rounds of LFN and $32.00 per 50
for the Gold dots. Georgia Arms also offers a good choice of
44 Mag ammo that is on the light side being loaded to about
1,100 fps, Lots of fun to shoot without battering shooter or gun.
And as Lobo stated, Underwood has some good loads, I really
like his 240gr LSWC load, at 1,000 fps its not a wimp for a
44 special but still a lot of fun to shoot
 
Last edited:
I highly recommend Underwood Ammo.
They are about an hour from my place. I ordered on line, drove over that day and picked it up. Got a nice tour from the owner.
I've used their .44 special, .45 ACP, 9mm, .38 and .357. All great. HOT loaded. Clean and accurate.

I also like Georgia Arms .44 special that has been mentioned.
 
ultramag44 said:
Normally, no, I would not give you a pass. but I see you're Navy, so allowances must be made.

KIDDING! :) My "Little Sis" is on the USS Paul Hamilton, they are on a 9 month deployment. Only about 52 days left. I can't wait for her to come home.

.44 Special is a Kitty cat in the 29, enjoy shooting it.

I retired from the Army after 20 + years. Bless all those who carry the mission on. Thank you for your service.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your comment, and thank you for your service. I know how it goes, we wear different uniforms, but we help each other out to accomplish the mission :)
 
Thank you for your comments and info, everyone. I'll be sure to check out some of those brands, and I'm looking forward to taking a few shots with this revolver. I don't know what it is, but there's something classy and bad-*** about a classic S&W revolver, whether it's old or new production...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mm6mm6
Anyone convert a 544 .44-40 to .44 Special?
Replies
1
Views
223
biku324
biku324
S
This makes no sense does it? Model 28 Frankengun
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Muley Gil
M
7
44 Special light load results today
Replies
16
Views
2K
Tony Tiger
Tony Tiger
P
M27 .44 special conversion questions
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Abbotson
A
S
New Member with 629 and questions!
Replies
9
Views
432
Stratman01
S

Latest posts

Back
Top