Why no beefed up .44 Mag load?

Pond, James Pond · July 3, 2013, 02:51 AM

They took the .44 Spl up to the .44 Rem mag.

Similarly they took the .45 Colt up to .454 Casull, but then up again to .460 S&W.

So why have they not made another jump up in the .429 caliber cartridges, seeing as big-bore seems de-rigueur these days?

I'm just curious:
I am not looking to replace my .44Mag. I just want to know if there is a reason.

silvermane_1 · July 3, 2013, 03:18 AM

some consider the .480 Ruger the .44 Mag's bigger brother.

kozak6 · July 3, 2013, 04:50 AM

Isn't that the .445 Super Magnum?

Sarge · July 3, 2013, 04:59 AM

445 Super Magnum

steveno · July 3, 2013, 05:59 AM

if a standard 44 mag loading isn't enough maybe you should get a 454 or a rifle.

lamarw · July 3, 2013, 06:51 AM

I can hear it now; Some think the .44 magnum is so powerful it will blow your hand completely off your wrist.

Skans · July 3, 2013, 07:48 AM

The 440 Corbon is the 44 magnum magnum.

Pond, James Pond · July 3, 2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

if a standard 44 mag loading isn't enough maybe you should get a 454 or a rifle.

As I said in the OP, I was just curious.

Slamfire · July 3, 2013, 06:26 PM

I don't know why. The pressures are high enough as is. There was a 357 Maximum in the 80's, and I heard it was a throat burner. Whatever its problems, it did not last long.

I don't need more power than a 44 Magnum in a pistol. Handcannons are for those who want them: I decided that they were too much fun for me. If I think I need more power I will get it in a rifle.

RickB · July 3, 2013, 06:33 PM

I saw a custom revolver chambered in .444 Marlin; would that be an elongated .44 Mag?

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 3, 2013, 06:41 PM

Instead of wildcatting a cartridge, just buy a new 50 cal S&W. I've got to say, that the 44 mag would never had been popular if it wasn't for Dirty Harry, and I believe S&W credited the movie for the majority of it's sales. The Auto-Mag was shown by Inspector Callahan not too long after. People would have been carrying harpoons, if they could strap them to their hip, to copy Harry.

I'd rather stick to my 9mm, as far as faster firing and aiming.

Pond, James Pond · July 4, 2013, 01:43 AM

Once again, guys.
This was just a question of curiosity, not necessity.

I noticed that the .45 caliber had undergone 2 stages of increase, and wondered my the .429 had ostensibly only had one.

For the record, I am happy with my .44...

2damnold4this · July 4, 2013, 06:37 AM

The .429 started off as the .44 S&W Russian then went to the .44 Special and from there to the .44 Magnum. We have seen two increases in size and power for the .429.

Pond, James Pond · July 4, 2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

The .429 started off as the .44 S&W Russian then went to the .44 Special and from there to the .44 Magnum. We have seen two increases in size and power for the .429.

We have an answer folks!
Whilst it is very interesting hearing about other .44 cal cartridges, it seems the basis for my initial post was a false one.

I'm still interested to learn about other loadings, but I guess this does address my initial query!!

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 4, 2013, 07:28 AM

I forgot to add the .454 Casull and the .460 S&W Mag. to my post earlier. The .44 mag is the largest cartridge of that bullet diameter (.429), that I see in production without wildcatting, and the diameter steps up from there (.44 Colt being the largest at .443), The closer one to match would be in .45 caliber, and power wise, the .454 Casull, which is a daemon. However, the .460 S&W Magnum, which is really .454, is even more powerful.

.44 Rem. Mag.: 340 gr (22 g) LFN +P+, 1,325 ft/s, 1,533 ft·lbf

.454 Casull: 335 gr (22 g) WFNGC HC, 1,600 ft/s, 1,904 ft·lbf (Closest match)

.460 S&W Mag.: 360 gr (23 g) LLFN, 1,900 ft/s, 2,885 ft·lbf

Nickel Plated · July 4, 2013, 11:36 AM

Maybe because there isn't much practical point to a more powerful .44 than the mag. As such, the only people who would be interested in one are just ones who want the biggest handgun possible. And well, the .44 mag isn't the biggest by far anymore so all the power junkie's interests have just moved on to other bigger calibers to play with.

If you're gonna create a ridiculously powerful revolver cartridge, no sense starting with a .44. might as well start with what's already the biggest like a 480 or 500

Basically, no practical market for a more powerfull .44 magnum, and no "just for fun" market for a more powerful .44 magnum.

hogdogs · July 4, 2013, 11:38 AM

I think it has pretty much been discussed well enuff and the OP got the info he needs... Thusly we can call this closed...

Anyone wanna discuss the calibers of the uber magnum ilk... feel free to restart one...

Brent

July 3, 2013, 02:51 AM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Why no beefed up .44 Mag load? They took the .44 Spl up to the .44 Rem mag. Similarly they took the .45 Colt up to .454 Casull, but then up again to .460 S&W. So why have they not made another jump up in the .429 caliber cartridges, seeing as big-bore seems de-rigueur these days? I'm just curious: I am not looking to replace my .44Mag. I just want to know if there is a reason. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly. Last edited by Pond, James Pond; July 4, 2013 at 01:44 AM. Reason: Making my motive for asking even clearer in the 1st post

July 3, 2013, 03:18 AM	#2
silvermane_1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: Burien,WA Posts: 897	some consider the .480 Ruger the .44 Mag's bigger brother. __________________ Rugers:SR1911 CMD,MK 3 .22lr 6",Sec. Six '76 liberty .357 4",SRH .480 Ruger 7.5",Mini-14 188 5.56/.233 18.5", Marlins: 795 .22lr 16.5",30aw 30-30 20",Mossberg:Mav. 88 Tact. 12 ga, 18.5",ATR 100 .270 Win. 22",S&W:SW9VE 9mm 4",Springfield:XD .357sig 4", AKs:CAI PSL-54C, WASR 10/63, WW74,SLR-106c

July 3, 2013, 04:59 AM	#4
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	445 Super Magnum __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

July 3, 2013, 06:26 PM	#9
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I don't know why. The pressures are high enough as is. There was a 357 Maximum in the 80's, and I heard it was a throat burner. Whatever its problems, it did not last long. I don't need more power than a 44 Magnum in a pistol. Handcannons are for those who want them: I decided that they were too much fun for me. If I think I need more power I will get it in a rifle. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 4, 2013, 01:43 AM	#12
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Once again, guys. This was just a question of curiosity, not necessity. I noticed that the .45 caliber had undergone 2 stages of increase, and wondered my the .429 had ostensibly only had one. For the record, I am happy with my .44... __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

July 3, 2013, 04:50 AM	#3
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Isn't that the .445 Super Magnum?

July 3, 2013, 05:59 AM	#5
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	if a standard 44 mag loading isn't enough maybe you should get a 454 or a rifle.

July 3, 2013, 06:51 AM	#6
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I can hear it now; Some think the .44 magnum is so powerful it will blow your hand completely off your wrist.

July 3, 2013, 07:48 AM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	The 440 Corbon is the 44 magnum magnum.

July 3, 2013, 06:33 PM	#10
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I saw a custom revolver chambered in .444 Marlin; would that be an elongated .44 Mag?

July 3, 2013, 06:41 PM	#11
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	Instead of wildcatting a cartridge, just buy a new 50 cal S&W. I've got to say, that the 44 mag would never had been popular if it wasn't for Dirty Harry, and I believe S&W credited the movie for the majority of it's sales. The Auto-Mag was shown by Inspector Callahan not too long after. People would have been carrying harpoons, if they could strap them to their hip, to copy Harry. I'd rather stick to my 9mm, as far as faster firing and aiming.

July 4, 2013, 06:37 AM	#13
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	The .429 started off as the .44 S&W Russian then went to the .44 Special and from there to the .44 Magnum. We have seen two increases in size and power for the .429.

July 4, 2013, 07:28 AM	#15
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	I forgot to add the .454 Casull and the .460 S&W Mag. to my post earlier. The .44 mag is the largest cartridge of that bullet diameter (.429), that I see in production without wildcatting, and the diameter steps up from there (.44 Colt being the largest at .443), The closer one to match would be in .45 caliber, and power wise, the .454 Casull, which is a daemon. However, the .460 S&W Magnum, which is really .454, is even more powerful. .44 Rem. Mag.: 340 gr (22 g) LFN +P+, 1,325 ft/s, 1,533 ft·lbf .454 Casull: 335 gr (22 g) WFNGC HC, 1,600 ft/s, 1,904 ft·lbf (Closest match) .460 S&W Mag.: 360 gr (23 g) LLFN, 1,900 ft/s, 2,885 ft·lbf

July 4, 2013, 11:36 AM	#16
Nickel Plated Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NYC Posts: 610	Maybe because there isn't much practical point to a more powerful .44 than the mag. As such, the only people who would be interested in one are just ones who want the biggest handgun possible. And well, the .44 mag isn't the biggest by far anymore so all the power junkie's interests have just moved on to other bigger calibers to play with. If you're gonna create a ridiculously powerful revolver cartridge, no sense starting with a .44. might as well start with what's already the biggest like a 480 or 500 Basically, no practical market for a more powerfull .44 magnum, and no "just for fun" market for a more powerful .44 magnum.

July 4, 2013, 11:38 AM	#17
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I think it has pretty much been discussed well enuff and the OP got the info he needs... Thusly we can call this closed... Anyone wanna discuss the calibers of the uber magnum ilk... feel free to restart one... Brent