Need Advice: Home Defense Ammo

[Geoff C]

I have a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" in 44 magnum that I use for home defense and would like some advice on ammunition. And yes, I know this is a bit overkill, punk!

Currently I have American Eagle 240gr in the gun as my defensive round. I have some 240gr Hydra-Shok on the way which will most likely replace it.

I was considering Glaser Safety Slugs but had heard a lot of bad things about underpenetration at certain angles and through some clothing. Is 44 mag powerful enough that underpenetration would be a nonissue?

Any other rounds you would recommend?

For reference: At the range, I can run AE 240gr all day without tiring of the recoil. I only start to get sore when using Cor-Bon 300gr hunting loads (Big Bang).

The engagement range would be ~5-35ft.

Thanks for the help!

-Geoff

[NRAhighpowershooter]

When I had my Anaconda, I kept PMC Starfires for it.. infact I keep PMC Starfires for my G17, 1911A1, and my 686 for defense...I use the Starfires in my 1911A1 for my gun card and I usually clean the target (B-27)

[mblat]

I have a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" in 44 magnum that I use for home defense and would like some advice on ammunition. And yes, I know this is a bit overkill, punk!

Currently I have American Eagle 240gr in the gun as my defensive round. I have some 240gr Hydra-Shok on the way which will most likely replace it.

I was considering Glaser Safety Slugs but had heard a lot of bad things about underpenetration at certain angles and through some clothing. Is 44 mag powerful enough that underpenetration would be a nonissue?

Any other rounds you would recommend?

For reference: At the range, I can run AE 240gr all day without tiring of the recoil. I only start to get sore when using Cor-Bon 300gr hunting loads (Big Bang).

The engagement range would be ~5-35ft.

Thanks for the help!

-Geoff

That is some "home defence" if you'll be doing it at 35 feet...... In any case 44 magnum! IF you shoot this thing all day without tiring of recoil - you probably don't need a gun for self defence - you one strong ****

[Glock22Fan]

I have a Ruger Redhawk 5.5" in 44 magnum that I use for home defense and would like some advice on ammunition. And yes, I know this is a bit overkill, punk!

Currently I have American Eagle 240gr in the gun as my defensive round. I have some 240gr Hydra-Shok on the way which will most likely replace it.

I was considering Glaser Safety Slugs but had heard a lot of bad things about underpenetration at certain angles and through some clothing. Is 44 mag powerful enough that underpenetration would be a nonissue?

Any other rounds you would recommend?

For reference: At the range, I can run AE 240gr all day without tiring of the recoil. I only start to get sore when using Cor-Bon 300gr hunting loads (Big Bang).

The engagement range would be ~5-35ft.

Thanks for the help!

-Geoff

I like hydrashok, but I'd load it - or similar quality round - in .44spl (not mag) and I'd be very concerned both about collateral damage (unless you live on your own on a desert island). Not just the chance of damaging a family member/neighbor, but also (in the sad event you found yourself in front of a jury) an antagonistic lawyer will try to make mincemeat of you for being a rambo-killer type.

No real experience with Glasers, but there are other frangible rounds you could research.

[E. Fudd]

I agree you might have some serious overpenetration issues with full-load .44 Mags. It'd likely to go through the BG, the walls, the house, etc. and possibly hit families, friends, and neighbors down range.

There are decent .44 Special defense loads out there. Speer Gold Dot JHP looks promising. They work well in 9mm, .40, and .45, so I'd expect the .44 Spl. version to be similarly effective. Fyi, Federal has a Personal Defense load in .44 Spl., as does Corbon.

Less muzzle blast, more controllable, faster recovery time, for quicker follow up shots, if needed.

Less likely to lose you hearing also, than firing a .44 Mag indoors. There was that undercover LEO in TX who had to shoot it out w/ the BG inside of a car with the windows up using a .44 Mag 3-incher. He won the gunfight but lost his hearing.

As to using handloads for home defense, some of the gun gurus advise that could be a liability in any post shooting legal actions (e.g. lawsuits).

Elmer

[onley11]

http://www.proload.com/specifications.htm

[Geoff C]

Thanks for all the good advice guys! I am definitely worried about shooting through a few counties on the other side of the bad guy.

With regard to .44 Special, I actually just yesterday received an order of Miwall 240gr .44 Special JHP to use at the range. It sounds like that might be a safer round for my needs until I check out your suggestions.

With regard to recoil, I actually think a typical 240gr magnum load is more pleasant (less punishing) to shoot than a Glock 22. Now I just need to find some bigger grips. I have the Hogue rubber monogrip and it's still just not quite big enough...

Thanks again!

-Geoff