[Valjean]

Quick question re: 2 brands of .44 Magnum ammo. Wondering if they are similarly powered:

- Winchester White Box 240gr sjhp

- American Eagle 240gr sjhp

Their muzzle energy/velocity numbers are pretty similar, and at the low end of what is generally available. But when I shot the Winchesters today, they kicked MUCH harder than other rounds I tried whose energy/velocity numbers were a fair bit higher.

Later today, I saw that my LGS got in the American Eagles (muzzle energy 805/velocity 1230). I thought about trying them, then remembered how I thought the Winchesters would be lighter rounds, due to their lower numbers (741/1180) but were so strong I won't be using them.

Anyone shot both? Are they similarly powered? I don't want to waste the $$$ on a box of AE's if they are similar to or more powerful than the Wins.

PS - is it correct to guess-timate how hard a round will kick if you compare same-weight rounds by their muzzle energy and velocity numbers?

 

[Peacemakr40]

The velocities and projectiles are very similar and there's a definitive spike in the felt recoil, that would indicate a completely different powder being used and generally one that burns faster for the initial thump. you can probably verify that by seeing how dirty the barrel is after firing each type and having someone else record video of the muzzle flash. Bigger fireball, slower powder.

 

[jtg452]

What Peacemaker said.

The numbers can be identical and felt recoil can be completely different with different powders.

 

[Valjean]

Interesting - did not have any idea about powders. Learn something new every day.

Thanks!

 

[Flash60601]

You will only have a good baseline when you shoot the same loads out of your same gun over a chrony. Then, an accurate evaluation against perceived recoil will become a valid factor in your own experience. Powder makes All the difference.


there was a day when we assembled "triplex" loads for the 44 Mag, loads consisting of first, three grains of Bullseye in the bottom of the case as an igniting charge, then a massive quantity of some "slow-as-springtime" rifle powder in the middle, with 7 grains of Unique as a kicker on top of that. (They developed the 454 Casul in the same method, with an awful lot of blow guns in the prodess) Recoil then perceived was often very subjective to noise and blast. That was more of a walk on the edge as it was a day at the range, however, modern powders have made such sort of flirting with the dark angel of death a practice one no longer need experiment with.



Edited to add: "Observed fireball being bigger" and "perceived recoil being gentler" generally mean less stress on the gun. ergo: longer life for gun, greater pleasure in shooting.

 

[Valjean]

Just a follow-up from before.

I received 2 different ammos the other day, the 44 Magnum 240gr HSM Cowboy loads, and some 44 Magnum CCI Blazer Aluminum 240gr.

Much to my surprise, the Blazer was softer shooting than the Cowboy loads. No problem ejecting the aluminum cases. I've also now put a variety of .44 Special loads through the gun (S&W 29-2, 6"), and they are all pussycats.

Just a heads up re: the 2 cartridges mentioned above that someone might find useful.

 

[aznboi3644]

The blazer aluminum 44 mag loads are very soft when I compared them to Underwood 300 grain loads. Lol