.44 Special GP

Status
Not open for further replies.
My sample will accept one 240-grain Black Hills JHP load.
Seats deep enough for full cylinder & action function.
I COULD shoot it.
I WON'T shoot it. :)
Denis
 
peacebutready said:
The only problem with the .44 Special is the ammo is so damn expensive.
Click to expand...
I kept seeing dollar signs every time I fired my first center-fire handgun. When I started to reload, that went away, even though reloading is a money pit, if you really get caught up in it. For 44 Special I bought a few boxes of Hornady for SD, which I probably will never need. All my shooting is with my own reloads using 200 gr lead, which I buy, and established loads of Unique.

Probably the only cartridge which is not usually "expensive" is 38 Special, one that is sure to sell and is made in volume. In terms of economy it would be the 9mm of the revolver cartridges. If it isn't 38 Special, 357 Magnum, or maybe 44 Magnum, you will be lucky to even find anything except through mail order.
 
RealGun said:
If it isn't 38 Special, 357 Magnum, or maybe 44 Magnum, you will be lucky to even find anything except through mail order.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree with this more. I'm always on the lookout for .44 spl ammo, defensive or plinking, and almost never find it but see a plethora of the above calibers . Houston has plenty of gun shows and LGS, I've been to plenty over the years with little luck, as far as availability and pricing. The majority of my .44 spl ammo comes from online stores and reloading.
 
Now with the above being said, I am excited about the .44 spl GP, will definitely be my next gun, and I will sacrifice some cash to run a variety of ammo thru it.
 
RealGun said:
All my shooting is with my own reloads using 200 gr lead, which I buy, and established loads of Unique.

Probably the only cartridge which is not usually "expensive" is 38 Special, one that is sure to sell and is made in volume. In terms of economy it would be the 9mm of the revolver cartridges.
Click to expand...

You can save some more if you cast your own from blocks of lead. I don't know how much savings this entails.

The .38 at the department store struck me as a bit pricey. I haven't looked in any of the sporting goods stores recently, though. I prefer to go online.

An option for .38 is the Russian Tula steeled cased, which I saw for $10.50 per box, if bought in bulk. I read the Tula .38 is OK but the .357 mag causes problems when it comes to ejecting the spent cases revolvers. I haven't read whether this stuff runs well in lever-action carbines.
 
I haven't read whether this stuff runs well in lever-action carbines.
Click to expand...


Posted towards no one in particular...

Another thing to watch out for in a lever's tubular magazine is the potential for bullet setback. If a cartridge does not seem to have any crimp at all, keep an eye open. Fiocchi, a brand of which I stock many calibers and with whom I have had excellent customer service, makes a powdercoated lead truncated cone .357 cowboy load sold in a brown box but the cartridges aren't crimped. I had five rounds with setback. I'll run the rest of that box through a wheelgun.

If you've the dies for it, you can add your own roll crimp as I have done with some .41 Magnum for use in a Marlin, mostly for better feeding into the chamber portal.
 
Measure and make sure you have enough case neck tension and you won't have setback problems even with light crimps. If you can see the base of the bullet bulging the case slightly - they won't move.
 
DPris said:
My sample will accept one 240-grain Black Hills JHP load.
Seats deep enough for full cylinder & action function.
I COULD shoot it.
I WON'T shoot it. :)
Denis
Click to expand...

Is Ruger aware of this? While the chances of someone using the wrong ammo is slim I think the potential exists. I think Ruger needs to be made aware so they can take steps to tighten up their manufacturing tolerances.
 
IMO the ammo and the user is the problem - not the gun. A cartridge can be loaded to varying OAL whether it is handloaded or factory loaded and people must know what they are putting into their gun. This is why we hear about people with multiple open ammo boxes setting on the bench loading the wrong cartridge into their gun. "Accidentally" loading the wrong cartridge is a user problem. "Intentionally" loading the wrong cartridge in a gun is also a user problem. In my opinion. You cannot make a "fool proof" gun.
 
Last edited:
Drail said:
IMO the ammo and the user is the problem - not the gun. A cartridge can be loaded to varying OAL whether it is handloaded or factory loaded and people must know what they are putting into their gun. This is why we hear about people with multiple open ammo boxes setting on the bench loading the wrong cartridge into their gun. "Accidentally" loading the wrong cartridge is a user problem. "Intentionally" loading the wrong cartridge in a gun is also a user problem. In my opinion. You cannot make a "fool proof" gun.
Click to expand...

This is true but I still think Ruger should be made aware so they can tighten tolerances where possible. This is the company that specifically marks Mini-14 and AR-15 mags for 300 AAC Blackout over concerns about incorrect ammo. If there's a way to fix the issue and remove the potential liability I'm sure Ruger will do it.
 
USBP379 said:
This is true but I still think Ruger should be made aware so they can tighten tolerances where possible. This is the company that specifically marks Mini-14 and AR-15 mags for 300 AAC Blackout over concerns about incorrect ammo. If there's a way to fix the issue and remove the potential liability I'm sure Ruger will do it.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure Ruger doesn't make their own cylinders. My experience proves they don't inspect them thoroughly enough. Vendor involvements can create quality problems that are difficult to control.
 
RealGun said:
Pretty sure Ruger doesn't make their own cylinders.
Click to expand...

Is that right? I could see small parts like springs and screws or grip panels being sourced but can't see a major company like Ruger not producing major components inhouse.
 
Ruger does their barrels & cylinders.
And I've notified two product managers there about the chamber throats.
Denis
 
DPris said:
Ruger does their barrels & cylinders.
And I've notified two product managers there about the chamber throats.
Denis
Click to expand...
Interested in knowing how you can say that with authority. Disturbing to think they have complete control of cylinders, which too often need to be replaced in returns. GP100, 44 Special Flat Top, Single Seven x2, all requiring new or reworked cylinders. Actually they wouldn't support the Single Sevens because they didn't want to provide more cylinders for a distributor special (Lipsey's). I spent well over $100 and months lead time for my own finishing reamer.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
.44 Special handloads?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
5K
Cocked & Locked
Cocked & Locked
S
  • Locked
Taurus .44 options and differences.
Replies
5
Views
2K
hexidismal
hexidismal
D
  • Locked
Ruger GP-100 w/fixed sights & 3" barrel - awesome!
Replies
20
Views
3K
fallingblock
F
O
  • Locked
Limited Run: .44 Special Ruger Blackhawks
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
batmann
B
Tallinar
  • Locked
What should I feed to my .44 special Vaquero?
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
PO2Hammer
PO2Hammer
Back
Top