Backlighting
Member
Seems to be a huge difference between the two.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBivAAota1g[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBivAAota1g[/ame]
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.44 Spl vs .44 Magnum
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Bakebfr480
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Factory loads in 44 spl are anemic to say the least! Elmer's 44 spl handloads were hot! About 1200 fps with his bullet and 18.5 grains of 2400!
I thought that Elmer was known for destroying guns in his quest towards the 44 mag. {not to sure about using his loads in a special} In a model 69, yes, in a special HMMM ????}
or am I reading history wrong and being confused.
or am I reading history wrong and being confused.
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junglefighter
US Veteran
I enjoyed the video,thanks for posting.I carry a Model 69 with Sig 44 Spl. 200 gr. JHP.I bought this revolver because of hiking where there are mountain lions and bears and I wanted the larger caliber for self protection.The 44 Spl. has a proved record for self defense in the days before auto loaders were common.I believe a 44 Spl. will protect me from harm.This is just my opinion and belief on self defense.It is a 4.25" bbl.For back-country travel I carry 44 Mag.
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Bakebfr480
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I've shot 17.5 grains of 2400 in a new production Ruger 44 spl flattop with no problems........a little recoil but that's to be expected! Elmer used to shoot a 44 spl Triplelock and Colt SAA in 44 spl.
The_Truth
SWCA Member
Sig 200gr HPs felt a little "kick-y" out of my 296Ti. Buffalo Bore 190gr soft cast LSWCHC feel like full power 44mag out of 296Ti. Pretty brutal.
Buffalo Bore +p 240gr soft cast LSWCHC are wrist breakers out of my Model 29 3". Any 44spl barely kicks.
YMMV, I love am all.
Buffalo Bore +p 240gr soft cast LSWCHC are wrist breakers out of my Model 29 3". Any 44spl barely kicks.
YMMV, I love am all.
bigggbbruce
Member
I just load 44 Mag cases to low magnum velocities but to hot for 44 spl.. done deal.
I think it was 45 colt that Elmer blew up. The cases weren’t up for the task. He switched to 44 special because a bit smaller bore meant more meat in the cylinder. If I remember correctly. If he had better brass it might have been 45 Keith magnum instead of 454 casull.
Huge difference between the two in factory loads. But many handloaders
load the .44 mag down and the .44 spl up and end up with virtually the
same performance from both.
load the .44 mag down and the .44 spl up and end up with virtually the
same performance from both.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I'm not going to waste my time with a 25 minute video when a 2 minute video would suffice. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Paul's conclusion is that a .44magnum load does more damage than a .44special load.
In other news, scientists have discovered that water is wet.
In other news, scientists have discovered that water is wet.
I carry a model 69 with Speer Short Barrel 44 Mag ammo. It's really more like a 44 Spl +P round with the Gold Dot bullets. It's too bad Speer discontinued it.
That's what I do. 10 to 12 grain s of AA#5 under 240 grain LSWC gives a light magnum load that's easy on gun and shooter.
HSM makes 44 mag factory 'Cowboy' loads similar to the Remington medium loads that I carried back in the '80s. It's a 240 grain sharp-shouldered semi-wadcutter at a claimed 1150 fps; I got just a little over 1050 fps average (1,027-1,068) out of a 29-3 4" a few weeks ago.
Farmer17
Member
A 250 grain bullet at about 1200 fps was what Elmer was wanting when he was helping to develop the .44 Mag. That's about all I'm comfortable shooting any more, and even when I was younger I didn't like the blast of full house .44 magnum rounds, recoil is no big deal if you don't lock your elbows. I think that load would be an ideal "do everything" cartridge that's fairly pleasant to shoot.
REM 3200
US Veteran
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Doug M.
Member
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To the best of my knowledge, the .44 special has not benefitted from the research into terminal ballistic performance after the 1986 FBI "Miami" shootout. Certainly, not nearly as much work has been put into the round as has been done with the typical service caliber autopistol loads. The only revolver round that has gotten much of that work is the .38 special because NYPD had a lot of officers carrying it.
That said - why worry? A 240-270 grain SWC in .44 or .45 at a modest velocity will almost certainly do perfectly well in defense against human assailants if placed properly. Likewise a similarly "heavy for caliber" load in .41 magnum or .38 special. Placement and adequate penetration are vital; expansion is a nicety.
Murdock
Member
Actually the whole video was about the need to pick the right ammo for the .44 Spl. A couple of the HP loads tested showed zero effective expansion. So buyer beware.
It was not intended as a comparisson of the Spl with the Mag. As a long time .44 Spl user I learned something from the video, and found it worth my time.
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Valmet
Member
I’m always picking up something here and there from Paul’s videos, he does good work.
I load my 44 mags with unique. 1/2 way between special and magnum. Great load for my 69 snubby. Plenty powerful and not so much recoil and blast that it’s unpleasant.
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