.38 Special
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2006
- Messages
- 7,372
I have a pile of good revolvers, but my gently worked-over Flattop .44 Special is the one that usually ends up in my hands. I firelapped it, had an action job done, and installed a Rough Country rear sight from Bowen. It's probably the most all-around useful, accurate, and enjoyable gun I own. If I didn't have it, getting one would be my top priority.
Regarding loads, I use two. The first is a fun plinking load consisting of Lee's 240 grain RN at 750 FPS or so. Lots of different powders work. I generally go with 6 grains of Unique. With a pair of Lee gang molds, it's easy to crank out hundreds of bullets, and as the gun likes them, they make for great plinking and woods loafing loads.
The second is the classic Skeeter load. I use a custom mold to produce a true Keith bullet with square grooves, equal size bands, and lots of space for lube. 7.5 grains of Unique, of course. It is supremely accurate, cuts perfect holes in paper, and has accounted for several head of big game for me.
I have played around with very heavy loads just a bit. After reading Ross Seyfried's article on the guns, I tried his H110 load with the Keith bullet. It worked, went about 1100 FPS in my 5 1/2" gun, and though it wasn't quite as accurate as the Skeeter load, it was still more accurate than I can hold offhand. It also kicked pretty much like a .44 Magnum. Though I have no doubt it was safe in my gun - fired cases fell out of the chambers and primers looked essentially the same as they did in the Skeeter loads - I finally decided that as I have plenty of Magnums in various bore diameters, there was no need for me to force the Bisley to be another one.
The short version is that these are fantastic guns and I would definitely get one if I was you. The .357 is a fantastic cartridge and the obvious choice for a fellow who does not handload. The .44 Special, though, is just about ideal as a revolver cartridge - as long as you handload and, hopefully, cast your own - and also brands you as a truly knowledgeable pistolero!
Regarding loads, I use two. The first is a fun plinking load consisting of Lee's 240 grain RN at 750 FPS or so. Lots of different powders work. I generally go with 6 grains of Unique. With a pair of Lee gang molds, it's easy to crank out hundreds of bullets, and as the gun likes them, they make for great plinking and woods loafing loads.
The second is the classic Skeeter load. I use a custom mold to produce a true Keith bullet with square grooves, equal size bands, and lots of space for lube. 7.5 grains of Unique, of course. It is supremely accurate, cuts perfect holes in paper, and has accounted for several head of big game for me.
I have played around with very heavy loads just a bit. After reading Ross Seyfried's article on the guns, I tried his H110 load with the Keith bullet. It worked, went about 1100 FPS in my 5 1/2" gun, and though it wasn't quite as accurate as the Skeeter load, it was still more accurate than I can hold offhand. It also kicked pretty much like a .44 Magnum. Though I have no doubt it was safe in my gun - fired cases fell out of the chambers and primers looked essentially the same as they did in the Skeeter loads - I finally decided that as I have plenty of Magnums in various bore diameters, there was no need for me to force the Bisley to be another one.
The short version is that these are fantastic guns and I would definitely get one if I was you. The .357 is a fantastic cartridge and the obvious choice for a fellow who does not handload. The .44 Special, though, is just about ideal as a revolver cartridge - as long as you handload and, hopefully, cast your own - and also brands you as a truly knowledgeable pistolero!
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