Hello friends, I have a 44 Magnum Astra six inches (as you well know) and is a gun that I carry when I leave the field because sometimes I've found large dogs loose and I had no idea what to do (not always carry weapons). I want to be annoying but recommendations on what is the ideal ammunition to defend my physical before a possible attack by a feral dog. I've looked ammunition Midwayusa Buffalo, but warns that such ammunition should not be fired in antique weapons (such as my gun).

Thanks for the replies,

My Astra 44 Magnum (It seems to S&W 29):



I hope it like you,

Oscar.

Why do you call it an antique weapon? Antique would mean that it was made back in the day when mostly black powder was used and yours is obviously newer than that. If your Astra was originally chambered for the 44 Remington Magnum cartridge, it should be fine with factory loads.

If you're hesitant to use factory 44 Magnum loads, you could instead use 44 Special ammunition which would still be quite effective on a dog. Forty-four Special ammunition is loaded to lower pressure than 44 Magnum ammunition.

As I understand Buffalo Bore is not a member of SAAMI so actual pressures may be above SAAMI specifications. In any case they are hot.
I would suggest you not use heavy bullets over 280 grains. You don't need extreme performance for dogs. Anything from 225 to the 240s to 280 are available as factory loads. I don't know what you can buy in Spain so I don't know what else to recommend.

Dogs are not hard to kill I would recommend a goods JHP at med vel. Or if some one still makes a lead SWCHP at about 900 fps that would work also.

Some of us still remember when Astra came out with them does that make us antiques too.

Oscar,

I don't have any personal experience with Astras, so take this as here say. The reviews I have read have been fairly good reports on the firearms. I understand they were imported from the 60's to the 80's, so antique for an automobile, but not necessarily a firearm.

Like the S&W Model 29, I would not recommend heavy loads being shot in the revolver. No need to "firewall" it to try and improve performance. A standard load should do anything you would require from the firearm.

Thank you very much for your answers. In Spain I can buy ammo Winchester Super X (in the catalog does not specify tip), tip Magtech 240-grain jacketed semi Sellier and Bellot and 240-grains as well. "You believe that any of them go well equipped?.

Oscar.

quote:

Some of us still remember when Astra came out with them does that make us antiques too.

That was not my intention lol

Oscar.

I have other options to carry in the field, and used for defense against dogs, like my Ruger GP 100 of the 357 Magnum and my Glock 27 in 40 S & W.





Regards,

Oscar.

I ave had very good results on dogs to 100 pounds with the federal 180 grain JHP.

Ovny, your 44 Mag. with Sellier & Bellot, Magtech or Winchester ammo will work fine on dogs. Your 357 Mag. would also work well but of your 3 choices, I'd probably use the Glock in 40 S&W.

Actually, rocks also work well on dogs. I was jogging in Mexico one time and a mongrel dog came out of a field barking at me. I picked up a golf ball sized rock, threw it and hit it right on a paw. The dog went yelping back into the field.

A lucky shot I know.

quote:

Ovny, your 44 Mag. with Sellier & Bellot, Magtech or Winchester ammo will work fine on dogs. Your 357 Mag. would also work well but of your 3 choices, I'd probably use the Glock in 40 S&W.

Actually, rocks also work well on dogs. I was jogging in Mexico one time and a mongrel dog came out of a field barking at me. I picked up a golf ball sized rock, threw it and hit it right on a paw. The dog went yelping back into the field.

A lucky shot I know.

I'd rather not ever have to face a hungry dog ​​or aggressive, but if I have no choice but want to go well prepared for me the winner and not the vanquished. On occasion I found a husky, and even a mastiff and as I still had no option to firearms, as I did was take a good size stones or a stick of wood, sturdy. Today I can be better protected, but as I said, better not to have to defend myself (as if people say).

Oscar.

I run and bike a lot had to use pepper sprsy several times has worked well for me . The last time was 3 days ago.

Any of the 240gr factory 44 Mag ammo you listed will work fine for dogs.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Any of the 240gr factory 44 Mag ammo you listed will work fine for dogs.

A 180 gr. JHP would work just fine as well. Dogs aren't hard to kill.

Thanks for your answers, I will not have to take the 458 Lott 500-grain bullet . As stated Grumulkyn, also with the 40 S & W would be well armed against attack by any dog​​, but I had not thought about pepper spray, so the dog does not have to suffer any harm but I know that many game reserves request authorized the administration to bring down feral dogs and cats because they do enough damage to wildlife.

Oscar.

P.D: The only bad thing is that the Astra's 44 Magnum is very uncomfortable to wear civilian clothes.

A shoulder holster I find is the best way to carry a 44 mag. It keeps the gun out of the weather when hunting and out of sight if you're carrying concealed [for serious social affairs !].

I frequently carry a 44 Mag. with a 5 inch barrel in a crossdraw holster. I find it comfortable to carry and very concealable if you're wearing a coat or sports jacket.

quote:

I frequently carry a 44 Mag. with a 5 inch barrel in a crossdraw holster. I find it comfortable to carry and very concealable if you're wearing a coat or sports jacket.

I have to find a shoulder holster, I see no other option if I want to carry such a "beast. " And only in winter, summer I think the Glock better.

Over the years, I have carried a 44 Mag quite a bit concealed, both a 4" and a 6.5".

In the early days we just stuck them in our pants. Actually the 6.5" was easier to carry as the long barrel was in your pants, and the cylinder and back was above the belt.
Down here in Texas, this was called Mexican Carry.
This is not really a safe or secure way to carry a handgun.

Now, for many years [@30 or so], I have been using a Milt Sparks inside the pants holster for the 4", and Galco Inside the Pants holster for the 6.5" 44 Mags.

By carrying the gun IWP/IWB, you can hide it even with your shirt tail out. No need for a vest or coat.

I would not suggest using 180 gr. hollow points on anything that weighs more than 15 pounds. They are very explosive at short range. I have repeatedly had them penetrate only about 2" on javelina at short range. Shot 4 in one day and they all ran off. We didn't know why until one of them ran in front of my hunting buddy and he put a 240gr. h.p. into him which did the trick. That was all for 180 gr. .44 bullets for me. We've had other people fail to kill small hogs and wind up chasing them all over the property even though I told them not to use 180 bullets out of their .44. Some guys fail to listen to anybody, but any of the 240 gr. bullets will be excellent for large dogs. Contrary to popular opinion the .44 magnum is not the powerhouse that Dirty Harry wants us to believe, but it's a lot better than a .357 or .40 S&W.

Funny how bullets take on different peculiarities in different parts of the country. I have many friends that hunt with the 44 mag using 240 grain bullets and very few of them ever recover a bullet in the games body. We're talking deer and bear. Myself I've taken whitetail deer with the 180 grain Hornady XTP out of the 44 magnum quite effectively. They even shot through the deer.

My concern would be over penetrated of the dog with 240 grain bullets and possibley flying off and hitting something that you would never want it too. My personal opinion for you is take the 40 S&W Glock. Less recoil, lighter to carry, more shots, and plenty powerful enough.

Different brands of bullets also. I had bad luck with 180 Sierra H.P. although they are great for ground hogs. The bullets that gave poor performance on smallish hogs were factory loads of some kind,I don't remember the brand. The guy said they were bought on a close out sale at Wal-Mart. These shots were also taken at very close range, twenty feet or so.

quote:

Originally posted by swampshooter:
Different brands of bullets also. I had bad luck with 180 Sierra H.P. although they are great for ground hogs. The bullets that gave poor performance on smallish hogs were factory loads of some kind,I don't remember the brand. The guy said they were bought on a close out sale at Wal-Mart. These shots were also taken at very close range, twenty feet or so.

Although I've had good results with Hornady 44 caliber XTP's, I've had lousy results with their 45 caliber XTP's. Not talking about the 45 acp bullet.

I used to have an Astra Terminator .44 Mag with a 2 5/8" barrel which I sometimes carried concealed. I fired 240 grain JHP and SP by Winchester and Remington with no adverse effect on the gun. If I could find another Terminator I'd buy it and use it again.

For defense again feral and vicious dogs any of the three you mentioned, the .44 Mag, .357 Mag, and the .40 S&W should handle most dogs effectively.

Well I have shot a "few" dogs, work related.
I never had any trouble, because I shot fast, pretty straight, and often. I, or those around me were never bit...
[On some occasions a few people were bit badly before I got there].

And, I have seen, and known, of several other dogs shot... with handguns, and some with 12ga Buck shot, and 223.
With less than perfect hits, it might suprise many of you just how tough a big dog can be...

And how BAD one can bite you up...

I had planned on taking the Ceska the 458 Lott, but it is very uncomfortable and very expensive ammo, but they sure Semi jacketed ammunition do a good job with the dogs . Jokes out, I think the most comfortable is to take the Glock 27 of the 40 S & W, with the only drawback of civilians in Spain can not carry guns fired with hollow point ammunition. Spain is different .

Oscar.

The new Hornaday felx tip NON HOLLOW point might be legal.

quote:

Originally posted by ovny:
I had planned on taking the Ceska the 458 Lott, but it is very uncomfortable and very expensive ammo, but they sure Semi jacketed ammunition do a good job with the dogs . Jokes out, I think the most comfortable is to take the Glock 27 of the 40 S & W, with the only drawback of civilians in Spain can not carry guns fired with hollow point ammunition. Spain is different .

Oscar.

Flat point hard cast with a wide meplat is a great way to go

I note your advice.

Thank you for all,

Oscar.