I realize you can shoot 44 Specials out of a 44 magnum but is there any problem with the prolonged use of 44 specials. I like the idea of a 44 mag over a 357 as a carry gun for backpacking and camping trips. However, I feel like most of my recreational shooting with the 44 would be with specials versus magnums.

Just make sure you do a good cleaning and inspection of the cylinders, after a long shooting period of 44 Special before you load ant 44 Mags.

I agree, just take a little 000 steel wool wrapped around a pencil or a bronze brush , put a few drops of oil on it and gently twist it down through the cylinder then follow with a patch.
What happens is that the shorter case of the special leaves a little crud that can impede the longer case of the mag when you are putting them in the cylinder.
Absolutely nothing to worry about as long as you clean it out ever so often.

Thanks for the info. Not sure if it will matter because I am actually leaning a little more towards a 41 magnum. However, I don't currently reload and there are fewer factory ammo options with the 41.

quote:

Originally posted by GrayDuck:
Thanks for the info. Not sure if it will matter because I am actually leaning a little more towards a 41 magnum. However, I don't currently reload and there are fewer factory ammo options with the 41.

Well, you know how to fix that. Find a reloading kit with a decent press and go for it. Loading straight-walled cases (handgun cases) is fairly simple and you don't have to worry about the special vs magnum case length. Just load your 44 mag or 41 mag to special levels. By the time you go through 1,000 rounds you have paid for your gear (not considering your time) and are forever free from the tyranny of poor ammo choices.

You are right on about the 41 magnum. Probably the most seriously overlooked caliber on the face of the earth.

When you figure the actual true diameter of the .410 vs the .429 is not that much different and the 41 magnum actually can edge out the 44 on energy/power levels. I recall hearing, "Any animal shot with a 41 mag will SWEAR it was a 44".

Lost Sheep

quote:

Originally posted by Lost Sheep: I recall hearing, "Any animal shot with a 41 mag will SWEAR it was a 44".

Lost Sheep

"and be grateful it wasn't a .45......." Just kidding!

Tyranny indeed! Reloadng is liberating and it will save you a bundle of cash, allowing you to shoot a lot more and thereby becoming even more proficient with you chosen firearm(s).

The minds of shooters are hard to figure out when some calibers are left to die or linger.
The .41 is way better then the .357. The .280 is better then the .270. The 6mm Rem is better then the .243 and on and on.
The problem starts with limited offerings in some calibers from the factories. Since most gun owners buy factory stuff it hurts the sales if the caliber does not do what most hunters want.
Then the .244 was designed as a varmint load with the wrong twist for heavy bullets and all it would take would be for the factory to offer two different twist rates to cover larger game too.
Now we see it again with Ruger bowing to the cowboy crowd and making the Vaquaro smaller. I would like to see a choice offered.
The solution would be to turn all hunters into reloaders so they are not stuck with factory loads. We know the .41 shines with proper loads.
But most will buy the .44 if given a choice anyway because there is much more to choose from.
The .41 was brought out and touted as a police gun to replace the .357, not for big game. Since 90% of police can't handle the recoil it sort of died. Factories never updated bullets for big game.

If you don't handload now, the 44 Special will sure make you start.

38 Special ammo is cheaper than 357 Magnum, but 44 Special ammo is more expensive than 44 Magnum.


Okie John

AND once you are handloading, you can handload .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum Cases and avoid the small inconvenience entirely.

You might want to study the remarks of E. Keith about the hot loaded .44 Special. What we today would call +P loads did about anything a .44 Mag will do, just more drop at range/slower, harder to hit with... So practice more... ,,, luck