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View Poll Results: 44 magnum VS 44 special
44 magnum 34 37.36%
44 special 57 62.64%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll

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Old March 20, 2013, 07:32 PM   #1
Ozzieman
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44 magnum VS 44 special

44 magnum VS 44 special
If you use a 44 magnum revolver for self defense what do you load it with.
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Old March 20, 2013, 07:40 PM   #2
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Well, I couldn't vote, I've got both. As to the .44 Special ammo I carry daily its a 240 gr. Remington SJHP (semi jacketed hollow point) loaded with 8.0 grs. HS-6 with Remington 2 1/2 primers in nickeled R-P cases. This gives me 960 fps muzzle velocity.

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Old March 20, 2013, 07:52 PM   #3
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I tend to use some lighter 44 mag loads, 240 gr bullet at about 1100 fps. Which is about the same as some of the hotter 44 special loads. Depending on the situation of course. I can, and so sometimes do load full power loads depening on the situation.
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Old March 20, 2013, 07:52 PM   #4
artoo
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I've Taurus 431s and 441s with 3"-4" barrels in .44 Special.

The gun fits K framed holsters,holds 5 shots,and can handle any premium defense grade ammo in .44 Special. This is no big N frame to have to carry all day. But then I am a short person anyway so they fit me better than an N frame would.

Hiding the gun for CCW carry is easier due to less bulk than the bigger carry pieces.

Recovery between shots is fast and easy compared to the .44 magnum.

The .44 Special will do everything I need it to do.

That's a personal choice based on needs.
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Old March 20, 2013, 08:49 PM   #5
PPQ226guy
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Well, since I only own a Special currently, that's how I voted. I may get a 44 mag one day but the special does what I need it to do for me at present.
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Old March 21, 2013, 03:29 AM   #6
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I've owned several 44 magnums but almost never shot a round of 44 magnum ammo in them. When I bought a Smith & Wesson 24-3 in 44 Special, the maghums went on down the road to people who wanted to shoot the big stuff.

I never carried any of them, but if I had, they'd have been loaded with 44 Special ammo.
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Old March 21, 2013, 10:20 AM   #7
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As to the .44 Magnum I've put many rounds through them, all very potent stuff. Nothing else gets the range for ground hogs at long range, and especially if there is a wind you have to buck.

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Old March 21, 2013, 11:47 AM   #8
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Winchester 210 STHP.

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Old March 21, 2013, 11:51 AM   #9
Bob Wright
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Quote:
Nanuk:
Winchester 210 STHP.
In what? Special or Magnum?

I find I like a heavier bullet, 240~250 grs. I do like the 240 gr. Remington SJHP in both Special and Magnums.

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Old March 21, 2013, 01:08 PM   #10
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Quote:
In what? Special or Magnum?
he's probably talking factory loads and 44 mag the factory STHP special load is 200gr.

On the off chance I actually carry my 44 mag for protection I have a couple boxes of Magnum Hydrashoks it's POI is the same as my 240 keith reloads.
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Old March 21, 2013, 01:16 PM   #11
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300 grain XTP over 20-21 grains of H110 with a magnum primer. It expands to .75+ caliber even at velocities as low as 800 fps.
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Old March 21, 2013, 03:07 PM   #12
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I shoot .44Spec out of my .44Spec revolvers and .44Mag out of my .44Mag revolvers .... so didn't vote. My .44Mags rarely see light of day now. The .44Spec revolvers loaded with the Skeeter load is all I need for self defense. No need for jacketed bullets either (or factory rounds). If I need more I reach for the the large frame .45 Colt.
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Old March 21, 2013, 03:23 PM   #13
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It is the Magnum version, intended for 2 legged varmints. I would like to find the 200 grain version for reloading but that seems to be a no-go. The 200 Grn GDHP would be a dandy at about 1200 FPS though.
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Old March 21, 2013, 04:16 PM   #14
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I've never tested them but the 200gr Gold Dot would probably flatten out nicely at 1200fps. They stay together very well.
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Old March 21, 2013, 07:57 PM   #15
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Launch my bullets with this Ruger Vaquero Sheriff in 44 Spec.
Pulls nightstand duty in my house:

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Old March 21, 2013, 08:15 PM   #16
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When the cylinder in my first old mod. .357 Blackhawk wore out after about 50,000 rounds of rough use, I bored and chambered the 9mm cylinder that came with it to .44 special. Numrich sold me a piece of .429" rifled barrel for about $8.00 that I cut and threaded to match the O.D. of the original. It shoots like a dream. Was my favorite until I "discovered" the .41.
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Old March 22, 2013, 04:34 AM   #17
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I like a 200 RNFP cast bullet with 7.5 Unique for a SD load in my 44 mags. I believe it will shoot through anything I am ever likely to run in to as far as self defense goes.
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Old March 22, 2013, 09:55 AM   #18
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For me , the 44 special ammunition is a whole lot easier to shoot fast & accurately in DA mode.
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Old March 22, 2013, 10:08 AM   #19
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Artoo, +1 on those Taurii 431's! My bride has two of them (with 3" barrels) -- one for bedside, one for carry -- and keeps them loaded with 200 gr GDHP although the Silvertips are just fine as well. I wish Taurus still made that model; I'd buy another one for myself since she "appropriated" both of hers from my collection!
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Old March 22, 2013, 10:09 AM   #20
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Try a "double tap", with a .44 Magnum and it becomes apparent why the .44 Special is better suited for the role of self-defense.
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Old March 22, 2013, 11:26 AM   #21
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Out of the only .44 i have ever shot, which was a 4" barreled .44, I would probably want to carry .44 specials in it unless I did hand loading.

For personal defense/home protection. If I loaded by hand I would want light .44 magnum loads, but as strong as I could comfortably shoot them. The factory .44 ammo I shot was just too much for me. It isn't so much that I am scared to shoot it, but I feel like I could put 6 .44 specials Into a target before I could put a couple .44 magnums into a target accurately. I feel like I would be deaf if I shot a .44 magnum inside a house, .44 special would be loud but not nearly as bad.

If I were to go deer hunting with a .44 magnum, which is probably the only real reason I would ever want one. I would be hunting with .44 magnum.
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Old March 22, 2013, 12:57 PM   #22
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My S&W Model 29-5 is for self defense. If I ever have to use it it outside of a gun range will be shoot to kill. I have Federal 240 grain Hydra-Shok JHP MAGNUM rounds available


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Old March 22, 2013, 11:35 PM   #23
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Quote:
Try a "double tap", with a .44 Magnum and it becomes apparent why the .44 Special is better suited for the role of self-defense.
Actually my splits are so close they are not worth worrying about. I was shooting 240 grain LSWC's over 10 grain of TG.
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Old March 22, 2013, 11:56 PM   #24
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My 4" S&W 629 does double duty as a nightstand gun and cold weather CCW and stays loaded with Remington factory .44 Magnum 240gr SJHP. Back when I had guns chambered for .44 Special only, they were loaded with either Winchester factory 200gr Silvertip or Federal factory 200gr LSWCHP, but if I ever get another .44 Spl-only revolver I'll probably go with Blazer 200gr Gold Dots, Cor-Bon 200gr DPX, or Hornady 165gr Critical Defense.
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Old March 23, 2013, 03:09 AM   #25
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If I thought I needed a 44 (.429cal) it's Magnum all day long. Next question! LOL
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