Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 44spl vs 44mag for deer hunting

Didn't the magnum come about because Keith wanted his heavy .44 spl. loads made as factory loads.. But everyone was afraid of the old model 44 spls.. floating around the country... So the decision was made to make the mag... and a new revolver.. Even after the ,44 mag. hit the market and Keith had his, he continued to carry a 4 " spl.. till a 4 " was available from the factory.. He wanted a 1200 fps load and got a 1400 fps load.. To the idiot who thinks the spl. can't do the job maybe he should take up golf..

Seriously stupid. Look up 44 special before posting again.

If you want to load 44 vagina - go ahead - but don't call it "44 special" for the sake of a noob who might not understand what his old revolver can safely handle.

Ill take the .44 mag and they can keep the golf.

Ignore DLA,

He is over his head as usual.

Guys have been shooting 240s and 250s faster than 1100 FPS safely through .44 Specials since before the Troll was born.


Here is a prime example, borrowed from the cast bullet forum.

A Ruger Flattop (which is a medium frame) shooting a 260 grain Keith at over 1200 FPS.





That is cast bullet Forum member 35 whelen. I cannot recall if he is a member here, but it is his pic, so I will give credit where it is due.

You're still scared of vaginas I see. Typical queer.

LOL

I LOVE the .44 Special.

And golf.

Every year I take a doe or three with my TAURUS 441 in .44 SPL with a 240 hard cast running at about 1000 FPS. Deer run about 40 yards and pile up. Killing deer ain't that hard and it sure ain't rocket science.

Killed with a 44-40, 240gr Hornady SWC-HP

A little over 1,200fps and impacted @ 65 yards. Bullet entered high shoulder, turned 90 deg and traveled the length of the back along the spine and stopped in the hind quarter.

Too much for a deer.
[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4...0UAzWxNEVrDCLwNyrslLPoKrdSLyhXm-CQ=w1280[/img]

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O...WLGGLJf71HgXG-EBYbE1LIdIcokzauD4bm=w1280[/img]


2017 44-40 Hunt

Rimrock bullets has some hollow point, gas checked bullets (as they call them, “deer gernades”) that should do really well at 44 Special +P velocities. I think Brian Pierce has said even the Hornady swaged 240 hp’s will expand at those velocities.

If you want your Super to shoot closer with Mags whilst loaded with Specials, shoot 240 grain magnums. There's nothing wrong with the Special for deer at any level past moribund old factory levels (think 700 fps). However the reason the Magnum was developed was to get about 200 fps more out of a 240-250 grain bullet and it does this. So all things being equal, the Magnum will always be more powerful than the Special. Both are fine for deer and the magnum loaded down to old, decrepit Special levels will be just as underpowered as the Special.

Speaking of stupid, your post qualifies.

Anyone with a lick of 44 Special history knows that a 44SPL revolver in good condition with quality cases will safely handle much more than a 240SWC at 900-1100fps. The "noob" will be completely safe. Elmer Keith and Skeeter Shelton proved it.

At 44 mag pressures it will do more than 1100

Written like a Troll. Elmer blew his up.

Not in 44 Spcl in S&W Handejector at 1100 FPS he didn't nor at 1200

Don't you know you can't question DLA's knowledge? He's self published on the web about the 40SW and the S&W 329PD. His opinion is irrefutable. But in this case he is stupid and can't admit it. He shares that personality trait with Joe Biden. He likely voted for SloJoe.

Anywho, getting back the to OP's question...


I have owned and shot both 44 special (Ruger flat top Bisley, 5.5"... sold it)) and a 44 mag (S&W 629-3, 4". Still have it). Never took a deer with either of them.

I reload to modest 44 mag velocities. NOE 44-265 cast to about 1000-1100 fps in both chamberings. Easy to shoot, accurate, and a presumption they would take a deer at reasonable hunting distances for me in my Maine woods ( 25 - 75+ yards).

Staying sub-sonic in MV extends the distance for effectiveness, as you don't have to have the bullet pass into, or back from, super sonic flight (avoiding the trans-sonic zone). It's good for accuracy too.

I really liked my blued Ruger Bisley Flat top 44 special, but it was an extra gun that didn't do anything that my S&W 629-3 (with 4" barrel) revolver couldn't do, so I sold it.

I'd rather have a modest 44 mag load (~ 1100 fps with 240-260 grain bullet), or a similarly loaded 44 Special, than a heavy, hot-loaded 357 magnum. I agree with the OP. Nothing wrong with your heavy 44 special load, and a lot of things very smart with it. Go hunt with confidence with your set up.

Some good 44 Special reading: Enjoy

Handloader magazine 44 Special Pet Loads. (Brian Pearce)
http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian%20Pearce%20on%20the%2044%20Special.pdf

Heavy bullets in 44 Special ( Ross Seyfried)
https://www.docdroid.net/ulji/ross-...p-44-special-bisley-revolvers-pdf#page=2

Along similar lines I think as many of the posts here. The 44mag cartridge is very versatile. It can be easily tuned to the exact velocity/power level one wants. I have an old well used 4" 29-3 S&W that I put grips on that aren't heavy load freindly. I'm not a handloader of vast experience, and have had no problem down loading the big case to spit 240gr slugs from 900 to 1200 fps with as good accuracy as my mediocre skill can use.

Faster burning powders like Unique, Power Pistol, and even Trail Boss have given me great results.

I'm not familiar with the modern rendition. But the old Blazer aluminum cased 240gr jhp 44mag was a great mild load that shot well. I'm sure there's modern equivalents, and nowdays makers are great about publishing velocity.

Nothing against the 44spl. There are many guns so chambered I'm envious of.