44 Special Handload Defense Loads

[KSCowboy]

Another thread recently discussed handloaded lead bullets for SD loads. This is a follow up to what I chimed in with there.

This thread is not intended to discuss the pros and cons to using handloaded lead bullets.

I had come up with a "target" style SD load using a full wad cutter. I had experimented with this bullet a little for Chrono purposes but wanted to test for penetation as I didn't want an over penetrating load.

Bullet and loaded round:

Loaded in 4 inch 624:

This bullet weighs 185 grains and has a meplat of .423.
Loads
12.0 grains Blue Dot 878 fps
13.0 grains Blue Dot 1015 fps

As I didn't feel the 878 fps was as much as I wanted from this bullet weight I went up to the 1015 fps and tested for penetration. The 1015 fps load penetrated 5 gallon water jugs and remained in #5. And actually gave a slight expansion as you can see in the photo! Expanded to .455. With this much penetration maybe the 878 fps load would be better. But after my results below I think I will discontinue this WC use.

I found a few hundred swaged soft lead bullets in a box when I was cleaning up recently. They are many years old and no longer available. They weigh 230 grains. As I thought they had good potential I loaded them with 12.0 grains of Blue Dot as that is my standard load with the Keith 429421 HP of 238 grains that I hunt with.

This load performed perfectly. 1001 fps. Original meplat .333 expanded to .606. Penetrated 4 gallon water jugs and remained inside #4. I think I have found my load right here.

 

[robertrwalsh]

As long as your criteria is potential effectiveness (ignoring the possible legal issues) you may very well be right. Should be pretty good against small to medium size 4 legged predators as well.

 

[flop-shank]

KS, I agree with your thinking. The hollow point sounds like the way to go and if not that, the slower wadcutter. I've tested .38 wadcutters in Perma-Gel and they are super deep penetrators. By dropping bullet weight and velocity, which you did with the slower load, they can stop in a reasonable distance.

My wife's 3" model 60 is loaded with a target velocity 148 gr. wadcutter handload that penetrates 15" in 4 layer denim/P-G. High velocity is not needed.

 

[SuperMan]

Try the 200 grain Speer Gold Dot HP that Speer uses in their .44 Magnum Short Barrel load and the Blaser .44 Special... Bullet # is 4427. It has a very deep HP...

At the 850 fps of the .44 Special load the bullet doesn't expand at all most times. At the 1080 of the .44 Magnum SB load it expands EVERY time...and recoil is mild.

Blue Dot or SR4756 will easily and safely make 1100 fps in a .44 Special. The last few years I with Dallas PD I carried a 3" M24 loaded with 180 grain JHPs at I believe 1300 fps...

Bob

 

[GLV]

Remington JHP at about 1250 expands very well and is very accurate. I use 2400,but I'll let you work up your own load.

Expansion in Vyse with 4 layers of denim, was in the .70-.75 range.

PS, this load is used in my N frame guns, not in my L frames!!!

 

[Hook686]

You have L Frame .44 Specials ?

 

[running iron]

For an expanding bullet in my 44 Special I like the 210 gr.Winchester Silvertip JHP loaded with 9.9 grs. of AA#5 or if you can't find the Silvertip, a 180 gr. JHP loaded with 10.4 grs of AA#5. These are shot in a Ruger 44 Special with a 4 5/8" barrel but a new S&W will handle them. Not target loads, they are for self-defense. Very accurate in my gun. The 10.4 180 load is from Hornady. Speer has 10.3 grs. as a max with a 200 gr. JHP and Sierra has 9.7grs as a max with their 210 gr. JHP. 9.9grs with a Winchester Silvertip works for me, but you might want to work up from a lower amount of powder. I see no pressure signs at all in my Ruger. Sierra says 9.7 grs. with their 210 gr. jhp is going 900 fps in S&W Model 24 with 6 1/2 " barrel. And Hornady claims 1000 fps with their 180 jhp loaded with 10.4 grs. of AA#5. But their test gun was a Charter Arms with a 3" barrel, so I would expect more from a longer barrel. That load should expand, you'd think.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I do admire those wadcutters for my L frame 696......I suspect they are excellent rounds.....
thank you for posting them and your load data.....

 

[Two Guns]

I carry either Factory Winchester 200 Gr Silvertips or 240 Gr SWC bullet behind 5.4 Gr Winchester 231 powder.