Is there a .44SPL +P round

[Claymore33]

I have shot .38Spl+P rounds for years in Mod 15,19 and 27.
My question is do any of you reloaders make a .44 SPL +P
That is a little faster than .44SPL but not a MAGNUM strength round ?

 

[Loyaljeeper]

Officially, no. There is not a plus P 44spl.

Unofficially, yes. There are hot 44spl loads made by some of the boutique ammo manufacturers. A good indicator is if they say to not fire in a Charter Arms Bulldog.

 

[Claymore33]

That's OK because I have never bought a REVOLVER except S&W since I started in 1975

 

[Ruger 13]

Elmer's original load of 18.5 grains of 2400 and his cast bullet was definitely +P!

 

[nbedford]

Elmer's original load of 18.5 grains of 2400 and his cast bullet was definitely +P!

If I remember correctly, the only reason he was able to get 18.5 grains of 2400 in there was because it was a balloon type 44 Special case. From Elmer: "or 17.5 grains in the new solid head cases ..." The Skeeter Skelton load of 7.5 grains of Unique with a 240 grain cast bullet would in my opinion be a sure nuff +P. .. Probably running around 1000 fps or more depending on the hardness and diameter of the cast bullet and the groove diameter of the revolver. Not fixing to load it, try it, and Chrono it in my Ruger BH.

 

[kraynky]

18.5 gr of 2400! Wowsy! I thought my hot 44 specials were 12 gr of 2400. It's pretty warm in the 696, and I don't want to go any higher myself.

I guess my old creaky hands got worn out swinging a hammer all those years. I really prefer about 5.5 gr of Trail Boss.

 

[AlHunt]

You can search here for all SAAMI standard ammo. Well, you can download a PDF which you can peruse.

Cartridge & Chamber Drawings – SAAMI

 

[Shark Bait]

Buffalo Bore makes some nice hot .44 Special loads. I believe one is a 190 or 200 grain bullet at 1100 FPS and another is a hard cast 240 grain bullet moving at 1000 FPS. I wouldn't suggest using them in a 696, but they should be fine in the 69 and N frames.

 

[stansdds]

Officially, no such thing as 44 Special +P. Unofficially, Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton pioneered 44 Special +P loads, the eventual outcome was the 44 Magnum. Some boutique ammo manufacturers, like Buffalo Bore, offer 44 Special loads that exceed what the big name manufacturers make.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

No SAAMI sanctioned 44 SPL +p.

But anything marked not suitable for Charter Arms Bulldogs is as close to +p as you're gonna get.

 

[Porkie]

I use Underwood ammo in my 44s.


Regards, Porkie

 

[Ruger 13]

I currently use 16.5 grains of 2400 in my 44 spl loads with Elmer's bullet.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Brian Pierce of " Handloader " magazine really likes 8.0 grs of Power Pistol using the Keith swc , Lyman 429421 . Supposedly only produced about 17Kpsi and delivered almost 1000fps out of a 4" or so barrel . Power Pistol is a bit " flashy " but supposedly a great powder , liked by many . Regards Paul

 

[pasound]

The Skeeter load of 7.5gr of Unique under a cast 240gr SWC is fast enough for me in my 44's.

 

[Peak53]

Unique is your friend. Start at book listed .44 special and go until your other self says that's enough. About 7.5 g. in a 44 special seems plenty to me. Are you loading in magnum cases?