For a winter hog hunt I'm thinking of using a .44 Special with 240gr SWC for a handgun backup or a close shot. It will back up a .45-70 or .44 Mag. I know I could just use a Model 29 but I think the .44 special would be different. Dropped one last year with a 1894 .357. I think the special would drop a piggy. What do you think
I'm a big fan of the late Skeeter Skelton's pet load of 7.5 gr. Unique and the 240 gr. Elmer Keith bullet. Perfectly safe in any "N" frame Smith, Colt single action or Colt New service size handguns. Works in the .44 Mag. just like a .22 short works in a .22LR. I cast my own bullets and mine run from the mold about 10 to 12 grains heavier which suits me just fine. I'd put that load up against any hog or Black Bear I'd run into in my neck of the woods. Velocity runs around 950 FPS from my 6.5" 624 Smith. Yes, it is way over book loads but the .44 Spl. was never loaded to its true potential by the factories. I've even shot that load in a Charter Arms Bulldog. No problem other than the recoil was almost uncontrollable. The gun was fine.
Paul B.
Paul, I agree back in the day I can remember shooting some fairly hot loads out of my Charter bulldog after 30 years my right hand still remembers. The gun was fine though.
I just got my 44 HBWC mold in mail today. It comes with 2 sets of core pins. One for hollow base and one for pouring solids. I got it mostly for S&W m24 target loads in HBWC mode. Going to try it out in m29s and Ruger SBH for deer load. For those who are big on meta plate, it's all meta plate. It's a MP mold from overseas. I've been looking for heavy WC in 44 for several years. I have Ideal in 185gr button nose which is a Lyman / Ideal style that I have had good accuracy with in 32-38-44 & 45 cal. Most WCs have been discontinued and ones available aren't big on grease grooves.
my S&W 624 goes with me in the woods with hard cast 240gc bullets at 900 fps, i shot a medium sized doe head on at 35 yards and the bullet went clear thru her, stem to stern.
I haven't started reloading .44 Special yet. A good factory load is the Buffalo Bore 240 grain hard cast lead at 1000 fps. All my .44 cal guns seem to like them.
I've taken couple of hogs including a 190 lb sow from 20 yards with 44 Special load in my new 4 5/8" Ruger Flattop Blackhawk. I load using 240gr WFN @950 fps out of my revolver. I normally take head or neck shot and it usually drops them on the spot. The WFN cast bullet design give deep penetration with exit hole. I would be a little concerned using hollow point bullet as it may not give sufficient penetration.
In the end killing power is all about bullet placement and sufficient penetration.
Good to read som opinions and reports about the .44 S&W special. I’ve had a Rossi 720 for a few months I traded for at a LGS. I load 240 gr Lee mold cast bullets over 4.5 gr. Red- dot powder. I could do 5.5 gr s. The 4.5 is accurate and authoritative. I bought some cast 200 gr.cast SWC FN. I will use the same load. It was made in the 90s. Imported by Interarms. A heavier gun than the “bulldog”. I would like to hog hunt with this.
The only difference is that the 357, although a smaller projectile, travels at a much higher velocity, where as the 44 special is a larger projectile but much slower. I know the 357 has more energy, but I know the 44 will drop a pig at close range. Go for it.
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