deep seated 44 specials

[hgunhtr]

after pouring over tons of information on deep seating and the potential of increased accuracy along with the perk of using less powder per load, i took the plunge and backed off my pet load of 9.0 grains of ramshot True Blue and loaded 10 at 7.0 grn, 10 at 7.5 and 5 at 8.0. I deep seated a 243 gr PCSWCHP Keith style bullet .020 below the driving band. COL 1.424.
my results were promising as far as velocities go. Accuracy will have to wait till this week when i can get to a bench to test at 25 and then progressively push to 150 yards.

7.0 grn
average Vel. 919 
Hi 927  Lo 911  
ES 16

7.5 grn
avg vel 971
Hi 980  Lo 962
ES 18

8.0 grn
Avg Vel 1037
Hi 1050  Lo 1027
ES 23

There were absolutely no pressure signs with these loads. I didn't expect any with the powder I am using.  Does anyone have any idea what kind of pressures these loads would be generating.  I am shooting these out of a NM SS Bisley Blackhawk flattop.  I definitely don't want to unknowingly hurt this revolver.

[bradshaw]

Some missing info:
* Revolver & bbl.
* .44 case----Special or Mag.
* round count on chronograph.
* .44 Special or Mag case.
David Bradshaw

[hgunhtr]

to answer some questions-
Ruger Bisley blackhawk flattop 4 5/8" barrel
starline 44 spl brass
6 round strings

[bradshaw]

hgunhtr.... while not familiar with Ramshot True Blue, your process looks good. Six shot strings are perfectly reasonable and you could include Sd (standard deviation). I don’t consider Sd meaningful when just a few shots are fired. It may be difficult to discern an accuracy difference within your one grain spread. I would bag them @ 25 & 50 yards, out to 100., then settle on the most consistent. My, guess, 7/Ramshot True Blue may be couple inches more accurate @ 100 yards. Only the target can verify.

If accuracy holds at 50, but goes to pot @ 100, it’s either the shooter or the bullet. A bullet which exhausts its dynamic stability at 60 to 80 yards progressively wides its dispersion the farther it goes. Differences in powder charge can do this, although deterioration is subtle. A handgun bullet of excellent accuracy at 100 yards tends to hold steady out yonder.

Some bullets have a low to moderate velocity sweet spot, and suffer when pushed hard. Cast with a bevel base tend to fit this category.

One of my favorite carry rounds in the Model 29 4-inch consists of a 240 SWC deep seated over 5.5/Winchester 231 (or HP-38, which is 231 with Hodgdon label), in .44 Mag case with standard primer. I’ll substitute a mag primer in a jack second, if that’s the only primer available. I’ve shot this load out, probably, 700 yards on a lake, to where my spotter said the splashes fell amazingly close. Mind you, that was with a bevel base bullet. Lean on it and accuracy spreads. With this load I prefer accuracy to velocity.

Your 7 grain charge should make for a great barn bullet, where magnum concussion is hugely disruptive.
David Bradshaw

[hgunhtr]

Thank you Sir, I started this journey to wring out the very last drop of accuracy out of the flattop. I dont really need a new load, kept reading about deep seating and thought if i could get rid of another 1/4" at 25 yards and an inch at 100, it would be worth it.