.44 special

02bigdogs17 · November 25, 2012, 05:36 PM

I have a .44 mag rifle. I recently recieved 100 .44 special cases from a freind. My question is can I shoot the .44 special in the .44 mag rifle and if so do I load the .44 special's with regular pistol load data or do they need to be loaded hotter to get them through the 20" barrel? Thanks for the comments...

chiefr · November 25, 2012, 05:42 PM

Depends on what kind of rifle it is. Is it auto, lever, or single shot.

PawPaw · November 25, 2012, 05:43 PM

Yes, you can shoot the .44 special in the .44 mag rifle. They'll do fine with regular pistol load data. However, most .44 Special loads are fairly anemic because they might be fired in extremely old firearms with spotty provenance. The .44 Special can be loaded hotter than factory ammo in guns of good maintenance and modern steel. I load my .44 Special with a 240 grain semi-wadcutter and 7.5 grains of Unique. That gives me 971 fps from my Super Blackhawk and is good for 95% of what I want a .44 to do.

02bigdogs17 · November 25, 2012, 06:06 PM

thanks PawPaw for the info. I want to use either Unique or Titegroup powder with a 240 grain SWC. As far as the rifle I have a H&R single shot and a Marlin 1894 lever gun. what kind of OAL: are u using paw paw?

PawPaw · November 25, 2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

what kind of OAL: are u using paw paw?

I have no idea. I crimp it in the crimp groove and I don't know that I've ever put a caliper on a .44 Special load.

GeauxTide · November 25, 2012, 09:14 PM

I've loaded 8gr of Unique under 240SWC and 17gr of 2400 under 240RemSP in my 44 Bisley. Haven't run them through my 94 Marlin, but I'm sure they'd do fine.

Ozzieman · November 26, 2012, 06:33 PM

One suggestion, before you load a semi wad cutter make a dummy round or two. I have two lever action guns that shooting 44 special I have gotten two rounds out of the tube stuck above the lifting gate.
You need tools to take the gun apart to clear. Using a jacketed or lead rounded tip bullet doesn’t seem to have a problem.
I use standard load for the 44 special. Also if you use lead make sure it’s hard to keep the leading down.
I shoot hard lead bullets at over 1500 in 44 mag and don’t have any problems and they are very accurate.

AlaskaMike · November 27, 2012, 02:58 PM

Probably worth pointing out that some .44 mag rifles have rather slow twist rifling and may not do so well with the lower velocity .44 specials. Best to just try it and see how it works.

02bigdogs17 · November 27, 2012, 10:15 PM

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.

November 25, 2012, 05:36 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	.44 special I have a .44 mag rifle. I recently recieved 100 .44 special cases from a freind. My question is can I shoot the .44 special in the .44 mag rifle and if so do I load the .44 special's with regular pistol load data or do they need to be loaded hotter to get them through the 20" barrel? Thanks for the comments...

November 25, 2012, 05:43 PM	#3
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Yes, you can shoot the .44 special in the .44 mag rifle. They'll do fine with regular pistol load data. However, most .44 Special loads are fairly anemic because they might be fired in extremely old firearms with spotty provenance. The .44 Special can be loaded hotter than factory ammo in guns of good maintenance and modern steel. I load my .44 Special with a 240 grain semi-wadcutter and 7.5 grains of Unique. That gives me 971 fps from my Super Blackhawk and is good for 95% of what I want a .44 to do. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

November 26, 2012, 06:33 PM	#7
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	One suggestion, before you load a semi wad cutter make a dummy round or two. I have two lever action guns that shooting 44 special I have gotten two rounds out of the tube stuck above the lifting gate. You need tools to take the gun apart to clear. Using a jacketed or lead rounded tip bullet doesn’t seem to have a problem. I use standard load for the 44 special. Also if you use lead make sure it’s hard to keep the leading down. I shoot hard lead bullets at over 1500 in 44 mag and don’t have any problems and they are very accurate. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

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November 25, 2012, 05:42 PM	#2
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Depends on what kind of rifle it is. Is it auto, lever, or single shot.

November 25, 2012, 06:06 PM	#4
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	thanks PawPaw for the info. I want to use either Unique or Titegroup powder with a 240 grain SWC. As far as the rifle I have a H&R single shot and a Marlin 1894 lever gun. what kind of OAL: are u using paw paw?

November 25, 2012, 09:14 PM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I've loaded 8gr of Unique under 240SWC and 17gr of 2400 under 240RemSP in my 44 Bisley. Haven't run them through my 94 Marlin, but I'm sure they'd do fine.

November 27, 2012, 02:58 PM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Probably worth pointing out that some .44 mag rifles have rather slow twist rifling and may not do so well with the lower velocity .44 specials. Best to just try it and see how it works.

November 27, 2012, 10:15 PM	#9
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	Thanks guys for all the suggestions.