I have a question regarding 44 Russian ammo which I should know but don't: is it safe to shoot 44 Russian ammo in a 44 magnum revolver? I have severe arthritis in my hands and normally target shoot with 44 Special instead of 44 magnum...the Russian probably would be easier on the hands...I do not reload...Thanks for any info...Roger
44 Russian ammo question...
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DWalt
Member
If you can find any .44 Russian, it will work. A simpler and better solution would be to make up pip-squeak Cowboy level handloads in .44 Mag or .44 Special cases. Which is sort of what I do. I do not enjoy shooting hot .44 loads, and have no need for them. https://reloadammo.com/44-special-reloading-data/
If you don't reload, you might at least consider buying a used Lee Loader off eBay.
If you don't reload, you might at least consider buying a used Lee Loader off eBay.
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44 Russian ammo can definitely be fired in a 44 Magnum revolver. That's what I did when my young nephew wanted to shoot my Model 29. He was in heaven!
THE PILGRIM
Member
44 Russian is like Collector Ammo.
So if you can find any they'll probably want Collector Prices.
Try a box of the 44 Spec Cowboy Loads.
So if you can find any they'll probably want Collector Prices.
Try a box of the 44 Spec Cowboy Loads.
mmaher94087
Member
Try Black Hills.
44 Russian got a big boost from the Cowboy Action types, pip squeak recoil in heavy framed revolvers. I reload it for the few top breaks I have with black powder loads, as well as a few 44/40 revolvers and lever actions rifles, also an Italian repop Winchester Lightning pump, its a fun little gun.
DWalt
Member
There are new .44 "Cowboy" Russian loads available, but north of a buck per shot.
ColourCaseHardened
Member
All a matter of knowing where to shop... Russian still costs more than special, but here's the cheapest you will find.
HSM 44R1N Cowboy Action 200 Grain .44 Russian at Fast Ammo
One other thing worth mentioning, if you buy the Fiocchi 44 S&W Russian it's hotter than the factory Remington/Winchester 246 grain 44 Special Round Nose Lead load. Those loads are about 750 FPS and the Fiocchi proclaims to be 850 FPS. Probably in an 8" vented test barrel for both.
HSM 44R1N Cowboy Action 200 Grain .44 Russian at Fast Ammo
One other thing worth mentioning, if you buy the Fiocchi 44 S&W Russian it's hotter than the factory Remington/Winchester 246 grain 44 Special Round Nose Lead load. Those loads are about 750 FPS and the Fiocchi proclaims to be 850 FPS. Probably in an 8" vented test barrel for both.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
How many rounds of 44 Special at one outing?
I usually shoot 44 Special about fifty rounds and then I go on to 38 Special and finish with 22 LR.
OP
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Probably best to buy 44 special Cowboy loads ...i sold an old s-w top break chambered for 44 Russian...had I known that I could have used them in my 44 specials, I certainly would not have sold the guy 2 boxes for $50....just ignore the ROTFLMAO comment...some folks dont think about how the written word can be interpreted differently than expected
From what I know the 44 mag comes from the 44 special which comes from the 44 Russian which comes from the 44 American and all of these can be chambered in the 44 mag. The 44 mag can be shot in the 445 super mag.
OP
Thank you!
A big "Thank you" to all for responding to my question...I appreciate this...Roger
A big "Thank you" to all for responding to my question...I appreciate this...Roger
The 44 American is not compatible with the 44 Russian, Special, or Magnum, and cannot be used in revolvers chambered for those cartridges. The 44 American uses a larger diameter, outside lubricated heeled bullet design (like the modern 22LR for example).
The 44 American is not readily re-loadable, so ammo would be very expensive. If someone really wanted to reload for it, 41 magnum cases can be shortened and used, and a special heeled bullet design cast bullet mold would be needed. I would imagine such bullet molds are available though, for someone who wants to try it. The loaded ammo won't work in a standard 44 cambering.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
Repeat - when I saw those 4 Revolvers - West Memphis Pawnshop- 2 Colt Flattop Bisleys and 2 Smiths - in a fitted case, London Address-
Not only was the price a problem - it was the caliber!
476 Eley.
Got any? Ever seen any?
Not only was the price a problem - it was the caliber!
476 Eley.
Got any? Ever seen any?
gjgalligan
Member
Lots of .44 Russian listed on ammseek.com.
.476 Eley/Enfield/Revolver cartridges can be hand loaded without great difficulty. I only hand load, so I cannot provide any information on where to buy this caliber. I have never had any, but I've seen some. I am sure it is ridiculously expensive.
Edit to add; I don't know why anyone purchases factory made ammo, especially in the unusual or obsolete calibers. It is usually not very difficult to make your own ammo, and I greatly enjoy doing it. I also like the feeling of freedom it provides.
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DWalt
Member
There are not a great many obsolete or scarce CF and metric calibers that cannot be duplicated by re-forming more common and available brass. It may be difficult to do but it can be done. For example, the .45 Auto Rim case can be converted to .476.
45 Colt cases can be shortened and the rims thinned, and will work for this series of cartridges also.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Roger, it was a great topic, Sarge.
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Not really. I have loaded for both over the years. The 44 Magnum is a straight walled case developed from the 44 Special. The 44-40 is a tapered (bottle necked case) designed for easy feeding in its original platform the 1873 Winchester. Head diameter is slightly different and the 44-40 tends to have a very thin walled mouth, easily damaged if you're a bit careless when reloading. Better to buy the correct brass than try to rework the Magnum cases.
DWalt
Member
You can form .44-40 cases from.45 Colt brass, but I'd think it would not be very difficult to obtain factory .44-40 brass. I once converted some .38-40 brass cases that I had no need for to .45 Colt.
I've never seen any .476 Eley (Webley) cartridges. However, it was originally a black powder cartridge that used a .455 inch bullet; the case was slightly longer than the .455 Webley (Eley) case. Therefore, the .455 Webley (currently available as loaded ammo from Fiocchi and as empty cases from Starline) can be used in .476 revolvers assuming the gun is in shootable condition. The naming of obsolescent big bore British revolver cartridges is very confusing, but many of them are interchangeable.
I reload the .455 Webley cartridge for a WW I S&W for about 80% less than the cost of loaded ammunition and I don't have to worry about availability.
unspellable
Member
44 American has a heeled bullet of larger case diameter.
44 Special has only a very slight edge on 44 Russian in nominal loads. Individual factory variations are probably larger than the nominal difference. I would not buy 44 Russian on the grounds it has less recoil.
