.44 Mag. LeverEvolution ammo

[AJB]

I tried some of this in my 629 Classic with an 8-3/8" barrel.
I had to adjust the rear sight all the way to the right and it still shoots 5-6" left. Other loads shot to point of aim with the sight centered.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what could cause this?

 

[H Richard]

The only thing I experienced with the Leverevolution was outstanding accuracy.

 

[AJB]

It shot a decent group, just way left.........

 

[Bendutro]

If you loaded it yourself, check your seating stem. The longer poly nose on the FTX bullet can get pushed on before the ogive makes contact giving poor runout. There are special seating plugs for ~$5 that fix that.

 

[AJB]

They are factory loads.

 

[buck460XVR]

If you are out of sight adjustment, you are also outta luck. Every gun shoots different ammo differently. Apparently your 629 doesn't like the LeverEvolution ammo. Go back to what works for you and don't look back.


IMHO........Using LeverEvolution ammo in a revolver is a waste of monies.

 

[mjolnir2]

I tried some of this in my 629 Classic with an 8-3/8" barrel.
I had to adjust the rear sight all the way to the right and it still shoots 5-6" left. Other loads shot to point of aim with the sight centered.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what could cause this?

I was wondering about this ammo... I bought a box by mistake and was wondering if I should shoot in my S&W 29

 

[Bendutro]

IMHO........Using LeverEvolution ammo in a revolver is a waste of monies.

But those FTX bullets sure aren't!

 

[MDaly]

To get the correct COL when loading the FTX bullet into the 44 Mag, you will need to trim your brass back or use Hornady brass that was loaded with the FTX bullet from the factory.

From the Hornady FTX load notes shown at horndy.com

The data below was developed specifically for loading FTX® bullets. When loading FTX® bullets, it is important to keep in mind the longer ogive of the FTX® bullet. This requires that the case be trimmed approximately .020” shorter than when loading conventional bullets. This maintains the correct Cartridge Overall Length, which is necessary to ensure proper function in lever guns and revolvers.

MD

 

[jspick]

I have never shot the "gummie tips" in my 629 but in my Marlin 1894 they are very innaccurate. They jam in the magazine tube too.

I have heard they perform well. My son is an engineer and said the gummie tips are a marketing thing. As the B.C. goes from great to terrible as soon as you shoot them. The rubber tips deform from veloctiy and revolutions.

John

 

[cp1969]

I have never shot the "gummie tips" in my 629 but in my Marlin 1894 they are very innaccurate. They jam in the magazine tube too.

I have heard they perform well. My son is an engineer and said the gummie tips are a marketing thing. As the B.C. goes from great to terrible as soon as you shoot them. The rubber tips deform from veloctiy and revolutions.

John

The polymer tips are a necessity if you are to use spire point bullets in a tubular magazine and they can't flatten out and be any worse ballistically than the alternative, a flat-nose bullet.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I am gonna try a few in my Redhawk......maybe they will work, maybe they won't...but it's worth a try

 

[tappedandtagged]

The ballistic coeffencient on the XTP's are actually better than the FXT's. They are only flatter shooting because they are lighter. IMO, they cost more for less and you're paying for the cool looks. On the other hand, if they are very accurate in you gun, that may be enough to keep using them over the XTP's.

The FXT bullets are great as a rifle round in 30 cal. The up the BC from around .2 to .33, but with the fat pistol rounds, they for some reason, have a worse BC.

 

[nn]

I am gonna try a few in my Redhawk......maybe they will work, maybe they won't...but it's worth a try

I guess the first thing to say is it is a carbine cartridge that can be shot
in a handgun; but, I had to try it too.

My impressions are from shooting .357, .44mag, and 45 colt is that it is good accurate ammo that does not expand easily from a revolver. I have only shot light tgts, water jugs and unopened 12 cans.

For example, a .357 went through a 12 oz can and the can sat there and the fluid ran out. I only got a through and through hole and no exploding
can as most other HPs or polymer fill tips cause.

I think it would do ok as a big game load, at least it should penetrate well.

You should get a box and try them, at the very least.

 

[AveragEd]

A chronograph should be part of any range test of ammunition. Ammunition intended for use in rifles - LeverEvolution, for example - is usually loaded with powder that has a burning rate compatible with the intended barrel length. In a handgun, a lot of that powder might not burn in a barrel that is at least 10 inches and as much as 14 inches shorter than a typical lever action rifle.

Accuracy is great but if we are going to use ammo for dispatching game animals humanely, it has to deliver a minimum amount of energy on target. If a chronograph indicates that the muzzle velocity is low, the energy will be as well.

"Hobby" quality chronographs that are available from many sources for $99 are very sufficient for this task. They can also help you determine if a particular load is one your gun just doesn't like or if your loading habits need improvement. For example, if the extreme spread between the slowest and faster shot in a five-shot group, for example, is high and accuracy is poor, it could be that your powder charges are not consistent enough. You might have what could be an accurate recipe with more diligent powder weighing practices but without the chronograph data, you would never know that.

Ed