Handloading for the S&W 696

[Nomad]

The S&W Mod 696 is really in a category of its own. It's a K frame 5 shot so not like the N frames or Rugers. My question to those who reload for the 696, what loads/pressures do you load to. If I were to find a 696 I'm curious what I can load to safely if I need a bit more power. For everyday practice I would keep it below the 15,000psi level but for the occasional carry on the trail is it safe to load to 20-25,000psi?

Anyone want to share their loads here or in private it would be appreciated.

 

[joneb]

Do to the minimal forcing cone of the S&W 696 I load mine on the conservative side.

 

[Stainz]

Actually, the x96 family, like my 296 & 696 which I bought new locally 9.5 years ago, are L-frame revolvers. The five shot .44 S&W Special cylinder was made possible by the L-frame's taller opening than that of the K-frame.

My 296 has a diet of GA Arms loadings (... and my homebrews with 5.7gr Titegroup.) with the Speer #4427 200 gr Gold Dot. They make ~805 fps from the 296's 2.5" barrel. My 696 gets 240gr LRNFP or LSWC over 4.2-4.5gr Titegroup, pushing 830 fps from it's 3" tube. A fun - all day popper - load is a 240gr lead, your choice LRNFP/LSWC, over 3.5gr Titegroup in a .44 Russian case. My cases are Starline with Federal LP primers due to my reduced effort Wolff springs. It's a real fun shooter any day, but with the "Cute litte .44 Russian' loads, it makes 696 fps - enough for 'major' power factor! Mine is strictly for fun, although I do keep a couple of speedloaders (HKS #CA44)with those 200gr Gold Dots loaded. Mine has sported Ahrends cocobolo square conversion non-fg stocks for over eight years - they are perfect for my loads.



Mine has a home... but, if someone were to offer me the right amount, I'd sell it. My production 4" 629 weighs <6 oz more, nas no fc issues, holds six rounds, has a larger hammer & trigger, has an extra inch of sight radius, etc - and will handle .44 Magnums. Did I mention that a 4" 629 is easier and cheaper to find... and available new? I still like my 696...

Stainz

 

[9mmepiphany]

The S&W Mod 696 is really in a category of its own. It's a K frame 5 shot so not like the N frames or Rugers.

Actually it is the larger L-frame

 

[Nomad]

I stand corrected in my mind the K and L are the same size albeit I know better and the 696 is the L frame.

jibjab you bring up an interesting point on the thinner forcing cone. Since my OP I researched the 696 in one of my S&W books and it states it was designed for +P loads. Having said that, I'm sure the smaller frame may not hold up to a steady diet of +P fodder. If I were to get one I think my everyday load would be a bit on the milder side.

Always interested in more input from knowlegable sources. Thanks.

 

[TonyT]

It's not a frame issue as the L-frame was designed to handle 357 Magnum loads. The issue is the thickness of the forcing cone which is thinner than in the 357 Magnum revolvers.

 

[P5 Guy]

44 Special +P?

I have no knowledge of a +P for 44SPL.
My S&W 696 gets either 200gr JHP or 240gr SWC from a variety of 44SPL brass. Most are StarLine followed by R-P, W-W and Winchester.
Hornady 200gr jacketed bullets and a local caster's 240gr LSWC bullets. Winchester large pistol primers and a modest charge of Unique. My personal opinion, there is no reason to make the 44SPL into a 44MAG. A famous gentleman, did that already.

 

[Drail]

The only thing you really need to remember about handloading for the 696 is stay away from light bullet/ high velocity loads. That is what will damage the forcing cone. The gun's cylinder is able to withstand a lot of pressure in tests I have read but the forcing cone is so thin that if a light (less than 200 gr) bullet hits it just a little off center it can crack. I have personally seen two that had seriously damged forcing guns from hot handloads. The best loads I have found are 200 to 215 gr. bullets @ 850 to 900 fps. You really don't need to try to get more from the 3 in. bbl. The CCI/Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot bullet will expand at 840 fps from these guns. I have been handloading for a 696 since 1996 and mine is still in perfect condition and a real joy to shoot.

 

[cfullgraf]

I stand corrected in my mind the K and L are the same size albeit I know better and the 696 is the L frame.

.

The grip frame of the L frame and K frame guns are the same. K frame grips will fit an L frame.

But, the business part of an L frame is larger than the K frame.

 

[riomedinamike]

Nothing new, but I use Starline brass, Win primers, 7.5 gr unique, and a 240 gr swc for my stout load.

Practice is the same but 6.0 gr of unique.

For factory loads, check out the Buffalo Bore offerings.

 

[joneb]

I was tempted by a Rossi 720 but the price was to high, I found it to be more compact than a S&W 696 the 720 felt more like a K frame Smith.

 

[Taroman]

Mine is a joy to shoot with my 200 grain LRNFP handloads at 800-850 FPS.
As others have so well stated, there's no reason to try to make it a magnum.

If that's not enough power, I'll step up to this one:

Or this one:

 

[Nomad]

If I were to get one, I would have no intention of pushing it hard pressure wise on a regular basis. However, I just read an article in Handloader #236 (August 2005) written by Brian Pearce where he states the 696 was tested by S&W far in excess of 25,000psi. It is good to know should I need to I can push it beyond the 15,000psi mark safely.

Drail-you bring up a good point on the use of light bullets. I assume this is the same problem which creates an issue in the K frame 357 with light bullets as it relates to the forcing cone. Anyone else have knowledge to add to this pont?

Now if I could only find a 696 not requiring a king's ransom!

 

[DC Plumber]

My 696 no dash only sees 240g LSWC with 6.5g of Universal. Very pleasant and quite accurate. I've never chrono'd the rounds, but they are very easy to shoot well with. As others have said, don't try to make a magnum out of it. It does it's intended job just fine. I don't shoot mine alot, but I'd never sell it. I paid $360 for it used in the late 90s. What a steal.

 

[Nomad]

The original post was a question on 22,000-25,000psi. Magnum pressures are 36,000psi.

 

[joneb]

The original post was a question on 22,000-25,000psi.

I would look for a 3 or 4" S&W 624.

 

[zeke]

testing for pressure up to 25,000 psi may not be the same as testing for the force a thin forcing cone can take. Personally keep my 696 loads to 200 grain lead at 800 fps, 200 gdhp at 900 fps. High velocity heavy hard cast bullets may also damage the forcing cone, as one gentleman discovered several years ago on the S&W site, even after he was warned.