.44 Spl question

[Tim Whittaker]

I'm thinking about getting a 3" .44. (I love those bigbores) Does anyone have any numbers (FPS) that I can expect with loads in the 175-210 gr. range? Thanks for any help. The platform will probably be a S&W 629 Trail Boss. Thanks again. .......Whit

 

[RAY WOODROW 3RD]

I have a 3 inch Model 720 .44 Special Rossi...

Black hills ammo has a 210 grain round that comes out at 800 fps.

 

[C.R.Sam]

I guess you realize the 629 is .44mag and not .44special. Stout enough to be able to launch some pretty stiff .44special loads. Actual velocity will vary a lot from gun to gun, specially in the shorter barrels. Over 200 fps variation not unusual between same ammo but different guns on the same day.

You'll never know till you chronograph em in YOUR gun.

Sam

 

[Tim Whittaker]

Thanks Ray and Sam, I will use it for CC and was hoping it was around the 45 ACP. Boy I'm glad that it is. Thanks again. I wonder why the 44Spl. isn't more popular? I know the 629 is chambered for magnums but, in all honesty, the only time I'll put maggies in it is when I want the BOOOOM factor. ........Whit

 

[C.R.Sam]

Should have no problem matchin .45ACP performance with relatively mild .44 specials.

Sam

 

[lonegunman]

I have always liked the 44 special. As for its lack of popularity, I dont think it was ever marketed real well.

 

[Hal]

I havent tried these yet, but it looks really great on paper.

www.federalcartridge.com/andex2.html

Federal P44HS1
Load # Velocity in Feet per Second
(to nearest 10 FPS)
Muzzle 25Yds. 50Yds. 75Yds. 100Yds.
1180 1130 1080 1050 1010

Thats for the Federal Hydra-Shok 240gr .44 magnum out of a 6" tube. I've read a few posts where people have chrongraphed .44 Specials at under 700fps from shorter barrels.

 

[zeke]

Out of 3in 696

Speer's 200 gn gd hp blazer load-900 fps and excellent accuracy. Also tried in 44 mag mt gun, which needed the sights adjusted whole way up for POI to match POA, also excellent accuracy. Believe these are on sale at NAtchez again, for $12/box 50

Hdy 180 xtp- about 840 fps

Win 200 st- below 800 fps, poor accuracy

 

[Dave T]

Whit,

Back in May (before I traded it on a M24) I chronographed 5 factory loads in my M696 (3").

Rem 200g SWC = 816 fps

Blazor 200g JHP = 878 fps

WW Silvertip 200g JHP = 730 fps

Hornady 180g XTP = 835 fps

PMC 180g JHP = 880 fps

The above are average velocities for five shots. My choice was, and still is, the Blazor (or Speer Lawman) 200g Gold Dot JHP.

Hope this helps.