Buffalo Bore Ammunition: Elevating .44 S&W Special Performance with the Heavy 190 gr Soft Cast Hollow Point (MPN: 14C20)

When selecting ammunition for personal defense, home protection, or ethical hunting, discerning individuals seek reliability, stopping power, and precision. The Buffalo Bore Ammunition 14C20 Heavy .44 S&W Special 190 grain Soft Cast Hollow Point stands as a premier choice, meticulously engineered to deliver uncompromising performance from your cherished .44 caliber firearms. This isn't just another bullet; it's a specialized load designed to excel in scenarios where terminal effectiveness is paramount.

For those who rely on the classic .44 S&W Special caliber, or seek a powerful yet manageable option for their .44 Magnum firearms, understanding the nuances of ammunition selection is crucial. The Buffalo Bore 14C20 answers critical questions such as: "What is the best .44 Special ammunition for self-defense?"; "Can I use .44 Special in my .44 Magnum revolver or rifle effectively?"; or "How can I achieve deep penetration and reliable expansion with a .44 caliber handgun load?". This specific Buffalo Bore offering provides a compelling answer, embodying decades of ballistic expertise and real-world application.

Unleashing Potent Performance: The .44 S&W Special Advantage

The .44 S&W Special, though often overshadowed by its more powerful .44 Magnum cousin, remains a formidable cartridge with a rich history and unique advantages. It offers a balance of manageable recoil, inherent accuracy, and significant power potential, making it a favorite among revolver enthusiasts and those who appreciate its performance in specific lever-action rifles. Buffalo Bore, renowned for pushing the boundaries of cartridge performance, has taken the .44 S&W Special and elevated it to new heights with their "Heavy" series, exemplified by the 190 grain Soft Cast Hollow Point load.

This ammunition is specifically engineered to maximize the ballistic potential of the .44 S&W Special, transforming it into a highly effective tool for a range of applications. It's not merely a standard pressure load; it's a carefully optimized "heavy" load designed for modern, robust firearms. This commitment to enhanced performance ensures that shooters can unlock the full capabilities of their .44 Special firearms, whether it's for critical self-defense situations or for humane takedowns in the field.

Key Features and Ballistic Excellence of the 14C20 Load

The Buffalo Bore Ammunition 14C20 Heavy .44 S&W Special 190 grain Soft Cast Hollow Point is distinguished by several critical features that contribute to its superior performance:

• Optimized for .44 S&W Special and .44 Magnum Firearms: A significant advantage of this load is its broad compatibility. While purpose-built for all .44 S&W Special handguns and rifles (with the notable exception of Charter Arms Bull Dog models due to their specific design limitations), it is also perfectly safe and highly effective for use in any .44 Magnum chambered firearm. This versatility means a single ammunition type can serve multiple firearms, simplifying logistics for multi-caliber owners. When used in a .44 Magnum firearm, it offers a powerful, yet potentially lower recoil option compared to full-power .44 Magnum loads, while still delivering substantial terminal energy.
• 190 Grain Soft Cast Hollow Point Bullet: The heart of this load is its precisely engineered 190 grain soft cast hollow point bullet. Unlike traditional hard-cast bullets, the "soft cast" nature of this projectile is crucial for reliable expansion at the velocities typically achieved from .44 Special firearms. This design ensures that the bullet mushrooms consistently upon impact, maximizing energy transfer and creating a larger wound channel, which is vital for effective incapacitation or humane hunting.
• Deep Penetration Characteristics: Despite its expanding hollow point design, this particular bullet is formulated to achieve exceptional penetration. Buffalo Bore explicitly states that this "Barnes X type bullet will expand on flesh and bone and penetrate more deeply than most expanding lead core bullets of the same weight." This is a critical factor for self-defense against determined threats or for hunting medium-sized game where reaching vital organs requires significant depth of travel. It addresses the common concern of over-expansion leading to insufficient penetration in some hollow point designs.
• High Muzzle Velocity and Energy: With a tested muzzle velocity of 1150 feet per second (fps) and a muzzle energy of 558 foot-pounds (ft lbs), this 190 grain load is operating at the upper echelon of .44 S&W Special performance. These figures demonstrate Buffalo Bore's ability to extract maximum power safely and effectively from the cartridge, ensuring that the bullet delivers its full kinetic potential upon impact. This elevated performance translates directly into enhanced stopping power.
• Quality Brass Casing: Each round is loaded into durable brass casings, known for their reliability, consistency, and potential for reloading by avid handloaders. This commitment to quality components ensures smooth feeding, extraction, and consistent ballistics shot after shot.
• "Strictly Business" Series Reliability: Part of Buffalo Bore's "Strictly Business" series, this ammunition carries the hallmark of being purpose-built for serious applications. This series is trusted by professionals and enthusiasts alike for its consistent performance, reliability in diverse conditions, and unwavering commitment to terminal effectiveness.

Real-World Applications and Why This Load Excels

The Buffalo Bore 14C20 Heavy .44 S&W Special 190 gr Soft Cast Hollow Point load is designed to meet the demands of several critical scenarios:

• Home Defense: When faced with a home invasion or other life-threatening scenario, reliability and immediate effectiveness are non-negotiable. This load provides the substantial stopping power needed to neutralize threats quickly and decisively. Its ability to expand reliably and penetrate deeply ensures that critical targets are engaged effectively, even through intermediate barriers that might defeat lesser loads. For users asking, "What .44 Special ammunition is most effective for home defense?", this Buffalo Bore offering is a top-tier answer.
• Personal Self-Defense: For concealed carry permit holders or those carrying a .44 Special revolver for personal protection, this ammunition offers a potent solution. The 190 grain soft cast hollow point ensures that every shot counts, providing the confidence that your defensive rounds will perform as expected when milliseconds matter.
• Hunting Small to Medium Game: While primarily discussed for defense, the deep penetration and reliable expansion of this bullet also make it suitable for hunting applications. For example, it could be an excellent choice for hunting hogs, deer (within appropriate range and local regulations), or other similar-sized game, where clean, ethical harvests are paramount. Hunters often inquire, "What .44 Special load offers reliable expansion and penetration for hunting?", and this Buffalo Bore option is highly competitive.
• Backwoods Protection: For hikers, campers, or outdoor enthusiasts venturing into areas where dangerous animals (like cougars or black bears) might be encountered, a reliable and powerful handgun load is crucial. While not a dedicated bear defense load for large grizzlies, the deep penetration capability of this 190 grain bullet offers a significant advantage over standard hollow points against aggressive animal threats within the .44 Special's practical limits.

Understanding Terminal Ballistics: Expansion and Penetration

The effectiveness of a self-defense or hunting bullet is primarily determined by its terminal ballistics – how it behaves upon impacting a target. The Buffalo Bore 14C20's design expertly balances two often-competing factors: expansion and penetration.

• Reliable Expansion: The "soft cast" nature of the lead core is key. Unlike harder alloys, soft lead deforms more readily upon impact, allowing the hollow point cavity to open up consistently and create a significant temporary and permanent wound cavity. This reliable expansion ensures maximum energy transfer to the target, leading to rapid incapacitation or a humane take-down. It addresses the challenge often faced by hollow points from lower-velocity handgun rounds, which sometimes fail to expand adequately.
• Superior Penetration: The statement that it "penetrate[s] more deeply than most expanding lead core bullets of the same weight" is a testament to Buffalo Bore's advanced design. This suggests a specific bullet geometry and lead alloy that manages expansion without sacrificing essential penetration. In defensive scenarios, this means the bullet is more likely to reach vital organs even if it has to pass through light clothing or an arm. For hunting, it ensures the projectile reaches the vitals for a quick and ethical kill. This combination of reliable expansion and deep penetration is the hallmark of a truly effective defensive or hunting round.

Why Choose Buffalo Bore Ammunition?

Buffalo Bore Ammunition has built a sterling reputation among serious shooters for producing "heavy duty" and specialized ammunition that consistently outperforms mass-produced alternatives. Their philosophy centers on maximizing cartridge potential while maintaining safety and reliability. When you choose Buffalo Bore, you're not just buying ammunition; you're investing in:

• Uncompromising Performance: Every load is meticulously developed and tested to deliver maximum velocity, energy, and terminal effectiveness.
• Specialized Solutions: Buffalo Bore often fills niches for calibers and applications that standard manufacturers overlook, offering loads optimized for specific firearm types or performance criteria.
• Quality Components: Only the finest components are used, from brass casings to carefully selected powders and precisely manufactured bullets, ensuring consistency and reliability.
• Trust and Authority: Endorsed by countless professionals, hunters, and self-defense experts, Buffalo Bore stands as a beacon of trust in the ammunition industry.

For those seeking to equip their .44 S&W Special or .44 Magnum firearms with ammunition that provides a distinct advantage in critical situations, the Buffalo Bore Ammunition 14C20 Heavy 190 gr Soft Cast Hollow Point is an unparalleled choice. It represents the pinnacle of specialized ammunition engineering, available to responsible individuals seeking the very best in ballistic performance. You can find this exceptional ammunition, among other top-tier firearms and accessories, through reputable dealers like DEGuns, known for their comprehensive selection and commitment to customer service.

Buffalo Bore Ammunition 14C20 Heavy .44 S&W Special 190 gr Soft Cast Hollow Point Specifications

Characteristic	Detail
Brand	Buffalo Bore Ammunition
Series	Strictly Business
Model	Heavy
Caliber	.44 S&W Spl
Bullet Type	Soft Cast Hollow Point
Bullet Weight	190 gr
Muzzle Velocity	1150 fps
Muzzle Energy	558 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	12
Casing Material	Brass
Application	Home Defense
SKU	82118
MPN	14C20
UPC	651815004457