Matthew Clark
Member
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H=full]832823[/ATTACH]
I aquired this beauty from my LGS a couple of weeks ago and finally got some descent weather to go shooting. It's a Lipsey's exclusive 5 shot Ruger GP100, 5" barrel. Pretty close to what "Skeeter" always considered ideal by his way of thinking. The Roper style grips are very comfortable during shooting and fit me very well. A little slippery for follow up shots but recoil is easy on the hand.
Over the years well known gun writers have always tried to take the 44 spl to a higher level of performance than it's anemic factory pressure levels. Elmer Kieth, Skeeter Skelton, Brian Pierce and even the NRA to name a few wrote articles and tested the limits of the round. Pressure tested data above SAAMI spec has always been somewhat inconclusive, so safely loading the 44 spl. to a safe higher performance load in a given firearm can pose a problem if you don't read publications. I highly recommend that you read Brian Pearce's article on the 44spl. (I don't have a link but it is in Handloader Magazine August-September 2005) He breaks it down pretty darn good with load data and pressure limit groups for given firearms. My personal concern was as the article was written a few years ago other firearms have been produced that were not discussed in the article, including the 5 shot Ruger GP100.
I'll be the first to admit I am an overly cautious individual when it comes to reloading. I will never be the adventurous pioneer of a new awesome load for any caliber and I'm okay with that. I like my face the way it is ( it ain't pretty but I've gotten used to it) and my digits intact. However in this particular case one could stay within SAAMI specs for the round (the consistantly safest, most reliable avenue) or review reliable pressure tested data, review the firearm's in question specs and limits and increase the rounds potential in a firearm designed to withstand the pressures of increased velocity. I chose to be a little bold and go with the latter. WARNING! I am in no way suggesting you follow my path. It can be very dangerous to your health to exceed SAAMI specs for any cartridge. I'm merely explaining what I did. If you think me an idiot then don't do what I did.
I absolutely will not list the exact load data of my loads but I will tell you what pressure level my loads fall into. With the published pressure data available and the firearm's specs I chose to keep the pressures between 15,500 (SAAMI MAX) and 22,000 psi. tier 2 of limits in Brian Pearce's article. The cylinder wall thickness and forcing cone thickness played a big role in this. The other factor of major importance was I didn't want a 44 Magnum. I chose the 44 Spl. for a trail carry sidearm to have fun with, not pound my wrist. So I kept the loads on the medium side but better than factory performance.
I could use Buffalo Bore but reloading is part of the challenge and fun of owning a new firearm. It's also cheaper to reload if I'm being honest.
So the load was a Missouri bullets 240 gr. Kieth style cast bullet, WLP primer, Starline brass and Unique powder. I had an average of 980 fps from a 5" barrel ten feet from the muzzle. From a rest I got a solid 2.5 inch group at 50 yds. For me that is fantastic. I am not the world's greatest pistelero by any means. I was very happy and there were no over-pressure signs and cases fell out of the cylinder. I shot a total of 150 round through the GP100 and there was a little leading at the front of the lands but nothing affecting accursac or pressures.
I believe I have found the load for the Ruger. I see no need to push it harder and putting unwanted wear on it and feel plenty confident with 240gr., .430 diameter cast bullets moving 980fps to dispatch anything I'm likely to run into.
Sorry for the lengthy rambling, only my second post. Just wanted to give some solid information on a subject that doesn't have a lot of information out there. I hope it helps someone out.
H=full]832823[/ATTACH]I aquired this beauty from my LGS a couple of weeks ago and finally got some descent weather to go shooting. It's a Lipsey's exclusive 5 shot Ruger GP100, 5" barrel. Pretty close to what "Skeeter" always considered ideal by his way of thinking. The Roper style grips are very comfortable during shooting and fit me very well. A little slippery for follow up shots but recoil is easy on the hand.
Over the years well known gun writers have always tried to take the 44 spl to a higher level of performance than it's anemic factory pressure levels. Elmer Kieth, Skeeter Skelton, Brian Pierce and even the NRA to name a few wrote articles and tested the limits of the round. Pressure tested data above SAAMI spec has always been somewhat inconclusive, so safely loading the 44 spl. to a safe higher performance load in a given firearm can pose a problem if you don't read publications. I highly recommend that you read Brian Pearce's article on the 44spl. (I don't have a link but it is in Handloader Magazine August-September 2005) He breaks it down pretty darn good with load data and pressure limit groups for given firearms. My personal concern was as the article was written a few years ago other firearms have been produced that were not discussed in the article, including the 5 shot Ruger GP100.
I'll be the first to admit I am an overly cautious individual when it comes to reloading. I will never be the adventurous pioneer of a new awesome load for any caliber and I'm okay with that. I like my face the way it is ( it ain't pretty but I've gotten used to it) and my digits intact. However in this particular case one could stay within SAAMI specs for the round (the consistantly safest, most reliable avenue) or review reliable pressure tested data, review the firearm's in question specs and limits and increase the rounds potential in a firearm designed to withstand the pressures of increased velocity. I chose to be a little bold and go with the latter. WARNING! I am in no way suggesting you follow my path. It can be very dangerous to your health to exceed SAAMI specs for any cartridge. I'm merely explaining what I did. If you think me an idiot then don't do what I did.
I absolutely will not list the exact load data of my loads but I will tell you what pressure level my loads fall into. With the published pressure data available and the firearm's specs I chose to keep the pressures between 15,500 (SAAMI MAX) and 22,000 psi. tier 2 of limits in Brian Pearce's article. The cylinder wall thickness and forcing cone thickness played a big role in this. The other factor of major importance was I didn't want a 44 Magnum. I chose the 44 Spl. for a trail carry sidearm to have fun with, not pound my wrist. So I kept the loads on the medium side but better than factory performance.
I could use Buffalo Bore but reloading is part of the challenge and fun of owning a new firearm. It's also cheaper to reload if I'm being honest.
So the load was a Missouri bullets 240 gr. Kieth style cast bullet, WLP primer, Starline brass and Unique powder. I had an average of 980 fps from a 5" barrel ten feet from the muzzle. From a rest I got a solid 2.5 inch group at 50 yds. For me that is fantastic. I am not the world's greatest pistelero by any means. I was very happy and there were no over-pressure signs and cases fell out of the cylinder. I shot a total of 150 round through the GP100 and there was a little leading at the front of the lands but nothing affecting accursac or pressures.
I believe I have found the load for the Ruger. I see no need to push it harder and putting unwanted wear on it and feel plenty confident with 240gr., .430 diameter cast bullets moving 980fps to dispatch anything I'm likely to run into.
Sorry for the lengthy rambling, only my second post. Just wanted to give some solid information on a subject that doesn't have a lot of information out there. I hope it helps someone out.
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