Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns .44 Special

Agree with the 250 grain Keith. I've had excellent results with Mt Baldy's version, BHN 11. Leading is nearly non-existant, after many shots fired. But I've come to like Power Pistol, at about 900 fpa, for my favorite load. It sure goes through the measure better than Unique. But I can't resist running some 2400, just for the heck of it.

I like my .45 colt, it's my carry gun with 250gr gold dots.

I just ordered a bunch of the 250 gr Lyman 429421 from Western Bullet. First time trying their bullets but at $10.50/100 it seemed like it was worth a shot.

Spoke with my friend last night with the four .44 Specials....his 4th gun, the one I could not remember, is a S&W 696 5 shot 3".... He works in a small shop and when it came in on a trade his boss let him have it for a very good price....

Bob

I've owned a couple of S&W 696s, but decided that the non-PC Rossi 720s were more useful for my purposes. Not nearly as valuable or collectable, but very useful as a hot/humid/damp weather belt carry snake killer. I have always thought that the S&W 696 would have balanced/pointed better (4-ME) if it had been made with a 4" barrel in the same configuration as the S&W 19 or 66.

Jeff

Travis, can you tell me about that gun? Looks to be a medium frame..

That's just because I'm so masculine...

It's just an N-Frame 629 with 4" barrel. I sold it last year.


Travis

Thanks for the reply, Travis. I guess when you're a near midget like me it skews ones judgment. . Plus, I've got a soft spot in my heart for medium framed big bores and I thought you were holding one in that pic. Guess I'll have to keep making due with my second hand Tore-ass 441 in special.

I forgive you for owning a Taurus.


Travis

That makes one of us.

I have had a number of 44 specials and have been unfaithful to them all. Taurus 445Ti, Rossi 720,and a Bisley flat top Blackhawk. Here I am again, ready to buy a 5.5" Blackhawk, but this time with the wisdom and remembered pain of those I've sold and regretted (except the Taurus).

I like the 44sp, b/c you can tell it's a big bore, but it doesn't have the snap of a magnum. Just a big ol' shove. Classic

Oh, it's got the snap of a magnum all right. You just have to know how to load it unsafely.

My 4" m24 is my most-used centerfire. I jumped at the chance when s&w made the limited run in the 80s.
Since my fingers are stubby, I went straight to a smith who rounded the butt and did one sweet action job (Jerry Peebles shop I'n Arlington, RJM may remember.)

My biggest sellers remorse was trading off a 6 1/2" 624 I acquired a couple years later. That thing would shoot! 16.5 of 2400 behind a Lyman 429421 (250 gn Keith) cast from quenched wheelweights put 5 in 1 hole at 25 yds

I have a S&W 624 with a 5" barrel, cut down from 6.5" and tuned by Ahlman's in Morristown, MN. It was my favorite 44 Special until the S&W 329PD came around. The S&W 329PD is a miserable SOB with heavy 44 Magnum loads, but is so nice to carry and equally easy to shoot as a 44 Special that it has become my preferred 44 Special when it isn't too hot, humid, or wet.

Jeff

When ya gots a 41 Maggie, not much reason to wish for one of the other calibers starting with a 4 unless ya want a 1911 or glock.

Jeff, What is it you like about the 329 over the 624? Lighter weight?

I am willing to adopt that poor, neglected 624. I'll even pay shipping:-)

I like the size and the lighter weight of the S&W 329PD over the heavier and bulkier 5" S&W 624.

This 5" S&W 624 is actually my 2nd attempt at it, as the original was lost/stolen out of UPS while being returned to me from S&W. Although I had specifically asked S&W to insure it on the return shipment, they didn't, and I had a heck of a time with their customer disservice department. I had sent it to S&W for engraving and S&W didn't feel obligated to either replace the revolver or duplicate the engraving that I had paid for. Needless to say, I would never send anything to S&W for service.

Jeff

Another reason I never use UPS. My dad shipped a Winchester 100 back on a factory recall. Ups left it on his front porch with labels clearly stating the contents.

Hope no one minds a bit of thread necromancy...

I've been thinking about hunting loads for the Special. I prefer the Skeeter load for most things, and it works well in my guns. I can't decide whether it would be adequate for close-up work on small deer and pigs, though. It seems to me that it should whistle through the lungs of such critters on broadside shots, but I haven't tried it and would hate to learn that I'm wrong.

Anyone with experience?