44 Associates' .44 Special Data?

I just got my 44 Special project back from Bowen and will start loading in earnest for it soon.
Don't forget to check out Lil-Gun for loading the 44spl.
I use it in my 624 6.5" and it is great!
I'm just now converting a H&R 12ga to 44spl. and will feed it the same, Lil-Gun and a 250gr H/C Keith.
 
Thanks to Steve Bryson for sharing these reference source data and for the notes on load pressure, etc. They are very interesting to me and must have taken him considerable time to assemble and enter for posting here.

I personally do not have such information available and, without in any way wishing to limit Steve's ongoing contributions, would ask if any others would care to join in -- to locate, scan and disseminate, or better yet, post [assuming no copyright issues] such information here. [Has anyone current access to the cited American Rifleman issues?]

Appreciation again to Steve for his fine leadership to date, and to everyone who has made suggestions and offers of help.

Regards,

Dyson
 
I donated a nearly complete collection of the Rifleman from 1942 to 1970 to the Hudson (NH)Rod and Gun Club in the late 1980s. Don't know if they still have them or not.
 
While we stand by for possible further data, GLL, that is one handsome shootin' iron you pictured. Is it a 24, a 24-3 or ?.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing more from Steve and others with .44 Special data,

Dyson
 
Steve - we thank you for your generous posting of the article above. I am impressed by the vision of the author [witness the minutiae concerning the Triple-Lock system], and the care taken in writing it those many years ago.

With appreciation,

Dyson
 
Hello,

From "The Arms Chest" (classifieds) section of the December 1945 issue of "American Rifleman":

".44 Special loads, exhaustive tabulation of 650 tested handloads
for .44 Special, "Handgun Cartridge #1", limited, numbered edition,
$1.00 postpaid. 44 Associates, Auburn, Mass."



"American Rifleman" articles of interest to .44 Special fans:

August, 1944 "The S&W Triple-Lock and the .44 Special Cartridge", by Gordon C. Boser

February, 1949 "'Magnumizing' the .44", by George W. Rice

February, 1953 ".44 Dynamite", by John W. Zlatich

May, 1953 "Expanding Bullets for the .44", by John W. Zlatich

October, 1953 ".44 Special vs. .357 Magnum", by John W. Zlatich

In Zlatich's first article, he shows several loads in the 1,200 - 1,500 fps range, and talks about muzzle velocities up to 1,600 fps.

The "American Rifleman" articles are much easier to locate than the 44 Associates document. I believe that NRA members can obtain photocopies of old articles through Member Services.
Years ago at an estate auction I bought boxes of American Rifleman magazines from the 40's, 50's & 60's.

I'll pull them out of storage to see how many of these articles I have.

I'll scan them to a PDF document to share them with my .44 Special brethren... will let everyone know when I have something to send out.
 
Steve:

Thank you very much for posting the article !

Dyson:

The .44 HE is a 4th Model Target (Model of 1950 Target).

If anyone in the Los Angeles area has copies of the articles Conrad listed that I could borrow for a day I will scan them at VERY high resolution and make them available as pdf files for educational purposes.

CAn anyone supply a Xerox copy of "44 ASSOCIATES' .44 Special data report" ? If so I would make a good scan of it as well !

Jerry
 
GLL - of course - a PRE-24 [just kidding...] Beautiful revolver.

Gunhacker - thanks for doing the look-see at your stash of magazines.

And thanks again to Steve. Splendid work.

Regards,

Dyson
 
Ok folks... I was only able to locate and scan the 3 1953 American Rifleman articles. The files are large due to the scan being hi res.

The files are on a file hosting website... here's the updated link:

44_Special_Articles

I also have a complete collection of Handloader Magazine from Issue#1 to current, I'll scan and have the articles posted on the same file hosting website.

I remember reading somewhere that any loading data from the 44 Associates really needs to be taken with a grain of salt and a pound of caution.

Remember... the powder such as Hercules 2400 (now Alliant) used back then is a different make up from what's produced today. Pressure characteristics will be different, so you have to gradually work upwards while watching for excessive pressure signs.

Oh.. and here's what I shoot .44 Spl out of:

24-3 Lew Horton:
M24-3LH.jpg


5 screw Pre 24:
RH1950-BTargetPre24.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ok folks... I was only able to locate and scan the 3 1953 American Rifleman articles. The files are large due to the scan being hi res.

I've uploaded them to a file hosting website... here's the links:

Feb 1953 American Rifleman

May 1953 American Rifleman

Oct 1953 American Rifleman

Hi Conrad:

Thanks for scanning and sharing the articles.

Unfortunately, the downloaded files are in ".exe" format, which don't work on my Mac ;(

Any chance these could be made available in pdf or jpg?

Regards

Ron
 
Well folks for whatever resaon the file hosting website is no longer allowing downloads... so I'm looking for another site.

Update: I've tried using 3 different file hosting websites I've joined and I can't get the links to work in my post... anyone have any experience doing this kind of thing? I'm stumped.
 
I've always had an interest in the ".44 Associates" and would like to see their information.
 
This is truly public service of the highest order! Mother Teresa would be proud!
 
Gunhacker - thanks for trying the other hosting sites. These articles and materials are valuable contributions to our collective knowledge.

Regards,

Dyson
 
I belonged to a later group, similar to the ".44 Associates", but it included all calibers. It was called the American Reloaders Association, sponsored by Gun World Magazine. The mimeographed pages were called the A.R.A. Bulletin. It was active from September,1963 to about the end of 1967, or perhaps longer. Some of the former members of the .44 Associates were active in this one. Some big names were Dean Grennell, Homer Powley, P.O. Ackley, Jim Horton, Dan Cotterman, etc. Elmer Keith and others also wrote articles for the Bulletin.

I still have copies of about 50 of the bulletins, but the paper was cheap, and the type is slightly blurry. It was like putting all the famous handloading writers together into one publication, as well as the individual members' contributions. I think it petered out about 1968 or so.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top