Ammo for the M69

[m657]

I shopped a few days ago at my LGS who has a large variety of factory 44 loads. I was stunned by discovering most loadings were hovering near the $1/round price. It has been literally decades since I actually set out with the intention to buy factory 44 ammo of any flavor.



Looks like further reloads are now "my choice". I'm happy with the previous moderate recipes for the 200g RNL or SWC in 44M cases. I shot up the remnants of several different loads, none of which proved satisfactory for the M69. They had been developed for my 8 3/8" 629-1 for various range targets.

 

[cbb]

The Underwood 200 grain Gold Dot, Critical Defense 165 grain FTX and the pricey Buffalo Bore 200 grain TAC-XP might be some to consider.

 

[batman4706]

M69 Grips

If you'll put a set of Pachmayr Grippers on the 69 you'll find it makes it a whole different pistol. I was about to get rid of mine with the factory grips, I put the Grippers on it and now really enjoy shooting it.

 

[diyj98]

Some shooters think the same for the M29's, and history seems to indicate they are correct.

I have a M69, and it's my favorote .44M. And it absolutely will handle the SAAMI max level loads. But I seriously doubt it would do it forever. As I head west this fall, (I hope), I'll be hunting in an area where grizzlies are a problem, (cow permit). I'll have a can of pepper spray on my person, and my M69 in a holster in case the spray doesn't work. For that I loaded up a hundred 265gr FP's over 2400, the weight and bullet integrity make it a good choice. I'll use about 90 rounds to practice, and head west with 10 rounds. Most of the time I use a 240gr cast SWC over Herco, or 240gr Speer LSWC over Red Dot. Both loads are running well below the 38 KPSI, the current SAAMI limit. Because I don't want to shoot the M69 until it's loose, before I'm in a box.

I'll do the same when I draw a bull tag the following fall. But most of the time I'll be shooting a LSWC from Speer or Missouri over Red Dot. Paper and clay birds are just not that hard to kill.

I'm sure that true about the 69 and 29 as well as the 65/66, and of course the j framed 357's. Everything mechanical will wear out, but the the lighter framed guns would do so faster all other things being equal. I still love my 69's and K framed 357's though.

 

[TMan51]

I'm sure that true about the 69 and 29 as well as the 65/66, and of course the j framed 357's. Everything mechanical will wear out, but the the lighter framed guns would do so faster all other things being equal. I still love my 69's and K framed 357's though.

I'm absolutely sure you are correct. It's a basic principal of engineering. Everything breaks/fails sooner or later. It's a matter of net force applied to a system. Even for S&W revolvers.

 

[TMan51]

If you'll put a set of Pachmayr Grippers on the 69 you'll find it makes it a whole different pistol. I was about to get rid of mine with the factory grips, I put the Grippers on it and now really enjoy shooting it.

Hey Batman4706, Which Grippers?

I snagged a set of Pro Diamond Grippers for my M69, but for the life of me I can't get them to seat properly.