Who else uses a .44 mag/spl for defense?

[Barry the Bear]

Wanted to know what loads people use and that im not the only one who even thought about using one for that purpose besides harry callaghan. I keep my new model 29-3 loaded with winchester silver tips with a speed loader filled with federal hydrashok And my super blackhawk loaded with 180 gr. Remington soft points for the hogs. What do you use for critter and 2-legged varmint defense ?

 

[2zulu1]

I'm currently carrying a M29 Mountain, weighs the same as a 1911 Government, with handloaded 210gr Gold Dots, 1390fps;



For very deep penetration, 300gr Sierra JSP or WFN, at ~1075fps, 9mm/147gr XTP for size comparison;



What can the 44mag do? Remington 240gr JSP full penetration, destruction of a thick cinder block, frame capture;



One of the nice attributes of the 44 mag is that it can be handloaded for reduced recoil, like 255/300gr WFNs, and remain extremely effective.

For instance, a 255gr WFN @1200 fps is good for about 41" of soft tissue penetration.

 

[Hilljun]

New Model super blackhawk

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkHunter/models.html
Don't know how to post pics so their is the link.

I load hornady XTP 240 gr I have attached a link to midway which is where I get some.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/22...er-240-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-100

Here is the scope I have on it.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/61...-pistol-scope-2-6x-32mm-multi-x-reticle-matte

I am using 21gr of 2400. I have tried many different loads all the way up to 24 gr of 2400. I could hit just as good with 21 gr as 24 and when you are loading thousands of rounds 3 gr makes a difference $$$. When we are traveling which is a lot I keep it handy in the truck. At night I keep it handy next to the bed. This is my go out in the yard and shot for fun gun. I also have a holster to carry it hunting.

 

[Drail]

I have carried a .44 Spl. snub every day since 1987. Still carrying one (S&W 696) My current load is the Speer Gold Dot 200 gr. load or my handloaded equivalent. Walk softly and carry a BIG stick....

 

[Ric]

I carry this quite often. 200 grain gold dot 44 magnums.
The Grips help a lot

 

[PlaneJain]

For work I carry a 629 and keep it loaded with 250 gr. hard cast lead bullets. I work in bear country for the Dept of Fish and Game. For play I carry something a wee bit lighter, like a CZ 9mm.


heres my tool:

 

[Barry the Bear]

Alot of smiths! Protected by God and Smith and Wesson.

 

[RCL]

I have a Taurus 445 Ultra-Lite .44 Special 5 shot I'm trying to work into the carry line-up. It's getting a second chance after being sent back to the factory once. There will be no third.
It really is a nice gun to shoot.....my wife is even comfortable with it. Great grips help. Shoots the Hornady 180 grain XTP factory load very well.
Time will tell.

 

[35 Whelen]

One of these is never far from my side:






Both are .44 Specials and are usually loaded with 260 gr. SWC's @ 950 +/- fps. The Blackhawk can, and occassionally is, loaded up to a little over 1200 fps. As another poster pointed out, this load will penetrate 40+ inches of flesh. As such, I see no need for a .44 Magnum...that is unless Ursus Horribilus is reintroduced to Texas.

35W


Colt clone

 

[kim breed]

After carrying autos for most of my life, I finally picked up a charter arms bulldog in 44 spc. I use cowboy loads in it. a friend of mine gave me some rounds from Bufflo arms(I think). wadcutters inverted. Leaves one of the biggest holes in a ham I've seen.

 

[Hokkmike]

When practicing what is the most rounds you can fire with enjoyment? I had thought about a .44 Special but to me the recoil seems prohibitive. Would any of you big bore shooters care to address that issue? A gun not shot often is probably not a great one to have on your person. That is kind of a personal philosophy. Thanks for your responses.

 

[Hilljun]

For me its not the number of rounds I can tolerate but the number of dollars I am willing to spend. For me that's about 25-30 at a time. Some times its just a cylinder or two. Just depends on my mood.

 

[35 Whelen]

When practicing what is the most rounds you can fire with enjoyment? I had thought about a .44 Special but to me the recoil seems prohibitive. Would any of you big bore shooters care to address that issue? A gun not shot often is probably not a great one to have on your person. That is kind of a personal philosophy. Thanks for your responses.

I handload and have my own range, so my limitations are ALWAYS time. My 79 year old Dad has come to the house and fired a little around 80 rounds at a time out of his .44 Special.

35W

 

[the Black Spot]

I carry two(not at once):
Most days a CA old school bulldog - two leg defense - 240 xtp over 5 gr of bullseye.
Sunday gun i carry a Arminius by Weirauch 44 mag load with blazer 44 special 200 gr gold dots.
When in woods i take a uberti cattleman 44 special loaded with 310 gr cast bullet over 9.5 gr of 2400 or more recently the Arminius 44 mag loaded with 255 gr hard cast over 25 gr of 3F blackpowder.

 

[Drail]

Recoil in a .44 Spl. is VERY mild unless you are launching it from some kind of flyweight aluminum alloy snub. You will probably be pleasantly surprised the first time you fire one from an all steel gun. If you can handle standard 158 gr. .38 Spl rounds from a steel snub you won't have any issues with a .44 Spl. Of course none of this applies if you're trying to make a .44 Magnum out of the cartridge (like Buffalo Bore or Corbon loads). 200 grains@900FPS is all you really need. I can shoot my handloads (hundreds of rounds) all day with no discomfort and I am 60 with bad arthritis.

 

[Hokkmike]

Thank you Drail....

 

[JERRY]

tagged cuz i like big bore wheelies carried for ccw.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Lew Horton 329PD . . . .

 

[lowercase]

Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spl as EDC and lately has been pulling nightstand duty.

 

[Eaglestroker]

While I really lust after a 696, I sure do love my LH 24-3. Big fan of the 44 Special.

 

[Stainz]

My 642 is my main 24/7 CCW - but this similar but larger 296 was my first carry revolver. First in a belt mounted pancake, but later - including occasionally nowadays - in a Mika pocket Holster:



I keep five GA Arms 200gr Gold Dots in new .44 Special Starline brass unless in the woods. There I start off with a 240 gr LSWC and follow up with four Gold Dots. The Mika pocket holster makes it fit 3/4 of my pants' front pockets.

Stainz

 

[Kiln]

I have used a Rossi R44102. I was one of the first guys to buy one when they came out.

So far so good. I'm now a Rossi fan. Recoil and muzzle blast with the .44 magnum are pretty harsh but with .44 special, it feels like a good balance. You're still sending a huge chunk of lead downrange at moderate speed.

I'd definitely be hesitant to fire a .44 mag in the house.

 

[Jackal]

I carry my compensated 2" Taurus 445 Titanium .44spl with a 240gr Keith over 15gr 4227. Very snappy. I do not feel undergunned at the grocery store or out fishing in bear country.

 

[Liberty1776]

I carry my Taurus Tracker 5-shot, with 185 gr. Remington loads. (It barks a little - not a target load) For casual shooting I shoot .44 Special reloads.

 

[Boxhead]

My "bumming in the woods" carry when I am at my mountain retreat in north Idaho is an Old Model Flattop 44 Mag cut to 4 5/8" and loaded with 275 gr WFN's at 1100 fps carried in a Simply Rugged pancake. In the truck is a Ruger 44 Mag Carbine loaded full-tilt with the 250 gr Nosler Partition.