Hey all. been reloading for a while, but need a little help on this one. I am now the proud owner of 3 recently aquired 44 spl. revolvers. The first is a 696 no dash, the second, a lipseys flattop blackhawk, and the third is a custom ordered usfa storekeeper 3 1/2" barrel. The plan, was to use skeeters load in all three, 250gr keith with 7.5gr of unique. Excellent accuracy from all three, however the storekeeper is shooting a good bit high, about 8" at 25yds. I'd ike to stay with the 250gr bullet, and I'm looking for something with a bit oomph, to regulate the sights a bit, with out spiking the pressures to much for the 696. Let me know what works for you, and what i can try. Power pistol and AA9 looks interesting. Any help would be appreciated, I really don't want to send the storekeeper back to get regulated...Dave
44 spl one load help needed
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Skeeter's load is just a little more than I would feed a 696 on a regular basis. I have had a 696 no dash since their introduction in 1996. I really like the concept, but the forcing cones are very thin on these guns and I have settled on a 200 gr. bullet @ 875 to 900 fps.,which is very close to the original specs for the .45 ACP. Actually a 200 gr. bullet @ 850 fps is really all anyone should need when it's .430 dia. Powders I use are Red Dot, Unique, 2400 and Bullseye. Green Dot is a good medium speed powder. Take special care of that 696 as parts are just about all gone at S&W and I don't think they'll make any more.
Alrighty, how about switching to the 429215 Thompson gas check design? That should take care of the 696 and lower POI on the storekeeper no? Need a source for them also if that sounds like a better idea. May need to start casting but thats another whole thread I guess....Dave
USFA told me that my 44 Spl was sighted in for 200 grain Black Hills cowboy ammo.
That did not shoot very well.
A mild factory equivalent load is 240 L 6.5 grains Unique.
I have problems in my USFA with the base pin upsetting. The pin would upset in the frame front, probably due to impact with the base pin retaining screw. I had to go to very light loads, which were 6.2 grains Unque with a 240 in that revolver.
The 44 Spl Blackhawk is a heavy revolver. My 1000 fps load was powerful, but not unpleasant to shoot in that revolver. I would never recommend shooting that load in a USFA single action. I would never shoot that load in a Charter Arms Bulldog or my Taurus M431. I believe more Bulldog topstraps were blown by people duplicating top N frame loads in Bulldog revolvers than any other revolver type. For those revolvers, stick with 6.5 grs Unique or less. Like 6.0 grains.
I am unfamiliar with a S&W M696. My 44 Spl M624 will shoot everything from 6.2 grs to 7.5 grains Unique with a 240L equally well.
44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk 5.5"
240 LSWC Valiant 6.6 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel =899.4
Std Dev =18.05
ES = 55.39
High = 926.3
Low= 870.9
N = 10
240 LSWC Valiant 7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel =1007
Std Dev =19.41
ES = 59.26
High = 1038
Low= 978.8
N = 12
That did not shoot very well.
A mild factory equivalent load is 240 L 6.5 grains Unique.
I have problems in my USFA with the base pin upsetting. The pin would upset in the frame front, probably due to impact with the base pin retaining screw. I had to go to very light loads, which were 6.2 grains Unque with a 240 in that revolver.
The 44 Spl Blackhawk is a heavy revolver. My 1000 fps load was powerful, but not unpleasant to shoot in that revolver. I would never recommend shooting that load in a USFA single action. I would never shoot that load in a Charter Arms Bulldog or my Taurus M431. I believe more Bulldog topstraps were blown by people duplicating top N frame loads in Bulldog revolvers than any other revolver type. For those revolvers, stick with 6.5 grs Unique or less. Like 6.0 grains.
I am unfamiliar with a S&W M696. My 44 Spl M624 will shoot everything from 6.2 grs to 7.5 grains Unique with a 240L equally well.
44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk 5.5"
240 LSWC Valiant 6.6 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel =899.4
Std Dev =18.05
ES = 55.39
High = 926.3
Low= 870.9
N = 10
240 LSWC Valiant 7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel =1007
Std Dev =19.41
ES = 59.26
High = 1038
Low= 978.8
N = 12
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