44 mag Dan Wesson range report

[daddio202]

Finally picked up my Dan Wesson today. Took her to the range with some nice 44 mags I reloaded with 240 grain xtp and a boatload of Lil gun powder. Had to take a few breaks while adjusting rear sight down due to the powder I use heats it up pretty good after a cylinder. Ended up putting rear sight down as low as it would go to make it shoot still poi about an inch higher than poa. Sure is a nice shooting gun though. It is a very heavy revolver for a 4 inch barrel. Cleaned pretty nice and put some clear coat on wooden grips to "fix some scratches. I'm not home right now but soon I will get home and put up a few pictures of her all cleaned up. I took barrel nut off but the shroud did not budge over the ported barrel. Could be years of grime between the two and tried for a little while but don't want to break the shroud position pin to get it off. This gun has been carried, so I put a little perma blue on the rash marks and made them at least a little less noticeable mostly all on right side. Some marks add character as these revolvers were meant for heavy duty shooting. The cylinder notches are about twice as long as a S&W cylinder notch. The stop is huge too and further to the right and cylinder rotates clockwise like a Colt.

 

[Sevens]

Terrific revolver.

I whole heartedly suggest that you STOP using Hodgdon Lil'Gun in that and any revolver. It is widely shared amongst handloaders that Lil'Gun eats barrels and especially forcing cones. This was the direct and very clear cut conclusion of Freedom Arms.

Lil'Gun will definitely bring fantastic velocity and will almost certainly destroy your barrel.

 

[daddio202]

I am almost done with the pound I have and usually do not use maxed out loads as well I always use a heavy bullet combination with it. Don't think I will buy any more I'll just get H110 next time. I spoke with Hogdgon on directly about the issue and understand there is an inherent risk of using it. Anyhow some pictures of new to me gun.

 

[Xrangerx]

That's a beauty! Mind me asking what you paid for it? I just got a 744 (the stainless version of that) and am curious what the going rate is

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Now I see why you're having trouble coming trouble scratching up the $ for the Krieghoff!

Nice thing about a DW, if you wipe out the rifling just install a new barrel. I don't like Little Gun because it gets erratic pressures below the top end. I blew out the side of a virgin case 3/10 grain below max in a 218 Bee in a Ruger No. 1, didn't phase the gun, but ruins any groups you have going! Not to mention what it would do to lesser strength firearm.

For 44 Mag. the tried and true powder is Aliant 2400! It isn't worth going to WW296 (same as H-110) in a 4" barrel (I use an overload of 296 with a 300gr Jacketed in a Super 14" Contender). If you can cast or buy the 240 SWC (I like them with gas checks) real Keith tip bullets, they should be a dream in that revolver! I bought the last 400 a pro caster had made, when he went out of business. I am going to work up an accuracy load for my 29 Classic 8 3/8 with 2400.

Ivan

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have found that Blue Dot gets the velocity right up there in high magnum territory too with great accuracy and much less powder in my 44 magnum . I shoot the actual " Keith " swc , HG 503 . I don't live in cold country so the temperature/pressure inverse thing is not an issue for me . I really like it in 45 Colt as well w/255gr cast bullet , again " Keith " HG 501 .

 

[BruceM]

If you can cast or buy the 240 SWC (I like them with gas checks) real Keith tip bullets,

Just as a side note, the term gas checked Keith style bullet is an oxymoron in view of the fact that Elmer Keith had an extremely intense dislike for gas checks and never designed a bullet which used them. As mentioned above, the true .44 caliber Keith style cast SWC is the Hensley & Gibbs #503 or the later Lyman/Ideal #429421 with square bottom grease groove and three equal width driving bands. Keith found that properly sized and lubricated cast bullets require no gas checks at velocities of 1.600 fps or less and this holds true to this day.

I have never cared for Blue Dot as it seems to start to do unpredictable things as you near maximum loads. That said there are a few folks who just love it but they are a relatively small minority. I use it (very carefully) for full power 10mm handloads and that's it.

Bruce

 

[daddio202]

To answer Xrangerx question I paid $495 for gun tool and rubber grips came with. Thanks for everybodys' suggestions for mag. Powder. Only 1 store in my area carries reload supplies so I have a couple choices for what to ask for and hopefully they will have one in stock ( so I don't have to pay hazmat fee). I usually get all my bullets from Summer Enterprise but he only does lead. Can not shoot a lot of lead in ported 2 piece barrel so again I am relegated to what my one store has in selection unless I make special order just for one gun out of dozens.

 

[glenncal1]

daddio- get yourself another barrel for the dw, .44 barrels and shrouds are fairly common. I would get an 8" myself to take advantage of the .44mag power. You can get great accuracy with these guns. There is a DW forum where you can get the same kind of expertise that you get for S&W on this forum.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Thank you Bruce M . I get so tired of correcting the idea that " any " swc is a " Keith type ", and yes Elmer hated gas checks .