44 Special Range loads?

[aterry33]

Any suggestions for plinking/target loads? I was looking at the Black Hills 210gr and Winchester 240gr loads, both are lead flat nose I believe. Would the 210 make any difference vs. the 240? It is for a Model 29 4".

Come to think of it, what are the Smith 44s "sighted" into at the factory? Is it 240 grain? For example, I know they sight the 38's for 158 grain stuff, or at least that's what they told me a few years back. Thanks.

 

[Spotteddog]

It's impossible to hazard a guess as to what "weight" of bullet your Model 29 is currently adjusted for? This because of it having an adjustable rear sight. Typically, a .44 Magnum will be with a 240 grain bullet. But the concept of a 4" M-29 going 20-30 years without having had someone cranking on the windage and elevation screws strains credulity?
So short answer is, a .44 Magnum 240 grain load from the "big three" is likely going to be your best starting point.
Where a .44 Special loading will print is a crap shoot at best? Usually (if the gun had it's sight adjusted to a Magnum loading) the .44 Special will print higher with a heavier/slower bullet. The lighter, and/or faster a .44 Special loading you run may cause the loads to under shoot the sights? Again, there's no way to tell where or for what load the sights are currently adjusted for?

 

[Mule88]

Ive used the Blazer 200 gn HP with excellent results. Give em a try , I think you might like them.

 

[aterry33]

Spottedog, I have them adjusted to 44 Mag 240 grain. It's an old gun and I'm not the original owner. I was wondering if S&W from the factory sets the sights to specials or mags, not that it matters now, just curious.

I pretty much shoot 240 grain 44 mags standard, so does it make sense to go with 44 special in 240? Does it make a difference? From what you're saying, if I have it sighted to 44 mags at 240, 44 specials at 240 might print a little lower. I guess I am trying to figure out the best of both worlds without adjusting the sights when I switch back and forth.

 

[Spotteddog]

Changing out your rear blade height wouldn't help you much? You'd just be trading having to lower your current sights when shooting a .44 Special, for having to raise the adjustment on it's taller replacement, when you'd shoot .44 Magnums? Typically, in a .44 Special something in the 240-250 grain weight @ about 15 yards will print higher than the sights are set. The 240's, about 1 1/2", the 250's about 2 1/2"- 3". I don't bother with resetting the sights anymore from their current Magnum adjustment. Because if you look at the above numbers, either load will drop them into the 10 ring of a 3 inch (240's) or a 5" (250/255's) bullseye when using a 6 o'clock (Navy) hold.