.44 magnum - factory mid power loading
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SnidelyWhiplash
Member
I don't know whether they still catalog it, but some years ago I purchased some Black Hills .44 Mag 240 grain lead loaded to mid-range pressures. It was very easy to shoot and accurate.
Just shoot .44 special rounds for less power.
John
John
AMEN! The comments on Fiocci or perhaps PPU are somewhat appropriate. PPU might not be as low as you want but it won't be as hot as normal big name 44 mag loads.
junglefighter
US Veteran
Magtech makes a 44 Mag. 240gr.FMJ that is labeled Low-Recoil #44F. There are Cowboy loads in 44 Mag. as well.Answers should depend on what revolver you are shooting. Your question was on Magnum factory loads and there are not many.
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If you are looking for range ammo Georgia Arms makes a 240 grain FMJ at 1000 fps that splits the difference between 44 Special and full power magnums. That was my favorite ammo for my S&W 69 with a 4 inch barrel. Strong enough to be interesting but not so punishing I wanted to quit after a cylinder or two.
If you want something for defensive use or hunting look at Buffalo Bore's heavy 44 Special ammo. Similar power as the Georgia Arms load but with hardcast SWC or JHP bullets. More than twice as expensive too.
EDIT: I tried going to the Georgia Arms website to verify the 240 grain FMJ was less than half the price of the BB ammo. The website said they had a catastrophic fire and are closed until further notice. I live in Georgia but somehow missed this story on the local news. From the pictures I saw it looked like the building is a total loss. Hope they rebuild, I really liked some of their ammo and it always shot well for me.
If you want something for defensive use or hunting look at Buffalo Bore's heavy 44 Special ammo. Similar power as the Georgia Arms load but with hardcast SWC or JHP bullets. More than twice as expensive too.
EDIT: I tried going to the Georgia Arms website to verify the 240 grain FMJ was less than half the price of the BB ammo. The website said they had a catastrophic fire and are closed until further notice. I live in Georgia but somehow missed this story on the local news. From the pictures I saw it looked like the building is a total loss. Hope they rebuild, I really liked some of their ammo and it always shot well for me.
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Rich Richardson
Member
For target practice I use Precsion One 200 grain. They also make a 240 grain.
If you can find it, Defender and 406Ammunition have target loads that are wonderful, The 406Ammunition target load is advertised as 1200 fps from an eight inch barrel. Shoots fantastic from my model 69 2.75 inch. As Dave lively said interesting but not punishing.
Bill Lear
Member
Armscor 240gr. JHP .44 magnum is listed at 950fps/481fpe.
Blazer 240gr. JHP .44 magnum is 240gr. JHP at 1,200fps from a 6" vented barrel which means it's probably closer to 1,100fps in real life and less from shorter barrels.
HSM makes a 200gr. .44 magnum "Cowboy" load listed at 975fps
and a 240gr. hardcast SWC listed at 1,150fps which probably means less than 1,100fps.
Blazer 240gr. JHP .44 magnum is 240gr. JHP at 1,200fps from a 6" vented barrel which means it's probably closer to 1,100fps in real life and less from shorter barrels.
HSM makes a 200gr. .44 magnum "Cowboy" load listed at 975fps
and a 240gr. hardcast SWC listed at 1,150fps which probably means less than 1,100fps.
Sorry to hear about Georgia Arms. I also thought that round was perfect for my M69 4 inch.
The Kid
Member
Winchester white box 240 JSP is listed at 1175fps. Their 240 HP hog or boar or whatever flashy name stuff that comes in a 20 round box for the same price as 50 in the white box is listed at 1425fps.
If you ever get into reloading you'll need to look no further than a 240-250 cast bullet over 9 grains of Unique. 1050fps and wonderfully accurate in every 44 I've tried it in.
If you ever get into reloading you'll need to look no further than a 240-250 cast bullet over 9 grains of Unique. 1050fps and wonderfully accurate in every 44 I've tried it in.
Barbarosa99
Member
Check out Lost River Ammunition
venomballistics
Member
This is honestly one of those reasons one encounters that can justify venturing into reloading.
Do these loads exist in the wild?
Sure they do.... Somewhere.....
They'll be a small sample in a sea of full house loads and light target ammo.
Most of my 44 ammo is loaded to a midrange objective. It's easier to do than it is to find on a shelf.
CFE pistol, power pistol and BE86 are waiting for you.
Do these loads exist in the wild?
Sure they do.... Somewhere.....
They'll be a small sample in a sea of full house loads and light target ammo.
Most of my 44 ammo is loaded to a midrange objective. It's easier to do than it is to find on a shelf.
CFE pistol, power pistol and BE86 are waiting for you.
venomballistics
Member
Good classic formula right there.
I tend to shed some weight in favor of velocity.
200-220 in the 1200 range is of similar energy, but provides a little more terminal upset.
Depending on your target, that can be more fun on the range.
There are multiple brands of 240gr "cowboy" loads that should do the trick for you...
Bill Lear
Member
Okay I just have to add this: Instead of trying to find weakened .44 magnum loads why not buy a 1911 of your favorite brand (which you probably already own) and install a .460 Rowland conversion with the V2 Damper system and 9-11 pound reaction spring. The resultant gun can shoot full power .460 Rowland advertised at just under to over 1,000 foot pounds of energy which easily beats most 4" barrel .44 magnum loads, but with far, FAR less felt recoil or muzzle flip. Recoil is so mild you'll find yourself wanting to shoot the full power ammo, but you can also step down to .45 Super loads in the 600-650 foot-pounds of energy range, then on down to the .45 ACP+P power range, and on down to the .45 ACP standard load, all from the same gun, no spring changes required.
The 1911 also holds 8 rounds standard, or 11 rounds with 10 round mag, can be recharged in the blink of an eye, and has the near perfect ergonomics and trigger of the 1911.
The 1911 also holds 8 rounds standard, or 11 rounds with 10 round mag, can be recharged in the blink of an eye, and has the near perfect ergonomics and trigger of the 1911.
I'm looking into this idea. I'd never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing it.
venomballistics
Member
I knew of it, but never really thought about it in this particular context.
But then ... I reload, I cast, and I powder coat.
Thus I have a lot of resources to solve such problems.
460 conversion..... The man makes a hell of a case
Yeah, I'm interested enough that I fired off a email to one of the manufacturers of the 460 Rowland kit to ask about whether one will work with my specific 1911 model.
venomballistics
Member
You're more than likely golden.
It's kinda like an AR upper swap. As long as the frame is spec, it should be a near drop in.
I'm hoping so, but on their website they specifically say
"Not recommended for Filipino manufactured 1911's, other soft metal 1911's, or aluminum manufactured frames or slides."
And since the gun in question is a Turkish manufacturer I wanted to verify it wouldn't be one that they considered a "soft metal 1911".
The Kid
Member
I have a good bit of experience converting guns to 460 Rowland. And while it does add a good bit of performance, the guns can be finicky as far as reliability goes.
Added recoil and slide velocity sometimes requires some creative choreography between mag and slide spring rates. And maximum reliability always requires an iron grip.
Even when you do get all the kinks worked out it still doesn't offer the potential of the 44 with anything outside of 200-250gr bullets and cannot come close if you're hand loading the 44 to full potential.
Added recoil and slide velocity sometimes requires some creative choreography between mag and slide spring rates. And maximum reliability always requires an iron grip.
Even when you do get all the kinks worked out it still doesn't offer the potential of the 44 with anything outside of 200-250gr bullets and cannot come close if you're hand loading the 44 to full potential.
Thanks for the info about mag springs. That is one item that isn't included in the kit I was looking at online.
I'm guessing it may require a heavier mag spring to "pop" the next round up quicker due to the increased slide velocity of the heavier recoil spring?
The kit I was looking at is less than the cost of even the least expensive 1911, and being able to boost a 1911 to that level of ballistic performance for such a reasonable cost is very intriguing.
I already have a 22LR conversion kit, and this sounds equally cool - just extending the versatility of the platform towards the opposite end of the spectrum.
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well for certain there isn't going to be much factory ammo for you in 460 Rowland...which is what you were looking for in mid level loads in the 44 mag. Keep the 44 and handload for it...and keep the 45 too. You can even spend the money to make it a Rowland but the 44 will still be more versatile for most uses...IMO. And I had a top level semi auto years ago. There is a reason the 44 auto mag never made it big time...and why the Rowland is not a major player now...also in my opinion
I have at least five 44 mag revolvers, plus at least four 44 specials (maybe more - I may not be recalling all of them off the top of my head), and I reload for them. So I am definitely a fan of the caliber. I also have seven 45's (3 revolvers and 4 autos) that I reload for. I'm a fan of that caliber too.
Yeah, I wouldn't be worried about the factory 460 Rowland ammo availability. I already have everything I need to reload for it except some brass.
There are a couple of "cool factor" things about this conversion that intrigue me. Like having 8+1 rounds on tap with 44 mag power. And that a 1911 is a lot easier to carry than a 44 mag revolver. Especially if you want to conceal it.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Aquila makes a 44 Magnum 240 grain LSWC at about 950 fps. Similar to the Remington loading of the 1970s.
