Big Power! Hornady .44 Magnum vs .44 Special Ballistic Gel Test with the Taurus Tracker!

Published on February 15, 2022
Duration: 14:55

This video conducts a ballistic gel test comparing Hornady's .44 Magnum (240gr XTP) and .44 Special (165gr Critical Defense FTX) ammunition fired from a Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum with a 4-inch ported barrel. The test meticulously records muzzle velocities, observes wound channels, measures penetration, and analyzes projectile expansion and weight retention. The results highlight a dramatic difference in performance, with the .44 Magnum demonstrating significantly greater power, penetration, and devastation compared to the .44 Special.

Quick Summary

The .44 Magnum (240gr Hornady XTP) averaged 1248 ft/s and penetrated over 21 inches in ballistic gel with significant expansion, creating a devastating wound channel. In contrast, the .44 Special (165gr Hornady FTX) averaged 854 ft/s, penetrated about 13 inches, and expanded moderately, highlighting the Magnum's superior power.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Setup
  2. 00:43Ammunition Overview: .44 Mag vs .44 Spl
  3. 01:13Firearm: Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum
  4. 01:30Chronograph Readings: .44 Special
  5. 02:16Chronograph Readings: .44 Magnum
  6. 03:16Gel Test: .44 Special Firing
  7. 04:40Gel Test: .44 Magnum Firing
  8. 06:06Gel Test Results: .44 Special Analysis
  9. 06:49Gel Test Results: .44 Magnum Analysis
  10. 08:04Penetration Depth Comparison
  11. 09:23Projectile Examination: .44 Special
  12. 09:44Projectile Examination: .44 Magnum
  13. 10:09Projectile Weight Retention
  14. 11:02Projectile Expansion Measurements
  15. 11:43Final Comparison & Discussion
  16. 11:55Self-Defense Overkill Debate
  17. 12:08Conclusion & Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key performance differences between .44 Magnum and .44 Special in ballistic gel?

The .44 Magnum demonstrates significantly higher muzzle velocity (1248 ft/s vs. 854 ft/s), deeper penetration (over 21 inches vs. 13 inches), and larger projectile expansion compared to the .44 Special. This results in a much more devastating wound channel for the Magnum.

What ammunition was used in the .44 Magnum vs. .44 Special gel test?

The test used Hornady 240-grain Custom XTP for the .44 Magnum and Hornady 165-grain Critical Defense FTX for the .44 Special. Both were fired from a Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum with a 4-inch ported barrel.

How did the projectiles perform after impact in the ballistic gel?

The .44 Special FTX projectiles expanded well after shedding their tip, retaining most of their weight. The .44 Magnum XTP projectiles mushroomed perfectly, retaining significant weight while shedding some material, creating massive wound channels.

Is the .44 Magnum considered overkill for self-defense based on this test?

The extreme penetration of the .44 Magnum (over 21 inches) raises concerns about over-penetration in self-defense, especially indoors. While some argue there's no such thing as too much when lives are on the line, the potential for unintended consequences is significant.

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