I have been wanting to get my hands on some Winchester Silvertip in .44mag or .44spl. I have only been able to find the bullets, not the loaded cartridge. I am not set up to reload right now so the bullets alone don't do me much good.

Question: Did Winchester discontinue manufacturing the full cartridge in 44mag/spl? I know they still make some other calibers but I am looking for some food for my S&W M69.

I have been searching since I found out they exist but every where has been out of stock for years. I finally found a few boxes of the .44 spl but really want these in 44mag.

FYI, I got the 44 spl silvertip at ammunition to go (I have no affiliation with them). They only had a few boxes. I was nice and left a few for others as to not hoard. Someone else bought some and there is only 1 box left, so if you are trying to get some better jump on it.

Another question: Are these made in limited quantities or did Ammunition To Go find some hiding in a corner of the warehouse and put them up online?

I don't know if they've been discontinued, but as far as I know the .44 Silvertips were only made in .44 Special, not .44 Magnum.

If you're looking for SD ammo, check out Speer Gold Dots. I know they have .44 Special, and maybe .44 Magnum, in their catalog, but I don't know what their availability is. I think Hornady may have some offerings, too, but I'm not that familiar with their ammo.

You could also check out Buffalo Bore. I don't know what .44 caliber offerings they have, but they may have something that suits your needs.

You can contact Winchester? It may be out of production permanently, or only made in batches every few years. If they tell you "no current plans" that is a definite maybe .

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Looks like Winchester still has the 44Spl and 44Mag STHP on their website under their Super-X brand, but they no longer show the STHP brand logo. I have a feeling that the STHP ammo is on its way out in favor of their newer PDX bullet style.

I have some in 44 special and magnum, but it was all picked up in the secondary market from years ago. Even at that, I don't have much. . .maybe a dozen rounds of each. My understanding is that they quit making it some years ago. Who knows.

__________________
Dr. B

From the Winchester web site:

.44 Spl. STHP; http://www.winchester.com/Products/h...X44STHPS2.aspx

.44 Magnum STHP; http://www.winchester.com/Products/h...ges/X44MS.aspx

Doesn't mean anyone stocks it, but at least Winchester still lists it!

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Well, I learned something new. I never knew the STHP were available in .44 Magnum.

I don't know if they were discontinued or not, but if you check the MidWay sight there are reviews on them. Not all that good. They are saying that the bullet is too hard and doesn't expand. I have some very old ones from the late 70s that are supposed to be better. Check the Speer or Blazer Gold Dots 200 gr. Got much better reviews and are recommended in other forums for the .44 sp.

Yep, 210 grains of gorgeous 44 Mag, shot like a house on fire out of my 4 inch 29-2, and very sweet, and pleasant to shoot as well.

kinda made you feel like the "Lone Ranger".

I was looking more for entertainment value. "Hey guys, let's go Werewolf hunting". Kidding, I know they don't really have silver in them. But that would be cool. Maybe when I start reloading I will cast some Silver SWC, lol.

I thought the Silvertips were more of a hunting line.
EDIT: after doing some searching the Mags are hunting and the Spl are SD. I was doing more research and the reviews for the SPL do seem to be mixed (the Mags seem to do fine). But I don't know how those people were doing their tests, I really take reviews online with a grain of salt unless there is something concrete to back it up. Guess I will have to go do some testing of my own. Besides, not all guns shoot the same so we should all be testing our SD ammo.

For SD I have Hornady 240gr JHP and Federal 180gr JHP Magnums that should do the trick just fine. In case they don't I also have some DT 320gr Hard Casts. I know those are for hunting/wood carry but they would work just fine for SD. Might even hit the BGs friend stanning behind him, get yourself a 2fer.

I know people say shoot the lighter ammo for accuracy and follow up shots (SPl vs Mag), but I figure anything within 20 yards shot with my M69 is gonna get a good shot placement and make that first shot count, right! I also think the blast out of a 44mag is much more intimidating and in close range could disorient a wood-be-attacker giving you an extra advantage. When I go to the indoor range people comment on the shock wave from the Magnums. I know if someone shot at me with a 44mag I would be running for cover, or dead.

Also, they do indeed have Gold Dot in 44mag and Spl. I do use Gold Dots but I carry the 9mm variety. Nothing wrong with the 44 Gold Dots though. Not sure why I haven't picked some up.

Thanks for you responses guys. It does look like they are dropping the loaded cartridges in 44 in order to sell there new line of SD, which is excellent BTY. I have some PDX in 9mm +P and it is great stuff.

I guess they still make the 44 Spl Silver tip, Midway has a bunch in stock if anyone is interested. I tried to see how many I could add to my cart and I put over $6000 worth of it. Not sure if that reflects actual inventory but they do have the option of a case of 200 so I'm presuming they have a decent amount. I might pick up a few more boxes.

Now if they would only stock some of the magnum offerings. That's what I really want.

I'm with you, it's a bear to track down. I'm down to my final box of 200-gr 44 Spl and haven't been able to find more. I believe Winchester mfg'd "runs" of it so it is still catalogued. When it is available again I'm going to re-up my supply as I like that .44 Spl load.

That's why when Winchester did their last run of ammo i bought 4 boxes of the 145gr .357 Magnum ammo. I would have bought more but they cost me $50 a box!

That ammo is scary accurate in my S&W M640 so that's what I carry in that gun.

To the OP, go to a few of your favorite ammo sites and sign up for an email notice when they come in. That's how I got my ammo last time and I think a run should be due soon. (every 2/2.5 years)

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437