Can you shoot anything else out of a .44 magnum?
- Thread starter kellyj00
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cmidkiff
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Can't decide on 38/357 or 44m/44s?
Split the difference and get a Smith model 657 in .41 magnum
If you're going to shoot revolvers much, I highly recommend reloading. One of the main benefits that revolvers have over autoloaders is that they are so flexible on ammo. Since the cartridge doesn't need to cycle the action, you can load hotter or cooler than standard pressure (within safety limits) to your hearts desire.
My 14 year old, 100lb daughter loves to shoot my .44 mag, with my low power rounds in it. Still, for a first 'magnum' revolver, I'd get a good .357 (my choice was for a Smith 620).
Split the difference and get a Smith model 657 in .41 magnum
If you're going to shoot revolvers much, I highly recommend reloading. One of the main benefits that revolvers have over autoloaders is that they are so flexible on ammo. Since the cartridge doesn't need to cycle the action, you can load hotter or cooler than standard pressure (within safety limits) to your hearts desire.
My 14 year old, 100lb daughter loves to shoot my .44 mag, with my low power rounds in it. Still, for a first 'magnum' revolver, I'd get a good .357 (my choice was for a Smith 620).
Atticus_1354
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Who makes a good cheap .44 mag round for target shooting? I need something that will work well in a Marlin lever and a revolver. I also plan to save the brass for when I start reloading, so it needs to have solid brass too.
Stainz
Member
I'll play the devil's advocate here. The .357M was devised in the middle thirties for Hoover's G-men to shoot through car doors at fleeing felons. The .38 S&W Special has some decent offerings today - mostly +P-rated - that are great 'fight stoppers'. I keep the Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC, the old 'FBI load', in my 2" 10 and 642, althought there are purpose built rounds, such as Speer's 135gr Gold Dot JHP, that are also effective. Doug Wesson showed the utility of the .357M at it's ntroduction by hunting most of the N. American big game with it.
The .44 Magnum - derived from the .44 Special, which came from the first widely used centerfire handgun metallic cartridge, the .44 Russian - was actually developed as a hunting round (Sorry, Harry Callahan!). I love shooting mild .44M's, .44 Specials, and .44 Russians - from my .44M's. I had my time with a heavy recoiler - a SRH in .454/.45... I don't get the recoil thrill these days - and don't miss it!
Okay - my suggestion. You have a bottom-feeder in .45 ACP.... how about a revolver that uses them? The S&W 625 is a SS revolver chambered for both moonclipped .45 ACP's and clip-less .45 Auto Rims. It is available new now as a Jerry Miculek special, the 625JM, in 4" and the standard version in 5" - at about $40 less than the feature-laden JM version - check an '07 S&W catalog - or their site. The 625JM is available locally for ~$680-$700. I've had mine since they came out - and a standard 4"-er before that.
The beauty of the .45 ACP in a revolver is multi-faceted - no 'action' to work, as in your 1911, so no min/max power level (... within SAAMI spec's!) to worry about. Mild poof loads to .45 Colt plus level loads are possible. The moonclips make reloading FAST. Unlike your bottom-feeder, a revolver won't rudely cast those empties upon the pavement - they stay 'NICE'! Besides being a reloader's friend, they are also available much more widely than even .357M and .44M - and at lower prices. The recoil isn't bad - what more could you want? A real big bore that is frugal and won't destroy your wrist! Good luck.
Stainz
The black tool is for stripping the .45 ACP's from the metallic moonclip. The thick rimmed cartridge is a .45 Auto Rim - which fits the HKS #25 Speedloader. S&W has made .45 ACP revolvers since 1917.
The .44 Magnum - derived from the .44 Special, which came from the first widely used centerfire handgun metallic cartridge, the .44 Russian - was actually developed as a hunting round (Sorry, Harry Callahan!). I love shooting mild .44M's, .44 Specials, and .44 Russians - from my .44M's. I had my time with a heavy recoiler - a SRH in .454/.45... I don't get the recoil thrill these days - and don't miss it!
Okay - my suggestion. You have a bottom-feeder in .45 ACP.... how about a revolver that uses them? The S&W 625 is a SS revolver chambered for both moonclipped .45 ACP's and clip-less .45 Auto Rims. It is available new now as a Jerry Miculek special, the 625JM, in 4" and the standard version in 5" - at about $40 less than the feature-laden JM version - check an '07 S&W catalog - or their site. The 625JM is available locally for ~$680-$700. I've had mine since they came out - and a standard 4"-er before that.
The beauty of the .45 ACP in a revolver is multi-faceted - no 'action' to work, as in your 1911, so no min/max power level (... within SAAMI spec's!) to worry about. Mild poof loads to .45 Colt plus level loads are possible. The moonclips make reloading FAST. Unlike your bottom-feeder, a revolver won't rudely cast those empties upon the pavement - they stay 'NICE'! Besides being a reloader's friend, they are also available much more widely than even .357M and .44M - and at lower prices. The recoil isn't bad - what more could you want? A real big bore that is frugal and won't destroy your wrist! Good luck.
Stainz
The black tool is for stripping the .45 ACP's from the metallic moonclip. The thick rimmed cartridge is a .45 Auto Rim - which fits the HKS #25 Speedloader. S&W has made .45 ACP revolvers since 1917.
Ranger61
Member
I once shot 41 Mag ammo in my 44 mag revolver. Of course the cases split and the accuracy was horrible. 
But on the good side the recoil and muzzle blast were very tame. 
Of course the cases split and the accuracy was horrible. But on the good side the recoil and muzzle blast were very tame. SnWnMe
Member
You can also launch weasels out of a 44. But it doesn't work as good as the 45 Long Colt due to the smaller bore deforming the weasels.
skeeter1
Member
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the .44 Magnum will handle .44 Russians (even lower power than .44 Specials. That is, if you can find them. Midway still has them in stock.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9272&categorystring=653***691***
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9272&categorystring=653***691***
SnWnMe
Member
Yes you cna use 44R out of 44M. But you hafta adjust your sights after you zero for the weasels.
tasco 74
Member
Weasels???????????????????????????
tasco 74
Member
in my opinion the .357 magnum is enough to stop anything in the U.S.A..... i'd suggest you go with that caliber too..... yes full magnum loads feel like someone slapped you in the side of the head when you shoot without hearing protection but .38 spls are SO nice to shoot and the brass is cheap and plentiful................
Brassman
Member
I have 50th Anniversary Blackhawks in both .357 mag. and .44 mag. And yes, I shoot them a lot even though some would call them collectors' items. I much prefer the .357 mag. to .44 mag mainly because of recoil. I reload and mostly load lightly for both calibers. If I had to pick only one to keep, it would definitely be the .357. The balance of the 4 5/8" barrel is better and I can shoot it more accuarately than the 6 1/2" .44 mag. When I use full power .44 mag factory rounds, I can hardly keep the muzzle down to get a good second shot off quickly.
My personal opinion is that one can't go wrong with a .357 with at least a 4" barrel. I would say 6", but that is harder to conceal if you need to do that. The 4" gives good balance and is usually a little more accurate than shorter barrels because of sight radius.
My personal opinion is that one can't go wrong with a .357 with at least a 4" barrel. I would say 6", but that is harder to conceal if you need to do that. The 4" gives good balance and is usually a little more accurate than shorter barrels because of sight radius.
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