I have two M69s. Both Purchased early in 2014 and equipped with the S&W Hogue 500 grips. I have fired 1,500 rnds thru one gun (850 of which were either Fed Factory 240gr .44 Mags or 265gr SWCGCs Deep Seated over 17.5gr A2400). I have 3,700 rnds thru gun #2 (1,600 of those were mid to full .44 mag level loads). Both guns are as tight as they were when new and both have zero end shake. I REALLY like these L-Framed .44 Mags.
Early on, I took the M69, a 329, and a 629 Mtn Gun to the range one afternoon. Ammo was the aforementioned Federal Factory .44 Mag 240gr JHP (No. 44A). My perception was that recoil of the 329 is definitely snappier/faster, and the Mtn Gun has a bit more muzzle rise vs. the M69. Only thing I can think of is that the barrel is skinnier and the bore to grip relationship is higher on the 629 vs. the M69 (which rides lower in the hand and has a bit more weight forward). Could also just be my imagination. As should be expected, the Mtn Gun feels a bit bulky compared to the M69 – subtle, but noticeable to me.
Here are some loads I’ve tested.
Loads/Chrono Results:
Load Data for REFERENCE ONLY -- NOT A RECOMMENDATION – DO YOUR OWN DUE DILLIGENCE.
240gr below are Laser Cast SWC BBs
240gr, 5.6gr HP38, ... 739 fps avg, 36 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 6.5gr HP38, ... 883 fps avg, 32 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 9.4gr Longshot, ... 1,078 fps avg, 18 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 10.6gr HS6, ....... 1,035 fps avg, 24 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, Federal Fact (No. 44A), ..... 1,217 fps avg, 12 fps ES
(We chroned this load at 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Bisley Hunter.
240gr Horn JHP XTP, 24.0gr H110 …… 1,323 fps (Hodgdon says 1,522 fps from 8.275” Bbl)
250gr Keith SWC (429421), 21.1gr A2400 …… 1,250 fps (WLPs, crimped in crimp grove for nomal OAL)
260gr LBT, WFNGC gr H110 …. 1,224 fps (Crimped in crimp grove for normal OAL) -- THIS IS MAX LOAD
265gr SWCGC, 17.5gr A2400,...... 1,142 fps avg, 37 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.570).
When seated deep (as was done here), this load will run right at or a bit above 1,200 fps from a 6" barrel.
270gr Speer JSP, 21.5gr H110 ……. 1,153 fps (My 6” 629 gives 1,207 fps -- Hodgdon says 1,421 fps from 8.275” Bbl)
Note: Above H110 loads used Fed Large Pistol Magnum Primers, and New Top Brass (Scharch). All others used mixed cases and Win Large Pistol (WLPs) except the 250 Keith/21.1gr A2400 used new Top Brass and WLPs.
Load Data for REFERENCE ONLY -- NOT A RECOMMENDATION – DO YOUR OWN DUE DILLIGENCE.
300gr WFNPB 1.651" OAL - LBT type - source unknown.
20.0gr H110.
Fed 155 (Mag)
New Top Brass (Scharch.com).
1,102 fps avg, 37 fps ES
310gr RNFPGC DC 1.605" OAL (top crimp grove) - LEE mold.
20.0gr H110.
Fed 155 (Mag)
New Top Brass (Scharch.com).
1,141 fps avg, 23 fps ES
325gr WLNGC 1.711" OAL - Beartooth Bullets.
22.0gr H110.
Fed 155 (Mag)
New Top Brass (Scharch.com).
1,182 fps avg, 13 fps ES (3 shots only)
Load Data for REFERENCE ONLY -- NOT A RECOMMENDATION – DO YOUR OWN DUE DILLIGENCE.
The Hogue 500s worked great making my guns comfortable to shoot with the heavier loads. I have a problem with grips that are hard or narrow at the top (or both) -- recoil just hammers the bone at the base of my thumb -- the Hogue 500s pretty much solve this problem for me.
The 300s were not bad at all recoil wise, but was noticeable and the 325gr/1,180fps a bit more so. Certainly won’t shoot many of these.
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Brian Pearce covered the M69 and appropriate load data in Dec 2014 (#293) issue of Handloader Magazine. If you have a M69, you should consider ordering a copy from Wolf Publications
Our Magazines | Wolfe Publishing Company .
With the Hornady 240 XTP Brian listed 24.5gr H110 as Max. A max load of 21.5gr of A2400 was listed as max for both the 240gr Nos JHP and 250gr Keith.
Here’s a brief recap of the article excluding load tables.
Article addressed strength & durability w/long term use of .44 Mag level ammo – shot over 2,700 round while testing and discussed engineering features.
S&W Reengineered yoke to place enough supporting steel surrounding bbl threads to handle Magnum pressures and allow increased barrel shank diameter.
Due to location of bolt notches (chamber wall thickness at weakest point is .040” in 629 vs. .052 in M69) cylinder strength is more than adequate to handle .44 Mag pressures. Ball detent lockup is a plus and “aids chamber alignment and durability”.
All endurance package features previously/currently incorporated in 29/629s have been included in M69.
Brian quotes S&W “the L=frame has a strong durable frame and barrel built for continuous Magnum useage”. Further, S&W engineers subjected the M69 to endurance testing with full power .44 Mag ammo and passed with ease.
Per Brian “IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED, HOWEVER, THAT THESE GUNS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR LOADS THAT EXCEED MAXIMUM SAAMI PRESSURE GUIDELINES FOR THE .44 MAGNUM, OR 36,000 PSI”.
Regarding recoil he said the smaller L-frame’s lower bore axis “translates into decreased muzzle lift, less felt recoil and quicker follow up shots”.
Balance of article is basically discussion of load data specific to the M69 with some other observations.
Showed a table comparing velocities M69 vs M629 with various factory loads (210gr thru 300gr). Also included a couple of load data tables covering bullets from 180 – 300gr.
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Regarding VV N110. It's a good powder as mentioned above, but it's somewhat expensive and hard to find. I started to test it for "gas cutting" in a 329 TiSc and quit after 400 rnds -- didn't appear that it would be much different than A2400, so I ended the test. For those than don't know, 329s are notoriously hard on "blast shields/top straps".
Hope some of this helps.
Paul
