What self defense ammo for a .44?

[Nightcrawler]

I took my new 629 Classic 5" out to the range for the second time today. I put through it fifty rounds of Blazer 200 grain .44 Specials, fifty rounds of Magtech 240 grain SJSPs, and twenty rounds of Magtech 20 grain all-copper JHPs.

I had hoped that the lighter bullet magnums would be milder, but I was pretty wrong. Matter of fact, finishing the box of twenty 200-grain magnum loads actually skinned part of the palm of my hand. (I've since used my razor to shave down the back of my Pachmayr Decellerator grip, getting rid of the annoying seam that protruded across the back of the grip.)

I did okay, given how out-of-practice I am. My double action more or less sucks, but that's pretty expected given how often I practice. Eventually, I swear to God, I'm going to get good with this thing, and I'm going to be able to shoot fast and hit far.

In the meantime, though, I need more practice.

Since the 629 is now my only big revolver (my other is a 5-shot .38 snub that's just as challenging to shoot, but for different reasons), I'm going to focus on it. I suppose I should've saved my money, kept my now-sold seven shot .357 and focused on THAT as my primary shootin' revolver, but...

Well, what can I say? I like .45 automatics. I like big bore revolvers too.

Anyway, I was wondering. What self-defense rounds do you guys use for your .44 Mags. Most .44 Special loadings are rather underpowered (less than .45ACP +P), but there are a variety of .44 Mag rounds that pack enough punch for the anti-personnel role but don't thump you around too much.

So what do you prefer?

 

[Justaman]

.44 mag is impractical for self defesne, that is why there is a .44 special. Any standard loading for a .44 will make a bad guy drop his dew rag.

 

[mnrivrat]

.44 Spl. Cor-Bon 165 grn JHP's unless your talking about SD from 4 legged animals .

 

[Dr.Rob]

44 mag cowboy loads... 240 gr flat point soft lead at 900 fps or so. I like shooting them in my vaquero...

the 240gr full power soft point is my load for big game, too much for SD.

 

[Nightcrawler]

.44 Spl. Cor-Bon 165 grn JHP's unless your talking about SD from 4 legged animals .

Corbon makes the 165 grain load in both .44 Special and Magnum. Is there any particular reason one should consider the special over the magnum load, since they're both downloaded for SD?

I'm hoping to find something more along the lines of a 180-200 grain JHP at 1200-1250. That's way down into the 10mm range, so it should be plenty controllable.

 

[Stainz]

The GA Arms 200gr GDHP's are like those Blazer .44 Specials - even similar velocity. You get nice Starline brass, too, for future reloading. Expect ~ 870-900 fps at the muzzle of a 4"-5" barrel. The lite Speer #4427 bullet will reliably open, more than doubling it's surface area, in soft gel/tissue - starting at 800 fps. Heavy clothing/thick skin may clog it, making it less effective. Ask the bg to take off his thick wool coat - and don't hunt wild hogs - or pussum on a half shell (armadillo's), and you should be okay.

Most 'real' .44 Magnum loads are gross overkill for 2-legged predators - and can cause some significant collateral damage in your neighbors' homes. I agree that a 240gr LSWC at 800 fps should take the fight out of most bg's. My CCW, a 296 5-shot .44 Special Airweight, is always loaded with the 200gr GD's, not only because they should be effective, but because of the 296's <200gr/no lead requirements.

Stainz

 

[LeonCarr]

CCI Blazer .44 Special with the 200 grain GDHP, and the Federal .44 Special 200 grain Lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint is a good one also. I have heard good stuff about the 165 grain Cor-bon ammo, but it is expensive.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Deanimator]

CCI Blazer .44 Special with the 200 grain GDHP, and the Federal .44 Special 200 grain Lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint is a good one also.

I've got a box of each riding around in the trunk of my car. I bought them before I knew that S&W was going to have my 4" Model 29-2 for an indefinite period. I'm picking up a 6" tonight. I may fire a few of each through that tommorrow night, along with a few Winchester white box 240gr. magnums, just to see how it shoots.

 

[bpisler]

www.buffalobore.com they have a 180 jhp
load in 44 spl,1200fp from a 6" barrel.

 

[cookekdjr]

The .44 spl is such a good round, its hard to make it a poor performer.
I like the Blazer Gold dots that you metioned, but really, almost anything will do well for self defense. By the way, you may want to try the Ruger Redhawk as a platform. Mine was a total pussycat with the Blazers. It was like shooting a 22lr.
-David

 

[3LegDog]

CORBON DPX

CORBON has a new line called DPX. It uses a solid copper bullet, so there is no jacket to seperate. The expansion is fantastic. This is the ULTIMATE 44 spcl for self defense!

You can see pics and READ A REVIEW here:

http://hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon%2044%20Special%20DPX%20Report.htm

Here are the specs on the 44 spcl

44 S&W SPL 200 GR. DPX 950 FPS 401 FTLBS 4.0 in bbl

https://www.dakotaammo.net/shop/index.php?cPath=23_126

 

[Arcticfox]

Bill Jordon suggests semi wad cutters. He has lots of experience with gun fighting on the border.

 

[jhawk92]

I've heard excellent stuff on the Winchester 210gr Silvertips. My brother has those for his Ruger Redhawk and they are pretty accurate to boot.

 

[s&w 24]

remington 180 gr jhp are in my maggie . Built just like the famous 125 gr 357 loads only bigger. I tested 6 brands in my gun and the remingtons shot best for recoil control and accuracy. I didn't have any 210 silvertips at the time I'll have to dig up a box of em.

 

[Kurac]

I made my own .44 mag load for SD

210gr Winchester Silver Tip
new nickel plated brass
maximum charge of H110

it gives about 1,600fps out of my 6" 629 and close to 2,000fps out of a carbine, my only complaint is that the point of impact is much lower than a 240gr projectile

 

[Socrates]

I don't really buy this, and here's why. If you look at S&M's 'one shot stop
results' you see the 44, and a few other really good rounds, that don't seem to work as well as they should. Why?
Well, the penetration design for these light for caliber hollow points are the same as lesser rounds, 12-14 inches??? If it doesn't get to vitals, no stop.

I suggest HEAVY FOR CALIBER Hollow points? Why, we want penetration AND expansion, and, two holes. Is that PC? Maybe not, until Platt got shot, and it didn't penetrate enough to disable him, and he killed 4 FBI agents. You could do what Kurac suggested, using a full case of H110, and a light HP, but, you have a problem with pressure, top strap cutting. Advantages are big flash, sort of light recoil, etc.

S

 

[dogngun]

I have a 5" Model 29 Classic. I usually carry it loaded with Federal Hollow Point Magnums, but I used to carry the Blazer .44 Mag HP's, too. If you like the Specials, the Blazers are an excellent choice, and will feel very different than the mags.

Mark

 

[SWMAN]

I have some Corbon 165 grains I keep around for the 29 4" just in case I decide not to use my Colt.45 autos, 686 .357, HiPower 9mm, Beretta 92 or 96, or 36 or 10 .38 specials for self-defense.

 

[RustyShackelford]

glasers/magsafe .44spl for CC/protection...

If you live in an urban area or are around many people, you may want to look into the .44spl loads from Magsafe or Glaser silver. These rounds will not punch through someone or tear into glass/walls/etc as much as other standard rounds. JHP ammo would work well best the frangible loads in .44spl would be best for security/CCW/duty/etc.

RS

 

[Hook686]

I use Speer 200 grain Short Barrel Gold Dot HP ammunition, for carry. I figure at 1250 fps, I get about 700 ft-lbs energy. Speer told me these were fine in a 6-1/2" S&W 629, just give me more penetration and expansion, than with a shorter barrel revolver.

 

[bakert]

Quote "44 mag cowboy loads... 240 gr flat point soft lead at 900 fps or so. I like shooting them in my vaquero..."

Got to agree with that. A .44 caliber lead bullet trucking along about 850 to 900 fps with a center mass hit will stop most altercations then and there.
I download .44s to that level or just above since the indoor range I shoot at doesn't allow full bore .44 mags because the noise and "concussion" disturbs the Glock and other auto shooters with the high cap magazines, and messes up those fine patterns many of them shoot.
Nothing wrong with the .44 specials but I personally don't much care for the lighter bullet loadings.