.44 special and magnum chronograph results

[Thumbcocker]

Drug the chronograph out of the basement to test some loads. This time of year at the Thumbcocker compound I hold tryouts for which Ruger .44 is going hunting in November. Mrs. Thumbcocker was gracious enough to record the readings and hid her absolute fascination with the science of ballistics behind eye rolls and sighs.

The guns: Ruger Bisley 5.5".44 special. Started life as a plow handle but was converted. Ruger Bisley .44 special 4 /58" one of my favorite specials. Ruger Bisley 5.5" .44 magnum. My favorite all around sixgun although the specials are gaining ground. Rugher Bisley hunter model 7 1/2" just a pure deer killing machine. The heavy barrel helps with recoil and I even kida like the red insert front sight in the woods. The last 3 guns have had the cylinder gap set to minimum.

The boolis: The Keith is from a NOE mold that clones the Hensley and Gibbs 505 and is cast of ACWW. The 265 RNFP is from an NOE Ranch Dog clone with conventional lube grooves. It is cast of WDWW. The Devastator is a Mia penta hp cast of 20:1. All are sized .431 and lubed with Ben's red. Wolf large pistol primers were used.

Results:

5.5 " .44 special with the Keith boolit and 8.0 of power pistol

1. 979 fps 1. 954 fps
2. 954 fps 2. 984 fps
3. 973 fps 3. 966 fps
4. 970 fps 4. 977 fps
5. did not register 5. 939 fps

5.5" . 44 special with devastator 8.0 of power pistol

1. 992 fps
2. 990 fps
3. 999 fps
4. 997 fps
5. 972 fps

7.5" hunter model 265 rnfp 9.0 of power pistol

1. 1084 fps
2. 1092 fps.
3. 1077 fps
4. 1087 fps
5. 1062 fps

7.5" hunter model 265 rnfp 9.5 of power pistol

1. 1104 fps
2. 1114 fps
3. 1105 fps
4. 1105 fps
5. 1109 fps

7.5" hunter model 265 rnfp 22.0 WW296

1. 1388 fps
2. 1394 fps
3. 1374 fps
4. 1401 fps
5. 1405 fps

5.5" .44 magnum 265 rnfp 9.0 power pistol

1. 1011 fps
2. 1030 fps
3. 1039 fps
4. 1014 fps
5. 1018 fps

5.5" . 44 magnum 265 rnfp 9.5 of power pistol

1. 1042 fps
2. 1050 fps
3. 1039 fps
4. 1049 fps
5. 1052 fps

5.5" .44 magnum 265 rnfp 22.0 WW 296

1. 1317 fps 1. 1317 fps.
2. 1325 fps 2. 1320 fps.
3. 1272 fps. 3. 1308 fps.
4. 1257 fps. 4. 1296 fps.
5. 1290 fps. 5. 1260 fps

4 5/8" .44 special Keith boolit 8.0 power pistol

1. 926 fps
2. 924 fps.
3. 923 fps.
4. 913 fps
5. 927 fps.

4 5/8" .44 special devastator 8.0 of power pistol

1. 917 fps.
2. 963 fps.
3. 975 fps.
4. 989 fps.
5. 966 fps.

[JBinMN]

Which felt the best?

&

Which was the most accurate?

I'd just pick one that shot the most accurate & get it over with. Looks like they all have potential.

If I was to just choose from what I saw from your data & from what you described about the sights in the woods, then this one below is the one I would most likely choose based on what I have for info:

7.5" hunter model 265 rnfp 9.5 of power pistol

1. 1104 fps
2. 1114 fps
3. 1105 fps
4. 1105 fps
5. 1109 fps

Looks pretty doggone consistent & I'd reckon the ES & SD were likely low as well.
;)

G'Luck! on whatever ya decide on.
;)

P.S. - there are 3 others that are "runners up", but I will stick with the one I chose. Go see how she dances in the woods.
;)

[Petrol & Powder]

You lost me on the results with two sets of readings.

As for the performance in the field, I think you can answer that better than a chronograph. Any 240+ grain soft lead 44 caliber bullet going 900+ fps, with a HP or flat point ; will cleanly kill a deer. The 1000+ fps loads might be better if the ranges are on the long side for a handgun.

I would pick the gun/load that you can shoot the best and call it a day.

[rintinglen]

Useful information! Thanks.
I take my 7 1/2 inch Red Hawk.

[Thumbcocker]

Shot 2 strings on some loads to double check. Also they were the ones that kicked less.

[Petrol & Powder]

Ah, that make sense now.

Thanks

[JBinMN]

Thumbcocker,

Did you decide on which one(s) you are going to use for hunting this season yet?

[Thumbcocker]

SBH hunter 9.5 of power pistol 265 rnfp. Yesterday 25 yards Wever. I guess it will have to do.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191104/5f1dd90ae5694b40a53f0b539c0564d7.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[JBinMN]

MOP ( Minute Of Palm(of hand)) at 25 yds is quite satisfactory, at least "in my book".
I would venture to reckon it should not be out of MOPP ( Minute Of Paper Plate) at 50+/- yds, which is about the size to be sure to stay in the "boiler room" of a deer. ( Heart/lung/liver). Maybe even out further...

I think it is a good choice. G'Luck!
:)

[Thumbcocker]

The gun will do MUCH better . I always practice from a 2 hand standing position. I pretty much never shoot at a deer without some support or a rest. I find that really builds confidence in the gun and load.

[JBinMN]

The gun will do MUCH better . I always practice from a 2 hand standing position. I pretty much never shoot at a deer without some support or a rest. I find that really builds confidence in the gun and load.

I was taking your shooting into consideration and not necessarily the revolvers ability, based on the target shown. With shooting as shown, I think you will do right fine, when/if you get the bead on the deer. Of course, meaning if you are shooting for the "boiler room" anyway.
;)

My MN deer season starts this Saturday on Nov. 9th. and I live in, and am hunting in what is called here the "shotgun zone", which is basically the more populated Southern half of MN. CF Rifles are not allowed for deer hunting in this zone. One can only use shotgun, muzzleloading rifles, and handguns. While I could use my 44Mag SRH(7-1/2 bbl) to hunt in this zone, I have only used it occasionally. Mostly when I am "brush popping" deer to get(drive) them out of some of the thickets we have in this part of the country. Mostly "prickly ash" and "brambles", along with cedar thickets, where a long firearm is hard to use, and a handgun is more easily brought to bear without having to deal with the brush. Most often I just use the shotgun.


Anyway, I hope you have a great hunt & get the chance to use your loads & revolver to bring home some meat.
:)

[white eagle]

The gun will do MUCH better . I always practice from a 2 hand standing position. I pretty much never shoot at a deer without some support or a rest. I find that really builds confidence in the gun and load.

I am with ya on the rest thing
I always rest my firearm on something when I go to
shoot at a deer unless there is no rest to be had
only once in the last 50 years of deer hunting do I
remember not using one
although in my youth I wasn't as disciplined