44 Special

I would not be surprised if those loads produce higher velocities if fired from a properly chambered .44 Special revolver. I have found that .38 Specials run slower from .357 Magnums so I assume the same would be trued with a .44 caliber cartridge.
 
me too.- the.38s. I haven't been able to check the premise from 4" specials. What makes me doubt any significant difference in this case however, is that the spread revealed in my chronographing is about what you would expect between a 4" and 6.5" revolver. the 4" is magnum chambered while the 6.5 is a .44 special. Nevertheless, the velocitie spreads are not extreme:
------ 6.5 special Cham. 4" Magnum chamber
PMC 180 JHP 901 fps 863 fps
Speer Gold Dot 200 872 fps 833 fps
WW 200 Silver tip 782fps 743 fps Federal 200 Lead HP927 fps 851 fps
 
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That one was made between 72-74 and is now a recent factory refurbish job. The grips are Eagles that came to the previous owner with the usual lack of finish. He did a nice tru-oil job on them. I usually shoot downloaded magnum cases in my .44s- a couple of full loads then I relegate the cases to fun loads. These Smiths are a LOT more fun to shoot with substantial down loads.
 
Mec, what do you consider a substantial download? I like 240's at 1000 in LSWC. Pro Loads Lite Magnum uses a 200 gr Gold Dot at 1050 which is a very nice PD load. Are these what you have in mind?
 
Ive usd 5.5 bullseye in magnum cases with a number of 240 grain bullets- machine cast, some Ive cast my self and others from various sources. They are 800 -900 fps in most .44 magnums depending on barrel length and mild to shoot.
 
SaxonPig,

In partial answer to your question, I got a five shot average of 839 fps from 200g Blazers out of my 3" Model 24. That's comperable velocity to what Mec got in his 4" Model 29. Interesting!
 
and encouraging since, it gives the impression that the rather nice bullet performance is in place from the popular 3" revolvers too.
 
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