44 magnum ammo question

[straightpaths1]

Ok, stupid question. I picked up a Taurus tracker 44 magnum. I went to go buy ammo for it and saw several different types. I know that 44 magnum is 44 Remington magnum, but what is the 44 special? Also, does anyone know what I should not shoot in the pistol, I think I saw a 300 grain 44 magnum. Any recommended self defense ammo, I bought some Hornady 240gr.

[crbutler]

.44 Magnum and .44 Remington Magnum are the same.

.44 Special is a shorter cased cartridge that you can shoot in the .44 magnum. It is considerably older than the magnum, and lower pressure. It will be much more pleasant to shoot than the magnum ammo. You are talking a difference of several hundred feet per second of velocity with comparable bullets.

The standard bullet weight of the .44 magnum is a 240 grain bullet. There are 300 grain bullets out there, but they will beat the bejezus out of a Taurus revolver (or for that matter, anything short of a Desert eagle, Ruger Blackhawk, or a Freedom Arms gun). They are really intended as either hunting loads for big game (moose, bear, etc.) or for use with shooting IMHSA silhouette shooting (but that is an odd duck, so you probably saw hunting/bear defense ammo).

Personally, I don't think the .44 magnum is a good defense gun. Its too big to carry well, and in its full load ammo form, is excessively penetrating. Having said that, if you want it to defend house and home, using expanding bullets 240 grains or lighter is probably your best bet. Hornady makes a 240 grain SXT load that should be OK, but with the .44, you better be sure of what's behind your target as it will go through a house wall pretty easily.

[LarryFlew]

The tortoise is very light and kicks a LOT (still love mine) so light loads are best. Heavy loads will take down deer etc no problem so really over kill for self defence. Remember the Dirty Harry movies. Prefer my Desert Eagle for the extra weight when shooting heavy loads. Definitely recommend reloading. Also, get a golf glove if shooting a lot at the range and keep the soft original grips.

[cobb]

Remember the Dirty Harry movies..

Didn't he carry .44 special loads in his S&W 29 because of less recoil and over penetration than the .44 magnum.

I would really love to find a "light & compact" revolver chambered for just the in .44 special.

[straightpaths1]

Is it a 44 smith and wesson special?

[Bearcatrp]

Don't shoot buffalo bore ammo out of that taurus. There are only a few 44 mag brands that can shoot those monsters. Unless taurus changed something in the past few years, they are not rated to shoot buffalo bore ammo.
As was suggested above, get into reloading. Allot cheaper. Just tested out some loads with H110. I have a Ruger Alaskan that has a 2 1/2 inch barrel in 44 mag. The fireball is so big with full loads, it kills and cooks with the same shot!

[LePetomane]

crbutler gave a very concise and accurate explanation. One thing I'd like to add is that the .44 magnum is a heavy gun. I have a S&W 629 and it is a big chunk of metal. I carry a revolver in Idaho and Wyoming while fishing and it gets heavy. However I wouldn't be without it there.

[westhope]

I would really love to find a "light & compact" revolver chambered for just the in .44 special.

Smith & Wesson 296 Enclosed hammer, alloy frame 5 shot 44 Special I saw a used one once at Hart Brothers and really had a hard time NOT buying it. A little large for a pocket revolver but I like the idea of 5 rounds of 44 Special. Price was a little high but they are not made anymore.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =468866331

[LarryFlew]

Don't shoot buffalo bore ammo out of that taurus. There are only a few 44 mag brands that can shoot those monsters. Unless taurus changed something in the past few years, they are not rated to shoot buffalo bore ammo.
As was suggested above, get into reloading. Allot cheaper. Just tested out some loads with H110. I have a Ruger Alaskan that has a 2 1/2 inch barrel in 44 mag. The fireball is so big with full loads, it kills and cooks with the same shot!

My H110 mag loads shoot fire with long barrels, can't image the fireball from short barrel.

[usnret]

Remember the Dirty Harry movies..

Didn't he carry .44 special loads in his S&W 29 because of less recoil and over penetration than the .44 magnum.

I would really love to find a "light & compact" revolver chambered for just the in .44 special.

Try a Charter Arms "Bulldog".

[Seismic Sam]

Also, stay away from Underwood Ammo!! They load stuff up hot as hell, and then add disclaimers about the kinds of gun that it canNOT be shot in. Probably not a good idea to shoot Doubletap or Corbon either.

There's a guy here named OldmanFCSA who will teach you how to reload, and with pretty simple equipment you can make safe loads for that 44 of yours, which is nowhere near the strongest 44 mags out there.

[Bearcatrp]

My H110 mag loads shoot fire with long barrels, can't image the fireball from short barrel.

Plan is to make 44 special P loads using 44 mag brass. But its fun shooting full loads once in awhile. When I was shooting at the indoor range this past weekend, after shooting some full loads, everyone stopped shooting to ask the range master WTF I was shooting. Echoed throughout the range.

[Seismic Sam]

About 38 years ago I had an original Thompson Contender 44 mag pistol with an 8" barrel, and it would beat the crap out of you with factory 240 grain loads. The tang on the bottom of the trigger guard would bone bruise your 2nd knuckle in about 5 shots with factory ammo (I have very large hands...). Worked up some 44 Special loads with Unique which I shot as long as I used the gun. So try Unique already!! After 38 years, there is no way I am going to guess at the charge weight!!!

[LarryFlew]

Unique is also my light load powder buy my recipes are over 1000 miles away. Heavy enough to cycle my DR but not kick the scrap out of me in my tortoise. I stay with mag brass, less major cleaning for revolver than needed after using the shorter spc brass.

[OldmanFCSA]

About 38 years ago I had an original Thompson Contender 44 mag pistol with an 8" barrel, and it would beat the crap out of you with factory 240 grain loads. The tang on the bottom of the trigger guard would bone bruise your 2nd knuckle in about 5 shots with factory ammo (I have very large hands...). Worked up some 44 Special loads with Unique which I shot as long as I used the gun. So try Unique already!! After 38 years, there is no way I am going to guess at the charge weight!!!

I have a 14" Contender which I re-chambered from 44Mag to 444Marlin and shooting full rifle loads in it.
My whole hand would go numb after about 8 shots. Mag-Na-Porting really help with muzzle flip but felt recoil increased. Sadly I sold the MagnaPorted barrel and kept the un-ported barrel.