USSR
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Not my actual bullet, so I don't know what it was shot into. Am using a 20:1 alloy for my 18gr 2400 load (~1050fps). I try to keep the antimony out of the alloy, or at the very least keep it low.
Don
Don
.44 Special vs. .45 ACP
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Owen Sparks
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It is important to note that the .44 Special was originally designed for black powder. The45 ACP was designed for smokeless. In the original factory loadings both have very similar performance even though the .44 needed a much longer case to accommodate a bulky charge of black powder . The same could be said of the .38 Special as modern smokeless powder only takes up about half the case capacity consequently +P .38 loadings with light weight bullets fired from longer barrels will give similar performance to the 9MM.
These older black powder era revolver cartridges like the .44 and .38 Specials have much more potential for the hand loader because of the larger case capacity. The problem is that the typical small five shot revolvers are not designed to handle hot loads.
Charter Arms claims to have developed a way to eject auto cases from a revolver and will be chambering their small five shot Bulldog for the .45ACP. Velocity should be just about the same as from the same gun chambered in .44 Special when both use 200 grain bullets.
These older black powder era revolver cartridges like the .44 and .38 Specials have much more potential for the hand loader because of the larger case capacity. The problem is that the typical small five shot revolvers are not designed to handle hot loads.
Charter Arms claims to have developed a way to eject auto cases from a revolver and will be chambering their small five shot Bulldog for the .45ACP. Velocity should be just about the same as from the same gun chambered in .44 Special when both use 200 grain bullets.
The problem with a big case and powders that don't fill it are inconsistent ignition, possible detonation, and inconsistent primer powder firing, due to different powder positions.
In this day and age, the .44 Special case is over sized for it's pressure target.
In other words, the cartridge, with current powders is overbore. Sort of like the 30-06 vs. .308. The .308 generates the same velocities with a smaller powder charge, in a smaller case, EXCEPT with heavy bullets.
This, in essence, is what I don't get with the current .44 Special loadings.
To take advantage of that big case you really need a 240 grain or bigger bullet.
Not to mention that the current guns are strong enough to handle 20-30k psi loads also.
You really need to be a hand loader to take full advantage of the caliber.
In this day and age, the .44 Special case is over sized for it's pressure target.
In other words, the cartridge, with current powders is overbore. Sort of like the 30-06 vs. .308. The .308 generates the same velocities with a smaller powder charge, in a smaller case, EXCEPT with heavy bullets.
This, in essence, is what I don't get with the current .44 Special loadings.
To take advantage of that big case you really need a 240 grain or bigger bullet.
Not to mention that the current guns are strong enough to handle 20-30k psi loads also.
You really need to be a hand loader to take full advantage of the caliber.
USSR
Member
Of course the bullet exited the deer. The .45 Colt was designed to shoot thru a horse at 100 yards, so no deer is going to stop a heavy .45 caliber lead bullet at 1,000+fps. As for leading, that is more of a problem with bullets that don't fit your throats at this velocity. My throats measure .454" as do my bullets. The alloy I use is plenty hard enough, considering E.K. used 16:1 for the .44 Magnum. Sorry, but deer season is over, and I'm not about to put any more holes in my venison than necessary.
Don
Owen Sparks
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The shorter .44 Russian case is actually more suited to loading modern smokless powder if you can find them.
USSR:
I figured on a Texas Heart shot, and, if the HP actually works, you MIGHT
recover a bullet.
Worth a try, anyway. The picture you posted above looks like they shot the HP into dirt and recovered it, similar to this one.
This is the 400 grain HP:
I'm using the 275 grain Speer HP:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/25...ter-275-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-50
The read the reviews about how this thing works on deer and hogs, well worth it.
Since most .45's are the same size as my .475 or .500, I figure you might as
well carry the .475, or .500.
I may have to pick up a Lipsys Ruger Stainless flattop convertible, though.
EVERYONE should own a .45 Colt revolver.
I figured on a Texas Heart shot, and, if the HP actually works, you MIGHT
recover a bullet.
Worth a try, anyway. The picture you posted above looks like they shot the HP into dirt and recovered it, similar to this one.
This is the 400 grain HP:
I'm using the 275 grain Speer HP:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/25...ter-275-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-50
The read the reviews about how this thing works on deer and hogs, well worth it.
Since most .45's are the same size as my .475 or .500, I figure you might as
well carry the .475, or .500.
I may have to pick up a Lipsys Ruger Stainless flattop convertible, though.
EVERYONE should own a .45 Colt revolver.
USSR
Member
Agree, wholeheartedly.
Don
That depends on the powder ww231 for instance is not position sensative and gives consistant ignition and velocity. It also is very accurate.
Not sure where you came up with this most experts concider Keith level loads absolute tops for the strongest 44 special chambered guns and it's only ~25K. many of them aren't near that strong. Taurus,Charters, Rossi's and the 696 are maxed out by the Skeeter load that's under 20K.
I should have said any of the ones worth owning;-)
Ruger, FA, BFR, S&W. I really think some of the best .44 Specials are the .44 Magnum S&W scandiums.
Rugers are just beautiful. BFR's Magnum Shorty in .44 Is pretty much perfect.
https://magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=BFR44MAG5
Wonder How much pressure the FA 97 .44 Special can take? More then the shooter?
The 83 in .44 Magnum is a sweet gun as well.
Ruger, FA, BFR, S&W. I really think some of the best .44 Specials are the .44 Magnum S&W scandiums.
Rugers are just beautiful. BFR's Magnum Shorty in .44 Is pretty much perfect.
https://magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=BFR44MAG5
Wonder How much pressure the FA 97 .44 Special can take? More then the shooter?
The 83 in .44 Magnum is a sweet gun as well.
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