.44 Special Open Top bullet choice

[Shenandoah]

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I have 3 .44 Specials which I used to shoot .44 Russian rounds with a 200 grn bullet (RNFP). I'm going to start using .44 Special brass.

Which bullet weight do you recommend, 200 grn, 220, 240 grn? This is a carry gun in the boondocks for general shooting.

[Sonoma Mike]

I've been using 240 gr bullets for about 10+ years in my 44 open tops and they work fine. Last month I tried some 200 gr bullets and they worked well to. Personal preferance will guide you. I would say if you are using for defense , the 240 gr might be better.

[Long Johns Wolf]

Since ca. 2003 I am shooting 200 grainers/.429 dia over nitro in my OTs, Colt Army conversions, and SAA's.
Mine are .44 Colt, however, not .44 Special.
Long Johns Wolf

[Coffinmaker]

Well ....... All of those big bullets give me a pain.  Pain in the wrist.  Personally, my preference is a 160Gr bullet, loaded as fast or slow as you as you want.  I also load the same bullet for 44 Russian case.

Coffinmaker

[Hopalong Strong]

I love the Mav Dutchman 200 grain by Dick Dastardly in all my 44s

[CraigC]

I use the Hornady swaged 240gr SWC-HP over 4.0gr Titegroup in both my Open Top and 1860 Richards Type II .44Colt's.

[Slamfire]

Coffinmaker, if you please a little moe info., on that 160gr. , i have , 44spl.& 44/40's sounds like a nice soft round fo plinking & such. Also whats the diff., between "late model& new model 72 opt?






   Hootnix

[Abilene]

The "Late Model" Opentop has the larger army grip and steel gripframe, usually just called the Army model.  The Army model comes only in 7 1/2" barrel length.  The "Early Model", usually called Navy model with brass navy gripframe comes in all barrel lengths.

[Slamfire]

Many thanks, Abilene, what do ya'll believe to be the stronger built of the  2 models ?? I sure don't have a problem cuttin the barrel down to fit my personal needs, again thanks.






      Hootnix.

[Abilene]

There is no difference in strength between the two styles of gripframe.  The rest of the gun is the same.  Some folks with larger hands like the longer Army grip.  See if you can get your hands on some to see how they feel.  Or, if there are any stores near you with Uberti percussion guns, 1860 Army and 1851 Navy, these have the same grips as the Opentops.

[Coffinmaker]

Hootmix

The 160Gr is a nice tasty little bullet for .44s.  If you'd like to get away from some of the recoil, it's just dandy.  I use it primarily in my .44 Colt chambered Type II conversions and OpenTops with .44 Russian cases to reduce recoil.  For style I have modified an 1866 to cycle Russian cases with the 160Gr bullet for correct OAL in the modified '66. 
Reduced case capacity is important for reduced loads.  If your reaching for lots of velocity, just add powder.

Coffinmaker