44 Magnum Defense Loads

...with absolutely no concrete data to back me up (that can lay my hands on at the moment), I like your power factor, but swing toward a heaver, slower bullet with similar momentum but less FtLbs.
This article has been floating around the net for quite some time, good to see it is still up, and is always good for starting arguments.
http://user.xmission.com/~fractil/math/kp.html
Check it out, interesting read.

I deleted the wrong reply...lol
so were are looking at about a 240gr bullet, 1,125 fps .429 cal, 674ft/lbs, Momentum 38 and a KO of 16

I also have a 44-40 load in same large frame revolver of 200grJHP, 1,360fps 821ft/lbs, momentum 38 and a KO of 16

... a 240 @ 1100 fps is a fairly comfortable load in most 44 frames...

For what it's worth, my load with a 250 gr. Keith, cast 1:16, over 10 grs. of Unique gives complete penetration through whitetail deer.  It chronographs around 1100 fps from a 6" barrel.  -Ed

What would be wrong with a good stout shot load put up in shot capsules. I have found that, in the capsules, the spread is quite slow. I use them in a 44 Special with Unique and #4 shot. Now, I haven't shot a large critter with them, but a 25 pound timber rattler at out to 15 yds will lose his head and a lot of other flesh with one shot. I got two at once last year when they were doing their twisty dance by the bean field. I think one in the face would completely disable a human. Works good when you have the shakes or if it is dark.

 
Mike

Ed, I don't think I am surprised. Not being a hollow point but yet how much mushroom do you get and at what yardage? It goes completely through the deer?
Thanks

Impressive Wrokmansr
I use 22gr of black powder in my 44-40 with a shot capsule and #9 shot. Works pretty nice as well. I shot a 4'3" timber ratler a few months ago. Dog was barking at 10pm at night. I opened my window and it sounded like someone left the water faucet on. I ended up shooting it the dark but used the shotgun.

PM me you powder charge for you capsules.

in the 44 Special, I use Speer capsules. ($7.19/25 from Midway) and 5.5 Unique. Same for 44 Mag, but 7.0 Unique. Plenty powerful enough. I pack when I take the johnboat fishing for bass her in SH Mississippi. About half the time, I encounter a swimming mocassin around the boat. My grandson thought he would whack one with the paddle. Bad mistake. If you ever want to mess your underwear, try it. Mocassins go ballistic and try to get in the boat with you. Lots of shuckin' and jivin'.

I just tried 5gr of TrailBoss and a 44-40 case (44-40 cylinder) and it splattered an 8x11 sheet of paper at 15 feet. Too far away of course. Too dark so I will try some more later.

What size shot? I have found that the larger sizes of shot at a moderate velocity shoot a tighter pattern. I was just doinf a bit of research since you asked about loads. I found one dude who uses two round balls of 0.433 diameter. Sounds good to me, and you can get them from Speer. Might be worth a try. Not for snakes, but bad dudes. I would check for penetration with any load.
Mike

Savvy:  You asked about mushrooming, penetration and range.  The two extremes were taken at about 10 yards and 70 yards with others in between.  Both were quartering shots, one from the rear ranging forward and one from the front ranging slightly to the rear, so depth of penetration on these were about 15-18 inches, with a lot of that depth being the lungs.  As my experience is that the boolits exit, I have no idea if there is any mushrooming involved.  -Ed

Thanks Ed!

Speer God Dot's 44 Mag 

44 Mag Hunting 270gr
Momentum - 48, 
Taylor KO - 20

44 Mag Self Defense loads 200gr
Momentum - 30, 
TKO - 13

40 S&W SD loads all gr's
Momentum - 24-27, 
TKO - 9-10

45 ACP
Momentum - 26-30
TKO - 12-13

45 Colt 250gr
Mo - 26
TKO - 12

My 44-40 Loads (Speer Gold Dot HPs)
200gr Momentum - 33
TKO - 14

180gr Mo - 31
TKO - 13
Make any sense to you?

Savvyjack,
In my experience, all the semi-religious numbers are hoo-ha. Taylor just made up a computation to favor his opinion, momentum only tells how much energy it takes to stop an object. Kinetic energy is the worst excuse for a measure of effectiveness since it exaggerates the effect of velocity. The more I see of animal kills, the more I think bore size and bullet construction make the most difference. For instance, IF one of the nimrods with a 7mm STW COULD hit an elk at 100o yds, the bullet, any bullet, would not expand. It would be like stabbing the animal with a knitting needle. However, a hit from a 45-90 542 gr. bullet at that range would most likely pass through the animal, and IF the hit was good, kill it. That's why we use 44 and 45 handguns. I can't tell you how many local boys here have walked away from several hits with a 9mm held sideways. Wouldn't happen when the bullet starts with a 4.
 
Mike

mworkmansr: 
 
 Thank you!  I learned a new word today!  -Ed

I hope so workmansr, I have a headache! My three favorite cartridges are the 44-40, 45 Colt and the 45-70. 

I see very little wrong with the OP; Savy Jack's  1400 fps.   ---180  is a great small deer load ( IMHO)  However the current wide opinion, is the transferable energy should   ALL be dumped into the aggressive assailent. So maybe ^^^^^^^^ 180gr.     .44 cal.  + 19.5 gr. of 2400 powder at 1350 fps.     Better yet,   --the 180 gr.-Neutrilizer    for (a-holes)  Hemarroid  types-----17.5 GRS. OF 2400  SO THE BULLET MOST LIKELY WILL STAY IN THE "PERP."

You know, I have watched the argument about complete penetration vs. projectile staying in the object for about 55 years. I have watched the opinions go back and forth about a dozen times. It's about as hackneyed as the old 270 vs 30-06 articles that clogged all the gun magazines every year. In college, I read an obscure tome published by the US Army titles Wound Ballistics that studied every imaginable type of bullet and wound from Hatcher's experiments in the 1930's to actual reports and photos of wounds from WWII. They had no conclusion except that wounds hurt.
Living in central MOntana for 35 years starting 1967, I got to do lots of shooting of heavy game. I found that the best killer I had was the 300 Win Mag with 200 gr. Nosler Partitions. It always penetrated completely, and I never had an animal take a step. Complete penetration creates a blood flow channel to help to disable or kill the object.
As far as people worrying about hitting the neighbors, I have never heard or read of an actual occurence. I think it is more important to worry about certainties such as, "This guy will kill me if I don't shut him down".
So, in my opinion, the best bet is a large diameter, moderate velocity projectile.
 
Mike 

I agree Mike. A big hole all the way through equals rapid and massive blood loss which induces shock and shuts everything else down. Chris

--PH's in Africa use after the tourist screws up their shot?

 PLEASE ---Google      Chuck  Hawkes   "Handgun cartridge power chart ''   It directly correlates with other  scientific test results . (eg.   FBI  tests)

I would rather get my reference from Elmer Keith in Sixguns or Hell, I was There than the FBI. All the loads in Chuck Hawks reference article bear down on light-for-caliber bullets and high speed. My personal experience with game shooting of deer. elk, and bear and watching Minneapolis bankers try to kill the same has been that Elmer Keith knew whereof he spoke. I wouldn't trust an opinion from the FBI given their history of incompetence and teisting of facts. I would also recommend the US Army's book, Wound Ballistics if it can still be found.
Mike

To answer you original question I think the loads right the bullet is wrong. XTP's are great hunting bullets but in my opinion not a good choice for self defense. I would use a bullet made to dump its energy quickly. Many are out there its like choosing a new car . Hope this helps you out.