Top performing examples include Hodgdon Longshot, Accurate No. If you think I'm an unabashed fan of the old round, you're right. I think you are also going to shorten the life of your revolver with Keith Loads. Powder charges used in the .44 Special case seldom require magnum primers, although they are frequently recommended with ball or spherical powders. 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. . and the special requirements for residents of these states; CA, CT, IL, MA, NJ, and NY. With member reviews, stories, and creativity! check out the. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. Speer offers the perfect .44 Special jacketed bullet. It is especially important when handloading the Cutting Edge 200-grain Raptor or 240-grain Solid bullets to use the exact data and overall cartridge lengths as listed, or pressures will change rapidly. SIG Sauer Announces New P320-XTEN 10mm Pistol, Federal Ammunition History: 14 Things You Didn't Know, Revic Optics BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder: Review, SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested, Silencer Central Streamlined Suppressor-Purchasing Process Shakes Up Industry, 5 Best Red-Dot Optics for SIG Sauer P365X & XL Pistols. Add to cart. No purchase necessary. Why the .44 Special? I dont know why. With a 51/2 barreled sixgun, 9.0 grains of Unique is just under 1,200 fps. You can follow the Elmer Keith trail up to 1200 fps with 250 grain bullets, but the pressure is 22,000 - 25,000psi and bullet diameter, seating depth and alloyare critical. Using wheel weight alloy, they weigh approximately 255260 grains. For me, the .44 Special and the above loads fit the bill nicely. 5 by Clements Custom Guns, (5) factory-engraved USFA PreWar SAA, (6) custom Colt Flattop Target pattern, (7) original Keith Long Range Colt and (8) a USFA factory engraved SAA. The Hodgdon site lists 8.0 gr of HS-6 as a max load for the .44 Special with a 240gr cast bullet. While in the past fancy Goncalo Alves grips were standard, now weather-resistant neoprene panels are standard. could legitimately claim top gun performance. For example, Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers have historically featured throats that measure .431 to .432 inch, though two L-frame revolvers and a recently manufactured Model 24-6 measured .4285 to .429 inch. For general-purpose plinking, target work and even defense, using one of the various 245- to 255- grain cast SWC profile bullets pushed around 850 to 875 fps will prove effective and pleasant to shoot. 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. Whether it's punching paper, whacking steel, hunting or protecting what's yours, the .44 Special makes a lot of sense. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Depending upon barrel length, sixgun and bullet, these loads will be in the 900 to 1,000 fps range. Also, as previously indicated, the chamber throats measure a comparatively snug .429 inch. It is a faithful rendition of the original and should quicken the pulse of .44 Special fans everywhere. Modern solid-head cases, such as the Starline case (right), handle loads of all pressure levels. During the past 40+ years, I have shot dozens of big game from pronghorn to black bear and elk with the .44 Special, all with handloaded ammunition. Pet Loads and Handloader are registered trademarks of Wolfe Publishing Company. (Ret.) No purchase necessary. Deployed military should use stateside address. In spite of being 110 years old, the .44 Special still ranks as one of the finest, most versatile sixgun cartridges, especially when handloaded. The Hornady XTP, Sierra JHC, Speer GDHP and Nosler JHP and JSP versions are all suitable for the .44 Special. The .44 Special (center) was based on a lengthened .44 Russian cartridge (left), while the .44 Remington Magnum (right) is based on a lengthened .44 Special case. First, not all guns are of equal strength - some will handle significantly greater pressures, while others cannot. | 2, No. Left to right: 250 gr. For these reasons, 240-grain bullets are best when used in conjunction with load data that exceeds industry maximum pressures. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. _________________________________________________. Number of Views: 5750, Published on 10-20-2014 09:12 PM Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. The SCAR 15P is chambered for 5.56 NATO and, with its 7.5-inch barrel, is the most compact SCAR to date. What is most interesting is that sometimes velocities were faster than those from an original Model 1950 Target with the same barrel length, but other loads recorded lower speeds. Our mission is to help you improve your skills, save money, and achieve greater accuracy with your reloads. Tried TB, "didn't fit my pistols". Unique is still one of the most versatile powders on the market today. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Join the exclusive reloading community founded in 1996 and be the first to know about our latest news, reviews, and insights. Thats slightly more than the original .44 Special loading from more than a hundred years ago. Handgun Data. The Russian case is but .970 inch in length and just couldn't hold enough of the bulky new powder to achieve the desired velocities, so in 1907 Smith & Wesson lengthened the older case by .190 inch and a star was born. Here you will find load data for some of the most recent cartridges on the market, with more being added each week. A healthy roll crimp is recommended. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). But do you know how to properly use them? We show you how. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Hard bullets may shoot OK withtarget or standard loads. An oversized bullet will shoot OK, but any undersized in my experience won't. It's just a personal thing with me, but I'm very VERY hesitant to put light charges of fast-burning powder into large capacity cases, like the .44 Special, for fear of double-charging a case and missing it. Going up to my standard load of 7.5 Unique registers just over 1,000 fps from a 4 S&W Model 1950. During the 1920s Elmer Keith developed the Ideal/Lyman 429421 bullet to improve the .44 Specials performance. Introduced in 1900 by Laflin & Rand of Haskell, New Jersey, later to be absorbed by DuPont, Unique was the Johnny on the spot powder to help the .44 Special move right along the popularity scale in subsequent years. After a while, however, even the most recoil-tough shooter looks forward to toning things down a bit. Using an expander ball that is at least .003 to .004 inch smaller than bullet diameter is suggested. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1 They don't show any data for the 240gr using 2400 but do with the 250gr. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. The overwhelming answer in the avalanche of replies was "Red Dot!" Since I cast my own, I have a choice of H&G #503, Lyman #429421, NEI #260.429 and the RCBS #44-250KT bullets. Free shipping for many products! A good, hard 240-grain semi-wadcutter at close to 1,000 fps will take deer, elk and black bear. We typically ship within 7 days, 2 weeks maximum if there is a delay in paper works. 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. The .44 Special is a joy to handload, but there are some important points to be aware of that will help handloaders assemble top-notch ammunition tailored specifically to their guns. It's superbly accurate and extremely versatile when handloaded to any of several power levels for plinking, personal defense or hunting. Hodgon only shows HP38 for the .44 special loads. For any loads over 1000 FPS, I suggest GC for sure or using a jacketed bullet. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. This isn't your grandpa's muzzleloading system. Guns were Ruger GP100 (three-inch barrel) and Smith & Wesson Model 629 (five-inch barrel). Bullet sizes vary from .429 for jacketed to .432 for some lead in diameter. have introduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act (H.R. Manufacturer #: 44B (50) UPC #: 754908168118. Works well in a 3" Sheriff's Model, a 12" Buntline Special, and everything in between. Put one through the slats of a snow shoe bunny and you have an instant "stopper" and no lost meat. 250 gr. Factory loads are readily available and range into the dozens, but reloading is the way to go. But in 1956 Keith's efforts culminated in the introduction of the .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. . Contest open to U.S. residents only. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Handgun Data. Phil Sharpe, in his book Complete Guide to Handloading, used Unique for 38 of 160 .44 Special loads to include bullets weighing from 145 to 260 grains. Contest void where prohibited by law. It is important to note that the .44 Special has an industry overall cartridge length of 1.615 inches, while the .44 Magnum is actually shorter at 1.610 inches. Trying to make a 0.430 bullet work for all of these would be an exercise in futility. My standard choice for loading the .44 Special is whats normally known as the Keith bullet. 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. This bullet is seated over 7.5 grains of Unique powder and stuffed in a .44 Special case, sparked with a large pistol primer. A Colt Model P will probably not blow up, but it will loosen up pretty quick. Forum; Reloading Tutorials; About; Login.44 S&W Special. Either 17.0 grains of #4227 or 8.5 grains of Unique will give right around 1,000 fps. With 6.0 grains of Unique and a 51/2 sixgun the result is a very pleasant shooting, and accurate, load of 825 fps. 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 2 Accurate No. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. SWC. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). A Colt Single Action Army dating back to 1910 measured .431 inch, while a 1963 New Frontier SAA measured .430, a 2014-era New Frontier SAA ran .429 inch, and a 1980 3rd Generation Single Action Army measured .434 inch. A charge of 9.5 grains of Blue Dot produced 880 fps and consistent accuracy with the FTX. While Democrat Washington Gov. Give a Gift Just stick to near-maximum loads to keep up the velocity and ensure adequate expansion. In other words, a load comparable to the black powder .45, with a 250-gr. To help illustrate this information, sidebars are included containing sample dimensions from a variety of guns. 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. SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 gr. The traditional .44-caliber bullet weight is 240 grains, and here we have several proven performers. The .44 Special was formally introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907. JHP 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. over the decades have fired many rounds of cast 240 SWC deep . Subscriber Services. 6.8 Western Ammo Options: The Load of Long Yardage, .458 Winchester Magnum History: The Complete Story. Reloading Press & Equipment; Molds; Share. Most modern jacketed bullets must be traveling at least 850 to 900 fps to achieve reliable expansion, a velocity that was easily reached with most 200-grain bullets using standard pressure loads. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM May/June 2023, P.O. My long-favored cast bullet load of 7.5 grains of Unique used with this 240 jacketed . (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. The loads I have tried today are all 240 gr's, and OAL set to 1.45" Unique 6.5 gr = 640fps 7.0 gr = 749 fps 800X 7.0 gr = 650 fps Bullseye 5.5 gr = 720 fps AA#2 6.0 gr = 708 fps For those that load for the 44 special, max 15500 loads what are some of your pet loads you like? Why Choose Us? Including, free printable targets, tips, safety instructions and of course gun loads. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. The classic Skeeter load of a 240-250 grain LSWC over 7.5 grains of Unique in a 44 Special casing is where I would start. It is important to note that Keith would likely have been completely satisfied with the power and performance of his heavy .44 Special handloads, but wanted them available as a factory offering. Powders include Alliant, Winchester, Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, IMR, Accurate HP, .44 with 225 gr. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. I got this load from Elmer Keith and is a great practice, self defense, and small game load. I have other powders like Bullseye, Titegroup, and Power Pistol but I'd like to save those for my 9mm and 7.62x25 loads. Balloonhead cases, such as these from Peters, U.M.C. The old balloon-head cases are certainly weaker, and being nearly ancient often display signs of breakdown by becoming brittle or plagued with corrosion, etc. Early ammunition contained 26 grains of black powder that pushed the 246-grain, lead roundnose bullet 780 fps. XTP; Nosler 240-gr. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. is only 15,000 psi. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for .44 Special Lee Double Cavity Bullet Mould 429-240-2R Diameter 429 Weight 240 gr at the best online prices at eBay! This bullet is still widely popular. Smokeless-powder ammunition soon appeared, and velocities were eventually standardized at 755 fps with the same bullet. 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. Hodgdons has data for 44 SP for 165 - 240 gr bullets. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Colt Model 1861 Special Musket: What's Its Value? Below, are two loaded rounds. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. The 240 grain #8610 bullets are intended for larger, more tenacious game, but also are effective for deer-size game. Not much of a kicker, seated bullet to crimp grove LBT style bullet. Learn the difference between revolvers and semi-auto pistols and what makes them different. 10mm Firepower: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact Pistol Review, The Staying Power of the .257 Roberts Cartridge, Springfield Armory SA-35 Pistol: Rebirth of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, Top 5 Most Accurate Factory-Loaded Rifle Cartridges, The Colt Anaconda .44 Rem. NOTE: Velocities are lower in the larger cases so speeds and pressures are different. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. 30 days easy returns; 100% money back guarantee. The Special's case was lengthened to accommodate the use of emerging smokeless propellants. A few loads are offered, however, that utilize the Hornady 240-grain XTP-HP and Speer 240-grain Gold Dot HP. For this bullet 8.5 grains of Unique results in 980 fps in a 4 barreled S&W while 15.5 grains of #2400 goes up to 1,140 fps. I used the M24 for jacketed bullet loads and the M624 with cast bullets. There are plenty of bullet weights and styles available for reloading the .44 Special: (from left) 180-gr. HP, .44 with 225 gr. If youshoot the Skeeter Load with hard bulletsyou cancrack the barrel extension on your revolver. Select medium-burning pistol powders often gave outstanding accuracy while offering low extreme spreads and a modest muzzle report. They offer moderate recoil and muzzle report, low extreme spreads, and they are easy to shoot accurately while being capable of taking big game. Start load of 7.8 shot very well for my friend. less than a comparable .44 Magnum, and also less recoil while still being more than adequate for any situation which should arise. If you have an older revolver this is a good limit. 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. Medium-burn-rate powders, such as Alliant Power Pistol, Unique, Hodgdon CFE Pistol, Winchester AutoComp and Accurate No. Federal has created a safer, easier and more reliable way to shoot a muzzleloader. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Remington Magnum has always been a favorite revolver for sport and pleasure. RDM, Published on 10-20-2014 09:18 PM SWC, 240 gr. Both revolvers shoot this load well. The load consists of a Lyman Ideal 429421 cast bullet, designed by Elmer Keith, himself. Cowboy Action has recently given the .44 Special a shot in the arm, and the lighter cast bullets further broaden the Special's appeal. 429421 250-grain bullet (left) and the Lyman/Thompson No. Have a question? HP, .44 with 225 gr. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Bullet weights ranged from 180 to 240 grains. Learn how your comment data is processed. Modern Smith & Wesson N-frame revolvers are stout, as they share the same outside cylinder dimensions as the Model 29 .44 Magnum; however, they are slightly shorter. JHC. * The 255-grain Lyman Thompson-designed mould 429244 with a gas check also produces excellent terminal performance and minimizes barrel leading. Looking at the accompanying data table, it is obvious I made the choice to use the .44 Special at lower velocities and work toward loads with jacketed and lead bullets that would be fun to shoot. Manufacturer #: HT-430240EK. The Special case was lengthened from .97 inch to 1.16 inches and originally loaded with black powder, receiving 3 grains more than the Russian cartridge for a boost in velocity. 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. If you have an older revolver this is a good limit. The classic +P 44 Special load is a 429-421 over 7.5 grains of Unique. For several years I used the M624 in IPSC-type matches, and my ammo was all powered by Red Dot. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. All this resulted in changes in muzzle velocity with many loads. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Deployed military should use stateside address. Got a .22 .30 .32 .357 .38 .40 .41 .44 .45 .480 or .500 S&W cylinder that needs throats honed? Using standard weight 240-gr. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but it's better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. Subscribe To American Handgunner SWC-JHP, .44 with 250 . Montana Bullet Works offers quality hand-cast bullets, such as the 280-grain LFN-PB and 250-grain LFN-GC. Contest void where prohibited by law. Suitable powders for the .44 Special run the gamut of burning rates, depending on the bullet weight and velocities desired, but one stands out, and it is well known to the round's legion of fans. This revolver is equipped with the usual target trigger, target hammer, and adjustable target sights complete with a red insert on the front blade and a white outline on the rear notch. Bob Meinert, FN Marketing Director, introduces FN's first commercial pistol suppressor, the FN Rush 9Ti. A better question would be, why not? To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, we need to ask for your consent to set the cookies. During 1927 and 1928, he designed the now-famous Lyman/Ideal .44-caliber bullet 429421 that weighed 250 grains in solid form and 235 grains in hollowpoint form. Contest void where prohibited by law. I like to use Lyman reloading manuals for verified data.
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