Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .44 Special fans?

That top one is uber. Custom, not a Lipsey, I’m guessing?

Anybody using the Special for deer sized critters?

If so what is a good load combination?

I would feel comfortable shooting deer behind the shoulder with a hard cast 240 grain SWC and 5.0 grains of IMR Trail Boss. This is my standard load for use in the Rossi 720s and Taurus 441s. I bump it up to 6.5 grains in .44 Magnum case for a .44 Special power load for use in the S&W 329PD.

I must have gotten the one lemon M24-3 Smith ever made. Mine would spit lead, and didn't shoot for crap. I sent it back to Smith, and it came back worse than before

. It would shoot jacketed bullets okay, but who buys a .44 Spl. to shoot jacketed bullets? Not me, for damned sure.

I swapped it off for an IPSC Commemorative Smith M745, which was a decent-shooting pistol.

Some of the 80s re-run of 24/624's were problematic. I knew guys with both from that run who had difficulties with them, and both of them definitely know their way around a revolver.

As to a stout 44 Special on deer, I've killed several with 240-255 grain SWCs going 900-1100 fps from 44-45 caliber revolvers. I punch them through the shoulders and those loads will put them down fine with a good hit and almost invariably make two holes for each shot.

Single action revolvers, and DAs larger than a K frame generally have no place with me.

Still, I think I could learn to like a GP100 in a .44 3"

I have a Ruger flat top, so these can take some pressure. According to these articles you can push a 240+ slug over 1100 fps. Good enough for the white tail where I live. I have Accurate #9 and unique so I am going to burn them. Right now I am just plinking with 7.0 of Unique.
I'll add that my blued 4 5/8 Ruger Bisley holds very nice, and it has a quality feel. Subjectively is feels more refined than my super blackhawks.

http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Ruger%20Lipsey%2044%20Special.pdf

http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian%20Pearce%20on%20the%2044%20Special.pdf

What is your guys best combo rifle/revolver load in .44/44 mag?
I'm a big fan of one cartridge, two gun packing.

My personal favorite is a Winchester 94 trapper combined with either a Ruger Redhawk or Super Blackhawk.

The beauty of the Win 94 compared to '92s or Marlin 1894s is the longer action allowed me to load somewhat beyond SAAMI without feeding issues. I would generally load the 300 grain Speer Unicore to the deeper rear cannelure. Of what is in current production, I'm waffling back and forth between a Ruger 77/44 and a Marlin 1894 cowboy version with the choice based on whether I wanted to shoot with a scope or iron sights .. and I haven't decided.

For .44 revolvers, depends on whether the intent is hunting or carry. My carry .44s are a S&W 329PD and a 4-5/8" super blackhawk. Choice between them depends on the purpose for the trip, backpacking vs fishing, etc. The S&W carries nice but is real bitch to shoot. For hunting, I like the Ruger hunter models. I've owned both bisley and standard.

Tom

Classic 2nd. Gen Colt SSA, 1964 w/ factory wood grips. Colt letter said it came from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, from the wear, I'd bet it was carried in the woods for deer and bear.