Info from 44 shooters ... Specials & Mags

[mc5aw]

Looking for some info from experienced 44 shooters. I'm converting my 629-1 8-3/8" to a 4" trail/mountain gun clone. Realistically speaking, how much difference will I experience firing Specials vs. Magnums? I'm not talking specific ballistics info, nor the obvious felt recoil. I'm more interested in impact/penetration/stopping power differences. Although I won't be hunting grizzly bear or moose (I'm not trying to carry a howitzer into the forest) I do regularly carry my 624 3" when outdoors, and have never felt outgunned as it pertains to black bear, coyotes, feral dogs, etc. I shoot a good amount of Specials, but need some comparison info as I rarely fire Magnums. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sprefix]

I'd think about a five inch barrel lenght.....

If you were to stay at 5" of barrel length, you will not lose all your speed/power/penetration ability. I absolutely love my mountain gun, but the drop from a five inch barrel to a four inch barrel is fairly significant(to me). Just yesterday my friend and I were clocking several .45 colts in 4" to 6.5". The five inch was the best all-around as the extra 1.5" of the longer barrel gained @35-50 fps for the added weight and length. The five inch was right around 75-85 fps faster than the four inch. We had 325 grainers at 1250fps out of the mountain gun and 340 grainers at 1200 out of the same mountain gun. The five inch and 6.5 inch guns were a bit faster with these heavier loads. Again, the five inch seemed the best compromise of weight, length and sustainable power/speed. Magnums and specials will probably be quite reduced in speed and power prospectively with the shorter barrel length you desire. Not that they will be inadequate, but I might stick to magnum loads over the specials if you are comfortable in the results you get with the 8 3/8 inch barrel. JMO(not even professional ) and Good luck.......

 

[celticfisherman]

I believe you will carry the 4" far more. And enjoy shooting it more IMO.

 

[Frank237]

.44 Spcl loads...

7.5 grs of Unique, 245 gr Keith slug and a std primer...Out of a 6.5" M-24 killed a few mature whitetail bucks. Didn't ever find a slug...always penetrated through.

I know a four inch tube will yield a bit less...but I don't think it will be significant. Don't think that a 245 gr slug at 900+ fps is going to BOUNCE off of anything with hide.

FN in MT

 

[Sprefix]

My thoughts.......

Considering a 255 at an even Thou will penetrate anything it needs to, yes. It won't be bouncing off anything. I am picky about the bullet used and you are using my favorite type of bullet. I've seen some light hollow points and wouldn't want general info to be used for specific reasons in error. My generalization was based on the idea of going from a special with a three inch to a magnum with a four inch. To me, it was indicative of the desire for more power regardless of how the question was posed. Its all good though. This forum allows us to discuss our ideas and follow up on our theories, right or wrong. Great shooting to you..........

 

[Snapping Twig]

It's a trade-off between convenient carry with a short barrel vs velocity gains with a long barrel.

Which is more important determines barrel length.

I shoot a 3" 629-2 and would have no second thoughts about using it against anything I use a revolver for when hunting. My 629-2 moves a 265g cast bullet @ 1200fps and that's OK by me. Recoil is not a problem.

I have 6.5" and 6" versions, but I don't carry them in the field because they are cumbersome IMO. Great on the bench though!

I have and enjoy a 3" & 4" 624 that shoot a 250g cast SWC in the area of 900fps, and they are a pleasure to use, recoil not being a big whoop.

 

[feralmerril]

If you are cutting the barrel back I would definetly go with 4 1/2 to 5 inchs for several reasons. First you already have a 3". If you went to 4"s it wouldnt be a world of difference, but you also would still have a common barrel length in a snubbed barrel. Do that and you would have been better off just selling it and buying a standard 4"--by far!
Now, since you are altering the gun, go real odd, usefull with either 4 1/2" or 5". I have such a gun, a 29-2 in 5". You may have to get a custom made holster if you go 4 1/2"s, witch I would.
I am showing my 5" 29-2, and a picture of a group of various .44 specials I own. Personaly, my 4" 24-3 is my very favorite of the bunch.
Were I doing it I really would go to 4 1/2"s. I read skeeter skelton once went that length and it sounds interesting to me too.

 

[Larry from Bend]

Looking for some info from experienced 44 shooters. I'm converting my 629-1 8-3/8" to a 4" trail/mountain gun clone. Realistically speaking, how much difference will I experience firing Specials vs. Magnums? I'm not talking specific ballistics info, nor the obvious felt recoil. I'm more interested in impact/penetration/stopping power differences. Although I won't be hunting grizzly bear or moose (I'm not trying to carry a howitzer into the forest) I do regularly carry my 624 3" when outdoors, and have never felt outgunned as it pertains to black bear, coyotes, feral dogs, etc. I shoot a good amount of Specials, but need some comparison info as I rarely fire Magnums. Thanks in advance.

I don't see how we talk impact/penetration without talking ballistics. A 44 Special out of a 4" barrel will be lucky to do 750 fps (240 grain bullet). A 200 grain bullet will do about 900 fps. This is fine for coyotes, dogs, etc .... but REAL marginal for Black Bear. Now you can make some 44 Special ammo that does much better than this (I shoot 255 grain HardCasts @ 1060 fps out of a 4 5/8" Ruger) but maybe that's getting away from what you are looking for. You don't mention reloading.

As for 44 Mags ---- I shoot a 285 grain HardCast @ 1235 fps out of a 5" 629 ---- A HUGE difference/improvement over a "stock" 44 Special loading in impact/penetration/shock, both because of the higher velocity and the hardcast bullet. I COULD go after Black Bear with a tough HP bullet in this fps category and do fine but @ 750 FPS, THE 44 Special HP would have to be so soft to readily expand that penetration will be compromised.

Maybe one of the "boutique" ammo outfits could supply you with a 44 Special cartridge that is adequate for Black Bear or you COULD handload one that would do the job but in either case it'll be trending toward 44 Mag ballistics like the example above. But if you're shooting "regular" Special ammo ---- it's lacking for that purpose. If you hadn't included Black Bear in your post; all would be well!