Mark Hampton test`s new Freedom 44

[jfs]

Mark took his new 10" Freedom Arms 44 mag to Texas to test on a few critters... He will tell you what happened...

[sixshot]

Great way to test a gun! Nice job Mark!

Dick

[bradshaw]

In detail, please,
David Bradshaw

[markhampton]

Thanks for posting James!  When I received the 10 inch FA Model 83 in .44 Mag. back in early spring, I couldn't wait until fall hunting season.  My wife and I made a trip to Texas where I took Rio Grande turkey, Texas dall, black Hawaiian ram, and a big, ugly hog.  The hog was not your typical wild boar commonly found in Texas but a strain brought in to the ranch.  These hogs weighed over 400 pounds.  

I was using Hornady factory ammo - 240 gr. XTP.  Five shot average in the 10 inch FA ran 1496 fps.  The big hog was shot from 50 yards broadside.  The bullet entered just behind the shoulder breaking one rib going in, passing through both lungs, breaking one rib going out, and lodged in the hide on the off-side.  The recovered bullet looks almost as if it were shot in gelatin, weighing 216 grains.  

This is my first octagon barrel and from the aesthetics angle, I like it.  With a Leupold 2.5-8x scope, the gun tips the scales at 4.44 pounds.  With Hornady's 240 gr. XTP, 100 yard groups fall under 2.5 inches when I do my part.  Someone who knows how to shoot revolvers will no doubt deliver better results. 

I can't wait for the next opportunity to give this revolver a spin.  In the meantime, the FA is off to Rob for some dall sheep grips.  After seeing some posted on this site -- well, it tipped me over the edge.  

May everyone enjoy a great 4th of July!

[jfs]

Mark, I see your getting 2 1/2" MOA which about the same size group I got with my two 10" FA`s in 41 and 475.. Dick Casull told me how he shot one of his long barrel 454`s against another shooter with a 30-30 lever action at 100 and he outshot the rifle all day... All Freedom`s can shoot but there`s something special about a ten inch barrel.

[markhampton]

James, Someone who can shoot a revolver well could really do well with this rig.  If I could wave my magic wand - the trigger would be around 2 pounds.  It's currently at 3 lbs with a crisp, clean break.  I would prefer it to be lighter - but I can live with it now.

[Fowler]

I wont lie, the coat on the pig is the weirdest coat I have ever seen on a hog! good thing you got him out of the gene pool!

[markhampton]

Well, he was definitely ugly and dropping dead in a mud hole didn't help his looks.  

[bradshaw]

Jul 2, 2020 13:35:55 GMT -5 markhampton said:

James, Someone who can shoot a revolver well could really do well with this rig.  If I could wave my magic wand - the trigger would be around 2 pounds.  It's currently at 3 lbs with a crisp, clean break.  I would prefer it to be lighter - but I can live with it now.

*****

Mark.... with proper engagement, and it sounds like you have, your letoff can be lightened with a very modest bend in the trigger spring. To repeat, sounds like the trigger sear and hammer dog are correct. Final test: 1) trigger resets without hesitation, 2) trigger sweeps rearward @ hammer fall. If your have a stop, the trigger hits the stop. A fugitive trigger job doesn’t hold full cock properly, no matter how heavy the pull.
David Bradshaw

[markhampton]

Thanks David!  I wish you were here to work on that spring -- I'm fully capable of really screwing it up....

[KRal]

Mark, you sure know how to properly break in a new FA’s - congrats!

[markhampton]

Thanks Kim!  Now if I could only get a bear to cooperate

[Big Bore]

Congrats Mark! It's always a bad day to be a critter when you're around.

[bradshaw]

Jul 3, 2020 6:32:19 GMT -5 markhampton said:

Thanks David!  I wish you were here to work on that spring -- I'm fully capable of really screwing it up....

*****

Mark.... perhaps one day we’ll cure the distance and the “screwing it up.”
David Bradshaw

[markhampton]

Thanks David!  It would be an honor!