44 special or 44 Russian?

[BobinIL]

I ordered a set of Ruger 44 special Vaqueros from Lipseys with the 4.5" barrels.  Should I try 44 Russian brass or stick to the 44 specials?  I plan on using a 200grn RNFP bullet and 777 powder.  I may use tightgroup for smokeless loads.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I'd say use whatever suits your wallet and load.  Basically the same case, but made to a different length.

[Pettifogger]

If you are shooting 777, you will appreciate the lower case capacity of the Russian.

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[Sod Buster]

Split the difference and go with 44 Colt.  

[Marshal Deadwood]

Spit the difference and go with 44 Colt.

The .44colt is the way I'd go too.

[Major 2]

 + 3  on 44 Colt ....

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I'd say use whatever suits your wallet and load.  Basically the same case, but made to a different length.

 AND/OR the .44Colt.  If you have a .44 rifle, then pick the one that works in that.  You know that the three cartridges mentioned will work in the revolver, the main difference might only be the level of loading they are suited for.

[BobinIL]

I didn't realize the 44 colt is only 0.050 shorter than the 44 special.  I suppose I could cut some 44 special brass down to the colt specs.  But it may not make that much difference.

[Shotgun Franklin]

Yep, see what works in the rifle and stick with that. I'd bet the .44 Colt is your best bet especially if you want a pre-1900 round.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I didn't realize the 44 colt is only 0.050 shorter than the 44 special.  I suppose I could cut some 44 special brass down to the colt specs.  But it may not make that much difference.

There is another difference between the .44 Colt in its original incarnation and the S&W offerings, and that is a much smaller rim diameter. For most revolvers that is meaningless. In its modern form the difference in length may not be worth altering cases.  I'm not sure of the price of newly manufacturede cases, which is why I mentioned cost.

[Shotgun Franklin]

Given factory tolerances there were likely .44 Colt's that were as long as .44 Spls. I doubt that anyone would measure to 'check' on you anyway.

[Trailrider]

The .44 Special chamber will accept .44 Special, .44 Russian and .44 Colt (Modern).  Your main problem will be what feeds through your rifle!  Some of the lever action rifles won't reliably feed cartridges shorter than for what they were made.  I've seen some .44 Magnum rifles that would feed .44 Specials, some would not.  Some could be tweeked slightly until they will feed .44 Specials with no problems.  I seriously doubt that the latter would handle .44 Russian or .44 Colt.

The main reason for shooting shorter cases is with very light loads of smokeless powder, and the differences between .44 Special and Russian are not that great unless you are using loads way below the recommended levels, and that can lead to problems in and of itself!

[BobinIL]

I guess I should have been up front on the rifle thing.  My rifle shoots 44-40 so I will only be using the specials or Russians in my revolvers.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I guess I should have been up front on the rifle thing.  My rifle shoots 44-40 so I will only be using the specials or Russians in my revolvers.

That's alright.  When I post, I have to have one eye on the person posing the question, and the other on those who come along later for a search on a related, but often somewhat different, problem.  As repeaters often have specific requirements to work properly, IF APPLICABLE consider that first as revolvers are quite forgiving.

[Izzoquazzo]

.44 Special, but then I'm biased. It's my favorite caliber. 

[Grapeshot]

When I had a pair of Remington 1875's in .44/40 I bought a pair of .357 cylinders for them and had them bored out to .44 Special and shot .44 Colt thru them most of the time.  I did use .44 Russian ammo at first, but went to the .44 Colt to simulate the original loading of .44 Remington.