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Post by bushog on Feb 19, 2017 10:39:57 GMT -5
How long are the cylinders?
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Post by potatojudge on Feb 19, 2017 11:28:44 GMT -5
44 special, ratchet to bearing 1.743 and 1.620 for the main body of the cylinder.
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Post by bushog on Feb 19, 2017 11:37:53 GMT -5
Thanks...maybe I'll write it down this time.....
Sooo.....
Why doesn't FA make a .44 magnum in the M97?
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Post by paul105 on Feb 19, 2017 14:11:35 GMT -5
Don't forget, the chambers are counter bored for case rims reducing effective COL a bit.
I did some measurements on my M69 (5 shot, L-frame .44 mag) and my FA97 .44 special. The FA97 cyl was a bit more robust than the M69.
In light of the above measurements, I talked with Jack Huntington about reaming out the FA97 cyl to .44 Mag. His main concern was that some yahoo (me in this case) would use heavier than SAAMI spec ammo and that would be a problem. I explained to him that I shot a bunch of standard .44 magnum loads and that for the sake of convenience it would be nice to have the FA97 chamber .44 mag length ammo. After talking for a bit, he said he would do the conversion.
I got sidetracked and never followed thru.
Before talking to Jack, I called Freedom Arms and asked them if they would rechamber (or provide an aux cylinder) the M97 in .44 Mag -- their answer was NO. My guess is that they have the same concerns that Jack expressed to me.
Great little revolver, if you like the platform (as mentioned here in other threads, some don't).
I think 2 dogs has talked with Bob Baker about appropriate load levels for use in the M97 .44 special.
Paul
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Post by rjm52 on Feb 19, 2017 18:16:32 GMT -5
Friend in Texas who has a lot of .44 Magnums posed the same question to Mr. Baker and was told the gun will hold the pressure but they just didn't care to make it...he would however provide an extra cylinder for recahmbering..so that is what my friend did and David Clements did the rechamber...
My friend's gun is a 4.25" octagon with I believe round butt with black Micart grips... He does have to however deep seat his favorite 250 Keith bullet as the cylinder is too short.
Bob
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Post by BigBore44 on Feb 21, 2017 19:51:31 GMT -5
I'd Love me a FA 97 in 44 Mag!  Oh Baby! BigBore44 |
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Post by NRA Dave on Feb 21, 2017 22:15:42 GMT -5
Had my 44sp cylinder reamed to 44m by David Clements. He did quick work. I mainly shoot Hornady .44Mag 240g XTP out of it for hunting. Works great for deer and red stag so far. I have fired a few 300g lead bullets going 1000 fps or so. Very moving. Like shooting the same load out of the S&W 329. I am pretty sure the gun can handle loads that I do not want to touch off.  |
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Post by potatojudge on Feb 22, 2017 20:15:11 GMT -5
I've kicked the idea around doing the 44 mag thing. What's the advantage for you? I'm just having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it.
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Post by NRA Dave on Feb 22, 2017 20:35:01 GMT -5
My #1 reason for getting the cylinder reamed to 44m is to keep the number of cartridges I reload for to a minimum. My reloads are from mild to moderate so they work for practice in the 97.
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Post by bushog on Feb 23, 2017 19:59:32 GMT -5
Or a custom 5 shot .44 mag built on one of the new .44 special flat top bisleys!!!
BOOM!
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Post by 2 Dogs on Feb 23, 2017 20:45:44 GMT -5
I think 2 dogs has talked with Bob Baker about appropriate load levels for use in the M97 .44 special.
I once was messing with my 44 special 97. Got a 180 JHP up to 1400 plus fps. Case extraction was easy and accuracy was stellar. Called Bob up and he advised against hot rodding the 97. Said over time you might could stretch the frame.
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Post by cddogfan1 on Feb 24, 2017 14:05:08 GMT -5
Or a custom 5 shot .44 mag built on one of the new .44 special flat top bisleys!!!
BOOM!That's what I have been pondering. |
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Post by hawkeyereloader71 on Mar 2, 2017 20:37:26 GMT -5
I've kicked the idea around doing the 44 mag thing. What's the advantage for you? I'm just having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it. I was curious if your cylinder throats are .430" and if you left them alone? Reason I ask is mine pin gage at .430". I have no problems with .430" jacketed bullets but it's a battle with all .430" sized lead bullets. Not sure if .429" lead bullets would shoot as good? |
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 2, 2017 20:42:08 GMT -5
I've kicked the idea around doing the 44 mag thing. What's the advantage for you? I'm just having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it. I was curious if your cylinder throats are .430" and if you left them alone? Reason I ask is mine pin gage at .430". I have no problems with .430" jacketed bullets but it's a battle with all .430" sized lead bullets. Not sure if .429" lead bullets would shoot as good? Before I changed bullets or reamed the throats, I'd grab a 44 Mag/Special Taper Crimp Die. Run your loaded ammo thru the extra step and see if that helps. |
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Post by potatojudge on Mar 2, 2017 20:52:03 GMT -5
I've kicked the idea around doing the 44 mag thing. What's the advantage for you? I'm just having a hard time convincing myself it's worth it. I was curious if your cylinder throats are .430" and if you left them alone? Reason I ask is mine pin gage at .430". I have no problems with .430" jacketed bullets but it's a battle with all .430" sized lead bullets. Not sure if .429" lead bullets would shoot as good? I haven't measured the throats or altered them. It's my understanding FA uses the Hornaday XTP in their test loads (and the test target proves that bullet "fits" the gun), and that's all I've ever loaded for it. Load development was XTP, max load of H110, shot great, done. |
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