Author Topic: 44 Mag Tracker range report (Read 5884 times)

Jim S · « **on:** December 12, 2004, 02:38:12 PM »

Well picked up a 44 Mag Tracker at a gun show on Saturday and went to the range for a short try with it today ! I only took a couple lighter loads , didn't feel 22/2400/245 Keith bullet a good way to start testing it. So I was easy on it the first trip to the range. I had really wanted a 44 Spl compact any way and thought the 44 tracker with mid range loads would work. I used 9.3/231/215 CSW and that load shot so-so not impressive but it shot OK. I shot 9.5 Unique and the same 215 SWC, a little better load and I knew this load shot pretty well out of my other 44's. I then took out my favorite plinking to medium game load for 44 Mag and 44 SPL. 7.5 Unique/240 CSW--44 Spl case. Well at 50 feet--back stops are set up funny at this range--the load would shoot a 50 cent sized hole for 5 shots. At 50 yards it would shoot 3-4"groups two handed standing, which is about as good as I can shoot a 4" barreled light revolver off handed.
The DA trigger is lighter on this Tracker than any other Tracker I own and so is the SA pull. The SA out of the box, after the dried up oil was flushed out of the mechanism was almost dead on 2#'s and very short. I was worried about such a light pull for a new gun, however the hammer will not push off and I tried to push it off pretty hard. I will just watch the SA pull and hope it doesn't lighten up any more. At this point I simply pull the bottom of the trigger and have a great SA pull.
My first impressions are very favorable with the fit and finish. It is very tight and no slop in any of the moving parts. For now I'm just going to treat it as a 44 Spl you can go overboard with a little if you want and use it as a light powerful trail gun, that just happens to be very accurate to boot.

dawei · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2004, 02:50:37 PM »

Sounds like Santa was very good to you. I've been thinking of a "Tracker Set of Triplets" (357, 41, & 44) for myself. A friend has one in 357 & is very pleased.

Jim S · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2004, 03:05:51 PM »

David add in the 45 acp version also--very good shooting gun. I have read a lot of troubles with the Trackers that other people have had but I like mine and all of them function very well. The 44 is the only one I have any concerns about with the light trigger and I'll watch it closely. I also am aware of it so I will be careful when using it.

Jim S · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2005, 04:35:18 PM »

Little pistol continues to shoot well and trigger continues to get lighter . The Tracker is the 7th one I've owned and only one I have had any trouble with but this one will go back to Taurus because trigger pull is too light. The full cock is stable , will not push off or bump off but the 1# pull is too light and getting lighter! I pulled the side plate and cleaned out some dried up oil in the gun and looked at the hammer and full cock notch. TINY notch. The hammer is well made and all and the trigger engages the sear well but don't like the 1# pull. I will not let any one else try it because the light SA is dangerous , even if you are aware of it. I guess 1 of 7 is not bad and I have had bad Rugers and S&W's also so I will see how Taurus does on this one.

LJ Barrero · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2005, 05:08:04 PM »

JimS,

I saw a couple of these Tracker 44 mags in a gun show. One in blue and the otherone in SST. I hold it in my hands but the revolver had a lace through the cylinder that prevented me to examine further (cylinder lock up and other good signs). Definitively a gun to have. The price was $350 for the blue and $380 for the stainless steel.

Did you get a chance to shoot a normal 44 mag load through it?

LJB

inluvwithsara · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2005, 12:56:15 AM »

That blue is georgous...me wants one...
I love the Caliber...but am not to big on those grips...does anyone make after market grips for the trackers yet???

Troggy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2006, 05:56:28 AM »

Give up a 3rd update on the Tracker44 if you can please.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2006, 07:41:22 AM »

I bought a .44 Mag Tracker 4" a month or so ago......only put a box through it but it worked flawlessly. I shot several 2" groups at 25 yards and that's about as good as I can shoot my .22 lr.......

It's a handsome pistol, feels good in my hand, and carries well. Fit and finish is fine. Trigger pull suits me well. I like the sights too. Gun is tight, no slop......

So far, so good......

Troggy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2006, 03:09:32 PM »

same here. No complaints yet.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2006, 07:44:50 AM »

I have one in 2" and love it, and now thinking about getting the 4" model.

Troggy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2006, 03:55:51 AM »

I recently found very small metal shavings in the hammer where it strikes. not sure where this comes from. I found if i dry fire it(which I found tuarus says not to with there revolvers) the it shows up after a few pulls.

JerryNH · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2007, 11:25:02 AM »

So with all the negative comments I've been reading in some other threads about Taurus quality control & customer service, would you say the Tracker is the exception to the rule along with the Raging Bull?

Dale53 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2007, 07:36:21 PM »

I have just recently purchased two Taurus Trackers. One is SS in .45 ACP and one is blued in .44 magnum. I don't care for the full moon clips in the .45 ACP but I do really like the revolver. I'm going to try some of the "Cowboy .45 Special" brass and see if that will work. The Cowboy Special has the same capacity as the .45 ACP but has rims (same rim thickness as the .45 Colt). If they work as I think they will, I will be a happy camper.

The .44 magnum Tracker's cylinder is too short for the Lyman Keith 429421 cast bullet in magnum cases. However, as I envisioned this revolver to be a .44 Special Field Piece, that is not a real turn off. There are several other bullet styles that will allow me to use them with .44 mag cases. The revolver DOES meet SAAMI specs for cartridge overall length, but the Keith bullet's nose is just too long. Of course, most any factory .44 magnum load will work without problems.

I consider this no more than a minor inconvenience. I will most likely shoot it with the "Skeeter" load, 7.5 grs of Unique under the Keith bullet in .44 Special Cases. That is what I mostly carry in the field, anyway, except when I am deer hunting.

Dale53

xhare · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2007, 01:23:29 PM »

Hey Montanan,

xhare · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2007, 01:28:57 PM »

Hey Montanan,

Sorry for the last post, my laptop does crazy things at times. Where did you get one of those? I have seen pictures on the web of the 2 inch version, both in stainless and blue, but I have seen no mention of one in Taurus catalogs or on their webpage.

Was it a limited run? Has it been released and cancelled already? I would love to get my hands on one. Could be good for anything from concealed carry to short range hunting. I have also seen a 6 inch 44 tracker as well, at least I could swear I did anyway, but again no mention in catalogs or their webpage.

Thanks for the help.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2007, 06:41:45 PM »

Quote from: JerryNH on January 20, 2007, 11:25:02 AM

So with all the negative comments I've been reading in some other threads about Taurus quality control & customer service, would you say the Tracker is the exception to the rule along with the Raging Bull?

NO definitely NOT. My last purchase was a Tracker Ti in .45 LC a gun I've wanted for years before it was even made. It was the single WORST of the Taurus guns I've owned and had trouble with. Pathetic and it had to go back to the factory TWICE just for them to even admit it had a problem and then they failed to do anthing about the problem I was most concerned with. The last two Taurus guns I bought both had to have new barrels, on the M44 they just replaced the gun. On the .45 LC Tracker Ti they replaced barrel and I think cylinder both. This was on brand new guns, I never even fired the Tracker before sending it in as I was afraid to.

JerryNH · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2007, 11:34:28 PM »

Well I'm convinced. I will be better off spending the extra money on a S&W Mountain Gun which will save me a lot of aggravation and frustration than if I bought Taurus Tracker!Thanks for the feedback Graybeard.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2008, 07:32:06 AM »

Quote from: Dale53 on February 12, 2007, 07:36:21 PM

I have just recently purchased two Taurus Trackers. One is SS in .45 ACP and one is blued in .44 magnum. I don't care for the full moon clips in the .45 ACP but I do really like the revolver. I'm going to try some of the "Cowboy .45 Special" brass and see if that will work. The Cowboy Special has the same capacity as the .45 ACP but has rims (same rim thickness as the .45 Colt). If they work as I think they will, I will be a happy camper.

The .44 magnum Tracker's cylinder is too short for the Lyman Keith 429421 cast bullet in magnum cases. However, as I envisioned this revolver to be a .44 Special Field Piece, that is not a real turn off. There are several other bullet styles that will allow me to use them with .44 mag cases. The revolver DOES meet SAAMI specs for cartridge overall length, but the Keith bullet's nose is just too long. Of course, most any factory .44 magnum load will work without problems.

I consider this no more than a minor inconvenience. I will most likely shoot it with the "Skeeter" load, 7.5 grs of Unique under the Keith bullet in .44 Special Cases. That is what I mostly carry in the field, anyway, except when I am deer hunting.
Dale53

I know this is an old thread, but let me resurrect it for a question.
I just picked up a new Taurus Tracker (SS 44 Mag, 2 inch Bbl, 5 shot medium frame - see attachment for one like it) and have planned to use the Lyman 429421 Keith or something similar at 44 Spl. velocities in it. This is the first I've heard that it is to long for the Mag cylinder. Sounds reasonable since it was probably developed for the Spl. case. What is a usable substitute Keith style bullet?

JBC · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2008, 02:47:59 PM »

Quote from: inluvwithsara on March 10, 2005, 12:56:15 AM

That blue is georgous...me wants one...
I love the Caliber...but am not to big on those grips...does anyone make after market grips for the trackers yet???

hogue makes finger groove grips for the trackers I have them on my.44 and my .17 hmr - big improvement !

corbanzo · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2008, 09:10:35 PM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on April 04, 2008, 07:32:06 AM

Quote from: Dale53 on February 12, 2007, 07:36:21 PM
I have just recently purchased two Taurus Trackers. One is SS in .45 ACP and one is blued in .44 magnum. I don't care for the full moon clips in the .45 ACP but I do really like the revolver. I'm going to try some of the "Cowboy .45 Special" brass and see if that will work. The Cowboy Special has the same capacity as the .45 ACP but has rims (same rim thickness as the .45 Colt). If they work as I think they will, I will be a happy camper.

The .44 magnum Tracker's cylinder is too short for the Lyman Keith 429421 cast bullet in magnum cases. However, as I envisioned this revolver to be a .44 Special Field Piece, that is not a real turn off. There are several other bullet styles that will allow me to use them with .44 mag cases. The revolver DOES meet SAAMI specs for cartridge overall length, but the Keith bullet's nose is just too long. Of course, most any factory .44 magnum load will work without problems.

I consider this no more than a minor inconvenience. I will most likely shoot it with the "Skeeter" load, 7.5 grs of Unique under the Keith bullet in .44 Special Cases. That is what I mostly carry in the field, anyway, except when I am deer hunting.
Dale53

I know this is an old thread, but let me resurrect it for a question.
I just picked up a new Taurus Tracker (SS 44 Mag, 2 inch Bbl, 5 shot medium frame - see attachment for one like it) and have planned to use the Lyman 429421 Keith or something similar at 44 Spl. velocities in it. This is the first I've heard that it is to long for the Mag cylinder. Sounds reasonable since it was probably developed for the Spl. case. What is a usable substitute Keith style bullet?

If you really like the bullet, and are planning on .44 spl levels anyways, the easiest answer was the one already stated... use .44 spl cases. You can load them to the top end or a little higher of the .44 spl range in the magnum.

Of course I am kind of a hypocrite... cause I tossed all my .44 spec cases cause I hated mixing them up, and having to readjust my .44 dies. I'm not a caster, so I couldn't recommend a mold... but most of the bullets I shoot are LFN, and I haven't found a one yet which tries and take up all my cylinder length... well... the 320 grainers do that job pretty well.. but what can you expect with that much lead?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #20 on:** April 15, 2008, 08:34:02 AM »

I like LFN boolets also and have pretty much decided against casting for this revolver. What do you buy in the 240/250 gr. range and from whom?
I loaded up a few 240 gr. Hornady swagged SWC's w/7.5 gr. of Unique that I'm going to use as a base line for my load development. I may also try some Gold Dot JHP's and see how they do in this gun. I've heard pretty good things about them.

corbanzo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2008, 11:19:24 AM »

For my lighter loads, I usually use the laser cast RN FP's. They are pretty hard, about 24 on the scale I think they told me. I have found them to be a good accurate bullet, and one of the lowest in cost for the quality.

They do offer a 240grn semi wadcutter, pretty much a keith if you want to go that route also, I've never used that style though.

For hunting/protection applications, I go with the cast performance WLNGC bullets. The are a tiny bit harder, and come gas checked. I did ask oregon trail about gas checking the laser cast line, and they do. But, with gas checks, they are more expensive than the cast performace's are.

corbanzo · « **Reply #22 on:** April 15, 2008, 11:21:39 AM »

Holy crap...

I just noticed hodgdon has data for a 355 grain .44mag bullet.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2008, 11:47:08 AM »

Quote from: corbanzo on April 15, 2008, 11:21:39 AM

Holy crap...
I just noticed hodgdon has data for a 355 grain .44mag bullet.

Not for me it don't!

I've been looking at Lazer Cast and Cast Performance bullets and now I'll try them on your recommendation. They seem very hard and since I want to keep the velocity down around 900 to 1000 fps, GC's may or may not be a good thing. Ya think?

corbanzo · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2008, 06:45:15 AM »

The only real reason you need gas checks is high velocity or really big bullets that make high pressures. Other than that you won't have to worry too much about cutting the back of the bullet.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #25 on:** April 16, 2008, 07:08:52 AM »

That would be my thought also, and these, so I've heard, "soft" Hornady swagged bullets should slug up so their shouldn't be any problem with gas cutting the sides either. Although the main complaint on them was leading. We'll see. Thanks! I'm gonna give both the Laser Cast and Cast Performance bullets a try!

corbanzo · « **Reply #26 on:** April 16, 2008, 10:25:56 AM »

Yeah, I have shot a lot of laser cast non gas checked bullets without leading. Pushed some 250 grainers over 1700fps in my .454 without a problem. Most of them I shoot are lower plinker loads though.

I'm not really a fan of soft lead... But I guess it's cause I always want to have something that'll kill something no matter what I do.

I'm thinking of getting some 200 grainers and trying to break 2000fps.... Might go copper for those though, we'll see.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #27 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:07:15 PM »

Wow! 250 gr at 1700 fps! That's almost incomprehensible to my old mind! Then again, until I got this 44 I figured my pistolaro days were long gone with my eyesight! When I stopped shooting handguns regular, 9mm auto's were just gaining some popularity! But I got the hots again and a good bit of the fun will be, just like it is for my long guns, hand loading ammunition.

I just added a box each of 255 gr. Cast Performance LFN and 240 gr. Laser Cast SWC's to my wish list! That ought to keep me busy for a while!

You looking for 2K in the 454? Is that possible?

corbanzo · « **Reply #28 on:** April 17, 2008, 06:26:21 AM »

Yeah, that raging bull is a big piece of metal, that is for sure, so it can handle the hot .454 loads. I still didn't have too bad of pressure signs at that speed.

I've seen 2K done out of the .454, not by me, but by otheres. I have also seen the loads listed that topped 2K with 200grain bullets. Heck if I wanted some real powder burners, I would always look at some 180grainers that were never meant for the .454 in the first place... but I don't think I want to go that far.

I myself have to put some new lead on the wish list... ran out of a couple calibers lately (luckily, it was while loading big batches of ammo, so have plenty to shoot for now)

Cottonwood · « **Reply #29 on:** June 09, 2008, 03:17:39 AM »

Quote from: xhare on February 16, 2007, 01:28:57 PM

Hey Montanan,

Sorry for the last post, my laptop does crazy things at times. Where did you get one of those? I have seen pictures on the web of the 2 inch version, both in stainless and blue, but I have seen no mention of one in Taurus catalogs or on their webpage.

Was it a limited run? Has it been released and cancelled already? I would love to get my hands on one. Could be good for anything from concealed carry to short range hunting. I have also seen a 6 inch 44 tracker as well, at least I could swear I did anyway, but again no mention in catalogs or their webpage.

Thanks for the help.

This was not a limited run, as I have seen a couple more in the shop where I got mine several years ago. Keep hunting for one, they are available still and carry well for CCW.