.44 Special (or Russian) Target Ammo

[Naby]

What is a good, cheap round for target practice in .44 special or .44 Russian? I bought a few 50 round boxes of .44 special 200 grain Ultramax Cowboy Action because it was relatively cheap (around $30) and had good reviews. The box says it is smokeless but I'm not sure about that (isn't cowboy action supposed to make smoke for effect?). I would just use the CCI stuff with the Gold Dot rounds but I'd like brass cases for reloading some day.

 

[handgunner356]

You'll see more smoke with most lead ammo, Cowboy loads are usually lighter loaded. The variety of revolver rounds is getting to be less and less. Finding a good 44 target load almost requires use of a reloader.

 

[moxie]

There are really no cheap target practice loads being produced for the .44 Special. The best deal is the Blazer round in aluminum cases. Search the internet sellers and find some decent (but not cheap) deals on rounds with brass cases. Then fire them. Then start reloading . You'll be glad you did.

 

[Naby]

Thanks to you both. I haven't really been interested in reloading until now and even then only out of necessity.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Unfortunately, the need to reload is getting greater and greater. The cost of factory ammo continues to rise as does the cost of reloading equipment and supplies. If you want to shoot more than a few rounds a week, then your going to have to get into reloading.

 

[Naby]

It is not just about cost, I only shoot once every other week or so. The problem so far is that I cannot find any general target ammo for .44 special. There are several different cowboy action, personal defense, and hunting rounds but nothing just for plinking such as Winchester White Box, American Eagle, Magtech, Fiocchi, etc. Some of this stuff sounds like it is starting to go the way of film for cameras.

 

[Timbo22]

Welcome Naby. I think you will discover that finding reliable supplies of 44 Special spotty at best and especially so for 44 Russian. But things are better today than just a few years ago when you couldn't find those rounds at all. Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) has revived more than a few old or obsolescent rounds. You didn't specify which revolver you are shooting these in, but if it is a 44 Magnum, Remington also used to make a mid level load with a lead bullet that you could look into. I think that you will eventually want to take up reloading if not just to lower your overall cost, but to insure that you have loaded rounds on hand. For the cost of a couple of boxes of loaded ammo, you can get a Lee hand press and dies which would be adequate to load 50 rounds at a time.

 

[Naby]

Thanks Timbo. You guys are starting to wear me down . I didn't know getting started in reloading was that economical. I guess my main concern with reloading is safe handling and storage of the power and primers, I really have no idea how it all works. Ideally, I like to have a climate controlled building detached from my house for reloading, but that isn't an option right now.

 

[mike from st pete]

If one wants economical range loads 44SPL isn't the best choice. And I've seen 44MAG cheaper from time to time.
CCI and Winchester are the only factory fresh 44SPLs I see regularly. You could look into factory reloaded. I don't know where you are but there are a few reloaders that sell at Florida gun shows. Not cheap but less than the factory stuff.
The main reason I started handloading was so I could shoot my 696 more often.

 

[Naby]

I have a 329PD that I got for a home defense and as a woods gun so I can shoot .44 magnum out of it. I definitely would not pick .44 special just to shoot for the fun of it because of cost, I'm shooting to stay proficient. I'm in Northwest Florida (aka Lower Alabama). I'll check out the next gun show and see what I can find.

 

[Fishinfool]

Cheaper then Dirt carries BVAC brand ammo, loaded in new starline brass, 44 spec., 240 grain cast semi-waddcutter at 800 fps for $26.00 a box of 50. Its good ammo. I bought five boxes for use in a single action USFA I have, and its accurate and very clean. Good brass for reloading too.

Larry

 

[Naby]

Thanks Larry, I'll give those a try.

 

[mike from st pete]

44SPL

Georgia Arms & Ammo (I think thats their name) hit the gun shows around the Tampa Bay often, their Canned Heat has had some good reviews though I have never used their loaded ammo.

 

[oldpuppymax]

Just bought a Cimarron, .44 Colt replica last Saturday. It will fire .44 Colt or .44 Russian, but NOT .44 special or, of course, mag. I've reloaded for some time now--.45 Colt, .38 special/.357 mag, 30 06, 5.56 and have a .44 Russian Lee die set on the way along with brass and .430 diameter bullets. Everyone interested in larger caliber pistols should really learn to reload your rounds. Like everyone else, I was paying around $70 per 100 for .45 Colt a couple of years ago. I now reload my own for about $16 per hundred! It is NOT terribly expensive to get started and reloading will pay for itself within a very few trips to the range.

 

[oldpuppymax]

About Georgia Arms Ammo...I recommend it highly. I used it for some time prior to reloading my own and NEVER had a problem, either with new rounds or rounds in once fired brass. .45 Colt and .38 special, both high quality.

 

[Naby]

It looks like Georgia Arms is going to be in my area in June. I'll contact them to see if they'll have what I'm looking for.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Cheaper then Dirt carries BVAC brand ammo, loaded in new starline brass, 44 spec., 240 grain cast semi-waddcutter at 800 fps for $26.00 a box of 50. Its good ammo. I bought five boxes for use in a single action USFA I have, and its accurate and very clean. Good brass for reloading too.

Larry

+1 ---- I thought this ammo was a good value and I'd buy more. I didn't find it all that clean, however, but no problem wiping off the residue. It clocked 770 fps in a 4 5/8" Ruger FlatTop.