Suppressed .44

[jimpa]

Got a Ruger 77/44 which I am going to add a supressor to,,, it will also do time on a .45 HK when I get that threaded bbl.
Question -- Would using the 44 Special cases give me more consistent velocity and accuracty.
I do not plan on shooting high vel. thru the rifle.

[LouBoyd]

Have you compared the ballilstic performance of a subsonic 44 Magnum (or 44 Special or 45 ACP) to a 300 Whisper? I bought a Rem 788 in 44 magnum long ago but after experimenting with shooting it subsonic I decided not to try to suppress it or to continue load it subsoinic. I also own a Marlin 45 ACP camp carbine. It's inherently subsonic but essentially the performance of a 1911 pistol with a stock.

The problem was that twist rate of commercial 44 and 45 caliber rifles is not sufficient to stabilize heavy low drag bullets at subsoinc velocity (1000-1025 fps). The high drag of light short bullets shed energy rapidly. The 300 Whiper gives:

better downrange energy (since high BC bullet retain their energy better)
less vertical stringing ( velocity times of time of flight squared) (only a small advantage with the 300 Whisper)
less wind deflection (wind speed * (actual time of flight - vacuum time of flight))
better penetration, (important for hunting with low velocity low energy bullets).

I'm not saying you shouldn't suppress a 44 or 45 calber firearm . But in my opinion unless it has a fast twist barrel and can shoot heavy low drag bullets there's little benefit in doing so.

[jimpa]

Thanks for the info, you may have just saved me a big hunk of change.
I do have a 300 wisper and really like it. That ruger is a nice little gun, probably keep it as is.