running iron
US Veteran
I vote for the Winchester 210 grain Silvertip. I reload this bullet and it is very accurate and does what it is made to do. Hard to find for reloading but you can buy the ammo ready to shoot.
.44 Spl Defense Ammo Picks
- Thread starter PO2313
- Start date
flop-shank
US Veteran
That is an accurate bullet. I found that it tends to overpenetrate (it's still very good though). I like the Federal 180 gr. JHP in .44 magnum, but, to it's credit, the Silvertip is more pleasant to shoot, and in my gun a little more accurate.
In my 3" 629 the Gold Dot 200gr 44 spl clocks at 759. Same gun with Gold Dot short barrel 200gr 44 mag clocks at 983.
I use the SB mag load.
Nicksterdemus
Member
Thanks for sharing...
I have shot Winchester 210 Silvertips out of a 4" 629 and they felt like the 255 LSWC hand loads I use at 1050 fps, in other words they were not that hard to shoot and very accurate. If you can find a box, give them a try. They just might work for you.
I prefer to stick with 240 gr bullets, when possible. I reload them exclusively for the most part (I have tried the Speer 265 gr). But for factory ammo, I like the Federal 200 gr LSWCHP for a couple of reasons: 1) the data I have seen (Brian Pearce's recent article in ST, I believe), shows this load to be a little hotter than the Silvertips, Blazer, and Gold Dots (> 850 fps, I think from a 4 or 5" bbl. I shoot 3 and 4" bbls), 2) I have had excellent accuracy results with this load (not so at all with the Silvertips I've tried several times over the last decade; the Blazers and GDs were so-so, but not as good), and 3) they are more reasonably priced than the GDs (selection is often limited, so I often have some of all of these around). I haven't tried the Buffalo Bores or the Double Taps, but I tried the CorBon 200gr DPX. I was impressed, but there's no way I am going to pay $2 per magic bullet, especially when I can reload whatever I want. I'd rather shoot more and carry what I shoot. In the past I reloaded LSWCs for practice and carried Federal factory ammo, but I've since rationalized to myself exactly what Landric said on the first page (thanks for your confirmation that this is usually the case). So now I have most of my Specials loaded with 240 gr. XTPs or Speer 240 gr. semi-jacketed HPs over Unique, H110, or 2400 in the 925-975 fps range from a 3 or 4" bbl. Heavy hollowpoints!
If I'm going to carry a mag, I want it to be a mag - but controllable. 1100-1200 fps again for a 240 gr bullet. I plan to look for some of this Speer Short Barrel . . .
If I'm going to carry a mag, I want it to be a mag - but controllable. 1100-1200 fps again for a 240 gr bullet. I plan to look for some of this Speer Short Barrel . . .
These are the .44 mags. The .44 Special Silvertip is 200 gr at about 700 fps (anemic). If the accuracy is up to snuff, then I'd say this is good advice for toting a 29.
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Nicksterdemus
Member
The mag info is all good & fine, yet bear in mind the topic is defensive loads for ye old 44 spl. I don't have a mag save for the lever rifle. Even Waly-World WWB packs quite a bit of punch out of a 20" brl.
The Mod 720, 5 round Rossi w/3" full lug brl was purchased specifically for what it wasn't.
I didn't want the larger, six rnd, fire breathin' dragon. I like the K frame size that fits in my pocket. More power to you for those that prefer the mag.
Naturally the discussion will turn to the mag coz there's so little spl offerings and they're so expensive. Waly-World only sells spl in vaquero loads @ $29.99.
Truly, for such a fine cartridge, that is a sad state of affairs. Not that there's anything wrong w/that load, but because the spl can be so much more.
As it stands the 200 gn Blazer is about the only thing I see in spl w/o going to even a more expensive wonder boolit.
At 759'ps I'd like to have 240 gn(another 50'lbs and break the 300 mark), but I guess I should be glad that Blazer doesn't advertise them as reduced recoil, home defense cartridges and maintain the same price while offering them in a 20 rnd suburban, decorative box.
This comes full circle back to rolling your own coz I think 850-870'ps @ 385-400'lbs would be a fine compromise for spl carry, recoil and well below the supersonic crack.
Am I being unrealistic for a spl load from a 3" brl?
As a reference the SB mag @ 983'ps is 515'lbs.
--------------------------
"The .44 Special Silvertip is 200 gr at about 700 fps (anemic)."
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: USA44CB
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Lead
Bullet Weight :240 GR
Muzzle Energy :300 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :750 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892213593
Almost 32 clams, none of this ammo in stock and that doesn't include shipping.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: X44SP
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Lead Round Nose
Bullet Weight :246 GR
Muzzle Energy :310 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :755 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892201514
40 clams for the 50 rnds. Ouch! Not in stock, imagine that...
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: X44STHPS2
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Silvertip HP
Bullet Weight :200 GR
Muzzle Energy :360 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :900 fps
Rounds/box :20 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892201644
Out of stock @ 20 bucks and some change. Eight bits a pop, pop...
The Mod 720, 5 round Rossi w/3" full lug brl was purchased specifically for what it wasn't.
I didn't want the larger, six rnd, fire breathin' dragon. I like the K frame size that fits in my pocket. More power to you for those that prefer the mag.
Naturally the discussion will turn to the mag coz there's so little spl offerings and they're so expensive. Waly-World only sells spl in vaquero loads @ $29.99.
Truly, for such a fine cartridge, that is a sad state of affairs. Not that there's anything wrong w/that load, but because the spl can be so much more.
As it stands the 200 gn Blazer is about the only thing I see in spl w/o going to even a more expensive wonder boolit.
At 759'ps I'd like to have 240 gn(another 50'lbs and break the 300 mark), but I guess I should be glad that Blazer doesn't advertise them as reduced recoil, home defense cartridges and maintain the same price while offering them in a 20 rnd suburban, decorative box.
This comes full circle back to rolling your own coz I think 850-870'ps @ 385-400'lbs would be a fine compromise for spl carry, recoil and well below the supersonic crack.
Am I being unrealistic for a spl load from a 3" brl?
As a reference the SB mag @ 983'ps is 515'lbs.
--------------------------
"The .44 Special Silvertip is 200 gr at about 700 fps (anemic)."
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: USA44CB
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Lead
Bullet Weight :240 GR
Muzzle Energy :300 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :750 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892213593
Almost 32 clams, none of this ammo in stock and that doesn't include shipping.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: X44SP
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Lead Round Nose
Bullet Weight :246 GR
Muzzle Energy :310 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :755 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892201514
40 clams for the 50 rnds. Ouch! Not in stock, imagine that...
SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: X44STHPS2
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :44 Special
Bullet Type :Silvertip HP
Bullet Weight :200 GR
Muzzle Energy :360 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :900 fps
Rounds/box :20 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
UPC: 020892201644
Out of stock @ 20 bucks and some change. Eight bits a pop, pop...
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oldRoger
US Veteran
I load my own; however both Buffalo Bore and Double Tap offer fine loads in 44 special if you prefer commercial stuff for self defense. I keep some BB on hand and loaded in the 696 and this is serious stuff (I grade anything 240 grs or over and at 1000 fps or more as serious).
My hand load duds (I had a bad primer last week) are about equal to my FTF with commercial (I had a dud 9mm round last week as well).
Like the 10 mm the 44 special is being marginalized from a power standpoint. All hail to the Lawyers!
My hand load duds (I had a bad primer last week) are about equal to my FTF with commercial (I had a dud 9mm round last week as well).
Like the 10 mm the 44 special is being marginalized from a power standpoint. All hail to the Lawyers!
Vulcan Bob
Member
Well in factory loads.
1. Snubby two inch, Blazer 200gr Gold Dot.
2. Four inch or longer, Federal 240 LSWCHP.
Handload.
1.245gr LSWC 7.5gr Unique over a WLP.
2. 240gr XTP 8.0gr Unique over a WLP.
Like the fat redneck say's, it get's-R- done.
1. Snubby two inch, Blazer 200gr Gold Dot.
2. Four inch or longer, Federal 240 LSWCHP.
Handload.
1.245gr LSWC 7.5gr Unique over a WLP.
2. 240gr XTP 8.0gr Unique over a WLP.
Like the fat redneck say's, it get's-R- done.
Did I hear 10mm? 
This is ironic, as I've just been going through all of my resources regarding the 44 Special and 44 Magnum. (Resources being my two dozen or so loading manuals and the complete Handloader DVD set on the laptop.)
I've been loading 44 Magnum since 1983, and for the first five years or so, I looked upon the max loads as "a good start..." For the last 15 years or so, I've come to look at the S&W Magnums the same way as was written up in an article in Handloader mag. a couple-three years ago. I tend to treat them like large-size Model 19s - shoot mild loads 95% of the time, and warm loads <5%. It's easier on the guns, and on me!!
I started with the 44 Special in a single-action in the late 80s, and it was the only gun I had in the caliber for many years. Now I've got an 1866 and a snubbie to go with it. There's always been a lot of Keith-ish "the 44 Spl. is handicapped by it's anemic loadings by the factory" stuff about, and it is certainly true the Spl. can be "upgraded" by judicious handloading. (The best reference I've come across for this is an article a few years back in Handloader that groups most 44 Specials ever made into one of three groups, depending on the pressures of loads they can take.)
Having been in LE for 20+ years now, and trained on combat-style shooting, I know I would not want anything to do with heavy bullets in a 44 Spl. nor full-power Magnums for self-defense. Are they powerful? Sure, but there is no guaranteed one-shot fight stopper, and bullet placement (just as in hunting) is key. I can show you pictures of a guy that took a 44 Mag 240gr JHP full-power load to the face (bullet missed the brain), and lived long enough to walk almost a block away. If he was equipped with a weapon, he could have done in the 44 Mag - wielding shooter... No one who has recommended full-power loads or heavy bullet loads has ever shot combat-style. They're thinking of hunting and Elmer. Great guy, but his needs aren't the be-all, end-all for every purpose you need a gun for. Heavy bullets at medium to low velocity are still going to recoil more than light-to-medium weight bullets at medium velocity.
The main difference with hunting is that in self-defense, you don't poke a hole with a heavy SWC through the heart/lung area and watch the critter bound away and find it bled out 50-100 yards away. In a S-D situation, you want multiple-shot capability.
I think the original poster and most of the responders here get that, having read what they want and like, respectively.
The 44 Special in a factory load (what the OP said he was going for) is going to be a relatively low-velocity round, even if you find a lighter-bullet load. Personally, I'd prefer the nearly-pure-lead Federal 200gr SWCHP +P load that ran about 900fps, but I'm not sure Federal still makes it. That was probably the best SD load ever for the 44 Spl.
I don't believe there is any jacketed bullet (except maybe the Gold Dots that are geared for low-velocity expansion) that will reliably expand at the velocities you are going to get in factory ammo in the 44 Spl.
There may be some other vendors out there, like Georgia Arms who make a similar light-to-medium weight pure lead SWCHP load. If not, there should be.
Boiling it down to one sentence: Medium-weight bullet (200-210grs) of soft construction (pure lead or near to it - think swaged, Nyclad, or thin-plated Gold Dots) at medium-velocity (800-900fps) is ideal in the 44 Special. This will get you good terminal performance with relatively fast follow-up shots and less worries about over-penetration (but they still will probably go all the way through...).
This is ironic, as I've just been going through all of my resources regarding the 44 Special and 44 Magnum. (Resources being my two dozen or so loading manuals and the complete Handloader DVD set on the laptop.)
I've been loading 44 Magnum since 1983, and for the first five years or so, I looked upon the max loads as "a good start..." For the last 15 years or so, I've come to look at the S&W Magnums the same way as was written up in an article in Handloader mag. a couple-three years ago. I tend to treat them like large-size Model 19s - shoot mild loads 95% of the time, and warm loads <5%. It's easier on the guns, and on me!!
I started with the 44 Special in a single-action in the late 80s, and it was the only gun I had in the caliber for many years. Now I've got an 1866 and a snubbie to go with it. There's always been a lot of Keith-ish "the 44 Spl. is handicapped by it's anemic loadings by the factory" stuff about, and it is certainly true the Spl. can be "upgraded" by judicious handloading. (The best reference I've come across for this is an article a few years back in Handloader that groups most 44 Specials ever made into one of three groups, depending on the pressures of loads they can take.)
Having been in LE for 20+ years now, and trained on combat-style shooting, I know I would not want anything to do with heavy bullets in a 44 Spl. nor full-power Magnums for self-defense. Are they powerful? Sure, but there is no guaranteed one-shot fight stopper, and bullet placement (just as in hunting) is key. I can show you pictures of a guy that took a 44 Mag 240gr JHP full-power load to the face (bullet missed the brain), and lived long enough to walk almost a block away. If he was equipped with a weapon, he could have done in the 44 Mag - wielding shooter... No one who has recommended full-power loads or heavy bullet loads has ever shot combat-style. They're thinking of hunting and Elmer. Great guy, but his needs aren't the be-all, end-all for every purpose you need a gun for. Heavy bullets at medium to low velocity are still going to recoil more than light-to-medium weight bullets at medium velocity.
The main difference with hunting is that in self-defense, you don't poke a hole with a heavy SWC through the heart/lung area and watch the critter bound away and find it bled out 50-100 yards away. In a S-D situation, you want multiple-shot capability.
I think the original poster and most of the responders here get that, having read what they want and like, respectively.
The 44 Special in a factory load (what the OP said he was going for) is going to be a relatively low-velocity round, even if you find a lighter-bullet load. Personally, I'd prefer the nearly-pure-lead Federal 200gr SWCHP +P load that ran about 900fps, but I'm not sure Federal still makes it. That was probably the best SD load ever for the 44 Spl.
I don't believe there is any jacketed bullet (except maybe the Gold Dots that are geared for low-velocity expansion) that will reliably expand at the velocities you are going to get in factory ammo in the 44 Spl.
There may be some other vendors out there, like Georgia Arms who make a similar light-to-medium weight pure lead SWCHP load. If not, there should be.
Boiling it down to one sentence: Medium-weight bullet (200-210grs) of soft construction (pure lead or near to it - think swaged, Nyclad, or thin-plated Gold Dots) at medium-velocity (800-900fps) is ideal in the 44 Special. This will get you good terminal performance with relatively fast follow-up shots and less worries about over-penetration (but they still will probably go all the way through...).
flop-shank
US Veteran
That was a good post MMA.
FWIW, the Corbon 165 gr. JHP load utilizes a very thin jacketed Sierra hollowpoint that I would expect consistent expansion from at .44 spl. velocities. IMO the 165 gr. bullet is ideal for .44 caliber, especially at magnum velocities.
FWIW, the Corbon 165 gr. JHP load utilizes a very thin jacketed Sierra hollowpoint that I would expect consistent expansion from at .44 spl. velocities. IMO the 165 gr. bullet is ideal for .44 caliber, especially at magnum velocities.
Yea, have you shot these things? I think this is a Winchester marketing dept claim based on some long, pressure barrel or something. I don't think they are any faster than a cowboy load. Of course I haven't chrono'd 'em - maybe somebody here has? JMHO I do know that I get the WORST accuracy with them over any other factory load in all my .44 Specials.
Nicksterdemus
Member
No, I haven't shot them. I'm a cheapskate. You are probably correct as 5 1/2 - 7 1/2" non vented test brl could've been used to optimize the numbers.
Seems the cheapest off the shelf is Blazer 200gn w/Speer flying ashtrays or LRN cowboys.
And at 30 clams plus tax neither is cheap and the price goes up from there for the 20 rnd specialty loads. The SB loads sound swell, but I have to wonder if the little extra oomp is worth the expense.
It's sad that they can't make an affordable, to the shooter, factory round w/some punch.
Geeze Louise, 44 mag target in WWB is only a couple of bucks more w/240 gn bullet on top of a decent charge @ 1180'ps.
If they fudge w/long test brl then that possibly could be a spl load that would turn 850-900'ps out of a 3" brl.
I love to consider the possibilities, but I become depressed and/or angry every time I think about the spl ammo offerings.
Seems the cheapest off the shelf is Blazer 200gn w/Speer flying ashtrays or LRN cowboys.
And at 30 clams plus tax neither is cheap and the price goes up from there for the 20 rnd specialty loads. The SB loads sound swell, but I have to wonder if the little extra oomp is worth the expense.
It's sad that they can't make an affordable, to the shooter, factory round w/some punch.
Geeze Louise, 44 mag target in WWB is only a couple of bucks more w/240 gn bullet on top of a decent charge @ 1180'ps.
If they fudge w/long test brl then that possibly could be a spl load that would turn 850-900'ps out of a 3" brl.
I love to consider the possibilities, but I become depressed and/or angry every time I think about the spl ammo offerings.
The Buffalo Bore 44 Special with a 255 SWC bullet is a nice shooting load that should work fine. I shoot it from a 4 inch 629. It is accurate and easy to control on follow up shots.
I love my 10MM........and I have and carry a few .44's
This is probably the best post and answer I have read on this forum. Brilliant--Can I get an "AMEN"? Oh-----ooops, this is Monday. My bad..... Anyway, yeah, 10MM or follow the direction given in this post by MMA10MM Sprefix
Did I hear 10mm?
This is ironic, as I've just been going through all of my resources regarding the 44 Special and 44 Magnum. (Resources being my two dozen or so loading manuals and the complete Handloader DVD set on the laptop.)
I've been loading 44 Magnum since 1983, and for the first five years or so, I looked upon the max loads as "a good start..." For the last 15 years or so, I've come to look at the S&W Magnums the same way as was written up in an article in Handloader mag. a couple-three years ago. I tend to treat them like large-size Model 19s - shoot mild loads 95% of the time, and warm loads <5%. It's easier on the guns, and on me!!
I started with the 44 Special in a single-action in the late 80s, and it was the only gun I had in the caliber for many years. Now I've got an 1866 and a snubbie to go with it. There's always been a lot of Keith-ish "the 44 Spl. is handicapped by it's anemic loadings by the factory" stuff about, and it is certainly true the Spl. can be "upgraded" by judicious handloading. (The best reference I've come across for this is an article a few years back in Handloader that groups most 44 Specials ever made into one of three groups, depending on the pressures of loads they can take.)
Having been in LE for 20+ years now, and trained on combat-style shooting, I know I would not want anything to do with heavy bullets in a 44 Spl. nor full-power Magnums for self-defense. Are they powerful? Sure, but there is no guaranteed one-shot fight stopper, and bullet placement (just as in hunting) is key. I can show you pictures of a guy that took a 44 Mag 240gr JHP full-power load to the face (bullet missed the brain), and lived long enough to walk almost a block away. If he was equipped with a weapon, he could have done in the 44 Mag - wielding shooter... No one who has recommended full-power loads or heavy bullet loads has ever shot combat-style. They're thinking of hunting and Elmer. Great guy, but his needs aren't the be-all, end-all for every purpose you need a gun for. Heavy bullets at medium to low velocity are still going to recoil more than light-to-medium weight bullets at medium velocity.
The main difference with hunting is that in self-defense, you don't poke a hole with a heavy SWC through the heart/lung area and watch the critter bound away and find it bled out 50-100 yards away. In a S-D situation, you want multiple-shot capability.
I think the original poster and most of the responders here get that, having read what they want and like, respectively.
The 44 Special in a factory load (what the OP said he was going for) is going to be a relatively low-velocity round, even if you find a lighter-bullet load. Personally, I'd prefer the nearly-pure-lead Federal 200gr SWCHP +P load that ran about 900fps, but I'm not sure Federal still makes it. That was probably the best SD load ever for the 44 Spl.
I don't believe there is any jacketed bullet (except maybe the Gold Dots that are geared for low-velocity expansion) that will reliably expand at the velocities you are going to get in factory ammo in the 44 Spl.
There may be some other vendors out there, like Georgia Arms who make a similar light-to-medium weight pure lead SWCHP load. If not, there should be.
Boiling it down to one sentence: Medium-weight bullet (200-210grs) of soft construction (pure lead or near to it - think swaged, Nyclad, or thin-plated Gold Dots) at medium-velocity (800-900fps) is ideal in the 44 Special. This will get you good terminal performance with relatively fast follow-up shots and less worries about over-penetration (but they still will probably go all the way through...).
This is probably the best post and answer I have read on this forum. Brilliant--Can I get an "AMEN"? Oh-----ooops, this is Monday. My bad..... Anyway, yeah, 10MM or follow the direction given in this post by MMA10MM Sprefix
Thanks for the Props, guys!
One other thing about the "anemic" 44 Special - it's almost identical to a 45ACP, and how many cops/military vets/shooters consider that the non-plus-ultra of a self-defense caliber? And, how many old salts scared young recruits with stories about how the recoil of the 45 would tear their arm off?
45ACP - 230gr @ 830-870 fps
45ACP - 200gr @ 990 fps
44Spl. - 225gr-240gr @ 750-850 fps
44Spl. - 200gr @ 950 fps
One other thing about the "anemic" 44 Special - it's almost identical to a 45ACP, and how many cops/military vets/shooters consider that the non-plus-ultra of a self-defense caliber? And, how many old salts scared young recruits with stories about how the recoil of the 45 would tear their arm off?
45ACP - 230gr @ 830-870 fps
45ACP - 200gr @ 990 fps
44Spl. - 225gr-240gr @ 750-850 fps
44Spl. - 200gr @ 950 fps
