Muzzle Blast and Recoil Of A .44 Magnum?

[Ala Dan]

Hello All,

For the record, let's assume we all are shooting Smith
& Wesson .44 magnum 629's with a four inch barrel.
The cartridge in question will be a 240 grain JHP.

With that said, how would you describe the muzzle
blast and recoil of say the hottest factory loaded
cartridges? Please go to the attached poll and rate
this great cartridge.

Thanks,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[C.R.Sam]

Hottest factory loaded cartridges and same wt bullet.

From guns of same grip, shape and barrel length.

Hmmm...don't think there would be much difference.

Sam

 

[maytom]

Well, since they added a new option, I'd go with the last one now!! I had a Ruger SB, and without any ear protection(such as when hunting) all I know that puppy is one loud gun in the woods!! While the .45 colt is slightly larger in diameter, the .44 mag is a more intense cartridge, shooting large bullets at a much faster velocity than the others, hence the louder report I would think. My 2-cents on it.

 

[sm]

Last time I shot guns right near similiar with similar loads, I didn's notice much diffference. Gonna agree with sage Sam on this one.

 

[Quartus]

Uh, gentlemen? I think you missed Ala's question. The idea is to rate it compared to the other calibers listed in the poll.


As for me - ah dunno. They're all pretty nice. If you want a big bang, gotta move up to something like .454

 

[Mal H]

Dan, I think you're missing a category. "Hotter than either the .41 Magnum or .45 Colt". I don't find any of the 3 very harsh in muzzle blast or recoil, but the .44 Magnum has more of both than the 2 other calibers in the poll. This is especially true if you limit the .45 Colt to only factory loads. Of course, this is all subjective and personal.

 

[BigG]

Mal and I think the same, Ala Dan, my friend. In factory loads the .44 Mag rules and is quite a bit stouter than either the .41 Mag or John Wayne's fav .45 Colt (unless you are including boutique 45 Colt made to be fired in a Sooper Redhawk or Freedom Arms? Nah, didn't think so.

 

[Ala Dan]

Thanks Mal, how about adding that as an option in my poll,
please?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Mal H]

Done.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Factory ammo.
"Hottest factory loaded cartridges."

In my answer, was considering WESHOOT2's factory stuff.

Sam

 

[Poohgyrr]

Hmmm, I don't have a .45 LC, but I do have a .44 Special and standard hot .44 maggies are much hotter than standard Specials.... Then we have the good loads......

 

[SnWnMe]

Okay, I'm about to get lynched here. I have neither a 41 nor a 45LC. So I can't asnwer the poll.

Having said that, I will do my damnedest best to whine and complain that the system (in this case, the poll) needs to be changed to accomodate me. I'm getting a lawyer. What's the number to the ACLU?

I'm sure the short bbl'd 44 will kick a tad more than a 41 or a 45LC. But it's a quantity I can't, uhh.. quantify.

 

[caz223]

Well, I answered before the bottom answer was added.
I think that most gun savvy people would agree that the bottom answer would be most appropriate.

 

[Hal]

All are the same - - only different.


Don't have a .41 mag so take it with a grain of,,,(2400?)

- -.44mag vs .45LC- -
.44mag has less case capacity and smaller dia. Powder burns "quicker" because it's more compact. Result is more flash of unburned powder = more blast - higher pitched sound = more piercing noise- more "snap" .44 is a sharp (.hot hot hot .357mag type) recoil where .45lc (unless it's dialed waaaaay up w/>300 gr heavies) is more "BOOM" and push.

Platform has everything to do with what to expect. In the N frame, there's no way to safely dial up the .45lc for any period of time. Just under max .44mag loads w/the new N's should be fine. (that includes all big brand name factory stuff - Buf Bore/Cor -Bon/Garret - Weshoot2's hotties not included - - - Any Federal/Win/Rem ammo should be Ok)

.45LC factory ammo is usually pretty tame stuff. Kinda like a BIG .22 almost.
Handloads of .44mag @ 900 -1100 fps for a 240 gr cast/swaged lead are almost the same.

Bottom line - If it were me (and yes,, I have to admit I'm looking too @ the Mountain Gun series (Lord have mercy on my soul) I'd go the .44mag, and dial down handloads to special plus levels. .45LC is lacking in certain respects for what I want and need.

Bottom- basement line - Not really a hoot of a lot of difference between the 3 with careful load selection. .44mag offers just a teeny bit more full spectrum than the other 2. .41 mag is a bit too much niche round for me. Ditto the 10mm in the N frame (even though it wasn't on the list)

 

[Roger Williams]

Well, in my experience, you can make similar loads in all 3 calibers.

If you are talking strictly typical factory loads, a .45LC factory load is a total pussycat. (hot loads are a different story) .41 mags are not much different from a .44 as far as muzzle blast and recoil, but the .44 mag is a little stouter. I'm talking strictly typical factory loads here... I'm sure you could make a .45LC load and a .41 mag load and a .44 mag load all feel the same with the right amount of tweaking, but if you're talking strictly typical factory loads, .44 mag is the pick of the litter for muzzle blast and recoil of the 3 calibers you mentioned.

...the .44 mag IS stout, but a few days ago I shot a .454 in a Ruger SRH... HOLY SH*T!!

 

[Nightcrawler]

I wouldn't put a lot of the HOTTEST factory loads through a Smith & Wesson. I hear tell they're just not strong enough. You're talking Redhawk/Super Redhawk territory with stuff like Buffalo Bore and Garret Hammerheads, AFAIK.

 

[Shane]

The .45 Colt is mild recoiling (assuming "Cowboy" loads thru moderate powered loads are used). I personally have no use for the extra hot .45 Colt +P loads--I don't hunt nor do I enjoy excessive recoil just for the heck of it.

The .41 Magnum has bite to it, but to me it generally feels 15-25% less recoil than a .44 magnum assuming both guns are similar in weight and ergonomics, and that the cartridges are "typical" loads--lets not count the crazy super-hot loads that Cor-Bon and/or Garret (sp?) make.

With a well designed rubber grip, I find the .44 magnum to be tolerable for brief shooting periods. However, with a poorly designed wooden grip (such as the grip my Cousin has on his Model 29 S&W) it can be very painful. Firing his 29 with full powered loads can best be described as having a baseball bat slam against your hand. OTOH, the Super Redhawk which I've tried before is tolerable for brief shooting periods--although the extra weight of the Super Redhawk probably pays some factor into its slightly easier perceived recoil.

I'm sure both model guns would be even more enjoyable wearing something like a Pachmyre Decelerator.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

recoil in these calibers What recoil?

 

[HSMITH]

None of the poll choices are right for my opinion.

Muzzle blast on a hot loaded 41 is SHARP to me. Much sharper than 44 mag. Both are significantly higher than 45Colt.

Recoil of the 44 is higher, guns typically are 10% or more lighter than the same gun in a 41 and it makes as much or more energy.