less than a comparable .44 Magnum, and also less recoil while still being more than adequate for any situation which should arise. The following are for 5 or 6 inch revolvers. As to the heavier, 240-grain lead bullets, samples from Hornady and Speer were included. Mikey Hartman, Lt. Col. I second the motion to buy that new Lyman Cast Bullet handbook. If you have a lightweight .44 or older gun, always start with 10% less than amounts listed above, and work up to the full maximum loads. The difference in Special and Magnum case lengths is .125 inch, and Redding includes a washer of that thickness to use under the die lock ring that makes switching calibers easier. Discussion: I no longer use the same bullets and cases for the special loads as I do the Magnum, since all my rifles and pistols use the magnum round. This also helps powder to ignite properly and usually results in lower extreme velocity spreads and improved accuracy. Make sure they are a snug slip fit inyour cylinder throats. With the grips removed, it was an easy task to install the model in a Ransom Rest for testing using an insert for the N-frame, round-butt gun. 5.0 gr. Groups run 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" at 25 yards with this load if a decent bullet is used and accuracy follows to 50 yards, which is the maximum distance . Free shipping for many products! The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. for 240 gr, bullet for about same results. Handgun Data. 12-07-2019, 10:15 AM #7 Larry Gibson (II) Limit one entry per household. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. With a satin stainless finish, this Model 629 is built on the traditional N-frame and weighs 41 ounces unloaded. Available in different sizes and red dot ready, it'll fit your needs, whatever they are. Elmer laid down specific specifications for a bullet bearing his name: three equally sized full caliber driving bands, a deep crimping groove between the middle and top bands, a large grease groove between the middle and bottom bands and a flat bottom with no bevel. If youshoot the Skeeter Load with hard bulletsyou cancrack the barrel extension on your revolver. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. 44 Caliber: Diameter.429: . Buy 44 Caliber Bullets .429 Diameter 240 Grain Hunting & Self Defense 50 Count: GunBroker is the largest seller of Other Reloading Supplies Reloading Supplies Ammunition Reloading All: 981766936 . For the .44 Magnum to achieve its greater velocity potential when held to industry overall length specifications, it is necessarily loaded to a higher maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. Published on 10-20-2014 09:25 PM Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). A charge of 5.5 to 6.5 grains of Red Dot with just about any decent bullet - jacketed or cast - almost always results in adequate velocity, uniform ballistics and terrific accuracy. I like to load the .44 Special using moderate amounts of powder thus providing a very economical cartridge to use any time in any .44 Magnum. The data in Table II was developed in a 2008 Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 revolver with a 612-inch barrel. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It was obstreperous enough in my 5-shot Taurus M431, which is a heavier piece than the CAs. The Hodgdon site lists 8.0 gr of HS-6 as a max load for the .44 Special with a 240gr cast bullet. Walther's new Performance Duty Pistol is ready for both concealed carry and conventional service situations. I got this load from Elmer Keith and is a great practice, self defense, and small game load. Gun Loads Forum - .44 Special Home Reloading Pistols .44 Special If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Hodgdons has data for 44 SP for 165 - 240 gr bullets. Shooter's Reference Load Data for .44 Remington Magnum .44 Remington Magnum - Published Manufacturer Loading Data Shellholders: Lee #11 Lyman #7 RCBS #18 Recipe Type: Pistol Rifle Cowboy Bullet Weight: ALL 165 gr 180 gr 185 gr 200 gr 210 gr 220 gr 225 gr 240 gr 250 gr 255 gr 265 gr 267 gr 270 gr 275 gr 280 gr 300 gr 320 gr 325 gr 330 gr 355 gr I dont know why. Winchester Lead Cowboy 44 Special 240gr LFN Handgun Ammo - Winchester cowboy loads with its flat nose, cast lead bullets and target velocities. Do not leave Tightgroup in your powder measure, even overnight. Tests have shown, however, that using bullets that are close to throat diameter to begin with usually yield best accuracy while increasing pressures very little, if at all. The revolver pictured above is a reproduction Keith No. Contest open to U.S. residents only. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Remington Magnum has always been a favorite revolver for sport and pleasure. of Israeli Defense Forces, joins David Fortier for an exclusive interview for Shotgun News. During 1927 and 1928 he designed the well-known Lyman/Ideal .44- caliber No. Even with 1907/1908-era smokeless powders such as Hercules Unique, velocity could have easily been bumped up to 900 to 950 fps while staying within todays pressure guidelines of 15,500 psi. Is there a preferred source of data? The Hornady XTP, Sierra JHC, Speer GDHP and Nosler JHP and JSP versions are all suitable for the .44 Special. The authority on pistol and rifle loading data since 1996. December 18, 2018 By J. Scott Rupp Balloonhead cases, such as these from Peters, U.M.C. .44 Special But I'll trade a little sootiness & extra recoil for the added assurance. I push this with 16.3 grains of #2400 yielding 1,217 fps from a 51/2 barrel. Though the .44 Magnum is an offshoot of this cartridge, the Special was based on the older black powder .44 Russian. Not even in a .44 Magnum pistol. Add .5 grs. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Number of Views: 5768, S&W models 24 and 624. SWC+GC, 265 gr. In my experience 300 grain bullets shoot high and achievable velocity in the Specialtoo low. While the original intent of the .44 Special may have been as a target round, savvy handgunners havelong since used the cartridge for informal shooting and the taking of small to medium game at moderate ranges. These bullets are long for their weight and seat deeply into the case, so only select powders are suitable based on their volume density. Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and my old Lyman #45 Reloading Guide differ on a starting load for the bullet i'm using (Lyman 429244 - 245gr gascheck). The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. However, it is a +P 44 Special load at 20,000 psi. First, not all guns are of equal strength some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. If Im looking for a little more velocity, I go with the Lyman/Thompson #429215GC that lubed, sized and gas checked weighs around 220 grains. Available online most anywhere. References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. Took this load form Speer #13 manual and it shot very well in both my 44 mags, very accurate and not even max. Powders include Winchester, Hodgdon, IMR Either weight can be driven over 1,000 fps and provide about all the power that can be comfortably housed in a medium-weight revolver. A Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Target 24-6 (middle) .44 Special with a 6.5-inch barrel was used to develop the accompanying data. Reloading the .44 Special is an uncomplicated delight. Contest void where prohibited by law. The Specials case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. The .44 Magnum was potent as it fired a 240-grain lead bullet with gas check to around 1,450 fps in production revolvers with 6.5-inch barrels; however, most current factory loads have been reduced. They offer moderate recoil and muzzle report, low extreme spreads, and they are easy to shoot accurately while being capable of taking big game. Whether it's punching paper, whacking steel, hunting or protecting what's yours, the .44 Special makes a lot of sense. There are plenty of bullet weights and styles available for reloading the .44 Special: (from left) 180-gr. Forum; Reloading Tutorials; About; Login.44 S&W Special. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Minimal leading. His loads have been successfully tested and used by others for more than 25 years. I loaded some for a friend's 6" S&W 624. Thanks and enjoy your stay. Instead of using it in my lighter weight .44 Special sixguns, I mostly use it in .44 Magnums. All of the cast bullets shown in the load table were obtained from a local commercial caster and had a Brinell Hardness Number of 15 (the same as Lyman No. The SAAMI maximum pressure limit for the .44 Spec. The Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun is one of the most popular home defense shotguns on the market. You'll go far providin' you ain't burnt alive or scalped. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. I use that load extensively. we are talking about. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Hodgdon H-110 also performed well when mated to the heavyweight 305- and 307-grain cast bullets; however, to prevent erratic ignition and possible hang-fires, loads should not be reduced. 308 (June/July 2017). one says 5.0gr of Unique, the other says 5.7gr. The handloads listed on this page encompass a suitable range of performance from plinking to personal protection. Before there were scopes or red dots there were iron sights. Guaranteed Safe Checkout. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? Stick to 200 grain load data with these bullets since all the lead is seated flush in the case. No purchase necessary. . MD Smith has had a storied career from his family broadcasting AM radio business, to his 36 year career in TV broadcasting. Would those others powders burn better? I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. The .44 Special is an excellent field cartridge, and when combined with handloads is capable of taking varmints and big game. The idea of .44 Special for Everyday Workin Loads is a relatively lightweight sixgun, around 1/2 lb. Start load of 7.8 shot very well for my friend. Other items may require special handling and be shipped through UPS . Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. If you want to baby your 44 Special revolver, or just want a decent plinking load, then 6.5 grains of unique or 4.7 grains of Red Dot is fine. For a "Knockdown" Load, I used 5.0grs of Titegroup under a 240-250gr RN. The Cast Bullet Association is an organization of shooters who enjoy shooting cast lead bullets in rifles and handguns for competition, hunting, or informal target shooting. With the Oregon Trail 240 SWC over 26 gr. Skeeter Skelton was perhaps most influential for helping to renew interest in the .44 Special, with articles appearing in the late 1960s and 1970s that ultimately helped influence Colt to reintroduce the Single Action Army and New Frontier during the late 1970s (both of which are currently available again), while Smith & Wesson produced its Models 24 and 624 (1950 Target) during the mid-1980s. High-performance .44 Special loads can reach 1,200 and 1,300 fps, closely crowding .44 Remington Magnum performance. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. Contest open to U.S. residents only. As Beagle6 says,the Skeeter Loadis not a top load, but at 950 -1000 fps it has enough power to down anything short of Bison and Bears. The .44 Special is an ideal cartridge for cast-bullet loads, with literally dozens and dozens of designs and weights readily available. Since I have experimented with case position sensitive powder and found great differences, I now want bulkier powder that will better fill the case. Full Metal Jacket projectiles are the ideal choice for training, target shooting and general range use. Subscribe To American Handgunner What bullet weights? 1.450 in. Several years ago, a prominent gun magazine asked readers what their favorite powder was for reloading the .44 Special. While in the past fancy Goncalo Alves grips were standard, now weather-resistant neoprene panels are standard. JHP Having always been a fan of moderate loads using lead bullets suitable for casual paper punching, the .44 Special naturally comes to mind for use in .44 Magnum revolvers. Number of Views: 5757, Published on 10-20-2014 09:20 PM Unfortunately, the .44 Magnums greater power pushed the Special from the stage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Powders include Alliant, Winchester, Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, IMR, Accurate Give a Gift Shown is Elmer Keiths customized Keith Long Range Colt that was originally owned by Teddy Roosevelt. 240: Cartridge Case: Brass: Muzzle Velocity: 750 FPS: Muzzle Energy: 300 FT LBS: Pack Quantity: 50: Product Line: Super X: Use: Range: . have introduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act (H.R. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2022. No purchase necessary. For the mild .44 special loads, I recommend all lead bullets and loads that produce 700-850 FPS speeds. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. Pistol Loads | Rifle Loads | How to Reload | Reloading Gear | Contact, Pistol Loads | Rifle Loads | How to ReloadReloading Gear | Contact, Pistol LoadsRifle LoadsHow to ReloadReloading GearContact, Copyright 2023 Reload Ammo Built with by Edward KadoPrivacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of Service | Amazon Affiliate Disclosure, Copyright 2023Reload AmmoBuilt with by Edward KadoPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms of ServiceAmazon Affiliate Disclosure. My experience shooting those behemoths suggests they exceed my limit. This gun differs from previous models in several areas; most notable is a cylinder length that is the same as the Model 29 .44 Magnum, which results in greater bullet jump or free-bore. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. Select medium-burning pistol powders often gave outstanding accuracy while offering low extreme spreads and a modest muzzle report. Much also depends on the particular model, age, and condition of the .44 spl. It was left to handloaders to fill the power vacuum. Internal gun dimensions can vary significantly, including barrel groove diameter and throat dimensions.
44 special 240 grain load data