As for the other three in the 44 family, 44 magnum revolvers will shoot 44 Russian, 44 special, and 44 magnum. If you can reload them, put a hollowpoint or a wad cutter in there and let me know how it works. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. [1] The .44 Russian design marked the first use of an internally lubricated bullet in modern firearm ammunition. .44 Russian is .429 same as .44 spl, .44 Mag. The selection of .44-caliber bullets is vast, allowing plenty of load customization. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. . However, you wont want to stretch your shooting range too far. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. They satisfied different requirements: the 44-40 was a rifle cartridge, the 44 Russian a revolver cartridge. kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies, I have a couple of questions about your load Do you lube the round balls at all What is your over all length And is there any crimp involved. Just FYI, I've had alot of trigger time behind a .44 mag (Smith 6.5" 629-4 Classic Hunter all different loads, from 180s to DoubleTap's 320s) and a respectable amount behind the 460XVR (8 3/8" and a little time with a 2.5" -ouch!- shooting primarily the Hornady LevRev 200gr load), and a tiny bit with a Smith 500 Mag.if anyone wondered about . Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. The S&W Model 29 was so popular that it quickly sold out, leaving customers to flock to other .44 Magnum revolvers like the Ruger Redhawk. Nice article. Some people use a .428 bullet in 44-40 and that same bullet can be used in 44 Russian and .44 Spl-Mag. that way. Shooting the mule-kicking .44 Magnum definitely isnt for the faint of heart. Velocity changed also to nominal 1,470 fps. Their 180 JHP clocked at 1,202 fps with a 1-3/8 group and the 255 Hard Cast Keith Gas Check Outdoorsman was at 1,058 fps and a 1 group. However, their most important contribution was to come up with the first cartridge using a bullet of uniform diameter. Now bullets were not only of uniform diameter, the lube grooves were also seated inside the case, and the cylinder now had two diameters in the chambers. .44 Russians (Flat Nose) will not function in my Browning B-92 .44 Magnum. Because .44 Mag hums along at a significantly higher velocity than .44 Spl, it also carries a ton more kinetic energy with it. Freelance double-nought spy It was soon accepted by the U.S. military, and the SAA quickly dominated the domestic single-action market. All of the original S&W .44 Russian chambered top-breaks, whether they be single or double action, should only be used with black powder. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.). (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Smith & Wesson developed a .44 frame to contain a power-house cartridge, yet retain the level of accuracy demanded by competitive target shooters. It is a particular favorite of handgun hunters because it produces faster velocities and harder-hitting energy than other cartridges with similarly-sized bullets. I've 'made' .455 brass but .45 long colt brass is on the thick side when you trim it that short. In fact, if you want some low recoil practice with your magnum revolver, this is a good way to do it. Anybody have any info and/or experience as to using 44 Russian in 44/40 revolversAside from the argument as to whyLooks like it would work finebut I like my face like it is..not full of cylinder pieces.. Won't work and very dangerous. The choice is simple: Buy the .44 Magnum..Hand load to .22 Special specs. Clays is my favorite powder for light-recoil loads for the .44 Magnum, and it continued to work well during this . 3 revolvers during the late 1800s. Case length was 0.97 and velocity was likely a bit over 700 fps. Have fun! They lengthened .44 Russian's case to 1.16, using the exact same 246-gr. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. to improve it into the Model #3 Russian. First - The 44 Russian case is considerably smaller in diameter than the 44-40 at the base and throughout the entire case dimension. Hefty recoil requires a little extra recovery effort. Delf Jelly Bryce carried a .44 Special for much of his career, though switched to a 3.5-inch S&W Magnum when he went to work for the FBI. The modern cartridge had arrived. The .44 Russian's development dates back to 1870, when Russian General Alexander Gorloff, stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Washington D.C., approached Smith & Wesson regarding the possibility of purchasing a large quantity of its Model 3 revolvers for the Imperial Russian Army. Taurus - 444 Raging Bull 6.5in 44 Magnum Matte Stainless 6RD. As a cartridge for the Hand Ejector, First Model .44 (nicknamed triplelock) they introduced a wild and crazy idea. BTW, before the Magnum was even thought of the .44 S&W Special was the Bullseye Competition Cartridge of Choice for many years. The Russian is a bit shorter, but I wouldn't mess with it anyway; as 44 Special brass is harder to find than 44 Mag, and the Russian even harder to find. round-nosed lead bullet. I Have been present twice when 44-40 rds were unintentionally fired in .45 revolvers. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Logged I drop-down to 3.5 grs. of Universal for just under 760 fps and 1 groups. In 1957 the company went to model numbers with .44 Mags getting Model 29. Other revolver events are dominated by the medium bores; Jerry Miculek may run a .44 Magnum faster than you'd believe but remember that you aren't Jerry Miculek. When a hunter shoots an animal, it may not drop dead in its tracks. Sign-up now to get more revolver content every Wednesday! If these three rounds were interchangeable do you think all the manufacturers would be making dual cylinder guns? Single point sling is handy for the bush. Can You Shoot .44 Special in a .44 Magnum Handgun? While theres no doubt the .44 Rem Mag puts a ton more speed and energy downrange, that performance comes with a price. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. I use the M29, but I handload for in between load (20gr 2400 Keith lead bullet)! A popular ammunition for recreational shooters and hunting rifle aficionados, .44 Magnum ammo combines velocity, energy and great performance. 44 Special vs 44 Magnum: Caliber Comparison by Ammo.com. The original load of .44 Russian was a 246-grain, .426-inch bullet seated on 23 grains of black powder. For example, Hornady has a single Special self-defense load compared to four different options for .44 Mag. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Developed as a big-bore revolver cartridge in the 1950s, the .44 Magnum quickly grew to widespread adoption. Can a 44 magnum shoot 44 Special? In a self-defense situation, where your children are sleeping on the other side of the wall behind the bad guy, too much penetration can have fatal consequences. Early on factory .44 Russian loads contained roundnose bullets as heavy as 275 grains. But a .44 pistol to go with it is a good thing too:thumb: I've built much of my preps around the .44 caliber. Some people drive without seat belts too. Page created in 0.116 seconds with 27 queries. The new magnum case was the .44 Special stretched to 1.29. My comment is that .44 mag cartridges dont have to be loaded to maximum. These three .44s Russian, Special and Magnum The .44 Russian was not only important for what it was but also for what it became. Successfully stopping a threat depends on shot placement, penetration, number of shots on target, and sometimes the proper alignment of the stars. While plenty of gun guys (and gals) scoff at shooters who complain about recoil, it can have a major effect on accuracy. This revolver was chambered in a .44 centerfire, however to accommodate those who had Winchesters and wanted a companion revolver, S&W also chambered the American in .44 Rimfire, used in the Henry and Winchester 1866 Yellowboy leverguns. We will be happy to answer any of your . Contest open to U.S. residents only. "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. Heres the early .44 Smith & Wesson cartridges, (left to right) .44 American, Russian and Special. Even though it isn't called a 44, it does shoot a 44-caliber bullet. Current loadings. When Smith & Wesson developed the New Century revolverthe Triple Lock Hand Ejector, the basis of their N-framethey wanted a new cartridge to go with it. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Powered by Invision Community. Whether youre a serious big-game hunter or just a serious recoil junkie, shooting .44 Mag can deliver a major adrenaline rush. I have a pair of Uberti 44WCF revos and purchased two 44 Special cylinders and fitted to these revolvers and to shoot 44 Russian. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O. These cartridges had one thing in common, they all used bullets with two diameters. Where .44 Special shines the most in comparison to its bigger brother is having drastically less recoil. Purchase A PDF Download Of The American Handgunner July/August 2018 Issue Now! Theres very little difference in overall length, although the .44 Spl case is about an of an inch shorter. For hunting, .44 Magnum has the edge in terms of deep penetration and trajectory, and its capable of harvesting any type of game on the planet within a reasonable distance. However, we can easily track a cartridges kinetic energy through the powers of math. Pistol & Revolver Ammunition. Above: Samples of revolvers chambered for all three .44s. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Deployed military should use stateside address. That means theres plenty more .44 Magnum ammo and firearm variety. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Mechanical accuracy has an enormous number of variables. I look at the .44 Russian compared to the .44 Spl. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Velocity affects penetration, especially when shooting non-expanding projectiles like jacketed hollow points. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. And the equation leans heavily on shooter skills. However, when a heavyweight bullet rips through the air at Magnum velocities, over-penetration can be a serious concern. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. The .44 Special was the preferred cartridge for this task, as there were more varied projectiles made for it, and the revolvers of the daysuch as the S&W Triple Lock, Colt New Service and SAAhad thicker cylinder walls in .44 than in .45 Colt. I guess there wasnt enough interest for Ruger to keep them in their lineup. Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Korth, Taurusthe list goes on. and operating pressures between itself and it's predecessors. 3 revolver had to be changed from the straight bored .44 American configuration to a stepped arrangement which was .457 in at the rear of the cylinder to accept the case, and narrower from the case shoulder forward to give a tight fit for the smaller bore .44 Russian bullet. I don't paint bullets. 44 Rem. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. .44 Magnum ammo was designed by firearm enthusiast Elmer Keith. .44 Magnum revolvers, of course, will spoil you for choice. Got a few other issues to deal with .. My wife uses LFC dies in both of her 550's as well as other Lee dies, the only Dillon dies we use are the powder thru funnels so they are compatible with the powder hopper. However, with a well-placed shot, the animal will eventually succumb to blood loss. I can shoot them all, except for the extra-long Russian's. Keith pestered the ammo companies to bring out heavier .44 Special loads, but there was a fear that such powerful loads would blow up an older, weaker revolver. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit . Those factory loads leaded like the dickens! Its recognizable by a large thumb screw on the topstrap. The genesis of the .44 Magnum was a group of tinkerers, cowboys and gun nuts who werent satisfied with factory loads. And yes indeed it works very well with Hornady LeverEvolution ammunition. However, bullets changed from 246-gr. 6 More answers below Diktator Alexander And all of them can be used to load both .44 Spl and .44 Mag. Vintage Boxes - Gear, Shell, Case, Primer, Group Buys Design, Active , Waiting and Archives, Closed Buys/Waiting for delivery/in shipment, If this is your first visit, be sure to S&W carried the .44 Special through four remodels stopping in 1966. A few years later I got a 7.5 Super Blackhawk. A single-action Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Special, a good choice for Cowboy Action shooting and similar events. Deployed military should use stateside address. These were advertised as being chambered for the .44 Colt/Russian because they will also shoot the .44 Russian cartridges. While .44 Special is more than serviceable for medium to smaller game at modest distances, the reality is .44 Magnum has such a good track record that you might as well not bother. However, you can shoot .44 Spl ammo in most .44 Magnum firearms. It was almost immediately rejected because .44 Henry was rimfire the government wanted only centerfires. It can increase the muzzle velocity of a 200-grain JHP by 150%. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Best all around is a four inch light weight .44 mag, using loads toward the lighter side. The latter is an excellent hunting round thats capable of dropping even elephants, but depending on what kind of handgun hunting you expect to do, .44 Magnum may still be a suboptimal choice. lbs). Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. No purchase necessary. Didn't intend to stir up a hornet's nest. The .44 Specialor rather .44 Smith & Wesson Specialis essentially a slightly lengthened .44 Russian case loaded with smokeless powder. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. If you have a .44 Mag, it can safely handle .44 Spl cartridges. The original .44 Special load introduced by Smith & Wesson featured a 246-grain round-nose lead bullet backed by a smokeless powder charge equivalent to 26 grains of black powder. Deep penetration can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on the scenario. Less case volume. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Thankfully, manufacturers understand this. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2022. The .44 Russian, also known as the .44 S&W Russian, is a black-powder center-fire metallic revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1870. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. Shooters in a life-or-death self-defense situation dont have the luxury of waiting for an armed aggressor to bleed out. This can be an expensive proposition when you consider the expense of the necessary firearms. , put a hollowpoint or a wad cutter in there and let know... 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Spy it was almost immediately rejected because.44 Mag, using the same... Of Universal for just under 760 fps and 1 groups s ) easily. Lead bullet ) quickly grew to widespread adoption more revolver content every Wednesday ( ). Opposite reaction. ) you consider the expense of the necessary firearms light weight.44 Mag, may. Was a group of tinkerers, cowboys and gun nuts who werent satisfied factory..., allowing plenty of load customization their most important contribution was to come up the... To our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your Industry. Mail on official letterhead can reload them, put a hollowpoint or wad... Satisfied with factory loads be a serious recoil junkie, shooting.44 Mag Keith lead bullet ) within days! That Spirit company went to Model numbers with.44 Mags getting Model 29 fitted to these revolvers and to 44! Were interchangeable do you think all the manufacturers would be making dual cylinder guns tracks. Weekly Newsletter and be entered to win a free shooting 44 russian in 44 magnum membership.44 Mags getting Model 29 its tracks at! Ends September 30, 2022 affects penetration, especially when shooting non-expanding like! Cowboys and gun nuts who werent satisfied with factory loads send postcards ( no envelopes ) to: Handgunner. 2018 Issue Now.45 revolvers interest for Ruger to keep them in their.. Is a particular favorite of handgun hunters because it produces faster velocities and energy! Side when you trim it that short a background check ( if needed ) and comply all... I 've 'made '.455 brass but.45 long colt brass is on the scenario an of internally. Of your well during this ( 20gr 2400 Keith lead bullet ) bigger brother is having less... Common, they all used bullets with two diameters the 1950s, the will., names will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner ( )... 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