So, I ended up getting a .44 special

[duckidaho]

I was looking for a .357, but ended up with a S+W "mountain lite" .44 special. It is super light, and pretty small. It will be great for what I want it for. Backpacking, a hunting sidearm, fly-fishing in bear country, Concealed Carry (rarely). It is made of titanium or scandium or some such thing. It shoots well, but the group is a little high. I think I just have to get used to the kick. It does have quite a bit of recoil. Everything on it seems all good, and I got a decent price on it. Does anybody have any experience with these guns? Russ

[docsoos]

I always wanted one of those, too. I think the one I was looking at was a Model 296. Just like my Model 638, except a larger frame and .44 Special caliber.

Those are the type of gun you'll carry a lot and shoot a little, due to the light weight and greater recoil. But you'll never feel the recoil, when a 2 or 4-legged varmint is bearing down on you. ;D

Congrats on the find. I think you'll enjoy the .44 better than a .38/357; a lot heavier bullet selection in that caliber. I load 180, 200, and 210 grain bullets for the wife when she shoots any of my .44 Mag handguns, in a .44 Special case.

DocSoos

[rice paddy daddy]

Congrats. There's a lot to to be said for large slugs moving at moderate velocities. Clint Smith calls it "slingin' bricks."
I have a Super Blackhawk 44 mag, and liked the 44 Special loads so much I went out and bought a Charter Arms Bulldog hammerless snub.

[High_Desert]

Smith and Wessons Mountain Gun line is by far one of my favorites and the guns I pack the most out in the desert or around my place.

Check out Milt Sparks 200AW holster, its the one I found to be the most comfortable.

The .44 special is a great round, I think you will enjoy your purchase.

Do you handload?

Best Regards,
HD

[rice paddy daddy]

I'm just getting into handloading. Bought the Lee Anniversary set up and some dies in 38/357, 45 Colt, and 30-06. I haven't actually produced any rounds yet, still reading the manual, but sooner or later I want to do 30 Carbine and 44 Special & 44 mag in addition to the others. Do you have any favorite loads to share?

[duckidaho]

I was thinking of getting into handloading, but not sure as I don't target shoot all that much so I don't burn a ton of ammo. Kind of curious though, I live in a fairly small town, and I've checked two gun shops and only come up with one small box of .44 special. Is that normal? I'm sure I can order it though.

[docsoos]

Unfortunately, .44 Special isn't as common as it used to be 25 years ago. The factory ammo's are limited these days, with Winchester Silver-Tip 200-Grainers being what I find in most local gun shops these days, if at all.

Might be worth it to invest a few dollars in a Lee Loader, just for .44 Special/Magnum. Definitely will diversify your ammo choices, and it's fun to load 'em "one-at-a-time" when ya first start out, or just don't need that much ammo.

DocSoos

[High_Desert]

I'm just getting into handloading. Bought the Lee Anniversary set up and some dies in 38/357, 45 Colt, and 30-06. I haven't actually produced any rounds yet, still reading the manual, but sooner or later I want to do 30 Carbine and 44 Special & 44 mag in addition to the others. Do you have any favorite loads to share?

The .45 colt is my absolute favorite handgun round. I have quite a few revolvers chambered in this old timer.

My loads are pretty well known, especially if you hang around on some of the sixgun web sites. None are mine, but passed on to me by people do more shooting than I do and know a whole bunch more.

8 grains of 231 with a 265 Keith
9 grains of Unique with a 265 Keith
13 grains of HS-6 with a 265 Keith
18.5 grains of 2400 with a Keith Hollow Point
25 grains of H110 with the 270SAA RCBS, ( Ruger or FA only) I used this 4 months ago with a Ruger Vaquero to take a nice wild hog.

Going back out in March with either a Mountain Gun or 25-5 and the Keith hollow point to do it again.

Have you seen John Linebaugh's writing on the .45 Colt? Well worth looking at along with anything by Keith.

I have a .30 Carbine Blackhawk, but just bought a suitable bullet mold, so I have not reloaded for it yet.

Let me know how you do!

Best Regards,
HD