Why Do People Love the 44 Special So??

[Mike SC Hunter]

It's a matter of personal capability. If you can handle a 44 Magnum, there's no reason to buy a 44 Special revolver. Same goes for 357 Magnum and 38 Specials.

Magnums afford you the ability to shoot either magnums or specials, if you choose. If you buy a revolver built for specials only, then specials are all you can shoot. If specials are what you can handle, buy a special. If you can handle magnums, there's no reason to buy a special...unless you just want one for the sake of having it.

Nope. You've missed the whole point of this thread.

 

[HamHands]

I have shown these before and I have more and an equal number of 44 mags. I love "em" all. Each dedicated to its own cartridge. My standard load is a cast 250 gr swc pushed by 7.5 grs of Unique. I lighten it up a little for the 696 and Rossi 720. And I shoot "em" all......No safe queens.

I really like that 696 and of course those lovely 3" M29's! You have some special pieces there!

 

[typetwelve]

It is beginning to be a puzzle as to why folks are so quick to identify the capability to shoot specials from magnum chambers as a benefit. It can't be that they don't know, so it must be that they don't care. If that's the case, then so be it---case closed.

There is no question specials can be fired from magnum chambers---if the shooter is not concerned with accuracy. But then we have the conundrum of why shoot if you don't care about accuracy? Or you reckon maybe there's an accuracy which is "close enough"? That'd be pretty sad.

By way of review for any neophytes in the crowd, the longer the throat the less the accuracy. Shooting specials in a magnum adds what---1/10" to the throat? If that doesn't sound like enough to hurt, figure it as a percentage increase. Then factor in the bullet scraper you've introduced into the equation. It's sitting in the magnum's chamber 1/10" ahead of the special's case mouth. One can only imagine what that's doing to the bullet as it passes by---and one can only wonder about the effect on accuracy.

If you want to know, get a Ransom machine rest---and get answers. But fair warning: Once you use a machine rest you're going to find out just how well your guns shoot. Then comes the problem of figuring out how come you can't even come close. It's a great motivator----or it'll drive you nuts!!

Ralph Tremaine

I was going to say the same thing...but you beat me to it.

I have a 4" 629...and a brutal little Charter Bulldog in 44 spcl only. With spcl, the 629 is a joy to shoot (the bulldog, not so much)...but like you said, I want top accuracy. Eventually I want a designated 4 spcl revolver.

For now, I don't reload...but that will soon change. I'm getting to the point where I have quite a bit of nice 44 spcl brass as well. After the reloader...either I'll get a designated 44 spcl from S&W (if they make one again), or a Ruger like the GP100 in 44spcl they recently released.

I know there's many like the 44 magnum/spcl...but it really is my favorite cartridge and in my opinion, one of the most versatile when you reload. From small frame revolvers in spcl, to big magnums, to near 454 loads in a large frame revolvers like a Super Redhawk...even to a lever action rifle. There's really nothing you can't do with the 44.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I really like that 696 and of course those lovely 3" M29's! You have some special pieces there!

Sir. All are 44 specials. 3" 624 and 3" 24. Thanks.

 

[RMFnLA]

No better round for shooting outhouses...

 

[Snapping Twig]

If you do the math, you'll find the 44Spl and the 45LC are pretty similar.

44Spl 250g SWC 900fps

45LC 255g SWC 900fps.

So, there is a difference, small though it may be. 44Spl is .429 and 45LC is .452, so the diameter of the 44Spl allows for better SD, BC and that translates into better accuracy and penetration. Admittedly, this is empirically different, not noticeable for most folks.

Still, the 45LC is the "magnum" of its day and famous for its service in the West. This means that the 44Spl is pretty much the same thing.

 

[Whitwabit]

Some people think they need one of the largest rounds available .. Their thinking the Bigger the Better ..

In real world statistics that might not be true ..

 

[HamHands]

Sir. All are 44 specials. 3" 624 and 3" 24. Thanks.

I saw the tapered barrels and the cylinder gap but mistakenly hit a 9 instead of a 4. I really wanted a LHS M24 but the prices lately, ugh!

 

[typetwelve]

Some people think they need one of the largest rounds available .. Their thinking the Bigger the Better ..

In real world statistics that might not be true ..

I think that some people just love the hand slappers. I ran through 3 rounds in a .500 and decided that for me, 44 magnum is more than enough.

I like the occasional 44 magnum session, but I'm through after 3-4 cylinders full. 44 spcl in a 4"629? I can shoot that as much as my wallet allows.