Smith model 696 (3” barrel) Cast-bullet loads
(December 2009)
Several loads below are well above SAAMI pressure levels.
Powder grains avg veloc Veloc Spread MAD Recoil
(fps) (low to high) (perceived)
Alliant 2400 12 gr 844 fps 799-888 2.6% 6.0
13 923 905-938 0.82% 7.0
14 957 945-975 1.02% 8.2
15 1021 1008-1040 0.84% 8.6
16 1055 1034-1065 0.82% 8.7
Unique 7.5 938 914-945 1.00% 7.0
7.8 949 936-962 0.88% 7.0
8.0 960 945-976 0.81% 7.5
8.5 993 983-1019 1.00% 7.5
HS-6 7.7 731 704-755 2.63% 6.0
H-4227 17 1002 962-1049 2.67% 8.0
Power Pistol 9.0 1007 984-1023 0.95% 8.0
W-231 6.0 809 794-827 1.66% 7.0
MAD = Mean Absolute Deviation. WLP primers used for all loads.
253 grain hard-cast, Keith design, used in all loads. Leadheads Bullets, Kansas.
All cases new Hornady or new Starline. Five cartridges used with each new loading.
Tested velocity difference between case manufacturers was less than 2.5%.
Powder charges weighed: desired weight, +0.1/-0.1 grain.
Some loads based on the .44 Special article by Brian Pearce,
in Handloader magazine #236, August 2005, by Wolfe Pub. Co.
Perceived Recoil: 6-7.90 = mild, actually pleasant, 8-8.90 begins to feel heavy
9.0-9.9: heavy, unpleasant recoil 10+: severe recoil
Always easily extracted five cases with one palm-push on extractor rod.
No primer flattening noted. Case expansion not measured.
These loads seem to be safe in my gun; they may NOT be in yours.
Use at your own risk.