Current hot load for my BD is a Buckshot hollowpointed 429421 that tips the scales at 240gr on the nose, on top of 7.5grs of Unique. A bit stiff, but I've shot over 200 of them at a sitting with no ill effects other than the lingering stares of the other shooters, with their little 9mms and .40's wondering what the hell I was shooting.
For a fun load, I've been goofing with a .44 slim GB mould that drops boolits at 162grs. So far, I think I like it.
Here's some home made slim jims, Speer 158 grain .358 dia. swaged to .432 dia. and a gas check added to boost weight to 163 grains.
Jim
Here is some middle target work done today with those 163 grain .44 caliber bullets that were once .38 special .358 diameter. A 158 grain bullet had a gas check added and it becomes super lite bullet for the .44 special.
Jim
Last edited by Swagerman; 09-11-2008 at 12:03 PM. Reason: changed text to read better
Have both a S&W 696 3" and Charter Arms Bulldog 3", both 5-shot .44 Specials. I wouldn't part with 'em.
The Bulldog is a compact pocket pistol; I use 429215 GC with 5.5 gr. 5066 (obsolete I know, but I still have a couple of cans; 700-X or 231 would substitute). This will hold the black on a 50-foot pistol target in this gun. Rifling is shallow, hence the GC. Some plain-base bullets will throw the occasional sideways hole.
The 696 is a compact belt pistol; I use any .44 Special bullet & load - prefer the 429421 with 7.5 gr. Unique. This will better than hold the black on a 50-yard pistol target.
I got my first Bulldog 44 spl as a package deal from a local police officer. He and his buddy went together and had the department obtain them each a Bulldog 44 for off duty use.I got both Bulldogs from the first officer who was sporting a large bandage on his shooting hand. Total round count for both Bulldogs was 4.. yes four rounds. When I pulled down the provided reloads I found what appeared to be Unique powder and the charge was 10 grains. No wonder the officer was sporting a sheepish grin to go along with the bandage. He apparently got the reloaded ammo from someone loading for a 44 mag.
10 grains of Unique and a 250 Keith is a fairly stiff load in my model 29. I can only imagine what it must have been like in the Bulldog.
My Bulldog just loves the H&G 107b, which is a 180 gr full wadcutter, pushed by 7.5 gr of SR 4756.
My S&W 696 is a well crafted and very accurate revolver ! When you can find a used one for sale they are very pricey ! The larger N-framed 3" and 4" 24-3 and 624 models are good used alternatives (6-shot though) and a bit less money.
Jerry
3" 696 S&W
3" 624 S&W
4" 624 S&W
S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator
Jerry and his gun porn!!!
OK, in answer to my #9 post on this thread.
The weather is getting colder, but I finally got to make a short trip out to our local range to test the new VihtaVouri N 330 powder in my .44 speial loads...and this is with the Lyman #429244 GC heavy bullets of 265 grains.
Started out with minimum VihtaVouri loading for 267 grain bullet, with 6.3 gr. = 856 fps velocity. Not too bad a recoil but was surprised at its thump. (see target)
The VihtaVouri 6.8 gr. was more pleasant to shoot at POA, and recoil was about the same...only a slightly more accurate loading...I thought. (see target)
This is a very clean burning powder, I like it.
Jim
Last edited by Swagerman; 09-11-2008 at 03:32 PM. Reason: Sentence still bad
I bought one about a year ago as my ccw its a great little gun , accurate easy to hide & devours all types of factory ammo, these new guns from charter arms since the company re-orginized several years ago are top of the line handguns that i have no problems depending on it for self defence etc.
ive owned 720 tarus (great bang for the buck) a 396 (brutal with keith level loads) and a 696 which is the one i really regret selling. I couldnt imagine a better belt and holster gun for bumbing the woods. Mine was light, well made, smooth and very accurate.
Call me a fond fan of the 44 Special.
My current revo in this caliber is a S&W Model 624 x 6.5", as different from the Taurus and Charter Arms 44s as they can be. NOT SMALL, NOT FRAGILE. Just think, Bret--if yer Smith 44 Special was in stainless, you could spare yourself the metro bit.
Skeeter's Load--the Lyman #429421 atop 7.5 grains of Unique--clocks about 925-950 FPS from the 6.5" tube. With The Pachmayr Grippers in place, it is tractable and my girls don't mind shooting it. It's the revolver's go-to load, good for all venues short of deer hunting. THAT bit gets 15.0 grains of 2400 under the same Keith SWC, and is running about 1100 FPS. I don't shoot a whole lot of those loads, but it is accurate and should make venison just fine.
I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.
Got a real nice one forsale in the classifieds.
Jim
I have a S&W 396 Nite Guard. Nice gun, very usable out of the box.
Good night sights and stout fixed rear. Good grip. Have not shot
it extensively, but so far it shoots about 2.5" at 25 yds with the
best handload that I have tried.
Shoots 200 gr about to the sights at 25 yds (a bit right for me) and
250 cast go at least 8" high at 25 yds. I think they consider it for
mostly self defense, 200 JHP is what it is sighted for.
BIll
If it was easy, anybody could do it.
Funny you should ask. I just got a 4" 5 shot Taurus on Auction Arms. Just shot it for the first time yesterday, and fell in love with the caliber, size, and feel of the gun. Now let the experimenting and load development begin.
I like the S&W 396, but those new S&W are a bit pricey at near $1,000. Same for their other .44 specials and .45 caliber guns.
That's why I'm a fan of Taurus guns. They make a good gun at a reasonable price.
However, I only own two Taurus, and five older S&W revolvers.
But...actively seeking another 3 to 4 inch barrel Taurus model 441 in .44 special.
Jim
Swagerman -Originally Posted by Swagerman
Surprised to find anyone else using N-330. I like it a lot, but it appears hard to find. I got lucky, & found a 4lb jug a while back.
I use it as my favorite, in a 4" S&W624. N-330 6.8 grains, under an LBT 260WFN-PB / .433" / 10BHN. These are cast at .434" for me by The Bullshop in AK. I size down & lube w/ Dan's Speed Green.
This load produces satisfyingly tight groups, even w/ my somewhat "limited" capability...
I also use 7.8 grains of N-330 under a 260SWC-PB / .452"/ 10BHN, in my .45 Colt, S&W 625-6 MG. Again, cast for me by Dan, & using his Speed Green.
Great little powder for a .45acp 230FMJ or JHP, in your 1911 also.
I am wondering if you have tried the N-330 w/ the same bullet you shoot in your 2nd Model .44 SPL conversion? Probably be a real winner!
Last edited by gcf; 09-18-2008 at 12:18 AM.
"Sometimes you make eight - sometimes you hit dirt!"
Regards - GCF
I agree with Swagerman about the high price and scarcity of S&W 44 specials. That is why I bought the Taurus 441. I also have a Taurus 741 4" 32 mag (J-Frame), because the Smith 4" 32 J frame is very rare and expensive.
If they build it we will buy it, but otherwise we shop elsewhere.
Now , where can I get an oversized sizing die for the Taurus? The chambers are .4335, so I am thinking perhaps a .433 would be fine. Any advice, or suggestions.
I am also looking for a 200gr mold that cast large, perhaps the Lee RF, although the Saeco 200 is nice looking. Does anyone have any experience wiyh these? What size do they cast with straight WW?
The sizing die I use in my RCBS LAM II, appears to be factory marked .433, & made by RCBS...
"Sometimes you make eight - sometimes you hit dirt!"
Regards - GCF
From GCF:
==============================================
I am wondering if you have tried the N-330 w/ the same bullet you shoot in your 2nd Model .44 SPL conversion? Probably be a real winner!
==============================================
Sorry to say I have not shot any heavy 265 grain bullets, or high pressure loads in my older 2nd model S&W. That fine ole gun was made in the WW-1 era, the metallurgy is not up to high pressure loads...I cannot take a chance on anything over 850 fps velocity and still be on the safe side. (I'm babying it)
240 to 255 grains is about as high as I go with that old timer.
Had just about given up trying to buy some VihtaVouri powder in this north woods region, but one guy 20 miles away had one pound of the N 330. Of which I was looking for the N 350, but elected to take what he had as it would work in the .44 special and the 265 grain bullets.
Only thing is, the Vihtavouri loading manual is not real big on powder grain information with cast bullets...except for the 267 grain bullet.
As the book deals with mostly jacketed stuff in .44 special, I have to reduce the loads 10 % to be on the safe side with cast lead bullets...hope that works for me.
What is you folks take on that?
I have a 3rd model 5 inch barrel S&W that could handle that big bullet OK.
Jim
Last edited by Swagerman; 09-18-2008 at 10:39 AM.
sd5782, on the Taurus oversize cylinder chambers throats. Are you sure yours are that big?
My Taurus 441 measure out at .434 diameter and I use cast bullets, some with gas checks swaged to .432 dia. for excellent results.
A friend, Don, over in Idaho made up some bullets from moulds he had beagled to drop cast bullets to .434 diameter. I then run them through a lee or Lyman sizer die to .432 dia.
Before I begin doing that, my under sized slugs was allowing a lot of blow by ignition gas and gunk to fowl up my brass and gun in general...and that was before the slugs hit the forcing cone of the barrel.
Try some 1/4 inch hollow base lead bullets as well, but not too soft, or too hard...a 16 to 1 mix should work for you.
Jim
The throats are just under.434. I will shoot plain base boolits in it. I just got it and have only shot 35 rounds so far. I have a couple of large casting molds, and was wondering how large I would need to size for best results. If I have to buy a custom sizer, why not a .433, or .434?
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