OK, who here has some experience with the .44 spl? Just picked up a 4-5/8" Bisley Flat top from Lipseys. This is one caliber I have never used. Am casting a 258 gr. LBT WFN for this gun. Thinking about a load at around 1,000 fps. All input welcome. Thanks.
It's a fine cartridge. The load you are talking about should work fine on most anything you hunt in the lower 48. .44 Specials are easy to load and shoot. I like mine.
If ignorance is bliss; there are some blissful sonofaguns around here. We know who you are, so no reason to point yourselves out.
I have the new flat top 44sp in 4-5/8, but regular gripframe w/custom fancy grips and shot it just today. I used 200gr XTP's and 2400 for 1200fps.. it was a very mild recoil and quite accurate. I also have the 44sp FT in the Bisley gripframe, but with the 5.5" barrel. I like the way it feels in the hand. Did not get to shoot it yet. Ya gotta love that 44special.
Posts: 4115 | Location: Pa. | Registered: 21 April 2006
We were able to get a couple more in the shop, but they are not the Bisley models. We have a 7-1/2" and a 5-15" Bilsy left, but it just does not come close the the feeling of the 4-5/8" model for some reason. Mines on it's way to getting a new, tighter fitted cylinder bolt, a free wheeling pawl, and a hand lapped barrel.
Very nice gun! Have had my 4 5/8" for about a year now. It carry's and shoots great, you'll love it.
Lately I've been experimenting with lighter bullets. 180gr jhp's by Remington and Hornady over Unique and a commercial hard cast 210gr. RNFP over WW231. Very pleasant to shoot, POA = POI with both bullet types and accuracy is outstanding. May go on the search for a LBT bullet in this weight range for hunting purposes.
I had a 4" M28 S&W converted to .44 Spec some years ago. I used the Lyman 429421 Kieth bullet over 17.5 gr of 2400 in new WW .44 Special cases. It gave 1010 fps, was accurate and did a fine job on a couple mule deer.
Larry Gibson
Posts: 1489 | Location: University Place, WA | Registered: 18 October 2005
I Chrono'd some loads the other day, and got 1,001 with 8.0 grs Unique, 1,056 with 9 grs. Unique, 1,125 with 9.5 grs., and 1,170 with 10 gr. With 17 gr. 2400, I got 1,212 fps.
