This full profile wad cutter hard cast .44 Magnum load was designed for owners of .44 Magnum firearms who choose to use them for self-defense against humans. This load is specifically engineered to permanently and quickly disable human targets.
The big flat wad cutter nose crushes living tissue, unlike mushroomed bullets that are slightly rounded and tend to slip through tissue. The crushing action of the flat nose keeps penetration straight, which typically results in very deep penetration—deep enough to fully penetrate even the largest human from any angle.
The hard cast nose will not deform at these velocities, so the nose profile remains constant (flat, with a sharp shoulder), maintaining bullet path and terminal damage. Noted NYPD “stake out” officer Jim Cirillo used full profile wad cutters in his .38 SPL revolvers because they incapacitated human targets with certainty. See item 20D (.38 SPL).
The lightweight bullet at moderate velocity aids in low recoil for fast follow-up shots.
Unlike other Anti-Personnel .44 Magnum loads, this one uses a hard cast bullet that will not mushroom, resulting in very deep penetration. Expect at least 24 inches of straight-line penetration in mammalian tissue, making this load suitable for small to medium-sized game such as:
- Deer
- Black bear
- Elk
This hard cast construction also minimizes lead fouling in the bore, even after hundreds of rounds.
Flash-suppressed powder is used so the shooter will not be blinded by their own gunfire in low-light conditions.
Real-world velocities were measured using stock, over-the-counter firearms. Buffalo Bore Ammunition prefers to advertise velocities based on real-world firearms rather than laboratory test barrels that produce artificially high velocities. Here are the results:
- 1,308 fps – Ruger Super Black Hawk, 5.5-inch barrel
- 1,216 fps – S&W MT Gun, 4-inch barrel
- 1,195 fps – S&W Mod. 329PD, 4-inch barrel
