.44 fun

[wtkaiser]

but...but...

I'm sorry if this seems so old-fashioned. But I have several .44s and I won't own one shorter than my stock first gen Vaquero, and that's relatively a snubbie at 5". When you get barrels that short, your power goes up in flames and you get spectacular shots but no real power. It's all going up in the muzzle flash. So it's all smoke, flame and noise, not propelling the bullet.

MY preferred .44 is a so-called "Long Tom" 10 1/2" Ruger SB. (no jokes about compensating here). I think they still make them, for IHMSA shoots. So I am quite the opposite point of view. But God, do I ever hate the 'finger slap' of the square trigger guard! And I'm about ready to take a Dremel to the trigger as well. Grooves do bad things to trigger fingers.

[savasyn]

Nothing like a 44 MAGNUM---great cartridge, with superb accuracy, (whether
loaded up or down.) Pete

Pete, beautiful M29 you have there!!

I'm sorry if this seems so old-fashioned. But I have several .44s and I won't own one shorter than my stock first gen Vaquero, and that's relatively a snubbie at 5".

I'm sure that you are correct about velocities and for hunting applications, a longer barrel would no doubt be the right choice. For fun at the range, which is all mine will see in the foreseeable future, it doesn't really matter and I'm very partial to snubby revolvers.

I've only fire two different barrel lengths in .44 Mag, a 6"(could have been 6.5") and these two snubbies. Oddly enough, the longer barrel beat the heck out of my palm while my short 629 "just" batters my trigger finger.

And I totally agree about grooved triggers. Hate them!! I'm so glad none of these have them.

[21SF]

Nice!

My favorite load so far is 22gr H110, 300gr XTP and 24.5 gr h110, 240 gr xtp.

(dont mind the 300gr XTP sticking out of the case it wasnt seated yet, lol.

[savasyn]

Nice!

My favorite load so far is 22gr H110, 300gr XTP and 24.5 gr h110, 240 gr xtp.

(dont mind the 300gr XTP sticking out of the case it wasnt seated yet, lol.

Isn't 24.5gr of H110 with a 240gr bullet over the max load? I use Win296, which is the same thing and I'm seeing a range of 23-24gr on the Hodgdon site. I only load to 23gr and it's fairly stout, not sure I'd want to go any higher myself. Besides, with these short barrels, all of these loads are more "show" than "go" anyway.

[jyo]

I personally like the Alaskan in the .454 Casull---I have two Freedom Arms single-action revolvers (6" and 4 3/4" "packin' gun")---have fired the Alaskan with full-power .454 ammo (300 grain bullets) and it's an EVENT!! Good luck with yours!

[21SF]

Isn't 24.5gr of H110 with a 240gr bullet over the max load? I use Win296, which is the same thing and I'm seeing a range of 23-24gr on the Hodgdon site. I only load to 23gr and it's fairly stout, not sure I'd want to go any higher myself. Besides, with these short barrels, all of these loads are more "show" than "go" anyway.

Yes its at or over max load....yeah def not going to get great chrono figures ....but its hella fun!!!!!!

Definitely RUGER ONLY LOADS

[wtkaiser]

I wasn't talking about hunting, although I will agree with your points. I was talking about simply holding and shooting the thing. I prefer muzzle heavy. No problem with that long barrel! The weight helps soak up some of the recoil. Not enough some days, but that's my problem. And I am also referring to the cartridge, in that with super-short barrels, a .44 mag is probably putting out a 357s worth or power and a 454s worth of noise!

But take it from one who knows - it DOES get you a lot of room at the line!

[BigDogatPlay]

I'm with Redcliff... best way to experience a snubbed .44 Mag is to shoot moderately warm .44 Specials. 200 grain Gold Dot over 7.3 grains of Unique is a spiffy load out of my 3 inch 629.

Packing it in dangerous game country the 270 grain Speer deep curl over 21 grains of 296 in a 44 Mag case is a load I like.

[jameshenry]

I shot a box of Win Cowboy loads in 44 special out of my redhawk mag 7 incher and had a hell of a time getting the lead out of the cylnder and bore. Never again.

[wtkaiser]

I tried some Hornady 240 HPSWCs in my snubbie (HA!) 5 1/2" Vaquero (1st generation). That thing leaded up something fierce and I ran out of "colorful metaphors" before I ran out of lead. BUT I am not sure it was clean to begin with, and I did not run a cylinderful of jacketed stuff through the gun for my last 6 shots. That should take care of a lot of it, shouldn't it?