I picked up a nice 696 no dash this past weekend at the Tucson gun show. Is it high velocity loads that cause the dreaded forcing cone cracks? I've also read if you limit your velocity to 900 fps or less you should be ok.

As far as hollow point ammo,would 200 gr. Winchester Silvertips or Speer 200 gr. Gold Dots be ok?

I reload, so what would be an ok lead semi-wadcutter load for practice?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Frank

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S&WCA #2173

I picked up a nice 696 no dash this past weekend at the Tucson gun show. Is it high velocity loads that cause the dreaded forcing cone cracks? I've also read if you limit your velocity to 900 fps or less you should be ok.

As far as hollow point ammo,would 200 gr. Winchester Silvertips or Speer 200 gr. Gold Dots be ok?

I reload, so what would be an ok lead semi-wadcutter load for practice?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Frank

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S&WCA #2173

Both the "factory loads" you listed are fine. With the Silvertip bordering on tepid IMO? I'm not near my loading info, I'll give you a couple once I get home. I'm almost exclusively running a 255 grain LSWC (Keith) with a gas check for .44 Specials and Magnum's anymore, to simplify inventory and settings. But in the past I ran a lot of 240 LSWC stuff and have a couple of dandy's that are in your power range.

OK!
For Bullseye in .44 Special
240 LSWC
3.0 for 630 FPS
5.3 (MAX) for 875 FPS (5.0 was my most used load)

255 LSWC G/C
3.0 590 FPS (you can watch it strike the paper)
5.0 (MAX) 810 FPS (my most used load)

Have fun!

I regularly shoot the factory loads you listed in my 696 no dash. No problems. Just don't use any hot rod handloads in it and you should be fine. Just avoid anything "Elmer Keith". It is not a .44 Magnum.

Elmer's bullet design is fine, just not his pressure levels.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby