Aggie01
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Post by Aggie01 on Jun 11, 2009 11:42:58 GMT -5
I'm patiently waiting on a batch of 250 gn Keith bullets for my 44 special, but I'm thinking about loading up some of the 289 WFN I have here, and trying for about 1K fps with them. Has anybody run something like this? I'm thinking to try them with 2400.
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Fowler
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Post by Fowler on Jun 11, 2009 12:00:15 GMT -5
Should work fine, I would start a little light and move up. Start at 13 to 14gr and see where that lands you....
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Post by AxeHandle on Jun 11, 2009 12:20:10 GMT -5
At what point will the 44 Special case and the cylinder length become an issue? We have got to retain enough case capacity to hold enough powder for a fire big enough to stabilize the bullet. Is there an opportunity here to have a 44 WFN bullet mold made to keep as much bullet outside the case as possible? Would it really be of any value? This custom oversize cylinder 44 special on a NM 357 FT that David Clements just sold may be the acid test...
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Post by Lee Martin on Jun 11, 2009 12:26:02 GMT -5
I've never gone that heavy with 44 Special, but there's no reason why it wouldn't work. As Fowler mentioned, start low and work-up slowly (and I agree....12 to 13 grains of 2400 would be a good starting point). -Lee www.singleactions.com |
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Aggie01
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Post by Aggie01 on Jun 11, 2009 12:41:18 GMT -5
My measure will be set at 13.5 after I get some 357 loaded up, I'm gonna run a handful with that just to get a feel for it.
These particular bullets are weight forward enough that case capacity isn't changing much from the Keith 250's I've been using.
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Post by inFALable on Jun 11, 2009 15:07:27 GMT -5
A really cool load with 290 LFN's is 3.5 grn of 231. There is no recoil and little noise. It still plunks small feral animals well.
If I miss I look down the barrel though to make sure it wasn't a squib.
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Post by Bowenbuilt on Jun 20, 2009 11:09:26 GMT -5
I have been using the LBT, 280 WNGC with 14 grns of 2400, standard Fed. primer, for a long time. It has recoil and makes some noise. I took a doe with this load last year. Complete penetration and down within 50 yards. It also shoots little tiny groups at 25 yards. Out of a 7.5" barrel this load does right at 900 fps. This load shows no high pressure signs in any of my guns but you should still work you way up. I have tried 15 grns but the results were not worth the extra pressure and recoil.
BB
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jun 20, 2009 14:39:32 GMT -5
The problem here will be how much the bullet intrudes into case capacity. Personally, I like to go the other way, I like to run the Lyman 429421 GC at 1200 fps. Excellent accuracy out of my Freedom 97.
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Post by nobearsyet on Jun 20, 2009 14:51:46 GMT -5
I agree with 2 dogs, I like either that Lyman mold or the RCBS 250 K for all of my 44 caliber work
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Post by sixshot on Jun 20, 2009 21:18:10 GMT -5
I think with todays better lubes that the issue of a square grease groove vs the round grease groove isn't much of an issue. I've been shooting the Keith bullet since the sixties, its taken everything from frogs, turtles & armidillos up to deer, antelope, elk & bears, I've ran it slow, I've ran it fast & everywhere in between & it always shoots, it will shoot practically any load you can dream up & shoot it well. Very few moulds can make that claim. There are some mould styles that will do better at the upper end but few if any that will do everything well. The old Prophet knew what he was doing, even something like 70 years ago! ;D
Dick
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jun 20, 2009 22:05:24 GMT -5
I dont know where the round grease groove vs the square became an issue but I can tell you for a fact, if your sixgun is set up properly as far as dimensions it makes no difference. The Keith bullet is very accurate and a solid performer at any velocity.
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Post by nobearsyet on Jun 21, 2009 8:36:04 GMT -5
mountain molds has some free design software on there website that is easy to use, and can result in Keith type bullets on up to 300+ grns.
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Post by boxhead on Jun 21, 2009 11:11:32 GMT -5
Some months (years?) ago Brian Pierce did a couple of writes on 44 Special loads using someone's (?) 300'ish gr bullet in both the M97 and the New Vaquero IIRC. I'd look for the mags but all my stuff is packed now awaiting the movers...
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Post by spillway on Jun 21, 2009 12:08:47 GMT -5
The article that Boxhead is refering to is the August 2003 Handloader # 224 in which Brian Pearce in a write up on the Freedom Arms 97 chambered for 44Special lists a load using 307 grain Dry Creek cast swc 15.5 grains of H110 for 1,057fps and extreme spread of 20 fps hope this helps. P.S. the picture of this bullet looks like a Keith on steriods.
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Post by boxhead on Jun 21, 2009 14:50:01 GMT -5
WOW does time fly....
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