Our purpose in developing this HEAVY .44 Special load was to replicate our renowned .38 SPL +P 158 gr. soft cast HP @ 1000 fps from a 2-inch revolver (Item 20A), but with a 190gr. .44 caliber bullet. This load was designed specifically for defensive use against humans.
We use only real-world firearms to develop our published velocities. We believe it is misleading to use extra-long laboratory test barrels that produce artificially high velocities which carry guns cannot replicate. You need to know how your ammo performs in the real world, not in a lab.
Below are velocity measurements from stock, over-the-counter revolvers:
- 1,156 fps – Ruger Super Blackhawk, 5.5-inch barrel
- 1,098 fps – S&W MT Gun, 4-inch barrel
- 1,046 fps – S&W Model 696, 3-inch barrel
- 1,057 fps – S&W Model 396, 3-inch barrel
- 1,005 fps – S&W Model 296, 2-inch barrel
This bullet was engineered to be soft enough (6 BHN) to mushroom at impact speeds around 750 fps, yet hard enough (pure lead is 4 BHN) to avoid leading a standard revolver barrel. It meets both criteria effectively. Depending on impact velocity, expect approximately 18 inches of penetration in living mammalian tissue—sufficient for disabling even large individuals at difficult angles.
The bullet features a special crimp groove and a heavily crimped case mouth. It will not jump crimp in lightweight alloy revolvers, provided unfired rounds are rotated and not exposed to recoil from more than about 10 firings.
We use flash-suppressed powder to prevent blinding the shooter in low-light defensive scenarios.
This ammunition is suitable for ALL .44 SPL and .44 MAG firearms except the Charter Arms Bulldog. While this ammo won’t damage the Bulldog immediately, firing more than a few hundred rounds may loosen the gun, cause timing issues, and eventually render it inoperable.
