Looking for a watered down 44 mag suitable for home defense...

[riverdog]

WW Silvertip was a kinda/sorta 3/4 44 Magnum load. Maybe it still is, dunno.

It didn't want to play nice in a Ruger 44 Deerslayer Carbine, so maybe it really was a less than Magnum load. I never clocked it.

Other than lead SWCs previously mentioned and Silvertips, I don't know of anyone advertising a reduced power 44 Magnum cartridge.

salty

Maybe not now, but Pro-Load used to market a Light Magnum load using the 200 gr HP/XTP bullet -- 1100FPS IIRC. The powder was supposedly optimized for shorter barrels. FWIW

 

[loop]

Balrog,

You should have responded to me rather than bearmgc. I am the one who said the thread is pointless and that you failed to do your due diligence.

It is your gun! Do what you need to do!

Do not blame others for your failure to Goggle.

 

[Girodin]

I'm no expert, but I'd be leery of using a handload for home defense. From all reports, the prosecution can have a field day with that...

From all reports? Please give one example of where this has happened. I often hear this argument and I always ask them to cite one case of it happening. I have yet to hear a report of it. For those who are so concerned a lawyer can twist things do you think they will not be able to twist the fact you bought super specialized tactical ammo designed to maximize the damage to human tissue and so destructive it is banned in war by international treaties. The problem with being afraid of things being twisted is that one can twist anything. I'd worry more about good shoot bad shoot issues than other superfluous concerns such as hand loads.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ultramax makes a good "cowboy" 44 magnum load (240 gr flat point @ 750fps) in soft lead that will suit your purposes.

 

[Prosser]

I think it was an excellent question. I was looking for something in the 170-210 grain range, at around 1400, or more fps, and, I can't find anything.

I did find this:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/180grHorn44mag.html

Makes me think even 1571 fps is a bit slow...for a light bullet load.

12.6" of penetration isn't much, and, I would suggest this is NOT too much for HD.

 

[Glamdring]

http://le.atk.com/general/speerproducts/handgun/golddotshortbarrel.aspx

The speer 44 Magnum 200 GDHP short barrel same bullet they use for the 44 special load but in magnum case. VEry good choice IMO for SD/HD in the 44.

1075 mv from 4" vented brrl
not sure if this link will work but above one will
http://le.atk.com/ballistics/speer/detail.aspx?loadNo=23971&firearm=2