44 Special in 44 Magnum ?

[Hammer]

.

Have some Ruger 44 Special single-actions.

Have some Ruger 44 Magnum single-actions.

Load 24 rounds of plausibly identical 44 Special ammo, e.g., 7.0-grains of Unique behind a Keith 429421 bullet. That is, 24-rounds for each handgun.

Randomize the order of the shooting. Have a skilled shooter fire from a proper rest.

If we did this with 10 pistols each of Special and Magnum persuasion, i.e., fire a total of 24 x 10 x 2 = 480 rounds, how much difference would there be in the accuracy of the two chamberings ?



That is, how much more accurate would the 44 Special fired from a 44 Special chamber be than a 44 Special fired from a 44 Magnum chamber ?


Think the future of the entire world depends on this answer. Or at least one Christmas present.


.

 

[texaswheelgunner]

I can hardly wait to see if someone answers this one.

 

[sebtool]

I believe that was 1 of the topics covered at the hot tub party over in Copenhagen recently. In between trips to the cat and opium houses, of course. :shock: Both of which are obviously conducive to making rational, 'world leader type' decisions on the BS they think they need to make decisions on. Even if their constituents, along with 97% of the world's most respected scientists don't. :? I mean, why else would we overpay our 'elected representatives' to go over there and party their asses off while looking like the pompous, arrogant idiots that they are for the cameras?

IIRC, it was decided that the carbon footprint of the .44 mag would be higher, and therefore a 'special' tax was to be imposed. As a result, the pricing of .44 special ammo and guns was going to be increased to make things 'fair' across the board for all owners and aficiondos of all things .44 caliber..... :roll: Better get 'em while you can, right?

As for accuracy, either will still hold 'minute of politician' pretty easily, so the question is moot! (I'm kidding!!!! All you secret Service guys can stand down :shock: NOW!)

Which is why I'm still working on another .41 for Christmas even tho a .44 special or magnum would be acceptable....

So now that the future of the world is safe, you should get 1 of each, becuz' you've been a good boy all year! Tell Santa I said so.
Problem solved :lol:
You're welcome.

 

[contender]

I can't recall any serious tests like this run anywhere. I too would find it interesting.
I'd use a machine rest to eliminate the human factor.

 

[Dave T]

I would bet that there will be more variation from one gun to another than you will get from one cartridge to another.

Dave

 

[two bit okie]

I would bet that there decks of cards out there that are trembleing at thought of all these tests. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Bucks Owin]

I would bet that there will be more variation from one gun to another than you will get from one cartridge to another.

Dave

Absolutely. An accurate gun will shoot either one accurately. An inaccurate gun will not become a tack driver with a case 1/10" shorter! I don't buy into the notion that the .44 Spl is a "magic bullet" in regard to accuracy. I do believe more "shooters" can fire the Special round more accurately than the maggie whether they'll admit it or not. Ever notice most .44 mag owner's favorite load is generally something in the "mid-range" as far as velocity goes? No one does their best shooting with a gun they are afraid of, and I'll freely admit that there comes a point when benchresting full tilt .44 mags (or .45 Colts) that it becomes "tiresome". That's the time to put the dang thing down and shoot something with less muzzleblast and recoil for awhile! As Jack O'Connor once said "I've flinched with every type of instrument that burns powder, and some that don't!" (Or something like that) It can be argued that there have been some very fine GUNS chambered in .44 Spl, but I don't think it's "inherently" any more accurate than the .44 mag.....JMO, Dennis :wink: (sebtool, you crack me up! :lol: )

 

[don44]

+1

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I have to admit that I have always doubted the "inherently accurate" description applied to the .44 Special (and others) as being "gunwriter stuff". This really pains me as some of my longtime heroes like Skeeter were staunchly in this camp.

JMHO
:roll:

 

[Dave T]

Do you suppose the so called "inherent" accuracy of the 44 Special may actually be it's greater "shootability" over it's Magnum grandson?

I suspect carefully assembled ammunition in either caliber will shoot equally well from proven accurate revolvers, from a machine rest. Put the two in the hands of a real live human and after a box or two he(she) will tell you the Special is inherently more accurate than the Magnum...and they might even believe it. (smile)

Dave

 

[Bucks Owin]

Do you suppose the so called "inherent" accuracy of the 44 Special may actually be it's greater "shootability" over it's Magnum grandson?
Dave

Is there an echo in here? :lol: :lol: :lol: Dennis

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I don't see any measurable difference in accuracy between .38 Special only guns and .38 Special fired out of a .357. I've never tested the difference in .44 Special to Mag, but I can't imagine there is any. The same cylinder frame is used on both guns, and there is still a "bullet jump" at the end of the .44 Special cylinder; it is not .10" shorter than a .44 Mag cylinder, but is machined such that a .44 Mag case won't insert. You're not eliminating said jump by going to a .44 Special gun.

Now, whether the (slight) difference in weight, or balance, or expectation of recoil out of the .44 Special makes you a better shooter or not would be very personal.

The .44 Mag could be said to be more versatile. Plus, you can actually buy .44 Mag ammo, where .44 Special can be difficult to find ($1/round personal protection stuff not included).

Then again, I find my .44 Specials very special indeed.

-- Sam

 

[c.r.]

Do you suppose the so called "inherent" accuracy of the 44 Special may actually be it's greater "shootability" over it's Magnum grandson?

this could also be tested by loading the 44 special up to the "Keith Load" level and testing it. While this isn't a full blown 44 mag load it's quite a bit hotter than even Skeeter's load.

Shooting Elmer Keith's 44 special load in a 44 mag should be plenty safe. (i'm suggesting to shoot all loads through the 44 mag reovlers)

edit..............so use the keith 44 special load to get you up to ~1200 fps, then use the exact same components (except brass of course): same keith bullet, same primer, same 2400 powder (just a different charge) etc, to load the 44 mag down to ~1200 fps.

There's the test...........assuming each gun likes the loads.

 

[CraigC]

I believe in inherently accurate guns but many guns chambered in certain cartridges are easier to get to shoot than guns chambered in other cartridges. A good example is everybody's favorite, the .45Colt. The .44's simply are not affected by 140yrs of ambiguous cartrdge/chamber/bore dimensions. A gunsmith could probably make a good living simply building .45Colts with properly dimensioned chambers and bores.

You very seldom hear a complaint about .44Spl or .44Mag dimensions. They typically are better shooters out of the box than your average .45 and one reason why I prefer them.