New Gun Day S&W M69

[v8stang289]

Just wanted to update this a bit. Still haven't put as many rounds through it as I've wanted due to the weather around here lately(either raining or extremely hot). But I did play around with a couple loads and the chronograph today.

8gn Unique under a 240 xtreme plated bullet averaged 804fps
23.5 gr w296 under a 240 xtp averaged 1103fps

The unique load is soft shooting in my 8 3/8" M29, but has some thump in the 2 3/4" M69
The 296 load is quite a handful in the M69. I was a bit surprised at how fast it was.

I just wanted to give some real world numbers for the short barreled 44. That's one thing I had a hard time finding when researching this gun.

I have some bayou bullets 240gn coated SWC's coming at some point. I want to try to get those around 900-950 and see how they handle. I'll update when I do.

 

[paul105]

Here are some more data points for the 2 3/4" M69



Here are some chrono results from the 2 ¾” M69


Competion Electronics at 5 Long paces from muzzle

30 to 70 def f

Results recorded on different days and months.

H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


240gr JHP, Federal Factory No. 44A production date May ’81 --------------------------------------------- 1,137 fps

240gr JFP (Zero) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases -------------------- 1,126 fps

260gr WFNGC (Mt Bul Wks) 23.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ----- 1,125 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 17.5gr 2400, seated deep, crimped over fr drive band in Mag cases --- 1,100 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps

310gr FNGCDC (Lee) 20.0gr H110, seated and crimped in top crimp grove in Mag cases --------- 1,100 fps

325gr LFNGC (BTB) 22.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases --------------- 1,104 fps


H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


Buffalo Bore, 305 LBT LFN HC rated 1,325 fps
Underwood, 305 LFNGC Plated (HiTech?) rated 1,325 fps
LabRadar muzzle velocity at 33 deg F Buffalo


S&W M69 2.75" ===> BB 1,195 fps ===> Under 1,147fps
S&W M69 4.25" ===> BB 1,276 fps ===> Under 1,248 fps
Ruger SRH 7.5" ===> BB 1,395 fps ===> Under 1,315 fps

Paul

 

[Rodfac]

Great gun, easy to pack as it's within an oz. of my K frame, Smith M66. I carry the M69 with Skelton's load for the most part...thinking that 240 gr's of LSWC at 950 fps should handle about all the eventualities I'm likely to encounter here in KY. Unique at 7.5 grains gives me a chrono'd 950+ fps from my 4.25" bbl'd M69, BTW, and 8.0 is right at 1000 fps.

And for those western trips, it'll take full house .44 Magnums in stride. I carry here on the farm in the same OWB holster that I use with my M66 and M19. Good luck and congrats on a superb revolver. Rod

 

[Sneakshot92]

Heavy .44 Special loads is what this kind of revolver would be best at.

It's a shame they don't make a blued model, or else I'd probably for sure jump on the Smith & Wesson club.

A blued model 69... Would that make it a 59?

 

[Riomouse911]

9 gr Unique should give you 950 fps +\- from your shorter revolver. It’ll have a bit of a thump on the shooters end as well.


Try 5.2 gr Bullseye under a 200 gr LRNFP or LSWC in a .44 Spl. case for a very pleasant shooting target load that won’t beat you up. I shoot these in my GP 100 3” a lot.

Stay safe.