44 magnum shootin 44 Specials vs 44 Special

[JimP]

I am buying too many guns!!
I want another revolver that will shoot 44 specials as I am a recoil whimp. One thing I have noticed however is that I feel no recoil when hunting or I should say when shooting at game. Normally, at the range and when plinking I only want to shoot 44 Specals. The amount of time I spend hunting is going to be very limited, especially compared to range time and plinking. So, do I just get a gun chambred for 44 Specials and worry about using something else for huntng? Or, do I buy the 44 Magnum and use it primarily with 44 Specials ? The biggest difference I can see is that the 44 Magnum weighs more.

JimP

 

[Rclark]

Now that we have a choice in the BH line, my recommendation is to buy the medium frame .44Spec BH flattop for .44Specs, and the .44Mag BH for .44Mag. If you are like me, you'll find the .44Mags don't get out very often :) . Really though it is your choice. Also, I never did shoot .44Spec 'cartridges' in my .44Mags.... I always loaded the .44Mag cartridge 'down' to .44Spec velocities. Reloading gives you the ultimate flexibility.

 

[s4s4u]

The 44 special, when loaded to its full capacity, is quile capable of taking game at reasonable distances with proper bullet placement.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The 44 special, when loaded to its full capacity, is quile capable of taking game at reasonable distances with proper bullet placement.

Yes, but often not legal on whitetail deer. I know it's not legal in Kansas. I'd love to take a whitetail with my 44 spl and I have no doubt it would be very effective. But I can't. :(

 

[Kanook]

240 SWC Keith type being pushed by 9-10 grains of Unique in a 44mag case. Soft shooting and deadly.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I would get a nice long-barreled 44magnum, possibly with a scope or Red Dot, for hunting and then when time and money allowed get a 44special for fun/target shooting. :D :D

 

[gak]

I would get a nice long-barreled 44magnum, possibly with a scope or Red Dot, for hunting and then when time and money allowed get a 44special for fun/target shooting. :D :D

+1 but I'd do it in the reverse order if hunting is not the priority of the moment (I'm away from the OP so I don't totally recall). Get fun/carry now and look for a deal on a .44 Mag hunting set up - they're out there (used, as deals) more than the .44 Specials. Time is on your side! Love my .44 Sp New Vaqueros AND a pair of old/original .44 Mag Vaqueros - Flattop and SBH respectively for you (target/hunting).There's also the 50th Anniversary .44 Mag Flattop - which marries the large cylinder frame of the SBH with the flattop topstrap profile and smaller (midframe) flattop and New Vaquero gripframe - if that suits you better.

 

[willk]

You don't say whether or not you reload but if you don't you should. Then take what Kanook said. You can download .44 magnum using Unique while using magnum cases and have a very easy shooting firearm. You can even load the .44 case to lower levels than Kanook recommends and my wife shoots those load levels all the time in her .44 SBH.

Then when you want a hunting load, you can go up to a mid range (Kieth level load or about 1200 FPS) or a full power load (ASSUMING you are shooting a Ruger SBH or a Freedom Arms) that will send a 240 to 250 grain bullet in the 1400 FPS range.

I would not waste money on .44 Special cases unless you just want a .44 Special revolver. You can utilize .44 magnum cases for all level of loads in a .44 Magnum revolver if you use proper powders for the application.

 

[RKBA4CA]

FWIW 44mag brass with both 44spcl and 44mag loads of the same bullet and same powder shoot equally well in my RH 7.5".

 

[larry8]

Why not get a 44 mag and shoot 44 special when you take it to the range. Then after proper cleaning, use 44 mag for hunting.

 

[gak]

Why not get a 44 mag and shoot 44 special when you take it to the range. Then after proper cleaning, use 44 mag for hunting.

That's the time-honored approach and what I did for years. The midframe .44 Special purchases were discretionary :) Certainly if you can only get one and hunting is a significant part of the agenda, the Mag remains a logical choice. The difficulty comes in if you want to both optimize hunting, ie specifically with a longer barrel, but also want a more compact "walkabout" carry gun along the lines of a handy 4-5/8"...in which case you might as well specialize if/when you can.

 

[Rclark]

Yes, but often not legal on whitetail deer. I know it's not legal in Kansas.

That's odd. A .44Spec 240g moving at 1200fps (the Keith Load) seems like it should be plenty for a White Tail (heck 900fps even).. No need to be zipping along at 1400-1500fps as far as I can see... Just be wasting the energy on the hill side behind the deer :) .

Why not get a 44 mag and shoot 44 special when you take it to the range.

You sure can .... but no reason too. Just load down .44Mag cases to .44Spec levels and you are golden.... No special 'cleaning' involved..... For me though, the .44Spec will do just about everything that I will ever need doing ... and on a slightly smaller platform than the .44Mag, so I'll shoot the .44Spec in revolvers designed for it and leave the magnum at home (none will be scoped either) .

 

[JimP]

Seems like everyone reloads. I have never done it and have no idea of the skill level required. Someone said that reloading doesn't save money because you end up shooting more. But, the idea of different loads seems interesting. I'm not sure about it but maybe I should at least investigate. What's that saying about contempt before investigation...

Jim

 

[JimP]

OK, here it is

"'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.'" - Herbert Spencer- Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Appendice II, Spiritual Experience, pg. 568~

 

[s4s4u]

Someone said that reloading doesn't save money because you end up shooting more.

And by shooting more you become a better shot. Before I loaded I cringed at the thought of a $50 ammo bill for a few minutes fun. Now, it is no big deal. And you can save a ton of money if you buy in bulk with other friends. You can tune your load to your gun, as all guns are not created equally. Win, win, win!

 

[Bob Wright]

I was in on the beginning of Tennessee's handgun hunting laws pertaining to big game hunting. The argument for the .44 Special is that it can be handloaded to near magnum performance. However, a wildlife officer has no way of knowing the potency of a .44 Special load, if it is a handload or not, in the field. Hence the original specification for Magnum ammunition only. Now I believe Tennessee specifies ".30 caliber or larger."

Bob Wright

 

[willk]

Skill required to reload is minimal. Care needs to be maximum. Get a book or two and a couple of good reloading manuals and read, read, read. (Speer and Sierra are two good ones to start with) Expenses can be as minimal as a Lee Loader or as much as you want. I recommend a good single stage press (about $100 to $150) and a good powder scale (about $70) Extras will come as you need them. Lee makes a good set of powder measures which will get you in the ball park for powder charges. Then you can adjust the powder charge on the beam scale to get it right. For handguns, get carbide dies. They cost a bit more but are well worth the money.

So, if none of this means much, get a good reloading manual and read up. It will then all began to make sense.

When loading, follow the loading recommendations religiously. Guns will blow up, fingers, hands, arms, legs, eyes, heads will be lost. But not if you are careful, follow the directions exactly and double check everything. (and) Don't allow yourself to be distracted.

Finally when going to maximum loads, remember a deer really does not know the difference between a maximum load and one that travels 150FPS slower but generates 10,000 pounds less pressure.

 

[contender]

JimP, it sounds as if you are just beginning to learn about the wonderful world of in depth shooting. Meaning, hunting with a handgun, reloading, setting up a gun for specific purposes etc.
Welcome to the FUN!
First, you can NOT buy too many guns! :D
Next, reloading can be done easily at home, safely, (if you follow the manuels & all safety precautions etc,) and you will get a whole lot of satisfaction when you practice with your custom taylored ammo. The thrill of harvesting game is even more fun too.
In another thread, you were looking at wax bullets for practice. It's an easy thing. Get some brass, dedicate it to wax bullets only, (maybe color code it with a permanent marker?) Using a standard drill bit drill out the primer pockets as noted, push the EMPTY cases into a flat block of wax, then using a hand priming tool like the Lee, seat the primers. Easy.
But you have asked here about buying a 44 mag or a 44 spl.
If you get used to shooting ONE firearm with the intended purpose of hunting, then you will become a better shooter. Use 44 spl loads to practice, and the magnum loads for hunting. Just be sure to sight the gun in with the hunting loads.
LOTS of dry-firing practice will also help.

 

[JimP]

You are right. I am really enjoying all I am learning about and, shooting, handguns. It's too bad I waited until I was 62 but hey, better late than never. And, I think I have a good few years left! I a not up to a 454 Casul at this point. I do think a 44 magnum for hunting and a 44 Special for target practising makes sense. That will probaly means one of each plus another one or two... :^)

JimP

 

[don44]

You are right. I am really enjoying all I am learning about and, shooting, handguns. It's too bad I waited until I was 62 but hey, better late than never. And, I think I have a good few years left! I a not up to a 454 Casul at this point. I do think a 44 magnum for hunting and a 44 Special for target practising makes sense. That will probaly means one of each plus another one or two... :^)

JimP

Thumbs Up !!!! :D

 

[Rancher Will]

I cannot comment about the Kansas law. However I can comment of the effectivness of the .44, all of the .44-40, .44 special, and .44 Magnum. I have owned and used all three during my life.

The .44-40 Colt that I owned was always loaded with a cast 200 gr bullet over black powder. I remember using it to kill 11 deer when I was working as a Cowboy between 1945 and 1949. As I recall, all 11 were shot from horseback while I was working. When I actually went out just to hunt a deer then, I mostly used my Winchester .25-20 rifle that also killed every deer that I hit with its bullet.

Since the 1960's I have owned a .44 Mag Ruger Blackhawk that I always carry on the ranch and in the mountains on horse back. Again, most of deer and elk that I have killed with that Blackhawk have been shots of oportunity when I came onto a deer or elk while working cattle or packing into camps or Sheriff's Department jobs in the back country. The Keith type, cast lead bullet, Lyman U429421, loaded with H2400 powder, always penetrated completly through every deer and elk that I shot with that load. I never recoverd a bullet from the carcass of the deer or elk shot with that load.

Working as an LEO for 41 years, both on and off duty, I then and still carry a S&W .44 Mag, Model 29, 4 inch. The load I use is the same Lyman cast bullet loaded in the .44 Mag case but loaded down to about 1000 ft per sec with Unique powder. That is about standard for a .44 Special although loaded in a .44 Mag case. I have never used the Smith revolver for hunting but since I had been a County Undersherrif in a rural Colorado County for over 30 years, I have used that revolver and that load to shoot numerous injured deer, usually along the highway or county roads. Again, I have noticed that even the reduced load that I carry in the S&W, that is equal to a .44 Special, penetrated completly through the head, and/or the chest area, neck, etc., of every deer (dozens) and the few elk that I shot with that bullet and load.

I cannot speak to any other load or bullet design but I am confident that if you properly hit a deer or elk with a properly loaded .44 Special, you will have venison.

 

[Joe S.]

it sounds like you have considered other calibers in your 454 casull comment, so why not (i cannot believe i am about to do this, me being such a 44 fan), a 45LC? especially if you are considering reloading? that way, you can load it hot enough to take game, but cowboy loads are a blast to shoot!

lets do the numbers...

of those 3 calibers (44mag, 45LC, 44spl), a box of factory ammo is probably $40 and up, so lets compare. 50 rounds per box 10 boxes to get to 500 rounds... $400.00... face it, if you are gonna "plink" you will go through this eventually... 50 rounds goes fast in a handgun.

so to start...

reloading kit from Lee: $139.00
http://www.basspro.com/Lee-Breech-Lock-Challenger-Kit/product/1202291/

dies: 30.00

buy used brass (range pickups, etc), you can get going CHEAP!! i bought 500 pieces or 44 mag brass recently for $60 shipped.

cast bullets are about that for 500 i think: $60.00

primers you can probably get 1000 for $25-30

pound of powder will load about 500 rounds at 14.0gr per round (powder charge will vary of course depending on caliber, powder, and how hot you want it: consult your manuals) about $25.00-30

so that total is: 339 for reloading equipment, and enough components to load 500 rounds... that leaves you enough to buy a nice set of calipers (a necessary option IMO) and other little knick knacks you will decide you "need" along the way.

now, you go to the range, and shoot them up... UH OH! you need more ammo! if you are shooting factory ammo, there goes another $400 for 500 more rounds... but if you reload...

you:
already have the press, and dies... free.
already have the brass... free
still have 500 primers left over... free
have to buy bullets: $60
have to buy powder: $25

so your next 500 rounds of your caliber of choice is: $85.00...

makes sense to me...

my problem is, i wanted more, so i bought a Dillon... lol

 

[Rclark]

Reloading ALWAYS makes sense if you are an active (or going to be) big bore shooter. Not so much if you go out once or twice a year. I don't shoot 'a lot', but I try to make it out once a week for a couple 100 rounds. 100 big bore (or less) and usually more than 100 .22 ... Key word is try...

BTW, even if you have 'deep' pockets ... It still is really enjoyable to make and shoot loads you tailored to your wants/needs. To me, shooting and reloading is a 50/50 enjoyable proposition. Oh, and reloading doesn't save you money.... just allows you to shoot more :D .

Thanks all for update on .44Spec (and .44spec level loads in mag revolvers) too! Good to hear from folks that have been 'there' done 'that'.

 

[cruzerlou]

I'd go with the .44mag and if you handload just do whay I do .Get some Cowboy action data for downloading the .44mag to right at .44 spl volsities for target/plinking and then load up the hot stuff for hunting .
I use Universalo Clays powder for the light stuff and H-110 for the hunting loads .
One think about using the U.C. for light loads is that with standaed large pistol primers the tend to be dirty and foul the gun easily so I use mag primers and this stops all the fouling .
lou

 

[David Bradshaw]

Killed more deer than I remember with .44 mag loaded down in Model 29's. Swaged 240 half-jacket SWC with copper cup and pure lead core, 17 grains Hercules (now Alliant) 2400, CCI 350, majority in W-W brass. Bullet seated with driving bans .050" below flush. 1060 fps in 6-1/2" M-29.

You'd have a hard time wearing out a Model 29 with that load but it wears out a deer in one shot.

A load which certainly drops the .44 mag case into .44 Special territory and is wonderfully accurate:
* Cast 240 SWC.
* 5.5/231 (or HP-38, as both ARE 231).
* Standard large pistol primer.
* .44 mag case.
* COL=1.500".

Seat bullet so front band is .030-.060" below case mouth. This allows seating & crimping in one step, if you so choose. The deep seated bullet takes up air space and basically gives you a .44 Special load in the magnum case. This load is very accurate, capable of 5-shot, roughly 4" groups @ 100 yards. Baseline velocity 800 fps or more, depending on gun.

If the above load is not accurate in a revolver, it is time to look at the revolver.

Loading .44 Spl. power in magnum brass is an old practice of mine, and eliminates any possibility of fouling that might impede speed loading .44 magnum.

Ruger and Smith & Wesson and Colt have sold millions of .357 and .44 magnum revolvers which have consumed mountains of Special loadings, to the resounding benefit of shooters, without ill effect to the six-shooters.
David Bradshaw

 

[4521dln]

JIMP i AM SOMEWHAT CLOSE TO YOUR AGE (56), i HAVE RIFLE HUNTED FOR YEARS FOR DEER (43 YEARS) AND HOGS. Last year after alot of research and asking questions, I bought a SRH 44mag 7.5 barrel, i put a ultra dot red dot on it. For me it has brought a new excitment to handloading and deer hunting this year. For loads i wanted something that would work on deer and wild boar, again per reading and info on this forum , i am loading a 240gr Nosler JHP @ 1450 fps. Since last year i Know have a SRH 44mag a RedHawk 44 mag and a newly obtained Redhawk 44 mag 4" barrel. Due to the Rugers weight and construction they are very comfortable to shoot. Prior to owning my Ruger revolvers i had a S&W 629 6.5 barrel 44 mag, i could only shoot maybe 25 rounds before i had enough, I can shoot my rugers all day if necessary.For me I do not care for SA RUGERS, but shure would like to try a SRH or RH IN 45C.