.44 spl HD load & speedloader considerations

[kmrcstintn]

for those times I do it "just because" or the HD gun rotation changes, I have a S&W 629 PowerPort that comes out of hiding every so often; for HD use, I have been using Hornady 180 gr XTP in .44 spl (cuz they are carried by a few shops in the area and they cost less than other brands) & the speedloaders that I currently have are HKS # 29's...I have some SafariLand Comp I's on order due to a few recommendations;

1) is the Hornady load a good one?

2) do the SafaiLand speedloaders hold the bullets tighter than the HKS 29's (the HKS speedloaders don't hold the .44 spl's or .44 mag's really tight and they can slosh around whentrying to perform a reload)

3) what other economical & effective loads should I consider?

thanks

 

[ccd]

The CCI Blazer 44SPL load with the 200gr GD is great for an economical load for the nonreloader. The Hornady 180 gr load is good for SD. Don't know about the Safariland speed loader as all I have are HKS's for my 624. Reloading really pays for itself quickly with the 44's.

 

[GreatWhiteShark]

Currently I have my Rossi M720 .44 special loaded with CorBon 165 GR. JHP Straight from the website rated at 1050 FPS and 404 FT LBS

Definately shoots hotter than the crappy 246 lead round nose "cowboy action load" ammo I usually practice with.

My main home defense weapon is my brain, supplemented by a Glock 17 loaded with double tap
Caliber : 9mm+P

Bullet : Speer Gold Dot JHP

Ballistics : 115gr @ 1415fps / 511ft. lbs. from a G17.

 

[Feanaro]

I don't have personal experience with the Safarilands in .44 Magnum but in other calibers, they hold the rounds much tighter. They are also faster and easier to use. Unless Safariland doesn't make a Speed-Comp for your revolver, I see no reason to use HKS.

 

[Virginian]

Don't see why a speedloader would care if the rounds were 44 mag. or 44 spl. Base is the same. My Safariland speed loaders hold the rounds snug enough that they don't rattle, but loose enuf that they will work with a Smith 29 or a Ruger Redhawk, or an old Llama whatever it was. Snuger than HKS. Unfortunately, Safariland doesn't make a 5 round 44 Speedloader, because all my six rounders except single actions are gone, and my only double action left is a 5 rounder. I much prefer Safariland Speedloaders to HKS. No twist required, just push straight in. Oh well, they work okay for carrying two full reloads in my pocket when I go for a walk with a Vaquero.

 

[kmrcstintn]

there is another 'other' brand of speedloader called MaxFire...Dillon Precision, Midway USA, and Brownell's are the distributors that I am aware of...you might find a 5 shot .44 speedloader that might work for you; I settled on SafariLand for the long haul

 

[Feanaro]

I've heard many bad things about Maxfire. Some good too. I'd do some research on THR before buying.

 

[45crittergitter]

You might try Double Tap Gold Dots or other "specialty" loaders (Buffalo Bore, Garrett, etc.)

 

[Virginian]

44 Spl

Effective loads, self defense - Gold Dot and Glaser Safety Slugs are my faves
Effective, animals - 240 gr hard SWC over stout 2400 charge
Economical - whatever's cheapest. If you don't reload, aluminum cases or reloaded cowboy loads where you can "trade in" your cases on more reloads. If you reload, I am starting to like 215 gr. SWC best. 15 gr of lead ain't that much more expensive.

 

[Oro]

As Feanaro said, ditch the HKS and go with Safariland. I have a 3" 629 and feeding it with HKS is a pain, whether it's 44 spcl. or 44 mag. The safariland is a better mousetrap - whether it's an N, K, 357 or 44.

 

[Stainz]

Never had a moments problem with HKS #29s and my 4" & 6" 629s - with Ahrends wood or Hogue .500 Magnum monogrip. They stay loaded with Georgia Arms 200gr GDJHP .44 Specials, the same price as the CCI Blazers - and the same Speer #4427 low speed Gold Dot - but, in new Starline brass! I have shot thousands of Blazers without an event - then a 200gr-er split in my 696, thankfully, as it is SS. No more Al cases for me - especially in that 296. I had shot >1200 in my 296 (Ti cylinder!), but nevermore! GA Arms are nice folks - and make quality products at fair prices.

I get the same velocities from my 2.5" 296 (805 fps), 3" 696 (835 fps), and 4" 629 (870 fps) with either round - or my reloads, using that Speer #4427 over a midrange, from their data sheet, amount of Titegroup - 5.7gr. Independent testing revealled that the Speer #4427 opens well (.76" OD) at 800 fps in gelatin or brisket - with 15" ++ penetration. It's thin walls would likely come apart at >1,000 fps - it's a true 'low speed' design, a la the #4484 250gr .45 Colt - and the .38 Scl +P 135gr GD. I trust it!

Stainz

 

[Feanaro]

Never had a moments problem with HKS #29s

If they work for you, that's all that matters.

For me, they didn't. I tried to use HKs 27-A and 10-A speedloaders for IDPA. The twisting motion meant some or all of the rounds would stick unless I straightened the speedloader. It's hard to do this back-forth motion under stress, so I ended up pulling dropping a lot of rounds. I also had issues getting the rounds to go in, due to some jiggle. This wouldn't be as much an issue with .44 Mag, I expect.

Safariland Comps are faster, in my experience. You just push the speedloader in, no twisting, so the motion is more streamlined. The cartridges are held tightly in position. It's been as reliable as my HKS speedloaders.

 

[Stainz]

In all fairness, I have never used anything other than HKS - and moonclips. The #25, for .45 Auto Rims, is the least satisfactory, as the central axle on the HKS hits the ejector rod - keeping the short bullets just proud of the charge holes, making eye-contact important before releasing - kind of a 'Bombs away!' scenario, similar to the #29 and .44 Russians. I have found the #29 with Specials or Magnums straightforward to load without eye contact, although 'ultimate speed', a la competition, was never a requirement, thankfully. My miserable attempts at competition, something I should have started when Nixon was in office rather than Clinton, were with a 625 and moonclips... lots of moonclips.

Oh... moonclips won't make you a 'Jerry Miculek', either... I still fumble - eased charge holes (ejector star) and all. I thought capacity might help in SPC - so I went to a 7-shooter (686+) - then, an 8-shooter (627) - still needed an occasional reload for the five targets. Let me tell you, 8-hole moonclips, with spindly .357M legs flailing about, don't load easily, much less quickly. Practice, with a timer, would yield 'Expert' times with five shooters (642 & 696), the 'thrill of competition', well, my wife went with me last time - beat me with a Ruger MKII she hadn't shot in a year and a half. Stamp collecting may be fun...

I keep HKS' loaded with HD rounds for every handgun I own - in my lockable, for grandkid visits, desk drawer. I have appropriate HKS' secreted with my various HD/SD revolvers about the house - and the 5.56mm ammo can with 105 .45 ACP ball ammo loaded moonclips in the closet - ready for that Zombie attack... the 625 is in the safe... hmmm, good thing Zombies aren't fast!

Stainz

 

[Feanaro]

well, my wife went with me last time - beat me with a Ruger MKII she hadn't shot in a year and a half.

Shooting a revolver in a primarily semi-auto gun game requires either a masochist's heart or an ego so large that defeat won't bruise it.

 

[Stainz]

Wow, that's cold...

Stainz

 

[9mmepiphany]

another user of the CCI Blaser 200gr Gold Dot.

unforunately i'm shooting a M-696 and don't have the option to go with safariland speedloaders