I bought 2 boxes of Grizzly 320gr WLNGC because it was the only choice available. I feel it is too hot for all but the biggest targets. I would have preferred 180gr HP. I am not going bear hunting. Thoughts?

I do not reload.

I shoot Winchester white box 240gr through my revolvers and carbine. It’s affordable and accurate for me. Cheap enough to target shoot yet performs well enough to take deer at 100yds. Some think it’s “dirty” but I’ve never experienced that. I’ve also had good luck with American Eagle and MagTech.

There was a reason that those boxs of ammo were still available........

You might try trading them off for other ammo?

Good luck.

Just shoot standard 240 grain ammo. The suggestion to shoot Winchester white box is a good one.

IMO, forget the boutique, big bullet heavy recoil stuff that costs 2 bucks a round, and stresses your weapon. The 240 grain standard load I guarantee will injure and/or mortally wound a paper target as well as the boutique stuff.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Re-read the OP’s comment. He said he couldn’t find anything else.

You bought it, it's yours now! You should have asked this question BEFORE the purchase! You will not enjoy shooting this ammunition! You are correct, that ammunition is intended for hunting large/damgerous game. Watch for some 180-240 grain loads and buy whatever is available, ever .44 Special if recoil is the issue for you!

Just a matter of terminology, what you have would be classified as heavy loads, a hot load develops pressures high in the permissible pressure range, or possibly higher, for the cartridge! These may qualify as both!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Yep, it's mine, understand that point totally.

1911 - Take a look on Ammo Seek (I Attached a link) Standard factory 240 grain loads are fine, and reduced power cast lead / .44 spl. ammo / Cowboy ammo might be a better choice for range use. If looking at the Remington brand of 180 grain jacketed factory load, I would reconsider. They are loaded hot, and not a particularly good range load if recoil and muzzle blast are an issue. A lighter weight bullet does not always mean a milder load.

Best Ammo for Finding Ammunition 2022 - Guns Mags Reloading | AmmoSeek.com

Larry

I reload, but have still enjoyed shooting the WWB 240 gr ammo found at Walmart (typically). I have not looked for any in at least 2 years, but it shoots great in my Marlin 1894. And is plenty powerful enough for the local whitetail population.

Best way for 44 Maggie is to reload.
This cartridge does an exquisite job across wide weight and power bands. To limit yourself to what's on the shelf for it really squanders it's Swiss army knife like potential

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it just needs more voltage

Try Georgia Arms. They have 44 Magnum ammo that ranges from weak cowboy loads for plinking to regular power loads. They do not make super hot loads like what you already have. My favorite for my S&W 69 is their 240 grain FMJ at 1000 fps which is similar to a strong 44 Special load from one of the boutique ammo makers.

Unfortunately, prices are double what I paid pre-pandemic. They now charge at least $1/round but that seems typically for 44 these days. My solution was to buy a 686 and shoot $.44/round 38 Special at the range instead. With the 54 cent savings per round only 1200 more rounds until I come out ahead!

HANDGUN - **SELECT BY CALIBER - .44 REM MAG - Georgia Arms

Time to start.

That or you are going to spend a lot of money and time scrounging for ammo.
240 grain bullets are very much the standard in the same way the 230 is the usual for 45ACP. Sure, you can shoot other weights and it's easy if you reload, but if you are going to the store you get what you get.
Check the calendar for a local gun show near you if none of the local shops have anything for you and you don't want to spend the time to check all the online vendors, or else pay the extra and get some off funbroker.

Truth be told, I never really liked the 180 grain HP in the cartridge. They seemed a little superficial downrange. I much preferred a 200 grain HP with a full house load behind it. It's very good at breaking things.
A 240 grain LSWC at about 800 - 1000 Fps is more or less canonical. Manageable and good for a lot of wet work. Along these same lines, I enjoy a lighter bullet at slightly higher velocity. I cast as well as load, so a commodity based approach of less is more plays a part. 300+ grain seems best full throttle, and ends up a bit slow to justify when reduced by much at all. 260-280 grain tends to be a bit more versatile

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it just needs more voltage

Alas , 1911holic did not state in this thread Which .44 Mag gun he acquired , or intended role , so going with the odds , I'll think in terms of " normal sized " , and plinking up to whitetail .

Even if you had no prior interest in Reloading , as a .44 shooter it would greatly behoove you to do so . Both for actual $$ savings , and to tailor loads to your preference .

Two years ago , and probably two years from now ,you had lots of choices . Today , ammo production is still focused on 9mm , .45acp , 5.56 , etc , and .44 availability is spotty and expensive .

In normal times , the WWB and Federal American Eagle are " normal standard " ammo , for inexpensive prices . The above linked Georgia Arms offers a wide variety from very mild to full power , available by ordering in bulk , or in person at larger gun shows .

I have a box of Norma 44 mag, for carbine use. To strong for my 29s?

Another vote for Winchester USA 240 gr JSP.

Q4240 is the product number.

It is plenty powerful. For a lengthy range session I'd bring .44 specials too.

I could never see the point in using full power magnum ammo to shoot targets unless long range or hunting. For accuracy Target shooting the lower velocity loads with lead bullets usually do best.
The Win White Box 240gr is good stuff. I’ve not shot in S&W but in several carbines. It’s #1 around here. I don’t know if it’s the Wally World standard or lowest price, I suspect both.
I don’t use factory ammo. The only handgun I load Magnum is old 3screw
Ruger SBH. 240gr JHP, for deer. Everything else is cast and most Wadcutter.

I buy American Eagle factory loads now and then, and have used a few Blazers. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the Blazers were. I agree with the nix on the 180s and also prefer 200s. I stop at about 275 grains. If more horsepower is needed than a full-charge .44 Magnum with the old H&G #326, I’m looking for a different gun - as in a rifle.

There’s a lot to be said for handloading your .44s. At least give it some thought. It’s fun, can reduce your per-round cost considerably, and allows you to choose the power level you’re comfortable with. Pick a moderate starting combination (like Elmer Keith’s old favorite of his 250 grain cast bullet and 8.5 grains of Unique, or something similar) and give it a try. Next thing you know, you’ll be hooked.

Thank you all for the education. I have S&W 29-2s 4inch barrels and a new 2021 Anaconda 8inch barrel.

Check out Load X in California. They sell NEW AMMO and RELOADED AMMO. They many bullet sizes and types to chose from. You can also send them your brass and have it reloaded also and save even more money.

Load-X Ammunition Company - Expert Supplier of Factory and Remanufactured Firearm Ammunition

I’ll repeat the advice of any 240 factory load, and point out that my experience with Magtech is that it’s a little less hot than most others like W-W. However, try the Remington 180 JHP when you can find it. It has a pleasing muzzle flash to help you enjoy the money you’ve spent.

You mentioned that you don’t reload, but didn’t say why. I enjoy loading almost as much as shooting. It’s a bad time to start, with components being scarce, but 44 Mag is a cartridge that allows you maximum return for your reloading investment. Not only the money you’ll save, but also in the flexibility to adjust the power levels with far more variability than other cartridges.

You might want to start thinking about reloading .

A Lee Hand Press Kit and a set of Lee Dies will allow you to reload ammo sitting at your desk or table . The Hand Press kit contains a primer seating tool and with the dies there is a shell holder and powder scoop . No hammering is required . I reload all my handgun and 30-30 rifle with the Lee Hand Press ... My reloading bench mounted presses are in a unheated / uncooled out building and my house has nice cool A/C .
The little hand press and reloading stuff live in a gym/ range bag and easy to put in closet when I'm done .
Think about it ... reloading is still legal .
Become the master of your ammunition supply ...feels good !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

You mentioned that you don’t reload, but didn’t say why.

I don't get to shoot that much and have never invested in the reloading equipment.

Thanks to y'all, I'm considering getting started.

Even at current component costs you will still save a bunch loading your own. Not too mention the ability to tailor your loads to what you like.

New Brass---.25
Coated lead 240gr SWC bullets---.15
Powders---.06
Primers---.10
Total around .57 per round or $29 per box
Keep in mind that every time you use the brass, the price goes down.

I started loading 44 mag shortly after I bought my first 44 revolver back in the early 80's. Really at the time it was the only way I could afford to shoot any volume.

My current costs to reload 44 mag:
Brass---free since I have multiple loading on each piece
Coated lead 240gr SWC---.12 since I buy them in bulk
Powder---.03 since my powders were mostly bought back in the days of $12-$15 per pound
Primers---.02 same deal---primers were cheap in the 80's and 90's and since they don't seem to rot or go bad, I stocked up

Total for what I load today---about .17 per round or $8.50 per box

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"Tastes just like chicken"

This is so true. Now is a great time to get into handloading, especially for 44 Spec/Magnum. For the price of a few boxes of factory ammo that is hardly even available today, you can get a good basic handloading setup that will serve you well. Components are also in short supply now but if you are unable to find everything you need to get started, just ask on this forum and I'm sure help will be forthcoming. I recently gave a friend of mine enough small pistol primers he needed to get going and I would do it again. You will learn more about shooting and what makes a gun "tick" than ever before. You will never regret it.
Scott

For so much more than just operating cost in this case.
You go out and buy a 44 magnum with this pre misconception based in a dirty harry flick. Its not until you reload that the light comes on and you begin to understand some of what Elmer Keith was talking about.

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it just needs more voltage

The above suggestion to check ammoseek.com is a good one. You can find ammo in stock and order it knowing the price per round. They also show bulk ammo that's available. Good luck finding what you want.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I know non-reloaders get tired of us reloaders chiming in on these threads, but that right there sums it up:
The master of your ammo supply.

Sage wisdom.

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Just Say No - To Social Media