Best Defensive Ammo for 44 Magnum?

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Crew Schielke

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Can anyone recommend an effective defensive round for my S&W Model 629-6 with a 3 inch barrel? I read that a bullet on the lighter side with high velocity and expansion but lower penetration is best. I also understand that in New Jersey where I live hollowpoints, although technically legal, are strictly regulated by statute and that use or possession of them may expose me to criminal prosecution even if I can show that an exception to their general prohibition applies. I read that there are effective alternatives to hollowpoints that meet self defense criteria. I was thinking that a 180 grain jacketed soft point might be best. But the literature I read about this round suggests it is more typically used for hunting, not self defense. I would appreciate suggestions identifying the name, size, weight, load, etc. of a bullet type. A link would be great. Thanks!
 
I think you'd probably be better off using .44 Special rather than .44 Magnum for self defense, and given that using a non-HP load is likely necessary for your situation a LSWC loading will probably be your best bet. Hopefully some others with more experience with .44 Special/.44 Magnum loads will chime in.

You should also try searching the forums if you haven't already, particularly the "Concealed Carry and Self Defense" and "Ammo" forums. Here's a link to start you out:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/468259-best-44-magnum-defense-load.html#post139001448
 
Crew Schielke said:
Can anyone recommend an effective defensive round for my S&W Model 629-6 with a 3 inch barrel? Thanks!
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2 legs or 4 legs ? If it's 2 what ever you use and where ever it lands there gonna know it.
If it's 4 I'd go strictly perhaps a semiwadcutter get through the tough hide and crush bone.

Although even with that if you only wound certain 4 legged you better run like you know what.
 
I am going to assume you want a round for self defense against predators of the 2 legged variety. Since hollow points are a no no in your state, I would look hard at the Hornady 165 grain FTX bullet in 44 special. They have been tested to have very good expansion, and are not considered a hollow point by NJ law.

A soft point jacketed, or hard cast SWC type bullet will give a lot of penetration, and little expansion. The 44 spl. is a very controllable and effective cartridge for self defense. Full power 44 mag, not so much when it comes to controllability.

If you reload, a soft cast SWHP may work well for you, loaded to about 900 - 1000 fps. Sort of like the old FBI load in the 38 spl., only better.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...HWeJz-cnQ-RmB8e3rabkoA&bvm=bv.128617741,d.eWE

Larry
 
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As noted above, it makes a big difference if you are dealing with bipeds or quadrupeds. I would be inclined to go with a 44 special half-jacketed soft point or even a SWC due to legal considerations in New Jersey. A full-blown .44 Mag is excessive for people shooting and could give you some over-penetration issues.
 
Well, I carry a 44mag every single day! For around town I use Hornady Critical Defense 165gr 44spls, for the field...well....most of the time I shoot a 300gr SWCGC bullet, I use them in everything from my 2"snubbies to my 7.5" long range pieces. In the pic below, there are only two that are not 44 magnums. the GP100 on the left and the Pre-model 10 38spl on the right.
 
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Guys, this is New Jersey. ...he's talking about people not animals. Not many places you can carry outside your own property in NJ. To get a carry license in NJ you have to personally know the President of the United States, NJ Governor, the Pope and the Dalai Lama. Thats about the only way you carry a gun outside your house in NJ. And unless he lives in the Pine Barrens the only bears he'd see is on tv.

I would go with something completely different. 9/40/45. It's easier to control and have less penetration. If you miss and that 44 mag round goes outside your house ....well it's NJ! Why are you using a bear gun? Remember this is the state that attempted to prosecute a man for have a relic. A gun so old that even the Federal Government doesn't consider it a gun. A gun so old it was older than the revolution! Yet the DA attempted to prosecute based on the fact that it was a concealed (glove box) gun

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
I lived in NJ for 40 years, I carried anyway (although I'll admit it was a 9mm not a 44...didn't start carrying the 44 till I got to SC). I had a route that ran me through Camden, I had lots of cash and you could plan where i'd be. A 44spl will do the job, most SD ammo is low recoil anyways, that and an expanding bullet won't go through too many walls!
 
Any firearm and New Jersey doesn't mix. If I remember correctly, New Jersey is a MUST RETREAT state?? Even if it's a justifiable good shooting, (in your own home) you will probably be arrested, charged, all of your firearms confiscated and subjected to a long drawn out series of expensive court hearings.
In the end, even if you are found not guilty (or cleared) in a criminal court, you will be sued in civil court by the home invader or their family.
If you are determined to use a firearm for home protection in New Jersey, I would recommend something other than a .44 Mag! The publicity alone would be damming, as you would be portrayed as a "Dirty Harry".
I would go low key and stick with a .38 Spl. as that doesn't have an "over kill" appearance.
Just my humble opinion........
 
Politics aside, I second the Glaser recommendation although I don't believe they're produced anymore.

I think you can still get MagSafes in .44 Magnum but that's even more extreme...55gr bullet that'll probably clock about 2000fps from a snub. Will shoot really low and probably a fireball that can be seen from the International Space Station.

I don't know much about NJ law on hollowpoints but if the Hornady Critical Defense is indeed legal it's probably the best all-around choice. All things being equal, lighter bullet = less felt recoil for the muzzle energy. If Corbon made a Pow'rBall in .44 Special it too would be a great choice.
 
I've been using Winchester Silvertip 44 specials, but mainly because they were accurate in my gun.
 
mazer said:
I had a route that ran me through Camden, I had lots of cash and you could plan where i'd be.
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How are you not dead? When you were done collecting the rents or whatever, did you take some R&R vacations in Mog or Fallujah?

Arik said:
And unless he lives in the Pine Barrens the only bears he'd see is on tv.
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There's actually a pretty significant black bear problem all across the state, top to bottom, pretty much anyplace that's not Newark/Jersey City/Hoboken/Weehawken/Atlantic City.

Fortunately, only one attack on one incredibly stupid scoutmaster that decided crawling into a small cave was a good idea. Momma bear exercised her Castle Doctrine.

Bonkers said:
As for loading your .44 Magnum with .44 Special loads, why buy a .44 Magnum if all you intended to shoot was the MUCH less powerful Special?
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Because it is literally overkill.

Unless you get a more violent expansion and shock out of the deal, once the bullet is going through the target, any additional power is just a waste of recoil. And a .44 Magnum at full power will shoot through a moose. It will also shoot through several layers of innocent bystander!

Now, more-power-more-power-more-power may seem all well and good, but in the real world, people do this thing called "missing". And when they "miss" a threat, they need to get back on-target so they can try again. .44 Special out of a heavy N-frame is a easy to shoot, and easy to shoot fast. .44 Magnum out of a heavy N-frame requires some serious attention to recoil absorption.

Besides, .44 Special is a 180- or 200-grain bullet at around 1000 FPS. That's pretty damn stout. 10mm Auto self-defense ammo is around a 200-grain bullet at 1000 FPS, and nobody would argue 10mm is anything but capable.

ContinentalOp said:
I think you'd probably be better off using .44 Special rather than .44 Magnum for self defense, and given that using a non-HP load is likely necessary for your situation a LSWC loading will probably be your best bet. Hopefully some others with more experience with .44 Special/.44 Magnum loads will chime in.

You should also try searching the forums if you haven't already, particularly the "Concealed Carry and Self Defense" and "Ammo" forums. Here's a link to start you out:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/468259-best-44-magnum-defense-load.html#post139001448
Click to expand...

+1. I See what you did there.

To the OP: Check out Buffalo Bore. They have a wide variety of lead-bullet SD ammo. Including a 200-grain full wadcutter--although I would personally suggest that a semiwad be used, in conjunction with a speedloader.
 
Underwood makes a 200g Gold dot HP 44Spl at 1100fps. Apparently the fps is accurate as so many have chrono'd it.

Energy is wasted with the magnum and more importantly, follow-up shots are difficult due to the recoil.

I load a 250/265g SWC to 850~900fps in both Spl and magnum cases and would not hesitate to use it in a social situation. Fortunately I would expect this to never happen, but it's comforting to know it is capable.
 
A 44 mag 3" is alot of gun to carry. Maybe it is all you have, that being so a 44 Special is the safe ticket. Being that it is a 44 Magnum, it leaves lots of room for the range of more powerful rounds for other applications. It is a very intimidating weapon if presented, and hopefull that is all it will take to make the aggresive person think twice about his plan. Out of the three times I have drawn my gun, twice I have not had to fire it, the two legged kind changed their mind on the spot. The third was a black bear deep in the back bush, but again we both lived. Good luck with your choice. Remember to always follow the law, and stay alert.
 
Buffalo Bore Heavy 44 Special with a 255 gr Keith-style lead semi-wadcutter. Keith-style bullets were the go-to round for self defense prior to the advent of hollow points.
 
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