Recent content by TheGerk

10-4 d The Ramshot data is in psi. As a reference for those interested, the 44 REM Mag SAAMI (MAP) max is 36,000 in PSI Sounds like a very nice load d Should be a dream to shoot in the 25oz. 329 Longevity is not my primary concern as they all “last” I am more concerned about retaining the...

You are absolutely correct about the cartridge choice. You are kind of correct about weight management. And I mean this in the kindest possible way Since you are spot-on about the cartridge rationale, I'll focus on the weight management. Thanx d, I appreciate the kindness and understanding. I...

JB, the first thing I want to say is I handloaded the 454 for 6” and 8” guns for more than 15 years before I bought the 454 Alaskan. In short, the “felt” recoil is the same or less than with the larger guns. (Other folks who Handload for 454 Alaskan have also made this distinction) Much of this...

On the face of it, it could have been made ~ 1983, but maybe earlier or later. Per the instructions in the S&W Catalog, the S/N’s can have “large gaps in the s/n sequence” and “out of sequence” as well. We can make an “assumption” but if the book doesn’t know for sure I don’t know how I or...

If the BUF serial number prefix is correct I have no listing in my S&W catalog for it The -4 guns started production in 1993 with -5 production starting in 1997 The serial number is actually a poor reference number as they are not as consistent as the 6 digit production codes are in S&W...

My advice is from a slightly different direction. If the 44 Magnum is the ONLY option, then stay with the 4” or longer barreled guns. The 44 Magnum while powerful, is not as efficient as more powerful calibers in short barreled guns. With a barrel of 4” or less in 44 REM Mag, even with the...

I have the 8.38” production version 460 with as Smith calls it the “interchangeable compensator”. I also shoot (2) 500 Magnum guns, a 4” and the 8.38” production guns with comps The 460 is an excellent hunter, shoots flat like a rifle, and you will like it for that. Referencing the .44 Magnum...

If you suspect a primer failure, inspect the area I highlighted below in the photo If the primer fails it can crack and or damage the firing pin bushing Additionally, if the FP bushing on your gun is like the one in the photo with a convex or dome profile, this could be the reason the primer...

My point John was that you make “one” load that is more accurate down range for “anything” that the 44 Mag is capable of taking….That’s all Good Luck:)

You bring an interesting analogy or comparison of wind noise while riding. “Noise fatigue” or probably more correctly “blast fatigue” is a real factor when shooting this 50 caliber platform. Depending on configuration, this can be in my opinion noticeably “prominent” to “severe” But as in all...

Nice shooting! When I started handgun hunting I was lucky to find the plate much less hit it! Something you can consider, it may tighten up your group Try loading up some 300 grain bullets for the revolver The 300 grainers allowed less “drift” in my groups at that yardage Things really...

DO NOT SHIP THE GUN WITH ANY UNFIRED CARTRIDGES IN THE CYLINDER Is it the ejector rod that has unthreaded and now not allowing the guns cylinder to open? Or is it the Hammer lock that has malfunctioned locking up the gun? I suspect the ejector rod is the culprit. New Smiths are notorious for...

For future reference, using the six digit production code (103XXX) would be more productive than the serial number in determining production year (It will be on the box if you still have it) Otherwise you will have to list “every” exact feature to determine when year and changes were made. The...

While you surely can shoot any factory .357 Magnum load in your K-Frame, it may be wiser to limit the Magnum loadings in all bullets weights While the 158grs. may be a bit easier on the gun than the hot 125 grainers, a steady diet of any of these full power Magnum loadings is going age the gun...

Your “Dash 4” gun was introduced in 1993 It is most definitely a square butt gun, just like it was supposed to be In the future, if you present the product code number this is more helpful than the serial number in researching model particulars. This should be on any S&W paperwork you received...