Reduced Recoil .44 Magnum

[brokenprism]

I tried a keyword search first, but nothing came up, so here goes.

I just bought a 629-1, 4", and want to go easy on the gun (not worried about going easy on me). I remember 30 years ago reading about using short rds (.44 special) in long chambers, and would like to find a full-length .44 mag on the mild side.

I looked at Buffalo Bore's 'reduced recoil' loads and they clock in at 1250 fps, while Remington's original full-house 240 gr load is currently advertised at 1180 fps. Something around 950-1000 fps would be ideal, (or maybe I have my answer with that remington load). Bullet style doesn't matter. Wouldn't mind finding a LSWC, if they're loaded commercially.

To head off the re-loading question (it's coming, right?), I don't reload because when if I've had enough money for equipment, I bought a gun, but at current ammo prices, I'm open to the idea.

 

[flop-shank]

I'm assuming this is for self defense against two leggers? If so Speer makes a Short Barrel 200 Gr. (IIRC) Gold Dot load and Corbon makes a managed recoil 165 gr. JHP load. I have tested the Corbon load. The results are in the Perma-Gel Test Results thread.

Unless you are rich, practicing with a .44 almost requires that you handload.

 

[prescobd]

I have a partial box (not for sale) of the Remington reduce velocity load (R44MG4). It was a 240 lead SWC bullet. I believe it has been discontinued for many years. Maybe Remington could be convinced to bring in back out with the newer lighter weight revolvers out there now in this caliber.

 

[cp1969]

You're probably SOL and might as well get used to the idea of handloading.

Not only is it cheaper but you are more in control of your ammo supply, both as to the quantity and type.

FWIW, shooting .44 Specials, if you can find them, will not hurt your gun AT ALL.

 

[brokenprism]

Yes, it's for two-leggeds. I'll look into the CCI load; thanks for the pointer.

I suppose I'd better join some reloading forums. I remember reading about a single round Lee loader that appealed to me. Maybe it's a pain to do them one at a time, but it sounds economical.

 

[scattershot]

At $37.00 and change for 20 rounds, if you shoot much it wouldn't take much to pay for a reloading setup. I know you didn't want to hear it, but it makes so much sense that it's hard not to recommend reloading.

 

[flop-shank]

I suppose I'd better join some reloading forums. I remember reading about a single round Lee loader that appealed to me. Maybe it's a pain to do them one at a time, but it sounds economical.

Try a Lee Turret Press. It can be used as a single stage if you remove the auto index rod. With the rod in you still are focusing on only one cartridge at a time, but it will be faster than a single stage and the Lee Turret Press is relatively inexpensive. Get the four hole press so that you can seat and crimp (the Lee factory crimp die absolutely rocks) in two seperate steps. That's what I use and I'm happy with it. For people who burn over 100 rds. a week, a progressive press would make more sense I would think.

 

[pre16]

I tried a keyword search first, but nothing came up, so here goes.

I just bought a 629-1, 4", and want to go easy on the gun (not worried about going easy on me). I remember 30 years ago reading about using short rds (.44 special) in long chambers, and would like to find a full-length .44 mag on the mild side.

I looked at Buffalo Bore's 'reduced recoil' loads and they clock in at 1250 fps, while Remington's original full-house 240 gr load is currently advertised at 1180 fps. Something around 950-1000 fps would be ideal, (or maybe I have my answer with that remington load). Bullet style doesn't matter. Wouldn't mind finding a LSWC, if they're loaded commercially.

To head off the re-loading question (it's coming, right?), I don't reload because when if I've had enough money for equipment, I bought a gun, but at current ammo prices, I'm open to the idea.

The outdoormarksman.com has 240gr swc.

 

[Pisgah]

A word about the Specials-in-a-Magnum-chamber bugaboo.

I have been hearing horror stories about how this will ruin a chamber for 45 years, and the whole time I have merrily shot .22 Shorts in LR chambers, .38 Specials in .357 chambers, .44 Specials in .44 Magnum chambers, all with nary a problem. Yes, after a lot of shooting carbon and lube can build up and form a ring of gunk inside the chamber -- but it can be cleaned out with minimal fuss, as long as you don't wait years and thousands of rounds between cleanings. Buy some decent .44 Specials for your 629, clean it regularly, and quit fretting.

 

[TSQUARED]

If you decide to reload you could produce some very mild loads using Trail Boss powder in those 44 magnum cases.

 

[brokenprism]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll look into the Lee Turret (and outdoormarksman, thanks!). I like hobbies, and reloading sounds like a good combination of detailed work and rewarding outcome. I've been looking at powders, brass, and bullets, and I'm sure I can do better than $26 - 36 for 20 rds of anything.

 

[enidpd804]

Corbon makes a 165 gr. Sierra JHP load listed at 1300 fps. You can watch high speed gello shooting video on their website.

 

[flop-shank]

Cool Stuff!

enidpd, thanks for the heads up on the video!

 

[brokenprism]

1300 fps? Most of the suggestions here make the classic Remington 240 gr load (listed at 1180 fps) look tame. What exactly is the velocity of the original .44 magnum...?

 

[cp1969]

240 gr @ 1400 fps

 

[augy]

Yes, it's for two-leggeds. I'll look into the CCI load; thanks for the pointer.

I suppose I'd better join some reloading forums. I remember reading about a single round Lee loader that appealed to me. Maybe it's a pain to do them one at a time, but it sounds economical.

If its for two-leggeds, you don't want to use re-loads for legal reasons.
Use only factory ammo.

To practice with, get a Lyman reloading manual (Newest is Lyman 48th Edition) and lookup .44 magnum loads.
To start with, use a 200 ~ 210 grain jacketed bullet with the minimum powder charge listed for a .44 magnum case.
It will be easy on the gun and fun to shoot.
As you get used to it, you can work up to a little hotter loads.
Good luck.
Jim in Tennessee

 

[brokenprism]

Thanks Jim. Any bullet recommendations?

I used to read that a bullet had to move out at 1000 fps minimum to reliably expand. I'm sure bullet design has improved in 30 years. On the oteh rhand, a .44 caliber hole is a big hole, and the SWC seems pretty effective. You need a gas check over 1000 fps, right?

 

[augy]

Thanks Jim. Any bullet recommendations?

I used to read that a bullet had to move out at 1000 fps minimum to reliably expand. I'm sure bullet design has improved in 30 years. On the oteh rhand, a .44 caliber hole is a big hole, and the SWC seems pretty effective. You need a gas check over 1000 fps, right?

I shoot Speer 200 grain JHP in front of 10.5 grains of Unique in a .44 magnum brass case.
Also, Speer 210 Gold Dot JHP in front of 10.3 grains of Unique in a .44 magnum brass case.

Not sure what the fps is.

Both of these are fun loads and real easy on the gun.
Jim

 

[cp1969]

You don't need expansion if you use a .44.

Nor do you need factory ammo. There are legions of us who do not use factory ammo, whether for sporting or defensive purposes.

 

[flop-shank]

You don't need expansion if you use a .44.

While expansion may or not be a necessity, it most certainly is very desireable. It will transfer more energy to the shootee, and minimize the possibility of pass throughs. I'm a firm believer that mid power .44 magnums have enough energy that it can be a factor in stopping someone. Note that the best street loads in several calibers generally stop in 12"-14" of gelatin.

Nor do you need factory ammo. There are legions of us who do not use factory ammo, whether for sporting or defensive purposes.

I agree. I'm tired of the overpriced crap with QC issues that the factories are spewing out. At some point I will be using handloads in all calibers except my .22s.

As far as the Corbon 165 gr. JHP is concerned, I clocked a single round out of my 5" 629 at 1250 fps. and have found that it's very mild to shoot. I've loaded that same bullet up to 1656 fps. and it's quite different when pushed that fast.