100 Yard Handgun Silhouette 44 Magnum

[TAROMAN]

Back in the late '70s/early '80's I shot a lot of IHMSA revolver silhouette matches with my 8-3/8" 29-2.
Much of this was with 240 grain FMJ max loads with predictable effect on the gun.
So, rolling the clock forward, my club is starting 100-yard handgun silhouette shoots. The targets will be smaller and lighter than the old 200-meter ones. Only lead bullets allowed.
Planning to scope up a 629 for this game.
First thought is to use a 200 grain bullet to work up a load, maybe 1000-1100 FPS.
Just wondering if anyone has shot something similar and what worked for them.

 

[tomcatt51]

240 gr LSWC, 16.5 gr AA#9, WLP primer. Seat the bullet "deep" so all the bore dia part is in the case with just the "snout" sticking out. Clean burning, soft recoiling, 1050 fps from a 4" 629, don't remember how fast from a 6", std deviations <10. Deep seating the LSWC gives you 44 special trapped case volume.

 

[M29since14]

Back then, even at the full 200m IHMSA distance for rams my 44 Magnums loaded with a 250 Keith at 950 FPS (MV in a 6-1/2" barrel) would knock over a ram with a good hit. Maybe I was just lucky? I always wondered why everyone thought they needed max-loaded 44s. (I'll also admit I was not shooting 40s all the time too, but that was likely no fault of the gun and ammunition.)

If you want to use a slightly lighter bullet, I have been experimenting with a mold from Accurate Molds (their number 432225K, sized to .432" for use in my older guns with .432-.433" exit bores) and it has been doing a great job. Accurate has a lot of other nice designs and their molds are top-notch, as far as I am concerned. That one saves you about 10% on lead, so you might say your 10th shot is a freebie, as far as metal goes.

At 100-yds and with reduced-size targets I would imagine a 200-gr slug would be successful (given a good hit) but the only way to know for sure would be to try it on the targets you are using. I never went lighter than 215-gr when I was shooting IHMSA targets and I never trusted them at the longer ranges.

 

[TAROMAN]

Interesting on the IHMSA bullet weights.
Guess I went heavy because *everyone* said that's what to do.
So much for following the crowd..

 

[dsink]

If it was me, I think I would probably pick up a 6" 357 mag and load some 180's in it. Sure would be alot less recoil to have to soak up.

 

[MarkL_01]

I shot IHMSA way back when. Used a .357 revolver with 160gr fmj bullets, at (about) 1300fps in the standing category. Every ram that was hit went down. I didn't hit all of them, but did get into AAA class. If you'll be shooting at lighter targets, I suspect that you can focus on accuracy, as you'll have plenty of power.

 

[H Richard]

Back in the 80's I loaded a 225 gr. cast GC bullet with 12 gr. HS6 that went right at 1200 fps and would take a 200 meter ram if hit above center. I used the same load for the NRA 100 meter game. Used in a 10" TC.

 

[M E Morrison]

Back then, even at the full 200m IHMSA distance for rams my 44 Magnums loaded with a 250 Keith at 950 FPS (MV in a 6-1/2" barrel) would knock over a ram with a good hit. Maybe I was just lucky? I always wondered why everyone thought they needed max-loaded 44s. (I'll also admit I was not shooting 40s all the time too, but that was likely no fault of the gun and ammunition.)

If you want to use a slightly lighter bullet, I have been experimenting with a mold from Accurate Molds (their number 432225K, sized to .432" for use in my older guns with .432-.433" exit bores) and it has been doing a great job. Accurate has a lot of other nice designs and their molds are top-notch, as far as I am concerned. That one saves you about 10% on lead, so you might say your 10th shot is a freebie, as far as metal goes.

At 100-yds and with reduced-size targets I would imagine a 200-gr slug would be successful (given a good hit) but the only way to know for sure would be to try it on the targets you are using. I never went lighter than 215-gr when I was shooting IHMSA targets and I never trusted them at the longer ranges.

A great deal depended on the condition of the rams; if they are badly bowed they are harder to tip over. Also, if they are set full footed, or there is a little wind in your face they get tougher

 

[M29since14]

You're right! I forgot about the wind.

 

[Engineer1911]

Lyman has a 44 caliber 215 grain gas check bullet that has "milder" recoil and is effective against 200 M rams.

 

[David R]

for my open sight gun, I am using my 25-7 in 45 colt. Hunters silhouette 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. 9 grians Unique, 255 cast. My first round of the year, I shot a 22 out of 40.

I got 28 with an "Off Brand" scoped 44 mag.

Tomorrow night is the next match.

David

 

[M E Morrison]

for my open sight gun, I am using my 25-7 in 45 colt. Hunters silhouette 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. 9 grians Unique, 255 cast. My first round of the year, I shot a 22 out of 40.

I got 28 with an "Off Brand" scoped 44 mag.

Tomorrow night is the next match.

David

Is this a NRA or IHMSA match? From what I remember of the IHMSA matches, the targets are pretty small (and hard to hit) but could be taken down by a 38 Special.

 

[David R]

I just look at it as club level. Folks use 38s. I have a chicken I welded, I can take a picture of it. A couple guys use lever action 357 rifles.

I also have a TC contender in 32-20 for my scoped handgun. Its the balls.

David

 

[M E Morrison]

I just look at it as club level. Folks use 38s. I have a chicken I welded, I can take a picture of it. A couple guys use lever action 357 rifles.

I also have a TC contender in 32-20 for my scoped handgun. Its the balls.

David

Yeah, I have a Ruger 32 convertible & just love the 32-20 cylinder. I used it a lot back when I shot IHMSA. I'd like to see that chicken; how does it compare to either NRA or IHMSA targets?

 

[David R]

Tonight with that 25-7 I shot 23 out of 40 one better than last week. Next week I am going to smoke the sights.

I shot a 33 with my scoped 44.

That is a 75 yard turkey.

David

 

[jimbo728]

Thanks for bringing back great memories. In 1984 I shot Hunter Pistol Silhouette and used a 586-6". Hand loads were a 158 gr JSP with 15.2 of 2400. In one match I got 39 of 40, missed the first 75 yard turkey, all shots double action. At 100 yds the rams went down hard. I must have been in a trance that day. I always shot better D/A. I never expected to win that day but the S&W gods must have been smiling on me that day.
Jim

 

[silentflyer]

Always had good luck with a 225 grain slug sitting over 20 grains of 2400 in a Dan Wesson .44 with a 10" barrel. Good for rams and pigs, and white tails also.