kman68
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 27
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Post by kman68 on Feb 15, 2011 16:12:51 GMT -5
one more time, what is the much touted skeeter skelton 44 spl load?
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Post by Lee Martin on Feb 15, 2011 16:24:16 GMT -5
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Post by jdpress on Feb 16, 2011 22:46:27 GMT -5
Kman:
Adding to Lee's post above, Skeeter Skelton normally used a Lyman 429421, 250 grain, cast Keith bullet with the 7.5 grains of Unique load. Skeeter said he sized the bullets to .429 and "Velocity runs around 940 fps". Per Lyman's website: "429421 - The famous Elmer Keith 44 bullet design. For accuracy in the 44 Special and 44 Magnum." Lyman states that this is a 245 grain bullet but Skeeter always called it a 250 grain bullet in his writings.
Have fun reloading and happy shooting; you will be firing a real classic load.
J.D. Press
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don44
.30 Stingray
Posts: 153
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Post by don44 on Feb 18, 2011 12:28:20 GMT -5
A real accurate load too.
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Post by webber on Feb 18, 2011 15:53:58 GMT -5
Just got back from the range and 7.8 gr of the Unique I have with Federal 150 primers ran 1033 fps over the chrono from a 45/8's Ruger Flattop BH 44 special with the Lyman 429421 bullet
15 gr 2400 and the same bullet and primers ran 1123 fps.
8.5 Power Pistol with the same bullet and primers ran 997 fps.
Am going to bump up the load to 9.0 gr Power Pistol.
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Post by bigblue on Feb 18, 2011 19:26:51 GMT -5
I had been looking for a carry load for a 2" barreled DA revolver in .44 mag. I decided to go with .44 Special loads and just ordered this same 245gr. Keith bullet last week. I'm all out of Unique, but after reading this I'll have to get some more.
Thanks,
Don
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Post by weagle99 on Feb 18, 2011 21:02:35 GMT -5
A single action enthusiast should never run out of Unique!  |
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Post by Frank V on Feb 18, 2011 23:13:08 GMT -5
Kman: Adding to Lee's post above, Skeeter Skelton normally used a Lyman 429421, 250 grain, cast Keith bullet with the 7.5 grains of Unique load. Skeeter said he sized the bullets to .429 and "Velocity runs around 940 fps". Per Lyman's website: "429421 - The famous Elmer Keith 44 bullet design. For accuracy in the 44 Special and 44 Magnum." Lyman states that this is a 245 grain bullet but Skeeter always called it a 250 grain bullet in his writings. Have fun reloading and happy shooting; you will be firing a real classic load. J.D. Press This load will do about 95% of what a six-gun should be called upon to do. It's accurate, pleasant to shoot, & powerful, it will penetrate almost beyond belief. It's a great load. Frank |
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Post by sixshot on Feb 19, 2011 13:05:02 GMT -5
I've taken 3 Montana whitetails with that load, complete penetration & down in 3-4 seconds. Used a 4 5/8's flattop & a 7 1/2" flattop 44 special.
Anyone know why I can't click on new topics & post? It doesn't do anything & I'm signed in.
Dick
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Post by taffin on Feb 19, 2011 14:42:58 GMT -5
Lyman states that this is a 245 grain bullet but Skeeter always called it a 250 grain bullet in his writings.
250 IS GENERIC FOR KEITH BULLETS. IT DEPENDS UPON ALLOY USED. I HAVE KEITH MOLDS FROM SIX MANUFACTURERS. WITH WWs THEY WEIGH FROM 253 TO 271 GRAINS.
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Post by taffin on Feb 19, 2011 14:49:45 GMT -5
A real accurate load too.[/quote]
TOO SIMPLISTIC. IT DEPENDS. I HAVE SHOT HUNDREDS OF .44s, RUSSIANS, SPECIALS, MAGNUMS, OVER THE PAST 55 YEARS. THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIABLES AT WORK. I HAVE MEASURED .44s WITH CHAMBER MOUTHS ALL THE WAY FROM .425" TO .433"; BULLETS MUST BE TAILORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL SIXGUNS. A LOAD JUST PUT TOGETHER MAY MATCH A PARTICULAR SIXGUN AND THEN IT MIGHT NOT. WITH.431" BULLETS ONE MAY GET ONE-INCH GROUPS; WITH .429" BULLETS, 2-1/2" OR MORE.
THERE IS ALSO NOTHING MAGIC ABOUT 7.5 GR. UNIQUE. UNIVERSAL WORKS JUST AS WELL; POWER PISTOL IS ALSO GOOD AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER POWDERS. SKEETER GOT HIS LOAD FROM ELMER KEITH WHEN THE ONLY POWDERS READILY AVAILABLE WERE BULLSEYE, UNIQUE, AND #2400.
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Post by taffin on Feb 23, 2011 8:43:05 GMT -5
KEITH FIRST PUBLISHED THE 7.5 UNIQUE LOAD WITH HIS THREE BULLETS (#429421 AND HP AND HB VERSIONS OF SAME) IN 1955.
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Post by Duct Tape on Mar 1, 2011 12:01:27 GMT -5
What OAL are most of you running for this load. With my Rimrock SWC 240's, when seated to the crimping groove I'm at 1.48". But Lyman calls for around 1.57" with approx this same .44 special load (I say arround b/c I'm at work and working on memory).
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Post by J Miller on Mar 1, 2011 13:52:03 GMT -5
Ducttape,
I can't speak for the others here about their seating practices, however the folks I know, and those I've spoken with, and myself always crimp Keith SWCs in the crimp groves "if" the length of the cylinder will allow it. If the cylinder is too short, such as the one on my S&W Mdl 28 then I seat it deeper and crimp over the front driving band.
Joe
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Post by Duct Tape on Mar 1, 2011 14:16:47 GMT -5
Thanks Joe. That helps. My loads fit fine in my three Rugers.
One other thought - the Skeeter load is above the Lyman max of 6.9 grains of Unique (although much older versions of Lyman show higer max amounts). I was wondering if shortening the OAL from the Lyman rec would increase pressures, but I'm guessing that most here load to around this length since any longer would expose the crimp groove and the crimp would be on the second band just above the lube.
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