Cheap Factory 44 special ammo?
- Thread starter Glamdring
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CZ 75 BD
Member
So can you define cheap?
I buy the Blazer GDHP from CTD from time to time, but the $3 surcharge and freight brings them up to about $45 per c . Today at the gun show, I bought Georgia Arms GDHP in brass for $36.50 per c .
I buy the Blazer GDHP from CTD from time to time, but the $3 surcharge and freight brings them up to about $45 per c . Today at the gun show, I bought Georgia Arms GDHP in brass for $36.50 per c .
What do you mean by "c"? 100 rounds?
I usually can find Speer Blazers 200 GDHP 44 Specials in gunstores for $16.00-$18.00 per box of 50 rounds, I like the bullet and load but can't afford to shoot as much as I want to at that price.
Unless someone knows of a better deal I will probably try to get local gunstores to compete for a case or 1/2 case of ammo.
I usually can find Speer Blazers 200 GDHP 44 Specials in gunstores for $16.00-$18.00 per box of 50 rounds, I like the bullet and load but can't afford to shoot as much as I want to at that price.
Unless someone knows of a better deal I will probably try to get local gunstores to compete for a case or 1/2 case of ammo.
CZ 75 BD
Member
Yes...
That's per 100. I would like to shoot more as well. It's my carry round, so cycling 15-20 rounds at the range is about the extent of it.
That's per 100. I would like to shoot more as well. It's my carry round, so cycling 15-20 rounds at the range is about the extent of it.
Stainz
Member
GA Arms also has lead loaded 'cowboy' ammo that is a bit cheaper than their excellent PD 200gr GD's. I did use the Blazer versions exclusively in my 296 - probably over 1,000 thus far. Last winter found one of those Blazer Al cases split over it's central third of it's length in my SS 696, making removal difficult. I only load my reloads - with that same Speer 200gr GD (#4427) - for range visits, saving the GA Arms ammo for PD loads.
If you are shooting a SS cylindered revolver, the less expensive Blazers should be okay - and, the Academy Sports chains here in C.A. (central Alabama) have them for $12.99/50. I have chrono-ed them, my loads, and the GA Arms ammo, all with that same Speer #4427 GDJHP, at 800-810 fps from my 2.5" 296, 830-845 fps from my 3" 696, and 870-880 fps from my 4" 629MG... and not much more from my 6.5" 24's. Speer claims efficient opening of that bullet by 800fps.
Obviously, reloading is the answer. I determined it was the only economical answer two years ago when I counted the .45 Colt brass I had amassed - most from GA Arms - I had >2,700 empties from years of plinking - what a fortune! Sight unseen, I ordered a Dillon 550B to reload .45 Colt... and, several days later, I 'touched' my first reloading press. Tens of thousands of rounds of homebrew later, now making everything from 7.62 Nagant to .454 Casull, I have a new hobby! In fact, the only thing I bought at that AGCA show Saturday in Birmingham was .44 Special lead - from GA Arms. At $30/900 240gr LSWC's, ~$15.50/1,000 Federal LP primers, and ~$14/lb (7,000gr) of TiteGroup, the cost works out to ~$.06/round - plus the case. Add $.14 for new Starline brass - which will last through thirty plus reloads at my levels, and you are up to $20/100 for the first 100... reloadable at $6/100 thereafter. Plus... try to find .44 Special ammo...
That is the rationalization I used for starting reloading in .45 Colt... which, as I said, has spread. Bored after taking the garbage out this AM, I made ~40 .44 Russians (Try to find them!). Now I shoot to have something to reload... be forewarned...
Stainz
If you are shooting a SS cylindered revolver, the less expensive Blazers should be okay - and, the Academy Sports chains here in C.A. (central Alabama) have them for $12.99/50. I have chrono-ed them, my loads, and the GA Arms ammo, all with that same Speer #4427 GDJHP, at 800-810 fps from my 2.5" 296, 830-845 fps from my 3" 696, and 870-880 fps from my 4" 629MG... and not much more from my 6.5" 24's. Speer claims efficient opening of that bullet by 800fps.
Obviously, reloading is the answer. I determined it was the only economical answer two years ago when I counted the .45 Colt brass I had amassed - most from GA Arms - I had >2,700 empties from years of plinking - what a fortune! Sight unseen, I ordered a Dillon 550B to reload .45 Colt... and, several days later, I 'touched' my first reloading press. Tens of thousands of rounds of homebrew later, now making everything from 7.62 Nagant to .454 Casull, I have a new hobby! In fact, the only thing I bought at that AGCA show Saturday in Birmingham was .44 Special lead - from GA Arms. At $30/900 240gr LSWC's, ~$15.50/1,000 Federal LP primers, and ~$14/lb (7,000gr) of TiteGroup, the cost works out to ~$.06/round - plus the case. Add $.14 for new Starline brass - which will last through thirty plus reloads at my levels, and you are up to $20/100 for the first 100... reloadable at $6/100 thereafter. Plus... try to find .44 Special ammo...
That is the rationalization I used for starting reloading in .45 Colt... which, as I said, has spread. Bored after taking the garbage out this AM, I made ~40 .44 Russians (Try to find them!). Now I shoot to have something to reload... be forewarned...
Stainz
P. Plainsman
Member
I want a .44 Special, and am pretty much reconciled to the necessity of picking up a simple reloading press to keep it decently fed.
CZ 75 BD: If you don't mind me asking. What do you carry and how?
My 44 is a 4" 629, mainly it guards the nightstand. But if I ever get around to getting a decent CCW holster I would probably carry it when I go out of town and in the winter.
Right now I put minimum of hundred rounds a month thru my J frame (main CCW) and a hundred rounds thru my AK (trunk gun). But the budget only allows about 24 rounds a month thru the 629.
Would really like to shoot at least 50 per month in the 629 and 100 would be much better IMO.
***
I would like to reload, but right now I work 6 days a week and the one day off is reserved for going to gun range and other things I can't get done on the days I work.
Eventually I will get a turrent or progressive press, but that is probably two years down the road.
***
I would also really like a source of fairly hardcast fullwadcuters or LBT type factory ammo for carry load in my J frame. But I will probably have to rely on +P LHP until I can load my own.
My 44 is a 4" 629, mainly it guards the nightstand. But if I ever get around to getting a decent CCW holster I would probably carry it when I go out of town and in the winter.
Right now I put minimum of hundred rounds a month thru my J frame (main CCW) and a hundred rounds thru my AK (trunk gun). But the budget only allows about 24 rounds a month thru the 629.
Would really like to shoot at least 50 per month in the 629 and 100 would be much better IMO.
***
I would like to reload, but right now I work 6 days a week and the one day off is reserved for going to gun range and other things I can't get done on the days I work.
Eventually I will get a turrent or progressive press, but that is probably two years down the road.
***
I would also really like a source of fairly hardcast fullwadcuters or LBT type factory ammo for carry load in my J frame. But I will probably have to rely on +P LHP until I can load my own.
BluesBear
member
I buy Winchester .44 Special Cowboy ammp lpcally for about $12-$13 in my local stores and for about $10-$11 at the local Gun Shows.
It's great for plinking and general blasting. Since the brass is the same as regular Winchester it's great for reloading.
At the WACA Gunshows I buy Miwall new (not reloaded) .44 Special 240gr L-SWC and 240 JHP for about $10 and $12 respectively.
While it's not as cheap as reloading it's a great way to get reloadable brass.
It's great for plinking and general blasting. Since the brass is the same as regular Winchester it's great for reloading.
At the WACA Gunshows I buy Miwall new (not reloaded) .44 Special 240gr L-SWC and 240 JHP for about $10 and $12 respectively.
While it's not as cheap as reloading it's a great way to get reloadable brass.
CZ 75 BD
Member
Glamdring...
I carry a Taurus 445 snubby titanium. Generally in a fanny pack, sometimes in a belt slide when I can cover it with a jacket.
Blues Bear, glad to see you!
I carry a Taurus 445 snubby titanium. Generally in a fanny pack, sometimes in a belt slide when I can cover it with a jacket.
Blues Bear, glad to see you!
klover
Member
http://www.outdoormarksman.com
Just ordered .38, .357 +P+and .44 mag+P+ miwall ammo. Recieved shipment promptly and correctly.
Just ordered .38, .357 +P+and .44 mag+P+ miwall ammo. Recieved shipment promptly and correctly.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
I'm quite happy with Georgia Arms 240 gr LSW at $14.00 per 50. Rated at 1100 FPS (it's .44 Mag) and has minimal leading.
www.georgia-arms.com
www.georgia-arms.com
unspellable
Member
44 Special ammo
You guys mean to tell me I can go to the store and BUY 44 Specials?
Next you'll tell me I can go to the store and buy ammo for my 44 mag.
But will this store bought stuff go bang?
You guys mean to tell me I can go to the store and BUY 44 Specials?
Next you'll tell me I can go to the store and buy ammo for my 44 mag.
But will this store bought stuff go bang?
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