RELOADING FOR THE S&W M696 .44 SPECIAL

[semperfi71]

Due to the very thin forcing cone on the M696 I wanted a soft lead 240 grain bullet at about 800 fps. I chose the Hornady 240 grain swaged lead semi-wadcutter.

I will not publish the actual powder amounts I used. Reloading data abounds and data can vary between firearms used. I do not want to take responsibility for me putting up incorrect numbers by mistake or one of the millions of internet users incorrectly reading my data. All of my powder loads came from internet powder manufacture sites or one of the 30 or so reloading manuals I own.

I loaded almost every powder available for my chosen bullet within its desired velocity range. I shot five shot groups from a two-handed rest at 25 yards. My eyes are not as good as they “once were”, but since I am the one owning the revolver they had to do.

Here’s my “range” setup showing my personal target-stand with six bulls-eyes. I shoot over the rest with the hands extended to the wrists only contacting the bag. This method allows no part of the handgun touching anything. My belief is that if the handgun is contacting “something” it may throw off the recoil and affect the groups. Pure supposition on my part but it makes sense to little ole me.

I have found what I think is a “better” route to finding accuracy. I load one bullet and all of the powders I can find. This because most bullets will shoot well, one must just find the right powder. And a pound of powder is cheaper than a bunch of bullets. Additionally the left over powder can be used in the next reload project, or used in plinking loads.

My final loads are below in inches and by group size only since this “five-gun” has adjustable sights and the windage or elevation can be dialed in. The parenthesis indicates a group size that had one obvious flyer.

Nitro 100…………………..........6
Competition………………........4 7/8 (2 1/2)
Red Dot…………………….........3 7/8
Clays………………………..........3 1/2
700X………………………...........6
Bullseye……………………........3 1/8
Tite Group………………….......3 1/4
American Select……………....4 1/2
Green Dot…………………........I failed to write down the result!
WST………………………...........3 3/8
Trail Boss…………………........4 1/2
International Clays………....6 (2 3/4)
PB…………………………...........6 3/4
Accurate No.2………………....3
N32C (Tinstar)…………….....3 1/4
Zip…………………………..........3 5/8
7625………………………..........5 3/4
HP38………………………..........5 1/2 (2 7/8)
Unique……………………..........4 1/4
Universal Clays…………….....4

Most important. These are one set of groups via five shots each. Subsequent reloading adventures with other handguns has shown that by shooting at least three, five shot groups, the size of the groups can vary by as much as two inches or more. As such a tight group of 2 1/2 inches will next group 4 inches and maybe the third will be 3 inches or less.

BUT…due to sloth I decided to only shoot one five shot group again on my return to the range.

So I chose what I thought were the most potentially accurate loads and re-tested with 5 shot groups and a 5 shot chronographing.

Competition………………..5 3/4….784, 785, 785, 773, 763 fps
HP38……………………….....2…….....638, 673, 675, 683, 682 fps
Accurate No.2……………..3 1/2....741, 735, 738, 764, 738 fps
International Clays…….3……......881, 847, 869, 859, 853 fps

Now, in theory, some of my original 3 1/4 to 3 7/8 groups, upon further shooting; might have tightened up as well. But I took a WAG at the smallest groups and have to devote some of my time to keeping the War Department happy with her “honey-dos” so time is a factor. However I do have the nagging question in my mind that there is still a great possibility for finding a more accurate load in some of these groups.

I chose HP38 as my final load. It uses a light charge of powder giving lightest possible recoil and by adding a grain I got the following chronograph report for nine rounds. I did not achieve my 800 fps goal but saw no need. At an average of 776 fps any target I choose will not know the difference.

772, 777, 761, 785, 760, 793, 773, 790, 776

Interesting though was that the group size opened up to 3 1/2 inches for five shots. However I think I can be happy with that.

Now, for those who want to see a Ransom Rest used to eliminate the “human error”, go buy one and send it to me. And I will need at least 10 grip inserts as well for all of my subsequent projects. As such I do believe that my testing, understanding fully that I may grip, or “grimace” too much on one particular string, does prove that some of these powders will not group well at all in my M696.

Also, since this last test, I have purchased even more brands of powder and could add more loads to the test. But I think I can call it good since I have only about 20 more handguns to load for and am a week away from 60 years old…time’s a wasting!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

It looks like a good job of compsrison to me. Years ago I did a 50 foot, 50 shot 22 revolver test. 1 box of every 22 ammo (I could afford) off hand, double action only, and shot as fast as I could. I repeated the first brand to be fair about fatigue (had same results). In that revolver most groups were 80% inside 5", 2 brands were 90% inside 3". Of 1 of the ammos I had 2 bricks of the same lot and that lasted the rest of the time I owned that revolver. These tests are not about some industry standard, but about knowing what firearm will do in one set of circumstances. I like your HP38/231 load, there is a reason Winchester used this family of powder in most of their handgun loads for years. Ivan

 

[125JHP]

Nice Job, I pretty much do exactly the same thing with a couple of variations to your method.

1. I initially test at 10 yds. a) I can see the target better and b) I think if a load is inaccurate at 10 it will be inaccurate at 25 (some will disagree with that)

2. I allow the trigger guard to rest on the sand bag, as it helps steady the aim point and is repeatable. Again I know some will disagree but that's how I do it.

3. I test several guns with the same batches of ammo to see if there is a common winner amongst them, and eliminate the wide groups.

4. I then pick the best for further testing at 25yd.

 

[oldgunclub]

reloading 696

I took a break from loading 44 specials and i saw your post. I have good luck with tight groups and 240 grains friendship bullets hardcast. for what i use to compare loads is my 21 year olds son young eyes. Thanks for your post compairing powders and loads with all the bad press about tight group i bought a rcbs lockout dye it seems to work well.
Thanks
Sam

 

[semperfi71]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone.

125JHP, I am considering initial accuracy testing at 15 yards (same as your 10 yard plan) and then picking the most promising to shoot at 25 yards.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Another huge fan of Win 231/HP-38. Or at least I assume I am since I just bought another rather large jug full of it!!!

I see you used WST but not WSF. If you find a load that uses WSF you might try it next time. I've found that to be another great powder that's almost as good as Win 231.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I use 8.0gr of WSF [Winchester Super FIELD) in my 696 with the Speer 240gr LSWC. It is my go-to load for general use, among my most accurate 44 SP loads outside of some Brian Pearce's higher end jacketed loads based on his articles in Handloader on the 44 SP (I do not fear going to 25kpsi loads with jacketed bullets in the 696 if need be). The Speer 240 LSWC load is moderate and takes care of most of what needs taking care of.

 

[Lenny_D]

S71,
Thanks for the post and Info. I also load for a 696 and have felt that your 800 fps loads are just about the perfect velocity for that cartridge and gun. You sure shoot pretty good even with your self described "old eyes". My eyes have also seen better days but 2-3 inch groups are pretty impressive to me so nice shooting, great info and a sweet looking range!

Len