Best Self Defense Ammo for .44 Special

[Jim March]

The Speer Gold Dot 200gr slug is just excellent at barely subsonic speeds - anything from 900 to 1,050. Speer's load under their own name does this, as does the Blazer with the cheaper shell. Go with the Speer brand name for carry.

Doubletap is loading this slug to 1,100fps, which in my opinion would be more useful than the supersonic Cor-Bon load. But you don't really need to go supersonic to make the 44Spl work, so...I wouldn't go there. Supersonic just means more noise, it has no inherent effect on wounding.

The 240/250gr Keith-types are potent at wounding BUT penetrate way too much for urban carry, in my opinion. Superb "woods/critter load".

What we really need is to get the Gold Dot 250gr 45LC slug scaled down just a hair, to around 230/240gr, running 850-900fps with a monster hollowpoint. Until Speer does that, I really, REALLY like the Gold Dot 200gr "flying ashtray". The absolute best speed: 1,000fps. Get as close to that as possible and you're good to go.

 

[Moonclip]

I like the Federal LSWCHP because it doesn't have a jacket to peel back to get expansion. I'd feel comfortable with some of the other loads mentioned though especially in a longer barrel.

 

[jgo296]

hmmm 1100 out of a 5 inch barrel my 44 is a S&W 296 2.5inch
and on the 230+grain i have max bullet weight of 200

 

[P. Plainsman]

The Speer Gold Dot 200gr slug is just excellent at barely subsonic speeds - anything from 900 to 1,050. Speer's load under their own name does this, as does the Blazer with the cheaper shell. Go with the Speer brand name for carry.

Nothing wrong with this advice, but I have the distinct impression (which I recall as being backed up by at least a few tests) that the aluminum cased CCI Blazer 200 gr Gold Dot load is a bit hotter, higher velocity, than the brass cased (actually, nickel brass cased) Speer 200 gr Gold Dot load.

Same slug. Same company (CCI/Speer) makes 'em both. I choose the Blazer over the Speer load for defense in .44 Special because I like that extra oomph.

You really do seem to be able to count on 900 fps from the Blazer .44 Special in a 4" barrel revolver like my S&W 629. The Speer brass-cased load tends to clock more around 850 fps. Still a nice choice, but I want 900 fps.

 

[Jim March]

Whoa. I didn't know the Blazers ran faster. Peculiar.

 

[mavracer]

Nothing wrong with this advice, but I have the distinct impression (which I recall as being backed up by at least a few tests) that the aluminum cased CCI Blazer 200 gr Gold Dot load is a bit hotter, higher velocity, than the brass cased (actually, nickel brass cased) Speer 200 gr Gold Dot load.

do you have a link to any tests speer lists them at the same velocity. I wouldn't worry about the blazers you won't have any split cases at the 44 spec pressure

 

[batmann]

Cor-Bon! Best there is.