More info that might be of interest.
I measured the throats on my 2 M69s with plug gauges. On both, the .429 is a go, the .430 is a no go – say .4295”.
Also measured the barrel/cylinder gap -- .004” feeler gauge go, .006” no go. Both guns were the same.
Haven’t tried any bullets lighter than 240gr. Have shot 240s at 750 fps thru 325gr BTB LWNGC at 1,180 fps (load straight from Hodgdon manual.
I’ve pretty much settled on three loads, two for everything but every day carry. Everyday carry 260gr LBT WFNGC at 1,220 fps. The other two:
429244 Thompson Gas Check at 265grs (Garners Cache bullet)
seated deep in .44 mag cases and crimped over front drive band - overall length of 1.572” (basically .44 spcl OAL)
17.5gr A2400
WLPs
Chronoed at 1,140 fps
240gr Laser Cast SWCBB
seated deep in .44 mag cases and crimped over front drive band - overall length of 1.502”
6.5gr HP38
WLPs
Chronoed at 880 fps
Both loads will do 1 1/2”or better rested at 25 yds w/the Thompson Gas Check showing a bit better accy which is about as good as I can do.
For Reference, 21.2gr A2400 w/250gr Keith (Lyman 429421), standard mag seat and crimped in the crimp groove, chronos 1,250 fps at 5 paces and 83 deg F from the same 4 ¼” M69.
I shot this from a rest at 25 yards with factory open sights and rear sight bottomed out. Point of aim was large center diamond for all loads. Was trying to get some indication of different Points of Impact with various loads. Only shot two of each to minimize effect of recoil on the shooter (me).
The 250gr Keith load was 17.5gr (not 17.0) A2400.
Paul
I measured the throats on my 2 M69s with plug gauges. On both, the .429 is a go, the .430 is a no go – say .4295”.
Also measured the barrel/cylinder gap -- .004” feeler gauge go, .006” no go. Both guns were the same.
Haven’t tried any bullets lighter than 240gr. Have shot 240s at 750 fps thru 325gr BTB LWNGC at 1,180 fps (load straight from Hodgdon manual.
I’ve pretty much settled on three loads, two for everything but every day carry. Everyday carry 260gr LBT WFNGC at 1,220 fps. The other two:
429244 Thompson Gas Check at 265grs (Garners Cache bullet)
seated deep in .44 mag cases and crimped over front drive band - overall length of 1.572” (basically .44 spcl OAL)
17.5gr A2400
WLPs
Chronoed at 1,140 fps
240gr Laser Cast SWCBB
seated deep in .44 mag cases and crimped over front drive band - overall length of 1.502”
6.5gr HP38
WLPs
Chronoed at 880 fps
Both loads will do 1 1/2”or better rested at 25 yds w/the Thompson Gas Check showing a bit better accy which is about as good as I can do.
For Reference, 21.2gr A2400 w/250gr Keith (Lyman 429421), standard mag seat and crimped in the crimp groove, chronos 1,250 fps at 5 paces and 83 deg F from the same 4 ¼” M69.
I shot this from a rest at 25 yards with factory open sights and rear sight bottomed out. Point of aim was large center diamond for all loads. Was trying to get some indication of different Points of Impact with various loads. Only shot two of each to minimize effect of recoil on the shooter (me).
The 250gr Keith load was 17.5gr (not 17.0) A2400.
Paul