.44 Special vs .45 ACP

[Tony_the_tiger]

Check out this load

Corbon DPX: 200 grain .44 special @ 950 fps, using all-copper Barnes bullet

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 44 Special DPX Report.htm

Thats what I use in my S&W 296 snub.

If I had a heavier firearm in the caliber and carried lead, I'd probably use the Buffalo Bore load:

255 grain S.W.C .44 special @ 1,000 fps

 

[mec]

What would Elmer Keith say ?

" They designed the .44 special cartridge for this arm (S&W New Century Triple Lock) with 26 grains of black powder instead of the 23 usd in the .44 Russian cartridge."
-Sixguns, Elmer Keith, Bonanza Books, 1955. Page 39.

 

[ironhead7544]

What "bulky" smokeless handgun powder was available in 1907? I think the first bulky smokeless powder suitable for revolvers was 2400. Has anyone taken apart an early smokeless .44 Special cartridge? My guess would be 5 to 7 grains of a powder that wouldnt nearly fill the case.

Concerning the 44 vs 45 question I would pick the 45 ACP with full moon clips if it was to be used strictly for self defense. The 44 Special would be better if used for hunting and I could live with it for self defense too. Little difference, really.

 

[mec]

You are probably right about powders. Unique and Bullseye were early standards and at some point there was a powder called #80. Elmer Keith used it to overload 45 colt and when the thin chambered colts blew up, used a 12-grain charge in .44 special until 2400 came along in the early 1930s. Keith used circa 250 grain bullets with 5 grains of bullseye in folded head cases and 4 grains in the solid head cases.

 

[Fishslayer]

What would Elmer Keith say ?

"Oh good! A longer case. Wonder how much more powder I can fit in there?"

Kind of curious about the reference to "bulkier smokeless powders." Were the older smokeless bulkier than today's? I load .45ACP with Bullseye. It's been around longer than I have & I believe I can fit a lot more in there than is prudent.