What Is The Best 44 Special Ammo For Target Shooting

swca_none swhf_none nra_none active_none leo_none

AC Man

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2022
Messages
835
Reaction score
760
Yes I know I could Google it, but wanted to ask here first. I have a fairly large 44 magnum collection and 44 mag ammo. Have not paid much attention to 44 special. What do you think? Looking for 500 rounds and best bang for the buck. Pun intended.

I never intended to shoot anything but magnums that's why I bought them. However lots of gun guys on YouTube are big fans of 44 special, so thought I would give it a try.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I like Fiocchi 44 Spl. #44SA. 200gr. SJHP @ 900FPS ( printed on box). But I shoot many different mfgs. ammo.
 
Yes I know I could Google it, but wanted to ask here first. I have a fairly large 44 magnum collection and 44 mag ammo. Have not paid much attention to 44 special. What do you think? Looking for 500 rounds and best bang for the buck. Pun intended.

I never intended to shoot anything but magnums that's why I bought them. However lots of gun guys on YouTube are big fans of 44 special, so thought I would give it a try.

Thanks!

Best bang for the buck is highly subjective.

Currently on Gman Sporting Arms you can get:
PMC Bronze 190 gr. JHP for $16.27/25 (.65/shot)
980fps/383fpe.
or:
HSM "cowboy" loads which are authentic in terms of power loading that is to say, 245 grain cast at 845fps/381fpe advertised. $34.36/50 (.68.7/shot).

Considering the small market share of .44 Special these don't seem like bad prices and both brands are well known.
 
And if you ain’t a reloader -
The one you can find at the Best Price.
Just like already posted, there’s not usually a lot of 44 Special
Ammo to choose from.
Cowboy Loads often the best Choice.
 
The BEST .44 Special ammo is that which you load yourself with homecast bullets.
Just sayin'.......
Agree absolutely. Except there is no reason to avoid buying lead bullets. I have never been a fanboy of casting, lubing, and sizing bullets. Too much hassle and expense for me. I feel that lead bullets are best for the .44 Special. I wouldn’t use jacketed bullets.
 
Last edited:
These days? Pretty much whatever you can find.
44 special isn't exactly one of those super common calibers that you can find a lot of competitive options for (like 9mm)
If you don't reload, then you have to buy what you can find.
 
For a factory loading, I would look to a 240 or so grain lead bullet at about 800 fps, or so. That makes for a comfortable to shoot load that is similar to a standard factory spl load. I personally would avoid jacket bullets, especially those loaded on the warm side - That is what your .44 mag loads are for.

Larry
 
Yes I know I could Google it, but wanted to ask here first. I have a fairly large 44 magnum collection and 44 mag ammo. Have not paid much attention to 44 special. What do you think? Looking for 500 rounds and best bang for the buck. Pun intended.

I never intended to shoot anything but magnums that's why I bought them. However lots of gun guys on YouTube are big fans of 44 special, so thought I would give it a try.

Thanks!

If you want to shoot 44 caliber you really need to reload. The cheapest 44 Special is 65 cents per round. The other day I shot 50 Magnums and 50 Specials in my S&W Model 29. If I shot store bought ammo that would have been $65+ for a morning on the range and that is not including the 357 Magnum and 38 Special I shot too.

44 S&W Special Ammo | Cheap 44 S&W Special Ammunition - AmmoSeek.com 2023
 
Back
Top