.44 Special, more than I thought.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have a number of good revolvers and a carbine chambered in .44 Special. I generally use only two loads. 6 gr of Unique under a 240 gr machine cast bullet from Oregon Trail and 7.5 gr of Unique under a 250 gr Keith bullet, usually from Montana Bullet Works.

In every gun I own, they shoot to the same point of impact at 25 yards and I don’t think you can tell the group size apart between them.

[Scott Tschirhart]

This is a happy circumstance and I shoot a lot of the lighter loading.

But I did not realize that even the lighter load is more powerful than my .45 carry gun.

The Skeeter load averaged 975 fps out of my Bowen three screw conversion and 957 in my short Ruger.

The 6 gr load averaged 888 and 849 respectively.

My Commander length .45 ACP throws a 230 gr bullet at only 817fps.

[GunnyMack]

Scott, that is why it's SPECIAL.

[piller]

Sounds like it is enough for almost anything. No experience with the 44 Special, but those numbers seem to be in a good range. Enough power without a lot of recoil. How often do you really need more? Probably not all that often.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Sounds like it is enough for almost anything. No experience with the 44 Special, but those numbers seem to be in a good range. Enough power without a lot of recoil. How often do you really need more? Probably not all that often.

Probably not at all I’m thinking. Not for whitetail deer for sure.

I can’t imagine that Keith bullet would stay in one from any angle.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I tried these loads in a Mountain Gun and a 20 inch Marlin this morning.

The Marlin shot the 6 gr load at an average of 1043 fps and the Skeeter load at 1150.
Unlike the 1873, the Marlin feeds Keith bullets without a hitch.

[horsesoldier03]

A .50 cal round ball only weights about 177 grains and average velocity for deer loads are about 1500 fps. I have put one through a deer on both sides before at about 75 yards. I am sure that Skeeter Load in the Marlin would handle a deer at least to 75 yards maybe 100 if it didn't have a lot of drop or loss of velocity.

[Grizz]

A .50 cal round ball only weights about 177 grains and average velocity for deer loads are about 1500 fps. I have put one through a deer on both sides before at about 75 yards. I am sure that Skeeter Load in the Marlin would handle a deer at least to 75 yards maybe 100 if it didn't have a lot of drop or loss of velocity.

I would like to try that in AR-BEO. It shoots a 350 gr at 1750 or so. Do you know of a starting load that might yield 1550-ish? It might not cycle the action, but that'd be OK too. Might be fine for camp meat. Thanks.

[horsesoldier03]

No sir, cant say that I do.

[Scott Tschirhart]

A .50 cal round ball only weights about 177 grains and average velocity for deer loads are about 1500 fps. I have put one through a deer on both sides before at about 75 yards. I am sure that Skeeter Load in the Marlin would handle a deer at least to 75 yards maybe 100 if it didn't have a lot of drop or loss of velocity.

One of the best deer killers I have ever used is a .58 caliber Thompson Center Big Bore. I replaced the trigger and trigger guard with one from a Renegade. A round ball over 90 gr of Goex was a killer of the first order. It just crumpled deer.

[GunnyMack]

My .54 isn't far behind!
If I remember, .54 rb os 147 grains and that has worked in one form or another on 2 & 4 legged critters for a very long time!

[horsesoldier03]

A .50 cal round ball only weights about 177 grains and average velocity for deer loads are about 1500 fps. I have put one through a deer on both sides before at about 75 yards. I am sure that Skeeter Load in the Marlin would handle a deer at least to 75 yards maybe 100 if it didn't have a lot of drop or loss of velocity.

I would like to try that in AR-BEO. It shoots a 350 gr at 1750 or so. Do you know of a starting load that might yield 1550-ish? It might not cycle the action, but that'd be OK too. Might be fine for camp meat. Thanks.

I found some load data for the .50 Beowulf for you.

https://www.alexanderarms.com/wp-conten ... oading.pdf

[Walt]

I have a number of Ruger and Smith .44 specials and the load I've come to like the most is 7.0 gr of Power Pistol under a 240 gr machine cast bullet. The velocity runs around 880 fps and the standard deviation is less than 10 fps with the loads I've chronographed.

[Bronco]

While I do not have a 44 special, I shoot special powered loads in me 44 mag. 95% of the time. My favorite load is 5.5 grs. of WST behind a 300 LFN gc. for a velocity of about 750 fps. chronod. out of a 7.5" barrel. Very accurate and very clean, better than Bullseye !

[samsi]

I have a number of Ruger and Smith .44 specials and the load I've come to like the most is 7.0 gr of Power Pistol under a 240 gr machine cast bullet. The velocity runs around 880 fps and the standard deviation is less than 10 fps with the loads I've chronographed.

Thanks, next time I get some 240's I'll try this. My most used 44 Special load in recent years has been 8.5 Power Pistol with a 250K or 429421, runs just over 1000 from a 5.5" with low spreads as well. I've also taken to loading the same in magnum brass and deep seating/crimping over the forward band for my SBH.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I really should sell off a bunch of guns. Between these two I cover all of my outdoor needs.

[Twodot]

While I do not have a 44 special, I shoot special powered loads in me 44 mag. 95% of the time. My favorite load is 5.5 grs. of WST behind a 300 LFN gc. for a velocity of about 750 fps. chronod. out of a 7.5" barrel. Very accurate and very clean, better than Bullseye !

at 750 ft/sec, have you tried loading those bullets without the gas check?
..

[Walt]

That's heresy, Scott.

[Griff]

I've only owned one firearm compatible with the .44Spl, a 1969 Winchester 94 in .44 Magnum. I only owned it for a year & a half before it was stolen, purchased while overseas in 1972, stolen during the spring of 1974. In Magnum brass, it was frustrating with Keith style cast, but loved JHPs. It did good with Special cases & the Keith. I didn't own or have access to a chronograph, so I never knew how any of my loads performed. I didn't have any reloading equipment so had to rely on my B-I-L for handloads. If it hadn't been stolen, I believe I would still own it. I was in the Navy until the end of '73, and spent most of that time at sea, so even my shooting it was limited to paper, or in the case of '72 at the occasional discarded fuel tank off the fantail of our Destroyer. And that was only with factory ammo as it became available. (Ever try buying ammo overseas on a military base)? (But all in all, still a pleasant memory)! I've passed on a couple since, as in the interim I've transitioned to the 45 Colt. I believe the .44 Spl. is the equal to the .45 Colt in any rifle or handgun it's chambered in. Just doesn't have that same "nom attrait." (Or bullet selection).

But... sell some guns?

[Bronco]

No I have not Twodot !

The magna sizer and luber die has holes in it to align with the lube groves. IF I did not put on a gas check I would have to plug up a few holes with some lead shot. The die puts a little lube in the small space ahead of the gc. I bought 6000 gc's years ago so I take the lazy way out

[Scott Tschirhart]

That's heresy, Scott.

I have more than one enabler. But the truth is that I can shoot only one at a time. Yesterday was a typical range session. 50 rounds through the Single Six at 25 yards, then ten good hits on an 8 inch plate with the .44 at the same distance.

Then I shoot my carry gun a bit. Then anything else I’m experimenting with.

Not a bad system but at these temperatures I sometimes don’t get past the duty gun.

[GunnyMack]

That's heresy, Scott.

I have more than one enabler. But the truth is that I can shoot only one at a time.

But you have two hands right?

[marlin shooter]

I have recently bought some revolvers and 1 of them being a GP 100 in .44 special 3 inch barrel. Out of the .44mag, 45 colt the .44 special is fast becoming my favorite. I kind of wish it had a 4 or 5 inch barrel (it does shoot good as is but I have not checked velocity) I have been using a 240 grain cast swc and win 231 and unique powder and I believe the edge going to unique. I need to find a Blackhawk or single action army (expensive) in this same cartridge. Wish I had started this affliction year's ago.
Karl