Any news on the pending Ruger Black Hawk in .44 spl.

[peyton]

I own several 44 revolvers, no 45 Colt, I try to keep the same calibers for ease of reloading. Just curious, anyone can tell me if a 44-40 uses the same diameter bullet as a 44 special? Since I been in Iraq I can not go to the LGS and eye ball things.

Thanks

 

[Virginian]

The 44 Special and the 44-40 use the same .429 pill. Used to see an occassional combo gun, but not for a long time now, and that may have been a 44mag/44-40 combo in any event.

 

[Bob C]

The .44/40 originally used a .427 bullet. Bullets in this diameter are still available.

 

[tipoc]

BigBlock,

What's the point of a .44 special when you can have a .45 colt?

Because folks like that round.

tipoc

 

[Drail]

Because a .429 hole in a cylinder allows for more steel than a .451 hole.

 

[The Tourist]

As a reloader, I believe that the .44 SPL has always been more useful on a day-to-day basis than the .44 Rem Mag. Consider your own use.

If you're plinking cans, the .44 SPL is easier to shoot and more accurate.

If you hunt nothing more than whitetail deer, a stronger load and a good Keith 429421 cast bullet will cleanly kill anything.

In a revolver, the properly loaded .44 SPL can better duplicate the self defense numbers of a .45 ACP in a pistol.

In fact, in the 629-5 I own now I load it down to .44 SPL performance numbers.

And therein lies the real debate. Some people just like "big numbers." If a .44 Rem Mag boasts 300 more FPS than the .44 SPL, then "clearly" the magnum must be better. Those people you will never convince.

However, if they approached the matter objectively and actually used the 624 from the late 1980's they'd see the real value of the caliber.

 

[44and45]

The .44 special is the best contender for reloading, it can handle anything that needs self defense attention.

The magnum .44 is not needed unless you live in really big game country, or with really big animals that want to eat you.

But even then you should be extremely proficient with magnum firearms, most people are not.

I'm old and slowing down. It's time to enjoy the big boomers at a leisurely pace of non magnum jarring jolting mayhem.

There is nothing like the accuracy one can obtain with the reloaded .44 special. It is a pleasure to reload bullets from 160 grains to 265 grains.

Anyone who absorbs those big slugs is going to have a bad day.

The .45 Colt is another favorite, but it is second place to the .44 spl. It also has a brass cartridge case that was designed to originally contain maximum case capacity of black powder.

The .44 spl. can get by using less faster powder.

Jim

A good pair seen below...

 

[Feanaro]

And I don't mean the special edition contract lots to a few select wholesalers, let them come from the factory to the customers to keep the freaken prices down.

Cutting out the middleman won't change the economics of the situation. It costs just as much to make a .44 Special as it does every other revolver but the volume of sales won't be there. It'll be expensive one way or another.

 

[Markbo]

A shop in my are has a new 44s ruger single action 43/4" bbl or so with adjustable sights. This is a smaller frame than the SBH and as I recall a 6 shooter not 5. Pretty neat pistol, bluefor450. Probably could get it for 410-425 cash.

Do you know who did the conversion? Can you give me a phone number?

 

[Virginian]

I started with 44 Special Colt SAAs (but long since went to clones). 7-1/2"; I still prefer that or 6-1/2". I tried Smith 29/629s but didn't like the feel except the 629 classic with the full underlug. I tried the SuperBH, but it and my middle finger did not get along. When the Vaqueros came out I grabbed 2 Stainless ones and have hung onto them. They have probably seen fifty 44 Specials for every magnum, although they are okay with heavy hitters. I just got a 50th Ann. Flatop in 44, and it is already seeing a lot more Specials than magnums, too. I prefer the magnums to the Colt sized Special guns because you can load them up with the heavy stuff when you want to, but the clones are still a lot of fun. Those big Vaqueros are sweet with any 44 special loads. If the new Vaq. came out in 44 Spl. I know I would want one, but I don't really think I would get one.

 

[Harve Curry]

I started with a COLT SAA 44-40 FRONTIER SIXSHOOTER.
I got tired of the weaker 44-40 brass when I found out abut 44 special brass and carbide dies. I had bought a used 3rd Gen COLT SAA in 44spl and then sent my old COLT to Kopec's for a 44 spl cylinder fitted to it. Then I could shoot both in it.
I have since stayed to reloading the 44 special.

The only thing that kept me from buying a Ruger was the guns were so heavy. I didn't want a 44 magnum. As to barrel length I like about 5" because in a high ride holster it ain't down to my knees.
If a Ruger comes out in the new smaller frame size and 44 special I'd be tempted.

 

[44and45]

I started with a COLT SAA 44-40 FRONTIER SIXSHOOTER.
I got tired of the weaker 44-40 brass when I found out abut 44 special brass and carbide dies. I had bought a used 3rd Gen COLT SAA in 44spl and then sent my old COLT to Kopec's for a 44 spl cylinder fitted to it. Then I could shoot both in it.
I have since stayed to reloading the 44 special

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just curious, Harve Curry. What did your 44-40 barrel mike out at...was it the normal .427 diameter of that caliber.

Great you converted it to .44 special.

Jim

 

[Harve Curry]

Jim,
The 1920 vintage 44-40 is .4295" with good rifling.
, Bill Weddle

 

[44and45]

.4295 is just about perfect. Lucky you are, most .44-40 today are undersized to that.

You must have a sweet shooter with the .44 spl. cylinder.

Good on ya.

Jim