I LOVE the .44 Special!
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- Talking a bit about the creation of the .44 Special and doing some ballistic tests with a variety of different styles and power levels of ammunition. Always appreciative of any channel help :) www.patreon.com/user?u=5828221
- Sport
I realized I did a video for my Patreon members over a year ago where I handloaded some .44 caliber ammo (off camera YT rules) but chronographed them. Figured you guys might like to see it: czcams.com/video/U1IEu-HImc0/video.html
“Hard Cast Lead 327 Federal Magnum would take Elk easily.” Can you test this? BobJohnson seems to underestimate 327’s power
you gained a sub, great video
It's mind boggling that the. 44 special hasn't seen a resurgence in both variety and as well as reloading. Elmer Keith's wisdom still endures!
Technology seems to go the other way, 1960's the military went from .308" to .223" and .451" to .355" not long later, not concealed carry is getting bigger in .30-.32 caliber like .30 Super Carry. It's cheaper to load less lead.
The Silvertip, Fed LHP , etc from the Original Bulldog Era was woefully underloaded . Despite advertised 900 fps velocities , actually chronoed mid to low 700's . If they had been reasonably close to advertised , it probably would have cought on more .
I think the .44 mag is more versitle than the special and puts the special way on the back burner. As a handloader, one can load a .44 mag case to Special velocites with less pressure than a Special. Plus one does not have to add another caliber or brass to the equation and adjust their dies. dramaticlly.
A big part of why it’s not as popular is the size and weight of the revolver. I have 2 and I’ve learned to wear a shoulder rig because they pull me pants down with a belt holster.
@@michaelturner4680 I have a 329pd that I carry a lot when getting firewood. It's 25oz., and I don't really feel it at all.
Everything you said about the 44 special exact reasons why I love the 45 Long Colt both are extremely versatile
45 Colt costs more than 44 special. At least when I have bought. Neither are as expensive as 44-40 though 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️. I only keep that one around because Pop’s gave it to me.
Absolute Favorite Revolver Cartridge is the .45 Colt
Mark Gindelberger,
.45 _ _ _ _ Colt .
Period
☆
45 Colt is indeed great for those reasons . But .44 Spl loaded to equivalent is virtually indistinguishable .
Sometimes you feel like a S&W DA , sometimes you feel like a SA .( Yes , nowadays .45 Colt DA are semi- common ..But not back in the Original Bulldog Era .)
@@moobutt been watching 44-40 like a hawk for a couple years. It's my wife's favorite, but I ain't buying it for over a buck a round.
And now I know the reason why Detective Harry Callahan chose to load his 44 magnum revolver with 44 special.
Actually he did not... he had 44 mags loaded to a 'special' loading. that is according to the writer and you can see he does actually say.. 'a special light load' My guess.. is that he loaded 44 mag to around 900-1000 fps.
I suspect Harry meant he used the light loads for practice and competition. On the street, with the gunshot sound effects and the depiction of recoil, they clearly represented magnum loads
@@troy9477 No idea what Harry meant that the writer meant handloads. I agree with you tho that the movie made it seem like they were pretty hot factory rounds
@@doranmaxwell1755. I do the same for practice, load .44 magnum cases to .45 ACP levels. I am getting old and can’t shoot too many full house loads any more. I have a double action Ruger.
@@oklahomahank2378 Kinda funny.. went shooting with a friend at a frends. we only brought a few guns. since IO needed to check my .357 Henry we made it a .357 day but at the last minute through in my very early model Kimber in 45 acp. For the .357 I took two loadings. both with 158 grain cast and coated bullets. One was to be a milder load of around 1000fps.. the other about factory but with cast. I forgot that at one time I tried 3 levels So both of the 100 round boxes had stout loads with one only about 100 fps lower than the other. To tell the truth IO could not tell em apart. For the 45acp I have pretty much settled on one loading a 200 grain SWC at around 950 fps or so also cast and coated. This is a warmish load but everyone says it shoots very pleasantly With that load and the Kimber? I am extremely confident. and it feeds well in every 1911 I have tried. I own a Python (old one) and a Dan Wesson in 44 mag and a Smith 629... all those guns shoot really well but for some reason the Kimber is just.... easier.. to get good groups with. Must be the stag grips I put on it?
"It's a 44 it's not going to get any smaller"
Love it
Your excitement for the 44 Special really showed in this video. It's certainly more fun to shoot vs. 44 Mag.
Very impressive! You are well armed with a .44.
Just used my Model 69 w/.44 Special for the revolver portion of my CCW qualifier for renewal :) Everyone was impressed by the single large hole made by 25 SWC'S. The 69 is no joke in the accuracy dept!
I qualified in 2016 with an SP101 snub and SWC ammo. People looked at me, like 'what is that you cowboy?' But I was the one guy shooting one hole in the paper. Lots of people had 9mm's and couldn't hit the target at all. I had a good time that day other than one of the youngest trainers trying to make me push my thumb straight out against the cylinder gap. I looked at him like, umm, don't touch me and I wrapped my thumb again like common sense.
@@GunSam last renewal I used a S&W 625 with no rear sight for the revolver portion. We have to qualify by caliber and pistol type (revolver/auto) in New Mexico. You can carry any caliber round equal or lesser caliber than what you qualify with.
Really enjoyed this segment on the .44 Special. Thanks Sam!
Cool! I am curious. What state are you in? I'm in NC and we didn't have to do a 'revolver portion' of the ccw process. Interesting!
@@mattygunn3852 I was born and live in New Mexico but lived in NC 7th grade through 1st year of college. Went to high school in Burnsville and college at UNCA in Asheville.
I traded my S&W 69 for a GP100 44 special. One of the best trades I've ever made. The Hogue grips fit my hand better & I'm not tempted to put magnums in it. I leave the magnums for my Super Blackhawk & Super Redhawk that are made for them. That GP100 3" is my most pleasant shooting big bore.
A GP100 .44 special definitely a valued defender.
I discovered 44 Special about 6 years ago. I now own 3 44 Magnums and I’m always on the hunt for the elusive Ruger GP 100 in 44 Special. It’s an extremely versatile cartridge and deserves more attention than it receives.
Yeah good luck finding any of the good Ruger single or double actions new. They really need to step their game up as far as producing new guns
Sounds like the GP100 is a solid .44 special, the one i have is a 70's Charter arms bulldog
Enjoyed the talk as well as shoot. Not that I need to long of history always , but I love the 44 as well. Thanks , good show
Looks like the old cops were right, wadcutters hit FBI specs nicely !
A man in an old style gun magazine 30+ years ago wrote that there were 3 worldwide manstoppers, by age: 45 Colt, 44Spl and 45 ACP. Anyone notice they all share fat, slow and heavy as their stock in trade?
You're right to love the 44 Special, it's a truly great and versatile cartridge. Not as powerful as 44 Mag but it's easier to shoot and realistically will do pretty much anything you're going to use a handgun for anyways. It offers a lot, what a great option to have.
Matt’s Bullets has a 44 Special 250 grain hollow point load they produce especially for the Charter Bulldog that also looks interesting.
They make Great Cast bullets for handloading .
Have long considered getting a Charter Bulldog. Today I walked into the gun store and they had one on consignment for $250. It has an incredibly sweet trigger... probably had a trigger job. Needless to say, for that price I now have a .44 spl.
I'd have bought it too. AND, if you can find some .44 Russian ammo it shoots that too.
I have a S&W 696, 5 shot, 3” barrel that shoots amazingly accurate for that length. I never feel under gunned when I’m carrying it.
S&W in general and .44 Special are definitely an accurate combination. I have never really pin pointed why the .44 Special is so accurate, but it seems more accurate than .38 Special. I am guessing that at close range it's just as accurate as .38 Special but at longer range, when you send a 200-250 gr bullet out there at 700-800 FPS, not much happens to it because of all the momentum, just keeps heading to the target and because low recoil, you also didn't jerk the shot.
Un calibre infravalorado, opacado por el 45 ACP, 357MAG y 44 MAG. Nunca se toma en cuenta como revolver de defensa personal o del hogar, pero se obtienen unos más que satisfactorios resultados. Saludos desde Uruguay, grandes videos y gran canal
Concordo! 🇧🇷
Absolutely my friend in the South! It's my favorite sidearm for the nightstand table, and carrying around the farm for snakes, of which we have an abundance! Via Con Dios amigo! 🙏✝️
The new Charter Arms don't recommend hot loads because the power will still be burning after it leaves a 2.5" barrel. They say it's not because the frame can't handle it.
Charter is sketchy. I saw them saying that about .38 Special+P too, that there's no point to +P is what they say, which is nonsense. Buffalo Bore says that their hotter loads will not blow up a Charter Arms, but they also do not recommend their loads in Charter as they claim it will be hard on the frame, send it out of time etc.
@Gun Sam _Revolver Aficionado_ I think it's mainly just the old ones before the company shut down. The ammo manufacturers need to cover their end. For them to put that out isn't surprising. The short barrel has very little room to burn up all that powder. I've owned my Bulldog for 4 years and have no issues with anything I put through it. I will say, I do believe you'll get greater velocities with a gun that has a longer barrel. I feel confident with every trigger pull with anything loaded.
Charter Arms are junk guns.
Thanks for the video 🙂
I like the versatility of the Smith and Wesson 69.
Mild to stout 44 special and mild to stout 44mag....
In a L frame size revolver!!!
Slow motion, split screen, tech data, and controlled data. Hard work and a great job.
The Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 Special used to be the favorite backup gun for cops all across America. Dad's got a Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R mag that is the best pointing and best feeling revolver that I've ever shot. Most of the Charter Arms revolvers have cool sounding dog names so I was surprised when he first got his and it had the Professional name stamped on the barrel. The 32 mag ain't a powerhouse but with the right ammo it would be a good, light carry revolver, especially with the 3" barrel like his. I used to have a imported single action 44 mag with a 6" barrel and I shot a lot of 44 Special rounds through it. With full powered 44 mag loads, it would shoot the sights loose about every two cylinders full. I got mad and sold it. The brother of the guy that I sold it to bought it and still has it almost 20 years later. I was talking to him at the grocery store a few weeks ago and it hit me that a drop of Loctite would have solved that problem just fine. He said that he would try it and sure enough it worked. Well considering that I was a full blown alcoholic from 1989 until 2008 ,I couldn't keep anything because of my stupid addiction. I've had some seriously nice guns over the years that I sold just to buy booze including a real FN Browning High Power, 2 Real German made K98s, a couple of Real Russian Makarovs,some nice Remington 700s in different calibers, a super rare Remington 1100 16 gauge semi auto with a modified choke ect. You get the idea. I quit that crap in 2008 and now you couldn't pay me enough to sell any of my guns. I'm down to 2 shotguns, a Springfield 4" 1911 45 and a Ruger EC9S plus a Ruger Blackhawk air rifle. I lost literally everything that I had in a house fire back in '04 so I had to start over from scratch and even getting something as simple as a drivers license is almost impossible when you have nothing to prove that you ever existed. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. That's the God's honest truth. I like the way you grip a handgun the same way regardless of whether it's a revolver or semi auto. I call it the revolver grip and I do the same thing. The thumbs forward grip just doesn't work for me. It just ain't natural and it's too late to undo 50+ years of shooting to learn a technique that doesn't benefit me in the slightest. Can't wait for your next video. You are my favorite channel by far because you do real world testing, are unbiased and I feel like I know you even though we've never met. If we ever did, I know that we'd get along great because you seem to be a cartridge nerd like me. Keep up the great work and stay safe my brother in arms.
I really enjoyed this video, thank you for that! I didn't really learn to love the .44 Special until I got into reloading .45 Colt. After seeing how much energy you can get from a 255 grain .45 Colt going 980+ fps and seeing how close the .44 Special can get to that particular loading I was thoroughly impressed.
I put that same grip on my 629 V-Comp and I like it much more than the factory grip.
Fun times. I have a Henry .44 lever and an S&W Model 69. I love to take these to the range. They both shot great with the .44 Special and when I feel like I need to spice it up I switch to the magnums. These are about as close to "do it all" as I can get and the older, safer, more reliable lever and wheel technology is a ton of fun. Appreciate your work!
I agree with loving the .44 SPL cartridge. My dedicated .44 SPL is the Charter Arms Bulldog. Mine is an old 1974ish Bridgeport model with the three inch barrel. It’s smooth and crisp with a great trigger and timing. Even with it, fifty yard targets are not too difficult. I’ve been carrying the Underwood 200 grain hardcast wad cutters. Great video !
@Skip Hinson...I just ordered some of those "black cherry coated" Underwood rounds myself.
The 44 Special is generally loaded like a hot 45 ACP. They are both great calibers and very versatile. Probably the best for many purposes. The 44 special can do just about anything. The 44 magnum can do anything a handgun could reasonably be expected to do, plus it can shoot the 44 special. I think that is why the Special isn’t talked about as much these days, as the 44 magnum is severely under loaded already by most manufacturers. Having said that, the 44 Special is an absolute pleasure to shoot and is extremely accurate, efficient, and well balanced. Thanks for bringing attention to this wonderful cartridge.
When you have .44 mag and .45 colt/.45 ACP you have everything.
Yes, if you look at the history of the magnum revolver cartridges, you can plainly see that the (most) mainline factories have backed off the their original maximum loads. I might be wrong, but I think the original .357 loads were a 158 grain bullet at around 1500+ fps, and the .44 mag wasn't far behind that. Now, most .357 loads, even with lighter bullets are around 1400 fps, and the the .44 mag is about the same.
Admittedly, many of the early .357 loads were not jacketed, and a lead bullet at close to 1600 fps would leave a fair bit of lead behind, and in addition, since it was developed (at first) primarily for the police, the report and muzzle blast was brutal, and I think that is why they backed off the loading a bit.
The loading manuals don't even have anything quite as hot as the full bore factory stuff, at least the loads I've used from them are not as hot.
This vid made me miss my Smith 296. Had to sell it years ago, told myself I could always get another one, but little chance of that nowadays and if one does come up it's big bucks. Airweight scandium hammerless compact gun, and a .44. It may not have been a pants pocket gun, but it was an easy coat pocket gun. Like the man said: I don't like big guns, just big bullets.
I MUST comment that this is my FAVORITE video from you! I am a HUGE 44 Fan! Magnum is my number 1 round but 44 Special is AWESOME! thank you for the video!
I have two Ruger Blackhawks, small frame, in .44 Spl. I load 250 solids in front of 7 grains of Unique. About 850 fps.
Good video ,the 44 special deserves to appreciated more. I have a revolver and lever gun chambered in 44 magnum but shoot 44 special primarily. To really get the most out of it you need to reload . That lets you shoot reduced loads a lot and that makes a good shot.
What I have found is a moderate load with a heavy lead bullet is all I need to hunt deer and whatever else a need a gun for.
Great video! I often concealed carry a 629 snubby loaded with underwood 44 specials or skeeter loads for in the woods. It's hard to beat 44 versatility.
The blazer 200gr w/gold dot hollow points are an excellent carry round for the charter arms bulldog. Beautiful mushroom through a couple of water jugs. Don't know what a serious test might indicate. Like to see what you could make of it. It certainly suits the stature of the bulldog.
i.e. won't harm it...all day long.
Got that ruger gp100-3" and with its magnum cylinder, not afraid to go heavy with it. "Very" appreciative of the low decibels! Great guns in that niche. Went with the dedicated caliber to do my part to help keep them alive in the market and most of all it's the practical capability of what they'll do for what I want. Have others but, not to bore you, these just feel right.
Love 44 Mag and 44 Special myself. Way too expensive. I know…if ya reload….
If ya can’t be with the one u love, love the one ur with.😂
I know that song, hippy song lol. I do reload .44 Special at times, but even that gets expensive. I like the lighter XTP's for hand loading because they shoot clean.
Good data. Thank you. Good results.
The .44 special is pretty hard to beat. I think that if i could only have one pistol the .44 special would be in the top of the list. The 240 grain bullet is considered standard bullet for the .44 special. Im kinda surprised you didnt really mention or test them.
Revolver, not pistol.
Gun Sam gettin excited about 44sp, 🤣 I can totally understand why. Great cartridge, very underappreciated IMO. First thought that come to mind when I think of 44sp is how much quieter it is. I'm glad you addressed that 👍
I rly should get into 44sp, reloading it would be great. The only handgun cartridges I reload ATM are 380, 9 & 38. It maybe about time I expand the operation a bit... 🤔
Gonna be a great video, thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy your videos, but I love this particular one! I have a Taurus 44 Magnum and a JM stamped Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum.
Had an old school .44 sp from Charter Arms built in the 70s. Horsepower to weight ratio was hard to beat back then. Stratford Hand Grenade. The 70s Charter Arms Bull Dog literally had a short life span before it would shoot loose. Loved the .44 special round.
You have got to stop showing these guns & calibers that I don't have. I can't afford it.
Kidding, love your videos. Thanks for all you hard work!
Nah, let it get to you. One of these days around tax refund time you can thank me, "what am I doing?!" while you scan a card for $1,100 when you know you cannot afford this. I have been there!
Just save up for the really special guns that you want most. You'll be able to afford fewer guns that you want more.
Other than the price it’s one of the greatest rounds ever
You do a great job with these tests, it's very much appreciated. Though I do miss the bologna pack. Always made you laugh when it rained down on you ..... which in turn made me laugh right along side with you. All good stuff!
Sam's never been full of bologna... but he's been covered in it from time to time. 😂
My house gun of choice is my Taurus 441 4” with 190 gr lswchp and 200 gr Underwood wadcutters. It’s also my woods gun with 255 Gr hard cast Underwood’s.I have a few semi autos but this is my go to pistol. Great video , awesome content.
Yep, an amazing cartridge. You certainly demonstrate its versatility. We love handloading and playing with it, but in truth the Skeeter Load will handle most chores just fine. My second Bulldog .44 vanish in a divorce, but I have an early 629 Mountain Gun, and every intention of acquiring another fairly small .44 Special. (Anyone have a spare Rossi 720?)
Shot Shells ! A classic Farm Load out ... 2 shot shells , 2 SWC , 2 JHP .... in the order most often used .
i have 2 charter arms bulldog in 44 spl
These are my favorite revolvers because of the cartridge.
I have those grips on my m69. They transforms that revolver. Thanks for the video.
I shoot a light special ......... late happy birthday Clint !
180 gr JHP Keith load
I love the .44Spc too. As a reloader's cartridge especially it's one of most versatile rounds out there.
Also, if you're going to keep shooting those Keith SWCs I guess it's time for a new and improved beach towel bullet stop lol.
Filmed 5/21/23
Great test. Nice to see the 200 gr copper HP do so well. The 190 gr BB is an old favorite, but the 200 gr copper expanded a little more and showed more damage in the wound track. The 200 gr WC certainly has its uses, as does the 255 gr Keith SWC. Too bad you didn't have some 246 gr LRN as a baseline comparison. I think Remington's ammo factory is back up and running. Good to know that the smaller companies have embraced the 44 Spl and are making good loads for it. Esp the old 255 gr Skeeter load, which was always a handkoad only proposition. My Rossi 720 seems to shoot most things well. Luckily i scored a box of the Blazer 200 gr Gold Dot during the ammo panic in Obama's second term. I have some Hornady CD 165 gr as well, back when we could still order ammo online in Kalifornia. I would like to get a 4-5/8" Blackhawk in 44 Spl as well. Strikes me as a great trail/woods gun. The 720 is no slouch though. I have been wanting a 69, thanks mostly to you. And i need a DA 44 mag snyway, something a little handier than my 7.5" SBH
Great videos Sam
That wad cutter is definitely a " Wiley Coyote " bullet
I've got 2 44spec. All I've ever needed is 429421 over 6gr of 231. Pokes big holes and is very manageable. An old S&W conversion and a Chatrer Arms. Quite sure it would do most anything i would ask of it.
Nothing like a charter arms .44 bulldog in the dark when things go bump in the night. Of course check your target before hand.
I've been shooting and loading for 44s (magnum) for about 50 years now. I have taken many game them, largest moose and bull elk. I have owned several S&W 29s and 629's still do. Have had Colts and Rugers too. Recently got the 69 in 2 3/4 barrel, shoots both magnum and specials well and loading the special as well. Good video and I always tell friends that get into 44s is after you shoot 1k rounds then you start to really get good just my own experience for me. I carried my 4 inch (working gun) at the ranch all the time. Where you don't go without a shooter. Kind regards
I’m liking the tac XP it slammed that block 🤔 but so did the 255 😹 👌
Most informative.
Thank you for sharing and regards from Washifornia !
Great video. I love the 255 grain Keith Wadcutters. I am loading them for the .44 mag with 17 & 21 grains of H110. I could go hotter, but I feel there is no need to as they penetrate so well. With 17 grains of H110 they are a powder puff to shoot from the 629 and the Marlin.
Back about 20 years ago Speer used to make a 225 semi jacket wadcutter hollow point. Man were those things nasty. I wish they were not discontinued, as those were awesome performing bullets.
whatever 41 magnum was supposed to cover is covered by 44 Russian, 44 special and 44 magnum. that's why i picked 629 over 657 more choice. i still got s&w 500 lol.
One big advantage of the .41 mag is that it can be used in a standard Blackhawk size frame. You could do .44spl in that frame but most states don't allow special length cases for deer.
@@mkshffr4936 Here in MI where I am at we can use any pistol caliber that is centerfire, even a .25 ACP for deer, but in other parts of our state the law does require .35 caliber and up. There's 3 deer zones here with different rules for each zone.
Got to love the good old .44 Special ...probly my favorite all-around handgun cartridge 👍
I love some .44! It's truly one of those rounds you pretty much have to handload so you can shoot it without your bank account shedding tears. I haven't purchased .44 Special or .44 Mag in probably 25 years. I was pretty surprised when I saw the stuff on the shelf with a $60/50 price tag on it.
Mr. Sam- This was a fun review of a fine cartridge. I too like the .44 Special, with my Freedom Arms Model 97 being much handier to carry in a holster than heftier .44 Magnum revolvers. The "Skeeter" load of a Keith bullet at 900-950 fps is about all I use although if I had grizzer bears around I'd prefer the Magnum revolvers just in case. I hear that Ruger makes their SP100 in .44 Special, and this should be a fine double-action revolver.
Man...The Freedom Arms is the pinnacle of engineering. The 97 is unbeatable.
Love 44 Special as well.
Great vid
Thanks
Great video; looked like you were having lots of fun.
Back in the late 80's, a lot of people carried the 44 magnum loaded with 44 special hydo shocks . You got the best of both , great stopping power for four legged and 2 legged creatures.
I don't even think that exists anymore. About 3 years ago I acquired some .44 Magnum Hydrashok ammo, but I haven't seen that since. The only real .44 Special that is modern JHP ammo that is currently available is V-Crown .44 Special.
I remember years ago a gun writer polled his readers about the best car gun. The winner was a big heavy bullet at subsonic speeds, .44 or .45 out of a revolver.
Looking forward to seeing your Skeeter handloads👍🏻
I personally don't load loads like that. I have the die set but have handloaded probably 2-3 times in the past year. Unlisted video - czcams.com/video/U1IEu-HImc0/video.html
@@GunSam thanks for members only link👍🏻
from memory, that’s the load that can really pin a man.
The 44 magnum that shoots 44 Special makes the 44 magnum the most versatile big bore cartridge using factory made loads.
Ive carried a 44 special bulldog snub for close to 8 yrs...its my preferred carry.
It’s my favorite round right now. It really does it all!
I too love the .44 Special. 255 grain cast bullet and a maximum standard pressure charge of Power Pistol and you have 565 pounds feet for under 15,500 psi.
That 500 S&W Magnum Hogue recoil absorbing grip is a must using 44 magnum loads in that 5-round model 69 L frame.
I did a 'short' video, actually a full length but I released a 'short' of shooting 305 gr .44 Magnum ammo. Roughly as much recoil energy as a 12 gauge slug, but in your hand.
Thanks to covid .44 special was the only ammunition available for. 44 cal around Oklahoma City for two years 😂 ! Kept the ruger super redhawk going! No problems on hogs or anything else that came by causing problems! Heavy weight gun with light recoil !
Man , you built a fire under me!! I have a model 29 with a 4" barrel and someone just gave me a bunch of .44 special once fired brass! I have some laser cast 200 grain rnfp bullets and I'm gonna have fun!! THANKS for this video, it was great info!!!
I also love 44 special. I carry a S&W 629 delux, 3 inch barrel. It handles 44 magnum very well also, but it is much heavier than your S&W model 69 with 4.25 barrel. I would like to pick up a model 69, 2.75 inch barrel soon my self. Since I mostly carry 44 special, I would like the lighter carry weight. Great video thank you
Excellent demonstration, thanks again.
Years ago I carried a 44 magnum that I kept loaded with Blazer 200gr 44 special.
Since then I went to the 45 caliber. Covering most of the 45's I can be very versatile. My favorite revolver is a Redhawk chambered for 45LC or with a moonclip the auto. It's very interesting with 45 Winchester magnum rounds
One thing I enjoy about your videos is it’s apparent you’re enjoying yourself.
Another great video. I learn something every time.
My understanding is that Elmer Keith actually preferred 44 special over 357 magnum for large animals due to bone breaking capability as you talked about.
Out of my Dad's Super Blackhawk, the 44 special is a pleasure to shoot!
If I remember reading right, Keith even suggested the old 45 black powder over the then modern 357
Yes, the Elmer Keith 44spl which was a light 44mag. Lol
@@bovineexcrement8635 Very interesting!! And I get called old fashioned for preferring my 45.....
Yup. Keith's famous .44 Spl load is a 250 gr bullet doing over 1200 fps from a 7.5" barrel Colt SAA.
@@cristianespinal9917
Keith's " Light Load " , was actually the same as the " Skeeter Load " . Both of which replicated by the tested 255 here .
It is a hand loaders round for sure.
I was told it is better for 25+ yards than 38 special do to bullet weight.
I always wondered why law enforcement did not use the 44 special Vs 357 Magnum. Indoor shooting 357 Magnum is harsh by comparison.
I think with LE, they were focusing on stopping power with limited penetration and the 125 gr SJHP did that well. I also think that a lot of LE departments liked the smaller K frame type .357 Mag revolvers like the model 19. Going up to a .44 Special was going up to an N frame size basically.
Elmer Keith I believe was a champion of the .44 special and helped it grow up into the .44 Mag. I have always liked the .44 special but it never seemed to be favored in my area, so ammo was scarce. Elmer also was one of the leaders in helping make the .38 special into the .357 Magnum.
Completely agree, the 44 special is the most versatile round. Really appreciated showing the various ammo, and how they differ. Underwood is my favorite, I use their 245gr flat nose in my single action, too many hungry bear in my neck of the mountains.
Love the 44 mag, but do shoot 44 special defense loads, for winter ccw.
GS. Another good and interesting video. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
Thank you, take care.
I lived in York, Montana where Elmer Keith hunted. I found some old 45-70 and a 45-90 cases in a gulch he frequented near my home. I just purchased a Ruger Super Blackhawk and have all the supplies to reload collected. Very interested in getting the .44 Special going at the range.
Love the spl. Been shooting 44 mags since the mid 70's which meant.... I became a handloader. I also 'discovered' the Charter Arms Bulldog. well... a series of em. Back then the only load you could buy was a soft lead round point in 246 grain at around 700 fps. At this point as you show... there are a bunch of loads for 44 spl. Ok... just me but I never fire 38/44 spl rounds in my .357 or 44 mag guns. So I had no 44 spl guns for decades. Now? one of my favorite guns to shoot and keep on the nightstand is a Uberti 4.75" SAA (cowboy gun) It is extremely accurate and anyone who shoots it loves it. Not a wimp load with 250 cast and coated SWC at around 850 fps. (according to my chrono) It seems to shoot 'softer' tho than even my light 44 mag loads in heavy guns.... I would say it feels a bit like a 45 acp in my 1911's... It is a little more potent than almost any 45 acp round also. I have molds for 195 grain full WC bullets but have not tried em.. obviously the SAA does not have adjustable sights. I was really lucky in that even tho I had to special order the gun everything was in spec and it actually shot low! A little file work got my load right at POA or an inch high at 25 yards.
Awesome video. I am glad to see someone give the 44 spl some love. I still carry my old '70s Charter Arms revolver.
Hey man, I love it too! So fun! 🎉
Skeeter Skeleton loved it too It's versatile maybe
a bit higher price but so easy to reload
44 Special is my favorite handgun cartridge. I agree it is the most versatile of all handgun cartridges, more so if you reload. Also I find it is more accurate over a wide variety of bullet weights.I use from 165 to 255 gr bullets of different configurations. Great hunting and self defense round! I use mostly my short barrel model 69, but for hot and heavy loads my 29 mountain gun for comfort if shooting a lot.
Awesome Content n Insights on the 44 cal!.!.!.
Nice vid. I have three brands that I use in a modern Charter Bulldog 2.5". Ya have to be careful with some loads. CA says not to use certain types. I use Hornady 165 FTX, Sig V-Crown 200gr JHP and good ol; Remington Wheelgun 246 gr LRN. I've noticed the CA doesn't shoot accurately certain grains. If I remember, the 246gr was the most inaccurate. It's been a while.
One of my favorites!
I discovered the 44 special about 4 years ago when my Taurus tracker 44 mag was a real handful. I load a 240 gn Keith style over power pistol. According to the crony it's consistent at 1090. Will shoot through a deer length wise. I absolutely love the caliber. I have some got a charter bulldog and a 1973 in 44 special. It's all I will ever need
Ahh yes, someone else who sees and appreciates the value, versatility and effectiveness of the venerable .44 S&W Special. I had a Charter Arms 3" Bulldog for self defense which, when they were released, led me to buy a Smith & Wesson limited reissue of their 6 1/2" bbl. 1950 Target model, a one of 5,000, 6 1/2" bbl. Model 24 N frame revolver. That one is my back up side arm of choice when out hunting in case of an encounter with an aggressive black bear (I live in the state in which the grizzly bear is on the state flag, but, hopefully, not yet been reintroduced) and/or a pack of urban agronomist's nervously protecting their crops on state and/or federal land. For those purposes I load 240 grain Keith semi-wadcutter's over a healthy load of [up to nearly Elmer's maximum load, depending on what I'm loading; plain, semi-jacketed or fully jacketed 240 grain, Kieth style, truncated cone, hollow, or flat point bullets] Hercules 2400. Since I bought that, I've also acquired a new 2 1/2" bbl. Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in .44 S&W Special and a 3" bbl. Taurus model 441 in stainless steel, both loaded with 200 grain Winchester Silvertip hollow points for self defense.The Taurus is interesting as its frame is the same size as my Smith & Wesson 6" bbl. K-Frame target revolver in .38 S&W Special. In fact, I remember a conversion article in one of the major gun magazines from the late '70's, early '80's, where someone had their K frame re-barreled [with a 3", or 4" bbl.?] and a new, un-flutted 5 shot cylinder put in it chambered for the .44 special. Like a dear friend used to say: "Everyone's different. That's why they mark towels 'His' and 'Hers'". My self defense loads are strictly factory loads for two reasons, 1., Living in Calipornia, I don't want aggressive anti-second amendment DA's and judges accusing me of looking to kill someone with super whiz-bang, nastily named ammunition, 2., I know the circumstances and conditions in which I most likely would need it and don't want over penetration. I want the projectile to dump all of its energy where it will do me the most good; in the aggressor and not pass through to some bystander and/or through a wall into who knows what. As to why the .44 special, there's an old bit of wisdom that goes: "It does you no good if your assailant dies 20 minutes after he kills you". In other words, the primary reason for making the split second decision to have to shoot an assailant is to stop as quickly as possible their violent, aggressive actions before they harm you a.d/or someone else. Whether they survive or not is secondary. That they are prevented from carrying out further aggression is always of primary importance.
Lots of info n interesting TY!
You have a real passion for our handguns !! 🇺🇸 👍 💯
Great video, thanks ! I recently started reloading and have added 44 spec and 44 magnum to my loadings. I load them down for easy range plinking and they are fun.
.44 is one of my favorite calibers to load. It is a nice easy straight case, designed for smokeless powder, and there is such a huge range of loads.
Regarding the decibel factor.....that is the exact reason why my home defense rifle is my Rossi 92 in .45 Colt. Unlike a lot of people, I have shot .357s indoors without proper hearing protection. It scared the shit out of me for a couple of weeks and I never want to experience that again. Same with my 5.56 AK. I hope i never have to use it indoors. It cracks me up seeing so many people with short-barreled ARs as their home defense choice.
Great video brother. I also love the .44 both magnum and special. Here in the UP of Michigan it is a great bush caliber.