Running Special in Magnum Revolvers. Question...

[Orion8472]

I was at my local Bass Pro and was talking to the guy behind the counter about potentially getting a Ruger Single Six in 44 Magnum but running 44 Special in them. He said that you can't do that. . . . . .that it isn't like running 38 Special in a 357 magnum, which you can to, . . . . .but not the case with running 44 Special in a 44 Magnum.

True? If so, why? If not, . . . . why is he working behind that counter?

 

[CajunBass]

When you talk to a guy behind the counter at a Bass Pro Shops...take a box of salt with you.

You can shoot 44 specials in a 44 magnun. Same as you can a 38 in a 357. You'll have to clean the chamber a bit, but that's all.

Why is he working there? You'll have to ask the manager that.

(BTW. A "Single-Six" is a 22. A Ruger 44 single action, would be a "Super Blackhawk.")

 

[Orion8472]

I am a novice with revolvers. I'm a pistol guy, always. Just wanting to expand my horizons a bit. So, thanks for the info on the rounds, and on the "Single Six".

 

[W.E.G.]

Ammo interchangeability chart: http://yarchive.net/gun/ammo/cartridge_interchange.html

 

[algaeguy]

I have a Ruger redhawk 44mag and have been shooting special loads out of it for years. Better on both the pocketbook and the arms at the range!

 

[Liberty1776]

that would totally surprise me, considering what I was doing Tuesday night after work...

 

[beatledog7]

I love being able to do what can't be done. But in this case I'm just one of thousands.

 

[bubba in ca]

I had a Blackhawk 44 mag and shot 44 specials all the time. The lighter load in a heavy gun made for some pleasant shooting. I eventually sold it off because it didn`t fit my hands. Ruger seems to have now fixed that problem by offering a smaller framed single action in 44 special which you might want to look into.

 

[Orion8472]

Thanks guys! I kinda thought that was the case, but wanted to be sure.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum share virtually identical histories.

The .357 started with the .38 Colt, a stubby cartridge loaded with a heeled bullet. The .44 Mag started with the .44 Smith and Wesson, a stubby cartridge loaded with a heeled bullet.

Both cartridges then went to inside lubricated bullets, bullets with lube grooves that were designed to be seated below the case mouth. Because the new bullets went inside the case, and had no heel, this resulted in a caliber reduction (to around .357 for the .38 Colt and around .429 for the .44 S&W.)

Since the inside lubricated bullet, being seated deeper in the case took up too much powder space, both cartridge cases were lengthened -- producing the .38 Long Colt and the .44 Russian, respectively.

Smith and Wesson then lengthened both cases again, producing the .38 Special and the .44 Special. And finally S&W lengthened both cases again and loaded them to much higher pressure, producing the .357 Magnum in the mid-30s and the .44 Magnum in the mid-50s.

Therefore the .357 Magnum can fire the original .38 Colt and any of its descendants, and the .44 Magnum can fire the .44 American and any of its descendants.

 

[Orion8472]

Great job hiring, Bass Pro. Great job!

I'm sure it was just a fluke. Maybe the guy was misunderstanding my question, or something. Thanks for all the information guys.

 

[pendennis]

Since I'm lazy, and don't like to do a lot of cleaning, I load my .44 Magnum brass with .44 Special loads. Same performance as .44 Specials, but without the carbon build up in the face of the charge hole.

 

[SunnySlopes]

I'm sure it was just a fluke

No, sometimes some/many of the people working in the guns section @ BP actually know little to nothing about guns. But that's not unlike any other gun store.

 

[mnrivrat]

Why is he working there? You'll have to ask the manager that.

I suspect because he shows up when he is suppose to and does the best job he knows how. Those that expect the counter folks to know everything there is to know about guns are wishful thinkers.

There is no school to graduate from with a degree in firearm knowledge.

 

[tryshoot]

I am learning about guns every day.

 

[Snowbandit]

I think it's policy at these big-box stores. They don't pay anything and the help doesn't know anything. Bass Pro is bad and Cabela's isn't any better.

 

[Orion8472]

I'm just chalking the experience up to an employee who was just uninformed. He was a nice and personable fella and took time to look stuff up on the computer. He also was unaware of some revolvers using .45acp, . . . so that's more evidence that he isn't a "know it all", which is fine with me, and shouldn't expect those behind the counter OF being so. I like to find out information for myself.

Anyway, thanks for the continued discussion.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm just chalking the experience up to an employee who was just uninformed.

You're right. That's why I said "Ask the manager." It is managements responsibility to make sure employee's are trained and informed.

 

[Orion8472]

I may do that. Not mention the employee, but just so he send out a "reminder" [of sorts]. . . because that COULD cause someone to not buy a .44 Magnum, if they are told that they couldn't run .44 Special in it. I'll do that next time I'm there.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah, that guy had no idea what he was talking about. It's always better to educate yourself than expect good information from someone who works at a huge sporting goods chain. A LGS on the other hand, I'd be more inclined to trust their words. I'd still do my research first though.

 

[skt239]

Incidents like this don't just occur in the big box stores. I was told by a employee at my range that a S&W 340PD could fire a .357 but the .357 magnum will blow it to pieces. Huh?

 

[ExAgoradzo]

With all kindness, CajunBass is correct.

Be kind to those guys I used to be the idiot at Pepboys making min wage in college and wondering why people asked me questions about rebuilding engines...I hope I didn't steer people wrong. Having said that, Cajun said it best above.

 

[BCRider]

OK, let's forget about BP and get back to Orion's choice of revolver.....

I've got both single and double action revolvers in both .38/.357 and .44Mag. I didn't mention the .44Spl since it's simply not worth finding the brass. I just load to .44spl standards in my .44Mag brass and on up to full power .44Mag loads. This results in zero extra cleaning and any worry on finding a mag case has "flowered" open from trying to flare it in any .44Spl dies.

If you're taken with the idea of an all 'rounder single action revolver then you can't do any better for the money than a Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk. The adjustable sights make them look a touch less classic but they make up for that by allowing the gun to be adjusted to any sort of ammo power. On the other hand fixed sights look nice but you'll soon find that you're limited to one or two load recipes for each bullet weight if you want the guns to hit at the POA.