.44 Russian in .44 Magnum

[Todd]

Can you shoot a .44 Russian in a .44 Magnum or .44 Special revolver? I know it is the same just a shorter case. Would there be any problems?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim March]

Yes, works just fine.

Accuracy may suffer though, by the time you're dealing with 44Mag chambers the freebore effect (bullet flying through unrifled cylinder) is getting wild .

But it won't be TOO bad. I'd guesstimate group sizes almost double what the gun will do with 44Maggies, but that'll vary by situation. There's no danger involved.

 

[Hal]

Can you shoot a .44 Russian in a .44 Magnum or .44 Special revolver?

Only as much as your budget will allow
The .44 Russians Ive seen on the local dealers shelf are priced well above the other offerings.

 

[Stainz]

I have shot homebrew .44 Russians through my S&W 24, 696, and 629 MG. The latter is a .44 Magnum chambered revolver, the other two are chambered for .44 S&W Special. The residue left in the .44 S&W Spcl chambers after firing .44 Russians makes subsequent .44 S&W Spcl loading difficult. Bring a .44 chamber brush (longer and slightly larger than a .44 bore brush) to 'brush between meals'. The fouling is more pronounced in the .44M chambers - and can be problematic as the residue can slow the departing bullet, leaving higher, possibly traumatic, chamber pressures. The .44 Russians are addictive... I bought several hundred Starline cases since they were the same price as the Specials at a local show - $12/100. Nostalgic as well. Besides, that Navy/Uberti #3 'Russian' (.44 Russian chambered) at the dealer's still 'calls' my name when I visit...

Stainz

 

[BigG]

Couldn't you load a rather anemic charge in a 44 Mag case and obviate the fouling?

 

[happy old sailor]

what BigG said, unless you are totally bored.