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Development of the 44 Mag.
penguin1
Member Posts: 97 ✭
Was the development of the 44 Mag due to new propellants as opposed to a little larger case?
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_Keith
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the .44 Magnum came from the .44 Special, which came from the .44 Russian, which came from the .44 American. it was an interesting series of events if you want to look it up.
He was a very influential, gun writer and author, at that time. Who preached loading up the 44 Special. With slowing burning powders, for very hot loads.
He got together, with one of the honchos from S & W. And made the case, for a new cartridge. Smith developed one, that was .100 longer than the .44 Special. And a beefed up revolver, to fire it. So that the older 44 Special revolvers, wouldn't chamber the new cartridge, and self destruct.
The new revolver was a immediate hit. Everybody and their Bil, had to have one. Till they started shooting them. And found that 44 mag. Full bore ammo, was not fun at all to shoot. Firing a 50 round box would make your eyes cross, and give you a major case of flinchitas.
38 ACP and 38 Super, look the same but ...
The key advancement was the introduction of Hercules 2400 powder which let them load hot safer than with the old No 80.
Elmer kept telling S&W that a ".44 Special Magnum" with his load in a longer case would be better than a .357.
The factory gun and ammo were even more powerful than that.
The .41 Magnum and 10mm Norma were the same story. Well known shooters and writers campaigned for guns of a power suitable for police duty. The manufacturers souped them up to where they were of use only to enthusiasts willing to put up with the kick.