New to 44 mag world and need advice on ammo

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1911haulic

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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.
 
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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.
 
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. :D
 
1911haulic said:
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.
Click to expand...

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!
 
Alk8944 said:
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!
Click to expand...

Yep, it's mine, understand that point totally. :D
 
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.
 
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
 
1911haulic said:
I do not reload.
Click to expand...
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
 
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 .
 
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.
 
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