One thing I usually don't get about the .44 Special defense loads is they generally tend to be lighter bullets, 185-225 grain range. I REALLY don't get this. It's easier to get resistance with heavier bullets, and, out of short barrels, you can get the heavy bullets really moving. The only thing I can think of is the heavier recoil of the 250-260 grain bullets, at velocity, make the ammo makers think it's better to use the lighter bullet, due to doubletaps.
Or, they are sold on the idea that if they produce a 'defense' load that is far enough outside the Defense load gel results, and someone actually uses it, with bad effect, they might get sued due to 'over powered' defense ammo?
With a thin jacket, and pure lead, no reason a 260 grain bullet won't open up like crazy, and perhaps have enough bullet weight to penetrate in a straight line, on a large target.
Here is an example:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/36727-5.html
Our cheap price? 25 bucks for 20 rounds?
If you are going to have such a big, beautiful case, use the thing.
"Penetration and expansion in our test medium of 10% ballistic gelatin are excellent; expansion is consistently 2 times the original diameter of the bullet. Depending on caliber and bullet weight, penetration is between 9 and 14 inches."
Heres another one:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2H90700-1.html
165 grains at 900 fps? I've got .38 Special Plus P's with better ballistics.
At least they are cheap. 15 bucks for 20.
It's this weird combination of light bullets, not going very fast, and very expensive ammunition that is a problem with both the .44 Special and the .45 Colt. Reminds me of buying a Bugatti
http://fastestcarsintheworld.net/
to drive in Kali. If you want short cartridge ballistics, use a short cartridge.
Also, when you download that big case you can have detonation problems, inconsistent ignition due to the powder getting away from the primer, etc.
All of this would create poor accuracy due to velocity variation.
