Purchased My Out West Hiking/Out East Hunting Handgun.

[WisBorn]

In August of 2020 I started the following poll to help me decide on what handgun to purchase for hiking/hunting.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/out-west-hiking-carry-out-east-hunting-handgun.873675/
At the end of the poll I was leaning towards a Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5" barrel.
During the past two years I shifted to a primarily hike carry that I can hunt with in Wisconsin. Heck when I started the poll I was retired living in SC. Now I have moved back to Wisconsin.
So I wanted something lighter for hiking, but it needed a barrel at least 5 1/2" long for hunting. In WI the barrel is measured from the firing pin to muzzle.
This week I filled that need and purchased a Smith and Wesson 69 44mag with the 4.2" barrel. As I mentioned in Wisconsin the barrel length is measured from the firing pin to muzzle.
I did fire a few rounds through it, but have lots of testing to do. So far I like it and yes it does kick.


I appreciate all of the comments from the poll and posts on other threads around carry for the wilderness.
I think the addition of the 69 helps complete the revolver end of my wilderness carry. Well until Smith comes out with a L frame 41mag.


Taurus 415 41mag, S&W 69 44mag, S&W 686 357mag.
I will follow up with a range report after I find more ammo.
I guess I need to start saving up for a 10mm or maybe a 9mm (which I don't have right now).

Thanks again, now I need to find a chest rig for carry. I am planning on a 6 week trip out west to enjoy the national parks the fall of 2023.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Never heard of the barrel being measured that way, learn something new all the time.

Nice choice! I like to handload lighter 44mag round for practice, sure, could use 44SPC but get that pesky ring in the cylinder then.

 

[DR505]

I recall those Wisconsin regulations. I thought it odd at the time I lived there.

Good choice on the revolver. With light loads you can shoot all day. With heavy loads it is perfect for your stated activities.

 

[Speedo66]

Never heard of the barrel being measured that way, learn something new all the time.

Makes sense, that's basically how the BATF determines barrel length, from the breech face.

 

[murf]

well done, @WisBorn. a 300 grain wfn bullet in a 44 special case going about 650 fps should work well in that gun. i have an el paso saddlery tanker holster for my blackhawks. regardless of ammo choice, a test session would be nice to see.

luck,

murf

 

[Pat Riot]

Congratulations

I think you made a good choice.

 

[ECVMatt]

Congratulation, those are great guns! I am sure that will make a nice hiking and hunting companion.

 

[Riomouse911]

Great choice. I bought the same gun a few months back with pretty much the same intentions you did.


I initially picked up the 3” GP100 .44 Spl. for that role. It shoots well, but the full lug barrel makes it a bit chunky. ( I added the GP compact grips later.) I felt the slightly longer barrel, and .44 Mag option, pushed me to the L frame.

It does kick a bit, but with the upper-mid level loads I prefer in my .44 Magnums it didn’t kick as badly as I thought it would. With full-house loads I am sure it comes back heartily.

Stay safe.

 

[P89DCSS]

Never heard of the barrel being measured that way, learn something new all the time....

That is how semi-auto pistols are measured. Other states measure revolvers' barrel length that way for hunting regulations purposes.

 

[wcwhitey]

Not much you cannot do with that choice. Good luck and have fun! My go to .44 Field loads are the classics 255 SWC 850 fps in the special and a bit faster at closer to 1000 fps in the Magnum case. Not much ground those rounds cannot cover with a round of snake shot on board.

 

[WrongHanded]

Nice choice! I'm glad the hunting regulations forced you to get a barrel longer than 3"!

 

[WisBorn]

Nice choice! I'm glad the hunting regulations forced you to get a barrel longer than 3"!

You know how much I love those Snubbies!!!


I need to spend the cash for a chronograph.

 

[paul105]

My favorite revolver platform. Have both barrel lengths. Shot the snot out of a couple of 4.25" guns since I bought them in the first quarter of 2014. Been shooting the 2.75" since they came out. As i get older, the shorter barrels seem to be easier for me to shoot.
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here's some chrono data I accumulated over time:
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For Reference, 21.2gr A2400 w/250gr Keith Lyman 429421 (20.0gr is max in latest Speer Manual) chronos 1,250 fps at 5 paces and 83 deg F from the same 4 ¼” M69. Federal Factory 240gr .44 Mag chronos 1,217 fps.

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Load Data for REFERENCE ONLY -- NOT A RECOMMENDATION – DO YOUR OWN DUE DILLIGENCE -- There might be typos and lead bullets may not be the same configuration.

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240gr below are Laser Cast SWC BBs

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240gr, 5.6gr HP38, ... 739 fps avg, 36 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).

240gr, 6.5gr HP38, ... 883 fps avg, 32 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).

240gr, 9.4gr Longshot, ... 1,078 fps avg, 18 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).

240gr, 10.6gr HS6, ....... 1,035 fps avg, 24 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).

240gr, Federal Fact (No. 44A), ..... 1,217 fps avg, 12 fps ES

(We chroned this load at 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Bisley Hunter.

240gr Horn JHP XTP, 24.0gr H110 …… 1,323 fps (Hodgdon says 1,522 fps from 8.275” Bbl)

250gr Keith SWC (429421), 21.1gr A2400 …… 1,250 fps (WLPs, crimped in crimp grove for nomal OAL)

260gr LBT, WFNGC gr H110 …. 1,224 fps (Crimped in crimp grove for normal OAL) -- THIS IS MAX LOAD

265gr SWCGC, 17.5gr A2400,...... 1,142 fps avg, 37 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.570).

When seated deep (as was done here), this load will run right at or a bit above 1,200 fps from a 6" barrel.

270gr Speer JSP, 21.5gr H110 ……. 1,153 fps (My 6” 629 gives 1,207 fps -- Hodgdon says 1,421 fps from 8.275” Bbl)

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Note: Above H110 loads used Fed Large Pistol Magnum Primers, and New Top Brass (Scharch). All others used mixed cases and Win Large Pistol (WLPs) except the 250 Keith/21.1gr A2400 used new Top Brass and WLPs.

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Load Data for REFERENCE ONLY -- NOT A RECOMMENDATION – DO YOUR OWN DUE DILLIGENCE.

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300gr WFNPB 1.651" OAL - LBT type - source unknown.

20.0gr H110.

Fed 155 (Mag)

New Top Brass (Scharch.com).

1,102 fps avg, 37 fps ES

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310gr RNFPGC DC 1.605" OAL (top crimp grove) - LEE mold.

20.0gr H110.

Fed 155 (Mag)

New Top Brass (Scharch.com).

1,141 fps avg, 23 fps ES

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325gr WLNGC 1.711" OAL - Beartooth Bullets.

22.0gr H110.

Fed 155 (Mag)

New Top Brass (Scharch.com).

1,182 fps avg, 13 fps ES (3 shots only)

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Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69.

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Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps. All in new Starline cases and CCI 350 primers.

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225gr Barnes XFB with 18.1 gr A#9 avg (1,214 fps (muzzle vel from Labradar)

240gr Cutting Edge Flat Point Mono – 22.6 H110 1,218 fps (1,247 fr 2.5” 329 Alaska Backpacker) Muzzle vel from Labradar

240gr Zero JSP with 24.0gr H110 avg 1,126 fps

240gr JHP Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps (bought at an estate sale “44a 1981 production” – 1,375 fps from 7 ½” RSBH)

260gr WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps

265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat – crimped over front drive band) 1,119 fps avg

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

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310gr FNGCDC (Lee) with 20.0gr H110 avg 1,100 fps

325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps


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I Was curious, so I bought some 305gr Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo – here are chrono results.

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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

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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

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Different Guns/BBL length comparison with 325gr WLNGC

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325gr WLNGC Beartooth Bullets

22.0gr H110

Fed 155 M

New Top Brass

Five long paces from muzzle, Temp 45 – 70 deg F


7 ½” Ruger SRH …. 1,279 fps … ES 33 fps … 70 Deg F

6” S&W M629 ……. 1,269 fps … ES 16 fps … 70 Deg F

4 ¼” S&W M69 …… 1,182 fps …ES 13 fps … 45 Deg F

4” S&W M329 …….. 1,085 fps … ES 26 fps … 60 Deg F (CCI 350, diff pwdr lot)

2 ¾” S&W M69 …… 1,104 fps … ES 9 fps … 68 Def G

 

[Bill M.]

Firing pin to the muzzle measurement seems to make sense to me. That makes the measurement comparable to an automatic or a rifle or shotgun barrel length where the chamber is built into the barrel rather than separate.

 

[eddiememphis]

I am planning on a 6 week trip out west to enjoy the national parks the fall of 2023.

Use caution in the Parks. Some do not allow firearms due to local regulations. None of them allow firearms inside buildings like visitor centers and ranger stations.

 

[WisBorn]

Use caution in the Parks. Some do not allow firearms due to local regulations. None of them allow firearms inside buildings like visitor centers and ranger stations.

Thank you for the heads up. I do check carry regulations as I travel making sure that my ccw/cwp licenses are in compliance with local regulations.
I also carry bear spray as a primary defense as even though you can carry in many of the parks. Spraying a bear is a much easier thing to report than shooting an animal in a park...

 

[.308 Norma]

Spraying a bear is a much easier thing to report than shooting an animal in a park...

I always try to avoid shooting an animal in its "park." Shooting an animal in its "park" ruins too much meat.

 

[Rodfac]

This week I filled that need and purchased a Smith and Wesson 69 44mag with the 4.2" barrel. As I mentioned in Wisconsin the barrel length is measured from the firing pin to muzzle.

Great choice and one that I share for both geographic locations. Although it's a 5-shot, the M-69 does offer the advantages of a full house .44 magnum load...in that regard, I'm speaking of a 240 gr LSWC or JHP of similar construction, pushed to ~1200 fps. While this is not as powerful as some might propose, a well constructed bullet at that velocity it is eminently controllable with some practice in a revolver that weighs only 38 oz. empty. And that's a big distinction. Too, as Keith has pointed out, a 240 gr slug at 1200 fps will shoot end-wise through a deer....penetration it's got!!

In personal use for daily carry here in the northern parts of KY, I load my own version of Skeeter Skelton's famous day to day load: a well constructed 240 LSWC backed by 8.5 grains of Unique (in magnum brass) for 950-1000 fps from 4"+ barrels. This is an authoritative round that my family members have used to put down horses here on our farm. For back country use east of the Mississippi, up that to 9-10 grains of Unique for a truly impressive defensive load for bear or close in deer hunting.

For west of the Mississippi, any of the full house .44 magnum loads would suffice.

My example of the Smith M-69 is truly a great gun. Accurate to the tune of 2" groups at 25 yds with Hornady's 200 & 240 gr XTP's or my own cast LSWC in 220 gr and 250 grain weights, it's fully capable of hunting as well as self defense chores. And I've found that recoil with the supplied Smith rubber stocks is manageable for even full house loads, but not for long range sessions. With the justly famous Skelton load, it's comfortable for extended range sessons even with my 76 yo hands gripping the stocks.

I'm a big fan of the 69, & enjoy the gun much more than my Smith M-629 which, although easier to control in recoil, is just too heavy for all day carry. For either, though, a good chest rig is a fine choice for back country or even deer stand use...it'll make toting it a non-event when afield.

Best regards, Rod

 

[WisBorn]

I said that I would provide a range report.
I shot a couple of groups out of my 69 today and with the weight of the revolver I will be shooting more 44 special from the gun than 44mag but I will carry 44mag mainly.


Groups from 10 yards off hand. I need to shoot it more, but really like this revolver.

I have a few boxes of 240 hp from Underwood @ 1500 that I will carry hunting (probably will still use my 7rm).

 

[SwampWolf]

As i get older, the shorter barrels seem to be easier for me to shoot.

Just the opposite for me. Maybe it all depends on how old getting older means.

 

[Barbaroja]

You really got me wanting a model 69 again!

 

[.38 Special]

I really like the Model 69. It sounds like an ideal gun for the OP's purposes.

With full power loads - especially heavy hunting loads - they really kick the snot out of me. It's not as bad as the 340PD with full-house .357 stuff, but it's the same zip code. I can't take more than three or four cylinder's worth before the shakes set in, and then have to go back to the .22 for a while.

 

[Smaug]

Welcome back to Wisconsin! (I’m down in Kenosha, just north of The Cheddar Curtain)

I think you made a fine choice. I will be interested to hear which load you decide to carry while in the woods. I feel like a 240 gr. semi-jacketed hollow point over a middling charge of H110 wouldn’t do you wrong, no matter WHAT you want to do while out in the field.

Are you going to hunt with the gun here in WI or just have it as a sidearm? Maybe you’rea better shoot than I am, but I’d have a hard time putting shots reliably on a paper plate past 25 yards with that gun.

Guys, with his national parks trip next year, we can see that WisBorn is planning to live out his bear scenario fantasy that we love to consider in the gun fora.

How about out west? Just hiking and packing heat just in case, or will you get a license for some kind of game?

 

[Smaug]

By the way, if you find you’re not actually hunting with it, there’s no shame in having a nice accurate 44 as a range gun or even home defense.

While it can be punishing to practice enough with those Magnum loads, it’ll be quite pleasant with lighter loads in Magnum cases.

Ignore these guys suggesting 300 gr. bullets with a full dose of Magnum powder. You’re not going to find any rabid wildebeast here.

 

[WisBorn]

I swapped the grips on my 69 to a set of Hogue Bantam grips. They are actually a little thicker between the trigger guard and your middle finger.

New grips


Stock grips