Looking for .44 Special in the LGS's. No soap! Finally found some at less than the price of gold. What I found was old... yellow box Winchester Super-X .44 Special 246 gr. LRN ammo. The box has a red "W" with the word "WINCHESTER" in lightening script inside a thin red ring oval. Below the red "W" are the words "CENTER FIRE CARTRIDGES." The produce number in read ink reads W44SP.
On both sides of the box is it reads as follows:
44 WINCHESTER
SMITH & WESSON SPECIAL INSIDE LUBRICATED
246 GRAIN LEAD OIL PROOF
50 CARTRIDGES
On the bottom of the box is a paragraph describing the cares, etc. exercised by Winchester in the manufacturer of the ammunition. The muzzle velocity is listed as 755 feet per second. The muzzle energy is listed as 310 foot pounds.
I bought a short box of 29 rounds and a full 50 round box. I shot the ammo from the short box in my 21-4TR. It was "interesting." The only thing I've been able to find has been various cowboy action type loads. I've also found some CCI Blazer 200gr. GDHP ammo which is snappy. I think this old ammo is loaded heavier than current loads. It seemed to have more bump when the hammer dropped. It gave extremely good accuracy. Firing at about 12 yds. all the rounds from the short box went into less than three inches. Given that I had to break my grip every six shots to reload, I figure that's pretty good results. POI was right on POA for that distance.
In another LGS I found a box of .45 ACP by Western. It is the same yellow as the above .44 Special Winchester ammo. It is marked w/ a large capital "X" with the words "SUPER-MATCH" superimposed on the X. The rounds are 185 gr. Full Metal Case Clean-Cutting. The produce code in red ink reads 45AWCP.
Both the .44 Special and .45 ACP ammunition have unusual primers. The primers are not flat as normally found in factory ammunition. The primers are have a dome appearance not unlike some of the older USGI M-2 ball.
I have not before found ammunition of this type. Is it something simply to shoot? Would it be better to set it aside for someone who collects such things? Your thoughts will be appreciated. Sincerely. brucev.
On both sides of the box is it reads as follows:
44 WINCHESTER
SMITH & WESSON SPECIAL INSIDE LUBRICATED
246 GRAIN LEAD OIL PROOF
50 CARTRIDGES
On the bottom of the box is a paragraph describing the cares, etc. exercised by Winchester in the manufacturer of the ammunition. The muzzle velocity is listed as 755 feet per second. The muzzle energy is listed as 310 foot pounds.
I bought a short box of 29 rounds and a full 50 round box. I shot the ammo from the short box in my 21-4TR. It was "interesting." The only thing I've been able to find has been various cowboy action type loads. I've also found some CCI Blazer 200gr. GDHP ammo which is snappy. I think this old ammo is loaded heavier than current loads. It seemed to have more bump when the hammer dropped. It gave extremely good accuracy. Firing at about 12 yds. all the rounds from the short box went into less than three inches. Given that I had to break my grip every six shots to reload, I figure that's pretty good results. POI was right on POA for that distance.
In another LGS I found a box of .45 ACP by Western. It is the same yellow as the above .44 Special Winchester ammo. It is marked w/ a large capital "X" with the words "SUPER-MATCH" superimposed on the X. The rounds are 185 gr. Full Metal Case Clean-Cutting. The produce code in red ink reads 45AWCP.
Both the .44 Special and .45 ACP ammunition have unusual primers. The primers are not flat as normally found in factory ammunition. The primers are have a dome appearance not unlike some of the older USGI M-2 ball.
I have not before found ammunition of this type. Is it something simply to shoot? Would it be better to set it aside for someone who collects such things? Your thoughts will be appreciated. Sincerely. brucev.
