S&W Model 69 and 240 gr HPGC
Aug 31, 2022 21:21:45 GMT -5
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ezekiel38 and kevshell like this
Post by seminolewind on Aug 31, 2022 21:21:45 GMT -5
After I got a taller front sight from Dawson Precision for my 4 1/4" M69, I tried several loads with GT cast 240 gr HPGC .429 and .430 bullets. Each throat is snug with a .429- plug gauge but will not accept a .430- plug, so I wanted to compare bullets of both diameters. The .429 bullets consistently grouped better than the .430, so I'll list only the .429 results.
All loads are with RP brass, WLP primers, chronographed at 15 ft, 5 shot average. The loads are from loaddata.com and the article by Brian Pearce on the M69 in Handloader. These loads may not be safe in your gun. The last numbers are ES/SD.
Longshot 14.0gr 1286fps 34/14
Longshot 12.5gr 1173fps 60/22
2400 21.0gr 1278fps 80/26
2400 20.0gr 1182fps 32/12
Power Pistol 13.0gr 1259fps 25/10
Power Pistol 12.0gr 1167fps 39/16
#9 20.0gr 1246fps 41/18
#9 19.0gr 1205fps 81/32
Unique 10.0gr 1064fps 61/21
12.5gr Longshot grouped the best off a benchrest with 2" at 30 yards, and has all the velocity I need @ 1173fps. It also has all the recoil I want with the factory grips.
The same loads with the .430 bullet were consistently faster by an average of 20 fps than the .429 bullets, and they were more consistent in ES/SD, but the groups opened up considerably compared to .429s.
Now I have good loads with the 200 gr XTP and the GT 240 gr HPGC for the M69. I just have to decide which one I want to carry in it as a belt gun in deer camp this year.
All loads are with RP brass, WLP primers, chronographed at 15 ft, 5 shot average. The loads are from loaddata.com and the article by Brian Pearce on the M69 in Handloader. These loads may not be safe in your gun. The last numbers are ES/SD.
Longshot 14.0gr 1286fps 34/14
Longshot 12.5gr 1173fps 60/22
2400 21.0gr 1278fps 80/26
2400 20.0gr 1182fps 32/12
Power Pistol 13.0gr 1259fps 25/10
Power Pistol 12.0gr 1167fps 39/16
#9 20.0gr 1246fps 41/18
#9 19.0gr 1205fps 81/32
Unique 10.0gr 1064fps 61/21
12.5gr Longshot grouped the best off a benchrest with 2" at 30 yards, and has all the velocity I need @ 1173fps. It also has all the recoil I want with the factory grips.
The same loads with the .430 bullet were consistently faster by an average of 20 fps than the .429 bullets, and they were more consistent in ES/SD, but the groups opened up considerably compared to .429s.
Now I have good loads with the 200 gr XTP and the GT 240 gr HPGC for the M69. I just have to decide which one I want to carry in it as a belt gun in deer camp this year.