Does anyone shoot factory 44 Special/Magnum?

[Shrinkmd]

I'm about to start work on making up a larger batch of 44 Magnum loads, including 8.5 and 10 gr of Unique, as well as 18-19 gr of 2400, as well as some experiments with 300MP. All with 240 gr LSWC.

I was checking the prices for factory 240 LSWC, and you're looking at around $32 per box of 50. Same pricing for 44 Special if you want cowboy loads. I did find Georgia Arms makes a case for $420, which is more reasonable.

Now let's say you get just 5 loadings from Starline brass if you're shooting close to max loads. With decent 240 gr bullets and 2400, these loads would work out to around $195 per 1000. This is about 1/3 the cost of new 240gr lswc factory ammo, half the Georgia Arms. It is also the same price as new factory 9mm.

So, does anyone actually own a 44 magnum and just shoot factory ammo in it?

 

[Lost Sheep]

Got your answer?

The silence is as deafening as a 44 Mag at an indoor range without protection.

Maybe you would find someone on the revolver forum instead of the Handloading and Reloading forum?

I shoot factory loads only to get more brass for reloading.

Lost Sheep

 

[cfullgraf]

I just obtained a 44 Special revolver. Bought one box of factory ammunition to "calibrate" my revolver over a chronograph.

Then, only reloads.

But, that is normal for all cartridges I shoot.

 

[Shrinkmd]

An excellent point. Can a moderator move this over to the Revolver forum?

 

[Constrictor]

im not sure why this would need moved to a revolver forum. The OP didnt mention a revolver. I shoot my 44 Mag desert eagle auto very often and have never shot a factory round through it. only reloads. what is your question?

 

[Metal Tiger]

I just obtained a 44 Special revolver. Bought one box of factory ammunition to "calibrate" my revolver over a chronograph.

Then, only reloads.

But, that is normal for all cartridges I shoot.

Yup, unless I send off for a boat load of cases which are expensive, I just buy a couple boxes and save the brass.

 

[TheCracker]

44 mag shooting is 99% of why I started reloading. Factory ammo is super high and this is one of the calibers it really pays to reload for.

Anyhow, I'm just using mainly magtech cases that I bought as factory loads to load with. Ive had awesome luck with 240g jsp and 20grains of 2400 but have only loaded a couple hundred like that. I use these mostly in my marlin 1894 lever gun. They do jagged one hole groups at 50 yards with a scope and hammer deer.

For the 240g lswc I mainly load 9.5g of universal clays (right next to unique on the burn chart) with outstanding results in my Tuarus tracker 44 mag revolver. I have cases that have been loaded at least 10 times with that load with no signs of problems.

If memory serves correct I'm getting 1150fps with the UC load in my 4" barred gun. I was shocked as it was only about 100fps slower than some factory magtech I had left over.

 

[bear375]

I shot some factory ammo once in one of my 44s. so I'm no help

 

[spclpatrolgroup]

I picked up a new 44 last September, I knew I would never have enough time to workup a load and fully test it before deer season, so I shot about 300 rounds of factory through it, mainly for fun, and to get accustomed to the pistol. Now I am working up loads and have lots of brass to do it with. Now I just need to upgrade from my single stage to a progressive.

 

[capreppy]

My brother is looking to off load his 44 Mag and we're just trying to figure out the trade details. I bought a 44 Mag setup from a guy that got out of 44 Mag. I will not likely be firing ANY factory ammo as I've got everything I need to reload for it (brass, dies, & various bullets, just need powder and if using 2400, I'll use LPP which I have plenty of).

 

[rehorne]

I use both reloads and Factory fodder. Reloads for the range and hunting, Factory ammo for serious social purposes.

 

[Mel1776]

Nope.
I'm in a situation similar to capreppy above. Bought most of a whole shootin' match (dies, new & used cases, powder & bullets) from my cousin's brother-in-law. He also had loaded rounds, which I pulled and recycled. I don't plan on buying any factory .44 Spec. or Mag. in the foreseeable future.

 

[JackCrow]

Yep, I bought a .44mag SBH a while back and have put a few boxes of factory through it because i have not been able to buy dies and components to reload with as of yet. Once I do that will be all it ever eats 'cause the factory rolled stuff is just too dang expensive.

 

[*NOVA*]

...So, does anyone actually own a 44 magnum and just shoot factory ammo in it?

YES! But that's only because I live in a townhouse and if you saw our basement / laundry room you'd understand. I almost cry when I think about the nice work bench I had set up down there, with all my tools sorted out on the peg board...but sure enough little by little the wife found more stuff to store down there and next thing you know my bench is buried under boxes of junk.

Just today I ordered two boxes of Black Hills 255 gr Elmer Keith type semi wadcutters because I want to achieve extremely tight groups at 50 yards with my Ruger Super Redhawk. And as y'all can already well imagine, 100 rounds shipped to my door costs a fortune! :banghead:

One day we will move out to the country (I hope) and I'll have that little shed in the back, or a big enough garage where I can reload.

 

[gamestalker]

I haven't bought factory 44 mag. ammo. in decades. I'm another who got into reloading much because of the cost of factory, and the desire to load better stuff than I could buy.

But my load of choice is a 180 gr. or 200 gr. JHP on top of a full house charge of H110/296. That's a better eye opener than a cup of strong coffee any day! I haven't done a cost estimate in a long time, and really don't care much any more about factory v.s. reload cost.

And you mentioned brass life span too. I load exclusively with jacketed bullets, H110 or 296 powder, and my brass still goes for at least 10 cycles with Starline brass before I have to add it to my ever growing pile of recycles.

 

[GTS Dean]

One of my best friends was in the sporting goods business until the mid 80's. We both bought consecutive s/n Redhawks and shot a lot together. With his discount structure, he could shoot factory ammo cheaper than I could handload it. The nice thing is that I was the grateful recipient of hunreds of rounds of Federal and Remington once-fired .44 brass. I'm still shooting the same brass 30 years later. I practice with very light loads of Unique and get over a dozen reloads on some of it. Back then, Winchester brass got brittle and split after 4 or 5 reloads.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

At the moment I, only have one .44, a great looking nickel 29. I, bought it as a safe queen but it is to nice not to shoot atlest a little. So I, buy 2 boxes a year, one to shoot, and one to put away for retirement.

 

[Walkalong]

I bought a box of factory .44 Mag ammo around 30 years ago. That was the last one.