S&W Model 69 and 200 gr. XTP

[seminolewind]

My 4 1/4" M69 shot high with 240 grain bullets,so I tried several loads with the Hornady 200 gr. XTP, which would zero with the original front sight. All of these loads are with new Starline brass, CCI 300, and were chronographed 15 feet from the muzzle. Ten round average. These loads came from loaddata.com and the Brian Pearce article on the Model 69 in Handloader. They may not be safe in your gun. ES/SD are the last two numbers.

#9 24.0 gr 1504fps 31/12
Power Pistol 15.5 gr 1455fps 30/11
Power Pistol 15.0 gr 1417fps 21/7
H110 28.0 gr 1385fps 77/26
#7 18.0 gr 1356fps 38/15
Long Shot 14.3 gr 1315fps 25/10
CFEPistol 13.4 gr 1291fps 39/14

The Power Pistol 15.0 gr load is where I want to be for now with velocity and recoil with the original grips. This load bench rests 2" at 30 yards, with the other loads a little larger than Power Pistol. I continue to like this gun.

[x101airborne]

VERY nice work!!

[paul105]

Shot this with orginal M69 bought in Q1 2014. Rested at 25 yds with rear sight bottomed out, 2 shots each load to minimize recoil fatigue and target clutter. Middle diamond POA for all loads.




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[tj3006]

That Load with Power Pistol would sure be deadly on a heck of a lot of critters, Up through small dear I bet !...tj

[webber]

I still like the 250 Keith type cast bullets. Call me crazy.

[tj3006]

Webber, nothing crazy about what works.
But there are situations where an expanding bullet might be a better choice...tj

[matt56]

My best shooting 69 load was 12 grains of unique under a 210gr Speer gold dot. This load went 1200fps from the 4” barrel if I remember correctly.

I liked the model 69 but unfortunately when I got a 3” 629 I sold the 69 regrettably.

[tj3006]

I like the 3" 629s too.

[webber]

I have a 3 inch M629 also. It has a Vortex red dot sight. Still like the M69'S better.