44 magnum VS 44 special

Ozzieman · March 20, 2013, 08:32 PM

44 magnum VS 44 special
If you use a 44 magnum revolver for self defense what do you load it with.

Bob Wright · March 20, 2013, 08:40 PM

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.

Bob Wright

jmr40 · March 20, 2013, 08:52 PM

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.

artoo · March 20, 2013, 08:52 PM

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.

PPQ226guy · March 20, 2013, 09:49 PM

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.

CajunBass · March 21, 2013, 04:29 AM

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.

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 11:20 AM

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.

Bob Wright

Nanuk · March 21, 2013, 12:47 PM

Winchester 210 STHP.

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 12:51 PM

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.

Bob Wright

mavracer · March 21, 2013, 02:08 PM

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.

nate45 · March 21, 2013, 02:16 PM

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.

rclark · March 21, 2013, 04:07 PM

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.

Nanuk · March 21, 2013, 04:23 PM

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.

newfrontier45 · March 21, 2013, 05:16 PM

I've never tested them but the 200gr Gold Dot would probably flatten out nicely at 1200fps. They stay together very well.

wheelyfun · March 21, 2013, 08:57 PM

Launch my bullets with this Ruger Vaquero Sheriff in 44 Spec.
Pulls nightstand duty in my house:

oldgunsmith · March 21, 2013, 09:15 PM

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.

plateshooter · March 22, 2013, 05:34 AM

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.

WIN1886 · March 22, 2013, 10:55 AM

For me , the 44 special ammunition is a whole lot easier to shoot fast & accurately in DA mode.

Quincunx · March 22, 2013, 11:08 AM

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!

dahermit · March 22, 2013, 11:09 AM

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.

alex0535 · March 22, 2013, 12:26 PM

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.

jimbucks · March 22, 2013, 01:57 PM

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

Nanuk · March 23, 2013, 12:35 AM

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.

Webleymkv · March 23, 2013, 12:56 AM

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.

Redhawk5.5+P+ · March 23, 2013, 04:09 AM

If I thought I needed a 44 (.429cal) it's Magnum all day long. Next question!

LOL

March 20, 2013, 08:32 PM	#1
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 4,325	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. __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.” – Thomas Jefferson. If you carry a gun, people call you paranoid, NONSENSE! If you have a gun, what do you have to be paranoid about? Guns have only two enemies: Rust and Politicians.

March 20, 2013, 08:52 PM	#4
artoo Member Join Date: February 17, 2012 Posts: 61	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. __________________ NRA Life Member

March 21, 2013, 04:29 AM	#6
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: Chancellorsville, Virginia Posts: 3,103	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. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

March 21, 2013, 12:47 PM	#8
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 1,431	Winchester 210 STHP. __________________ My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

March 21, 2013, 02:16 PM	#11
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,732	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. __________________ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (>_<)

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

March 20, 2013, 08:40 PM	#2
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,250	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. Bob Wright

March 20, 2013, 08:52 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 4,497	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.

March 20, 2013, 09:49 PM	#5
PPQ226guy Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 68	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.

March 21, 2013, 11:20 AM	#7
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,250	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. Bob Wright

March 21, 2013, 04:07 PM	#12
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 1,255	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. __________________ A clinger. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes improperly referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. Ok.... the .44Spec is growing on me ... but the .45 Colt is still king.

March 21, 2013, 04:23 PM	#13
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 1,431	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. __________________ My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

March 21, 2013, 05:16 PM	#14
newfrontier45 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 519	I've never tested them but the 200gr Gold Dot would probably flatten out nicely at 1200fps. They stay together very well.

March 21, 2013, 08:57 PM	#15
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 159	Launch my bullets with this Ruger Vaquero Sheriff in 44 Spec. Pulls nightstand duty in my house: __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

March 21, 2013, 09:15 PM	#16
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 183	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.

March 22, 2013, 05:34 AM	#17
plateshooter Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 1999 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 516	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. __________________ Make a hole

March 22, 2013, 10:55 AM	#18
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 290	For me , the 44 special ammunition is a whole lot easier to shoot fast & accurately in DA mode.

March 22, 2013, 11:08 AM	#19
Quincunx Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Location: West "By God" Virginia Posts: 318	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! __________________ Operator.....this is the call of the wild. --- I. Gillan

March 22, 2013, 11:09 AM	#20
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Ohio, Indiana. Posts: 2,620	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. __________________ Not often mentioned by Christians: Numbers 31:17-18

March 22, 2013, 12:26 PM	#21
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 617	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.

March 22, 2013, 01:57 PM	#22
jimbucks Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Posts: 10	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 Last edited by jimbucks; March 23, 2013 at 05:59 PM.

March 23, 2013, 12:56 AM	#24
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,414	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. __________________ Smith, and Wesson, and Me. -H. Callahan Well waddaya know, one buwwet weft! -E. Fudd All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures. -J. Caesar

March 23, 2013, 04:09 AM	#25
Redhawk5.5+P+ Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2012 Location: NV Posts: 743	If I thought I needed a 44 (.429cal) it's Magnum all day long. Next question! LOL