S&W Model 69 (L Frame .44 Magnum), 4 ¼” Bbl.

[paul105]

I'm using a 265gr SWCGC (Lyman Thompson 429244), 17.5 gr of A2400, and Standard (not mag) LP primer (I've used Win, Fed and CCI). I deep seat these (1.560 - 1.565" OAL) and crimp over the front drive band. Chronoed 1,140 fps at 5 long paces and 60 deg F in the 4 1/4" M69. The load is accurate in all my .44s and functions flawlessly thru my Rossi M92 carbine.

Paul

[warhawk]

Sounds a lot like Elmer's old heavy 44 Special load.

Thanks!

[paul105]

Warhawk -- Yeah, pretty much Elmer's load. From John Taffin's article "The Sixguns and Loads of Elmer Keith" sixguns.com/range/elmersloads.htm :

Quote:

.44 SPECIAL: Elmer's early load for his beloved Special was 18.5 grains of # 2400 with the 250 grain Keith bullet #429421 in balloon head cases. When solid cases came along, with less powder capacity, the charge was dropped to 17.0 grains. Both loads go over 1200+ fps. from a 7 1/2" Colt Single Action and are exceptionally accurate especially in a Smith & Wesson Model 24.

-44 MAGNUM: Keith early settled on 22.0 grains of #2400 with his #429421 bullet for 1225 fps. out of a 4" Smith, 1400+ fps out of a 6 1/2" Smith or 7 1/2" Ruger. These are hunting handloads pure and simple, with this load taking big game all over the world.

End Quote:

Me again:

An additional point of reference, 21.1gr of A2400, 250gr Keith (429421) SEATED TO AND CRIMPED IN CRIMP GROVE (normal OAL) chonoed 1,250 fps at 5 long paces and 60 Deg F in the 4 1/4" M69.


In ref to my comment above re: canted barrel -- I shot the new M69 yesterday, and the 265/17.5 A2400 load shoots to POA with rear sight centered and new lower rear sight blade allows enough elevation adjustment (with some to spare) to zero standard 240gr .44 mag ammo.

25 Yds with 265/17.5 A2400: Shot top 3 circled, adjusted elevation and shot two circled at bottom:



Paul

[warhawk]

When I saw that you deep seated the bullet, figured that put the case capacity close the 44 Special.

What worked 50-75 years ago, still works today.

[cmh]

Just picked up a model 69 on the way in to work this evening.... Been wanting one for quite awhile so it just happened

[cmh]

What's available holster wise and as far as speedloaders??

[magman]

I have a threepersons holster for mine.

[magman]

[450ak]

I'm using a pancake that supposed to be for a single action ruger. Works just fine.

[warhawk]

Jan 23, 2016 18:56:35 GMT -5 cmh said:

What's available holster wise and as far as speedloaders??

I have a Bianchi 5 BHL that's marked Colt 357 that fits the 69 perfectly.

I need to grab the 69 and go thru my holster box and see if anything else fits.

[cddogfan1]

I use a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake Robb make for the 69. The 69 disappears in it and it carries great for a day in the field.

[cmh]

Well.... I modified a holster CraigC made me for a medium framed Blackhawk... It's a Threeperaons style and will work until I can have one made specifically for it... Thanks gentlemen

[ezekiel38]

Any holster for a 4 inch L Frame Smith will do, even a 4" Python. The barrel is a 1/4" longer than the older L Frame!

I ordered a new rig through Barranti, unknown if it will arrive in my lifetime!

[ChiefTJS]

This thread got to me and I finally had to have my own model 69. I bought it sight unseen and had never even seen one in person so this thread was my only info. You are all enablers of the highest order and for this I thank you! I picked it up last week and got to shoot it for the first time this morning. I didn't get to shoot anything hot from it as I had nothing on hand hotter than Elmer's .44Spl loads which felt just great. I'm sure I'll get some stout recoil on heavier stuff but truthfully the Elmer loads will be mainly what it sees. I had some Ahrends grips on hand from a K frame I sold recently and they fit absolutely perfect and feel fine at the low power level I was shooting. Can definitely see this becoming a very important revolver to me. Thanks for pushing me over the edge.

[Encore64]

I had to go buy one too. Very fine guns and my second S&W.