If that Underwood is really going 1000 fps, it’ll be much different from the standard 246 grain load, which runs about 750 fps. You can’t tell how much variation in points of impact there is, until you try it. I’m betting that it will be different, and the subjective feel will be much different. If you really want practice loads that mimic the Underwood stuff you want to rely on, you’ll need something closer to the Underwood load’s spec.
Now might be the time to get into handloading. $32 for a box of fifty of those RP 246 grain specials??? Ouch. Once you have the brass, you should be able to load .44 spl fifty rounds for about eight bucks.
For my old Smith Hand Ejector .44 Special, on the rare occasions that I shoot it, I load a 240 grain soft swaged lead SWC up to about 800 fps (by published data).
But in my Smith 629 .44 mag with 6.5 inch barrel, a very accurate load is a 240 grain hard cast SWC at around 1000 or 1050 fps. This is far below the typical full house .44 magnum load (breezing along at 1350 fps or so). Very pleasant to shoot in the big Smith. I’m thinking that my pet load is about what Underwood’s doing in .44 spl. As you suggested a “mild” magnum load.
Thanks. I do 9 mm, 357 mag, 44 Mag, 45 ACP on progressive stations, and I do 454 Casull, 460 and 500 Magnum on two tandem single stage presses. I have an RCBS Turret for rifle ammo with dies for 6.5 Grendel, 300 AAC, 223, 308 and 7 mm-08.
Ammo I shoot is not cheap (factory) but it’s significantly less if I reload it.
With a progressive station you can crank out a lot of your ammo for less. It will afford you more practice over the long run. Just something to consider.
It’s what I have recommended to people who shoot any volume of ammo, especially for 4x caliber revolvers.
You have a nice revolver. I’ve consider one of them. But I have a few already.
I’ve been shooting revolvers a long time, but as we know, shooting is a depreciating skill. Gotta practice.
I’d been keeping up with revolver shooting with a Ruger LCR but I stopped carrying/shooting it. I since sold it to a buddy cheap. (Who is aware it’s a bit worn)
So then I got this GP100 and while I like it I haven’t shot it well the three times I’ve had it out. Last time out was promising. I think after a couple-three more range sessions I’ll have a good handle on this particular gun.
It’s just taking more ammo/effort than I anticipated.
But I’ve been saving the brass. Someone will buy it I’m sure.
I just ordered more 200 gr .44 Russian for it. It’s been the most accurate ammo from this gun consistently. In addition I like how consistently the brass pops out due to the shorter case.
I clean it after every shooting session. And give the chambers a good scrub with a bronze brush and solvent. (Hoppes Elite, no odor)
Ruger made the chambers right on this one. Casings come out easily, even after over 100 rds fired.
Fired it yesterday actually. I can put ten rounds into under 4 inches at 25 yds single action free-hand. My DA work is good and quick for about 10 yds. My shooting DA even slow fire at 25 yds is not good.
For less than the cost of most new upmarket guns, you can get into reloading. PPs have hit the nail on the head; the issue is throweight. It’s still cheaper to reload 9s, but not by much, but the big boys get pricey.
As regards point of impact, so much of the variance is in how the gun recoils. You’re probably better served compensating for the difference than trying to match it among loads.
Moon
I became a tolerable double action shot with a Smith .22 revolver and a metric chit-ton of shots at a little metal man target…same size as a half-scale B29 target. I shot it so much that it acquired a permanent bow.
Don’t be too fussy about too much precision at first, and roll the revolver thru’, rather than staging it. Be satisfied with center-mass hits. But do think about getting a .22 rather than trying to learn on the .44.
Moon
To update, I’m perfectly happy with the 200 gr .44 Spl. and Russian “cowboy” loads for practice.
Unfortunately, after not firing this gun for several weeks I found I had regressed a little regarding my DA shooting. Disappointed in myself. It’s a good gun but man is hard to shoot well.
I grab a Ruger LCR (.357) and have no problem getting the hits I expect. I grab the S&W M&P 2.0 .45 and its very easy for me to shoot it very well.
I decided I’d rather carry the S&W .45 than the GP100 in the woods / trails because it’s just so easy to get good, fast hits with it. To that end I’ve ordered some hot .45 acp ammo for it. (1000 fps 230 gr FMJ)
I will keep the GP100. It’s still a good gun. Maybe one day I’ll get a lever-action .44, too. Or perhaps the only single action revolver I’m interested in, a break-top S&W model 3.
Ron, is your Smith .44 stock? Any halfway competent gunsmith should be able to put a lighter rebound slide spring in, and slick up the parts a little.
It makes the double action much easier to live with.
If you were closer (I’m in PA), I’d offer to do it.
Understand what you’re saying about autopistols for carry; much as I love Smith revos, I’ve been using a Glock 43 or a P365 as walking guns; they’ll run snakeshot, and a FMJ nines should at least discourage a black bear.
BTW, .45 snakeshot won’t run in an auto; it’s too long to eject.
Moon
Ditto, cast 240-grn lead with Unique loads did for me in my S-prefix pre-N frame, 4-screw S&W 44 Magnum. Fastest time I cleaned a table of bowling pins w/ it was 1.8 seconds.
Love the .44 caliber revolvers. Had a Redhawk that I stupidly traded. Now have a S&W Mountain Gun that is accurate and fun to shoot from Cowboy loads to full steam W296 loads. I also was tempted to load it with medium .44 mag HP for home defense since I shoot it pretty well. But the G23 with weapon light and full power .40 ammo (14+13 rds easily carried) makes more sense. So the .44 is relegated to range fun and it’s original purpose of hiking and camping in big bear woods (not local).
It seemed Win 200 gr Silvertips was pretty decent .44 Special ammo but it is SAAMI spec so around 800 FPS.
Reloading is the ticket for wheel gun ammo. It’s pricey because it lacks the volume sales that have driven 9 mm ammo into the toilet pricing. Having said that, I have several .44 Specials that shoot the Black Hills “Cowboy” load very well. For serious use against two legged vermin the Speer Gold Dot offering is good. For things that might bite or gore you or that are freezer bound, handload, pick an LBT style hardcast bullet and you can’t go wrong.
For the last several decades, I’ve shot only one reload thru my 44 Special revolvers—a 240 grain hard cast SWC over 7.5 grains of Unique power with a standard primer—about 950 FPS—much stouter than the really weak factory Remington 246 which is actually pretty weak. A potent load, but not overly so—this is my go to round for both Specials and 44 Mags for causal shooting…
