Best Self Defense Ammo for .44 Special

[mrstang01]

I'm interested in the best SD ammo for .44 Special. I've got a couple of good handloads (Skeeter's will be the primary!).

Ammo should be readily available (at least, as readily available as any .44 Spec ammo can be).

Thanks!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Cor-Bon makes a 165 JHP load at 1150 fps, nominal, while Winchester makes a 200 grain Silvertip JHP at 900 fps, nominal.

Do you like light & fast or heavy & slow?

 

[mrstang01]

I'm a 1911 kinda guy, so heavy and slow works! Anybody else?

 

[pberzk]

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44spl

Really like their ammo. Don't have a .44, but have used other stuff they make.




Pete

 

[Charles S]

CCI Loads the 200 grain Gold Dot in their Blazer load in 44 Special at just under 1000 FPS. When you can find them this is the best load around.

Charles

 

[mec]

Ive been shooting some of these loads in a 6.5" 24 and a couple of 4" 29s. What impresses me about the jhp special loads is they expand very well even at fairly moderate velocities. I would have a hard time saying any of the special loads - including the slow old 246 RN is a bad self defense load

Some tables and pictures here:
http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/mc15.htm

 

[LWCmdr45]

Mike,

Nice illustration! I feel that any of the .44 Spec. loads will suffice, but there's one other to consider. I used my M624 3" as a "pillow gun" when I lived in an apartment. Kept it stoked with Glasers backed up with a speedloader of Silvertips for minimum/moderate penetration in an apartment building.

Steve

 

[JohnK]

For general carry I like the 165gr Corbon, powerfull but still little recoil (at least in a M24). When I lived in an appartment I loaded it with Glazers. I wouldn't feel bad carrying it with CCI's 200gr Gold Dot that was already mentioned either.

 

[Al Thompson]

I tried Glasers and had serious problems - enourmous muzzle flash, loud and the bullets key holed at 7 yards. The POI/POA was way off.

I stuck with the CCI Blazers with the 200 grain Gold Dots - much better load, IMHO.

 

[Dave Williams]

Good .44spl can get pricey

When I had my M24, the Federal LSWCHP was like $26 at the local shops, which I thought was insane. I couldn't afford it at that price. It and the Silvertip are both time tested loads. The Silvertip is generally available cheaper around here, so you could actually practice with it a bit before you carry it. I think the soft Silvertip nose is as likely to expand/upset as the LSWCHP. I'm leary of the Blazer as a carry load. Doesn't Pro Load offer a 200gr Gold Dot that's brass cased?

Dave

 

[mrstang01]

Dave,

Can I ask why you don't like the Blazer for carry in a revolver?

BTW folks, remember this is a home defense revolver, not for carry. I'm a 1911 kind of guy for that.

Michael

 

[Dave Williams]

mrstang01

I've heard of inconsistent ignition with the primers in Blazer, and that's why I wouldn't count on it for defense or carry in a revolver. I admit I haven't experienced it though.

Also, where I went to the police academy(OSHP Academy), they mixed Blazer in with WW Cleanfire in a large box of ammo for recruits to grab ammo from. The reason was it would cause malfunctions and the recruits would get practiced at clearing malfunctions. Kind of makes you think twice about using it in an auto for other than range work. Although again I personally haven't experienced any problems in autos with it.

Dave

 

[mrstang01]

Dave,

Thanks for the reply. I've used Blazer for years as hunting ammo in the .44 Magnum variety, and it's always gone bang. Use it for practice as well in .45 ACP and .357 and never had a problem. I know several agencies use Blazer for practice ammo, never heard of a problem.

Thanks!

 

[mec]

I used quite a few blazers -mainly in autopistols and have had perfect performance from them. They seem to do the same over the chronograph and on target as the brass cased loads

 

[M58]

CCI Gold Dot load.

 

[Gila Jorge]

CorBon 165 grainers...bar none. But I use Federal and Winchester for practice. Prefer Federal brass if you reload.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

You can get Blazers at www.natchezss.com for $11.62 a box

Chris Nemeth

 

[Jeff OTMG]

Note the velocities in the photo above. The Corbon is the hottest listed. Now check this out. 44 Spl. 110 gr. TFSP 2030 fps / 1007 flbs. That is RBCD ammo and it is loaded to standard pressure so if you are shooting an old Charter Arms Bulldog you won't blow up your gun. Think of it as a .38 Spec. Treasury load (110 gr) loaded REALLY hot.

 

[9mmepiphany]

my load of choice for my HD .44 (696) is the blazer 200gr golddot. it is accurate, low flash, mild recoil and cheaper then the other .44 load i have in the house (corbon 165gr)

CCI has always had a reputation for having hard primers but i have never had a problem with them through over a thousand rounds (9mm, .45, .357/.38, .44).

i did experience a problem with cases sticking, during ejection, in my 696. i cleaned out the chambers real well and never had a reaccurance...i really wasn't planning on speedloading it anyway

 

[Tamara]

I'm partial to the 200gr Federal LSWC-HPs, myself, but I'll carry Silvertips or Blazer Gold Dots if the gun store is out of the Federal.

 

[vonhammerss]

44 spl P.D. LOAD

I Have Had Good Luck With The Thunder Ranch Load ( Black Hills Ammunition You Have To Call Them To Get It ) It Is A 250 Gr. Swc At About 780 Fps I Carry It In My Duty Weapon A S&w 29-4 2 1/2 Inch Have Not Had To Use It On Duty Other Then A Couple Of Pit's Worked Great.

 

[jgo296]

wow this many posts and no one has mentioned that double tap ammo offers a hot 44spec load with the same gold dot bullet the cci speer has
and i think it is one of the most intimidating hollow points out there the cavity is so big you could take shots out of it

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

my "main squeeze" for my 44...

 

[mavracer]

wow this many posts and no one has mentioned that double tap ammo offers a hot 44spec load with the same gold dot bullet the cci speer has

holy thread revival that's because in 2003 doubletap didn't

 

[Virginian]

I have never had to use them for that purpose, and hope I don't have to, but the Gold Dots shoot well and certainly look impressive. I keep mine stoked with Glasers and try to have two speedloaders of Gold Dots in reserve, but right now I notice one of them is loaded with Silvertips. I live in the country now, but when I was in the city I always had all Glasers. I shoot up the Glasers every few years when they start to look too 'classic', and I can put all 5 on target at 25 yards out of the two guns I have tried them in. All the advice columnists recommend against handloads for liability reasons, and I have tended to follow that advice.