Hi all,

I want to check out new loads for my 624 4". So far I'm happy with 200 grs SWC lead bullets, but when I think about using the gun on game (only finishing shots on short distances allowed over here in Germany), I'm not sure how the 200 grs should perform. I worked out a load with SNPE Vectan A0 that gives me about 340 m/s (=1115 ft/s) which is quite a handful for the 696 that my wife uses. So I reduced the load for safety reasons (velocity was far higher than SNPE showed in the manual, despite the load wasn't max). They were no fun on the range either...

How are your experiences with 240-245 grs SWC lead bullets ? Would they penetrate better at a lower level of velocity, f.e. around 850/880 ft/s (compared to about 1000 ft/s with 200 grs)?

best regards fro Germany
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

Typically higher velocity means more penetration given the bullet design. Honestly if it is a finishing shot I doubt it would make much difference since you'll be close.

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C M Brier CPA, CIA, CFE

A 240gr "hard cast" SWC at around 800-900 fps, should shoot clear through any game animal you would encounter out past 100 yards pretty easy. I hope that's helpful info. good luck on finding your 44spl load.

Shoot what's most accurate. For your purposes at the velocities you mention, you won't see much difference, if any.

While it doesn't really apply in your case, John Taylor in his seminal work,
was of the opinion that the heavier the bullet the better the penetration even though the speed was lower.
In fact at rifle velocity some think penetration goes DOWN above a certain speed.
Now for the 44 special the 240 will give better "throughput" than the 200 in theory.
Just read a book about wild boars written by a state game manager in Texas and he uses a .22 magnum rimfire to finish pigs right close up.
One of my "rural" carry loads in the 44 special is a Sierra 210 JHC at 1055 fps (~20 KPSI)
The other is a 240 SWC at 930 fps.
Unless your quarry is bears I would think either bullet will do.
Even then a finishing head or heart shot should be done quite well with the 200 SWC.

I would not worry too much about going a little over 1000 fps with a 200 SWC in those S&W revolvers.
The pressure might be a tad over 15Kpsi but the Smith's will easily take 20-25 Kpsi in moderation.
Brian Pearce had a good article about that in Handloader 236 Aug-Sept 2005.
Handloader Single Back Issues on CD-ROM
I have a pdf of just that article. It's too large to post here.
He shoots a 200 RCBS RNFP at 1055 with 8 grains Universal.
That's actually listed as a "normal" load and he goes to 9 grains Unique/Universal for his "stage 2" loads.
For everyday use 6 grains works very well:

Attached Images

4in624Target2.jpg (59.4 KB, 57 views)

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

Shot a fair number (50+) of wild hogs/boars with 225-240 gr hardcast in 44 mag and 45 Colt, at about 1000 fps. Many penetrated all the way.

Well a finishing shot implies headshot. So I think your 200gr is fine. Even a 22lr works for that.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

thanks everyone, you made good points. Eventually, not each finishing shot might be a head shot, so I worried about penetration. But I guess, I will do some wet paper tests with the 200 grs in the velocity area of 1000 ft/s and see what happens

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

What animal are we talking about? A deer is constructed differently than a boar, for instance.

If German Red Deer is the same size and our American Wapiti I would go with 240-250 gr bullets. I live in bear country and experience here shows heavy penetrates better, rather than speed.

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Front sight and squeeze

we use the .44 Spec. as backup guns, so they might be used for finishing deer as well as wild boar. F.e. after a collision with a motor car, which happens frequently (Germany is very crowded...), and you can never be sure if the animal doesn't move any longer. So one must assume that head shots are not always possible.

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

I have always used the " Keith " 245 gr swc (Lyman 429421 ) in my 44 special loads , from " mild to wild " . I has always given me what I was looking for .

For those interested in the 696, here are a couple of articles by Glen Fryxell that offers a slightly different perspective.
The .44 Special Revisited
The .44 SWC
Beartooth Bullets offers that 237 WFN and I use it in the 696.
44 Caliber 240g WFN PB
Recommended.
Montana Bullet Works also offers a wide selection of the LBT designs as well and they are cheaper.
I am going to be trying their 220 ogive wadcutter in the 44 special.
44 Mag, LBT, 220gr, OWC-PB - Montana Bullet Works

As has been stated you can't really go wrong with the Keith especially now they can be had coated.
That may be the cheapest good all around solution of all.
Here is a BHN 16 coated Keith:
44 CAL 240 Grain SWC COATED
And here is a softer BHN 12 240 although not a Keith:
Missouri Bullet Company

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NEMO
"Everything 44"

If you made me pick one to do everything, I would select a lead semiwadcutter, 240 or 255 grain. I would rather overpenetrate the relatively non-threatening deer, then under-penetrate the boar. At warmish .44 Special loads, it should be adequate, unless your boar are monsters.

Recoil just be stout, but not overly punishing even at .44 Magnum levels unless you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel, or the like. Rubber grips, some light leather shooting gloves, or a change in technique may be in order.

Can't control the recoil of stout-ish revolver cartridges--you have to absorb it, like a big spring. Bent elbows, relaxed shoulders, a forward bend in the back, slightly bent knees, weight on the balls of your feet. You sacrifice some extra "wobble" in your sights, but gain some comfort. And a fast follow-up shot is still possible.

As an aside, I've often wondered if my slight build (160 pounds/70 kg) might be assisting me in tolerating heavy recoil, since I present less resistance to the gun, allowing my body to absorb more and reducing the stress on my hands, arms, and shoulders. Similar to how shooting a rifle from prone can be more uncomfortable than standing.