I think we can pretty well put to rest the theory that the 44 Russian cartridge was not suited for Smokeless powder.
As I have said repeatedly I only load 44 Russian with Black Powder, because I am shooting it in antique Smith and Wesson revolvers. I do not want to subject these antiques to the pressure spike generated by most modern Smokeless powders.
I have already posted a photo of a box of 44 Russian, probably made sometime in the 1930s or later, loaded with Smokeless powder.
I was just rummaging through my ammo stockpile and I came across a box of modern Blackhills 44 Russian ammo. I think I probably won the box as a door prize at a CAS event. Interestingly enough, only 20 rounds are left in the box, I must have fired the other 30. Most likely not in one of my antiques, more likely in a modern revolver chambered for 44 Special. I really do not remember.
Anyway, I turned to my reloading manuals, and three of them have recipes for 44 Russian with Smokeless ammo.
First, let me complete the quote somebody quoted earlier from the Speer 13th edition:
"Although the Russian was considered inefficient with the early smokeless propellants, it managed to survive the transition. The Winchester catalog for 1911 showed 44 Russian loads with 246 grain bullets in both lead and full metal patched versions, plus two "gallery" loads with a 115 grain conical bullet or a 105 grain round ball for indoor target shooting. Both black powder and "semi-smokeless" propellant versions were cataloged. the nominal velocity of the heavier bullets was usually listed as about 750 feet/sec."
Let me mention here that there are no official SAAMI standards for 44 Russian.
Three of my reloading manuals list Smokeless recipes for 44 Russian; Speer 13th edition, Lyman 49th edition, and Richard Lee 2nd edition.
Lee has loads for 165 grain lead bullets, 200 grain lead bullets, and 240 grain lead bullets. Powders listed are HP38, Clays,Universal, Accur#2, Solo 1000, ACC XMP5744, Accur#5,and A Nitro 100, Interesting that Lee does not list Unique. Without going through all the data line by line velocity varied from 769 fps to 1002 fps. Max pressures ran from 1040 CUP to 13600 CUP.
The only bullet Speer lists is a 200 grain cast bullet. Powders listed by Speer include Unique, Viht. N320, Universal, Bullseye, Tite Group, HP38, 700-X, Red Dot, 231, American Select, AA Nitro 100, and AA #2 Impr. Velocities listed run from 640 fps to 887 fps. Interestingly enough the 887 Max velocity was with Unique. The test gun Speer used was a Cimarron Arms replica of a SAA. There was no barrel length specified. Speer does not list any pressure data.
Lyman has data for 180 grain lead swaged bullets, 200 grain cast bullets, 240 grain cast bullets, and 245 grain cast bullets. Powders listed are Trail Boss, Nitro 100, Bullseye, Red Dot, Tight Group, AA#2, N320, HP38, 231, and Unique, Velocities out of a universal receiver with a 6 1/2" barrel varied from 608 fps to 880 fps. Lyman lists pressure data from 9800 CUP to 11500 Cup.
So clearly there is plenty of evidence that 44 Russian can be successfully shot with Smokeless powders. Also, most of the manuals mention the inherent accuracy of the 44 Russian round, particularly with target shooters before the 44 Special was developed.
I have no intention of loading any 44 Russian ammo with Smokeless, because as I said earlier, most Smokeless powders create a pressure spike that might damage my antiques.
But I think we have pretty well driven the last nail into the coffin about 44 Russian not being suitable for Smokeless powder.
I continue to believe the 44 Special was developed because Smith and Wesson wanted a fancy new cartridge for their fancy new revolver.
Just for the fun of it, here is a photo of me firing one of my antique Smith and Wesson New Model Number Three revolvers with Black Powder 44 Russian ammunition.
Compared to 45 Colt, 44 Russian is pretty mild mannered.
