The 44 S&W Special is an excellent option for self-defense, cowboy action shooting, and target shooting. But a firearm is only as good as the ammo you load into it. That’s why I researched, talked to experts, and tested several cartridges in my search for the best 44 Special ammo. Continue reading to discover my favorite 44 Special loads and learn why I picked them!
My Top 44 Special Ammo Picks
| Ammo | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Speer Gold Dot 200 grain JHP | Best for Self-Defense |
| Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain FTX | Best for Snub Nose Revolvers |
| Fiocchi Cowboy Action 210 grain LFP | Best for Cowboy Action Shooting |
| PMC Bronze 180 grain JHP | Best for Target Shooting |
| Federal Punch 180 grain JHP | Best Ammo for Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special |
Speer Gold Dot 200 Grain JHP – Best 44 Special Ammo for Self-Defense
Specs:
- Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
- Bullet Type: Gold Dot Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
- Bullet Weight: 200 Grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 800 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 340 ft-lbs
Why I Chose It
Speer Gold Dot is the gold standard for self-defense. Countless CCWers and law enforcement officers trust it because it’s reliable, accurate, and will quickly stop a threat.
Of the thousands of Speer Gold Dot rounds I’ve fired, not one has given me a problem. Never a dud, failure to feed or extract in a semi-auto, or any other performance issue. It’s a testament to the high-quality materials and proprietary processes Speer uses to craft their Gold Dot ammunition.
Another reason I love Speer Gold Dot is its accuracy. In a self-defense situation, I need to know that my bullet will strike where I’m aiming. I have that confidence with Speer Gold Dot 220 grain JHP. Whenever I’m slightly off target while firing these rounds, I know it’s something that I’ve done wrong and not an issue with the ammo.
When defending yourself or the lives of your loved ones, you need a round capable of quickly ending the threat. The Gold Dot jacketed hollow point’s electrochemically bonded jacket ensures that it conserves the weight and momentum requisite to reach a threat’s vital organs, even if they are shielded by a barrier. Its nose cavity is also fine-tuned to deliver terminal expansion under a broad range of circumstances.
The biggest drawback is the price tag. Speer Gold Dot 200 grain JHP ammo may be expensive, but it’s worth every penny. You won’t want to train with it every time you visit the range (so be sure to check out the best target shooting load section), but you’ll certainly want it in your new 44 S&W Special revolver if you find yourself in a self-defense situation.
Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain FTX – Best 44 Special Snub Nose Revolver Ammo
Specs:
- Case: Nickel-plated brass
- Bullet Type: Flex Tip eXpanding (FTX)
- Bullet Weight: 165 Grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 900 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 297 ft-lbs
Why I Chose It
I (along with millions of other CCWers) have trusted Hornady Critical Defense for many years. I love it in compact firearms, such as snub nose revolvers, because it’s designed for short barrels, reliable, accurate, and produces a little less recoil thanks to its lighter bullet.
Hornady designs and optimizes these rounds for a 2.5" barrel. That’s crucial because most self-defense rounds are designed for longer barrels and therefore fail to deliver suitable performance for defense when fired from a shorter tube. Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain FTX, on the other hand, is engineered to make the most effective use of what little muzzle velocity a snub nose revolver’s barrel can produce.
I’ve never had a problem with Hornady Critical Defense in all my years of using it. I’ve always found these rounds accurate and reliable. Thankfully, my life has never depended on the FTX’s polymer plug, which exists to prevent the bullet’s nose cavity from clogging with fabric or other debris and losing its ability to initiate expansion as a result. Even so, it’s reassuring to know that Hornady promises such reliable terminal ballistics.
The lighter 165 grain bullet may reduce your 44 Special snub nose’s recoil. That can help you fire more accurately, but may coincide with shallower penetration. If you need a heavier, hard-hitting bullet, you should choose Speer Gold Dot 200 grain JHP instead.
If you need lighter-recoiling, reliable, and accurate self-defense ammo for your snub nose revolver, Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain FTX is the way to go.
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