Range report, .44 mag.

[Yooper]

CAUTION: While the following data are below published maximum loadings, please use common sense when attempting to duplicate them. Start below the stated powder charges and work up to them carefully. The results are valid in my firearms only, results may vary. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Firearms: S&W 629, 6 1/2" barrel; S&W 629, 4" barrel; Ruger Super Blackhawk, 5 1/2"barrel. Data reflect average of six shots per handgun per load.

1) Factory American Eagle 240 gr JHP: 629 6 1/2, 1318 fps, 33.73 sd; 629 4 1273 fps, 31.10 sd; Blkhk 1287 fps, 21.00 sd.

2) Keith load, 250 gr. hardcast from Leadhead, 21.6 gr 2400, CCI 300 primer, W/W case. 629 6 1/2, 1403 fps 22.97 sd; 629 4, 1318 fps 29.00 sd; Blkhk 1373 fps, 44.04 sd.

3) 300 grain Speer JFP, 19.8 gr WW296, CCI 350 primer, WW case. 629 61/2, 1186 fps, 31.23 sd; 629 4, 1087 fps, 19.86 sd. This is substantially lighter than the published Speer data.

4) 265 grain Hornady JFP, 22.9 gr WW 296, CCI 350 primer, WW case. 629 61/2, 1391 fps 22.75 sd, 629 4 1297 fps 19.77 sd. This is one notch below published Hornady data.

5) 240 grain Hornady JHP, 22.9 gr WW296, CCI 350 primer, WW case. 629 6 1/2 1318 fps 6.37(!) sd; 629 4, 1246 fps 2.16(!) sd. This was an attempt to duplicate factory loadings.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Good info so far, but inquiring minds want to know: Which load(s) were most accurate in which gun?

 

[Yooper]

I didn't save the targets, it was drizzling rain, and temperature was in the high 30's. Load #5, my attempt at the factory load was consistently the most accurate, one inch three shot groups at 25 yards and one cloverleaf with the 6 1/2" 629, which is consistently the most accurate handgun.