New Model 69

[00Buck2]

Purchased another new model 69 today. The other one has moved on to another family member for Christmas last year. Got this one home put some rounds through it. Sighted in with WIN white box 240g SP and it shot well. Brought out 210g lead reloads, 240 Hornady reloads and all shot very well. Decided to shoot some 300g Speer reloads. These are loaded to max length with 9.8g of 231. They will not feed correctly in my marlin but my Win 94 and older 69 eat them up like ice cream. They are not as hot as the Win factory 240g. I put one in cylinder and it shot high right. But afterwards could not open cylinder, took some persuasion. I discovered a portion of the jacket sheered off between the forcing cone and upper frame. I shot these out of my old 69 with no issues and were accurate. I shot another 4 with no issues but still high and right. Went back to the win 240g, Hornady 240g and 210g lead with zero issues and shots center of mass.

Must be a fluke reload but I thought someone else on the forum mentioned a problem similar to this a while ago.

 

[mtgianni]

If it were me I would break down the ammo and not reuse the bullets. Nothing good can happen from continuing to shoot them.

 

[00Buck2]

Broke down the remaining 28 rounds of 300g hornady ammo. Powder measured out equal to or within .1g under loaded weight of 9.8g.

Only noticeable difference was on 3 the crimp was a little much as they had a pressure ring around the jacket in the cannalure from the crimping process.

 

[Fishinfool]

That definitely looks like jacket material. Unless the chamber was way out of alignment with the forcing cone, I am not sure how that happened, as you have not had issues with other ammo. Your chamber throats should squeeze down any oversized bullets.

I wonder if the lead core separated from the copper jacket upon firing, allowing the edge of the jacket to catch the edge of the barrel extension?

I would load it withe 5 empty casings, and slowly cock it SA while maintaining slight thumb pressure on the side of the cylinder. See if any chambers allow you to cock the hammer without the cylinder stop clicking into place. If so, Loaded to max OAL, I guess Its possible an overly long bullet kissed the edge of the barrel extension allowing the gun to fire while not locked and in proper alignment.

Never any issues with my model 69 using a variety of handloads.

Larry

 

[ken158]

Your gun shot well with other ammo but coughs on reloads and you had a fractured case. Process of elimination suggests there is nothing wrong with the gun.

 

[BillinAlamo]

Wonder if your 69 would benefit from a Taylor throat.

 

[Alk8944]

Purchased another new model 69 today. The other one has moved on to another family member for Christmas last year. Got this one home put some rounds through it. Sighted in with WIN white box 240g SP and it shot well. Brought out 210g lead reloads, 240 Hornady reloads and all shot very well. Decided to shoot some 300g Speer reloads. These are loaded to max length with 9.8g of 231. They will not feed correctly in my marlin but my Win 94 and older 69 eat them up like ice cream. They are not as hot as the Win factory 240g. I put one in cylinder and it shot high right. But afterwards could not open cylinder, took some persuasion. I discovered a portion of the jacket sheered off between the forcing cone and upper frame. I shot these out of my old 69 with no issues and were accurate. I shot another 4 with no issues but still high and right. Went back to the win 240g, Hornady 240g and 210g lead with zero issues and shots center of mass.

Must be a fluke reload but I thought someone else on the forum mentioned a problem similar to this a while ago.

That forcing cone looks kind of tight! This and cylinder/barrel alignment may be off. Those are what usually cause what you picture. Probably should be sent to S&W! Yes. I have seen that before!

 

[MB3845]

I had to send my 69 back to S&W. Forcing cone was rough with a noticeable lip/burr plus some bad chatter just beyond the cone. It shot ok but not great. They took care of it with a new barrel with a nice forcing cone. Shoots great now.

 

[pantannojack]

Ultra fast burning 231 in a 44 magnum with 300g bullet??? What's not to love?