alanf
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 69
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Post by alanf on Dec 3, 2018 18:21:30 GMT -5
Just placed the order for a FA 97 in 44 Special. It was in stock and I was able to add the trigger job and over travel screw. It has a 4.25" barrel and the Winewood grips. They said it should ship by week's end.
Need to order a holster and snap caps.
What should I expect the cylinder throats to measure?
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 3, 2018 18:33:58 GMT -5
.4295"
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alanf
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 69
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Post by alanf on Dec 3, 2018 18:54:50 GMT -5
Thank you encore64. Should I plan to size to .430?
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 3, 2018 18:58:19 GMT -5
Thank you encore64. Should I plan to size to .430? I do and it works just fine. There is a spec download on the Freedom Arms Homepage that shows all the details. |
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Post by magnum314 on Dec 3, 2018 21:09:16 GMT -5
Just placed the order for a FA 97 in 44 Special. It was in stock and I was able to add the trigger job and over travel screw. It has a 4.25" barrel and the Winewood grips. They said it should ship by week's end. Need to order a holster and snap caps. What should I expect the cylinder throats to measure? This is my jealous face!  |
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hawg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 120 
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Post by hawg on Dec 3, 2018 22:34:37 GMT -5
Congratulations
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Post by bigmuddy on Dec 3, 2018 23:27:51 GMT -5
You have a great revolver on the way. I have an LBT mold that throws a 265 gr. WFNGC bullet. If I size them to .430 they won't chamber in my M97. I have to size .429. My RCBS Keith bullets work fine at .430.
Enjoy your new shooter.
Dan
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Post by bula on Dec 4, 2018 9:18:24 GMT -5
In John Taffin's Book of the 44, the 97 gets 4 pages of write up. Worth reading if one on the way. Wonder what the percentage is of people here that have that book ?
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jgt
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 782
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Post by jgt on Dec 4, 2018 10:20:21 GMT -5
I do
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Post by warhawk on Dec 5, 2018 3:39:26 GMT -5
In John Taffin's Book of the 44, the 97 gets 4 pages of write up. Worth reading if one on the way. Wonder what the percentage is of people here that have that book ? I have all of JTs books, and plan to buy any new ones, including the updated book of the 44 |
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Post by Encore64 on Dec 5, 2018 6:56:20 GMT -5
You have a great revolver on the way. I have an LBT mold that throws a 265 gr. WFNGC bullet. If I size them to .430 they won't chamber in my M97. I have to size .429. My RCBS Keith bullets work fine at .430. Enjoy your new shooter. Dan I had this problem with certain brass. I just started using a slight taper crimp after the roll crimp. I found I got better accuracy this way. Not sure it would do so in all guns. |
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alanf
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 69
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Post by alanf on Dec 5, 2018 7:16:27 GMT -5
I appreciate the "insider" tips. Attention to detail.
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Dec 5, 2018 12:18:54 GMT -5
My 83 44magnum won't chamber a .430 either, at least without some pushing.
So I would advise to not load up a pile of .430's with out having the cartridge gage in hand (cylinder). Or, go ahead and load a few .429's. Even then I would not load a bunch.
The cylinder will let you know what it wants.
I have a bunch of 44's loaded that will not chamber well in my FA. There is just enough of a buldge from the crimp that it won't go. Even running it through a lee factory crimp with the carbide sized won't clean it enough to chamber.
:-) I had to buy a Blackhawk to digest the "culls".
Took me a long time to figure out why some people had so many dies of the same caliber. 357,41,44 and 45, I have dies set up for specific rigs and labeled as such. I still run a few through before each session and check before going full tilt.
I really love mine and wish I had not waited so far along in life to have and enjoy them. Money well spent, you get what ya pay for.
Jeff
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alanf
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 69
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Post by alanf on Dec 5, 2018 19:40:44 GMT -5
I think I am going to buy a Lee taped crimp did to along with my Hornady roll crimp die. Not going to load any until I have the revolver in hand.
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oscar
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 10
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Post by oscar on Dec 8, 2018 8:09:03 GMT -5
Congratulations on your new revolver. If you want a quick and easy holster that works well in the field you might try the Galco SAO for the 4 5/8" Blackhawk. Once you have determined the front sight height you need (through shooting) you can order a .110 serrated post from David Clements that will be much better in the field than the factory ramp. I also like the FA green fiber optic - not as accurate at the range but works very well in the field.
Try to buy your first cast bullets in sample packs until you figure out what works. (.429 or .430 depending on the length and nose shape). Your throats will almost certainly be .430 but the chambers and throats are tight and don't tolerate much variation at .430. Commercial cast are sometimes 1-2 thousandths larger than advertised. If they won't chamber you may still be able to shoot them up by seating them deeper and reducing the charge accordingly.
If your heart is not set on cast bullets then try 200 and 240 grain Hornady XTPs. They fit the throats perfectly, load easily and are very accurate. I'd start with 200 grain XTPs with enough Unique to go 1000 fps. Look up Brian Pearce's article on the 44 special. He published a max of 9 grains of Unique in strong guns with the 200 XTP. I suggest reading the article to confirm the numbers and starting a grain lower than he published.
i'm a fan of the FA 97. Good luck with yours!
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