Have both barrel lengths since they first came out. Have been using the 2.75" mostly for the last couple of yrs. Have a pair and a spare. Guns handle recoil better than one would expect, especially with the Hogue Tamers. Shoot mine a couple of times a week.
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2 3/4" w/Modified Hogue Tamers (rounded butt and removed finger groves).
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50 yd group rested on range bag - verified on differnt day:
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Pick the load that works best for your intended use from mild .44 specials to heavy botique loads
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Here are some chrono results
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Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps.
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Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps.
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240gr Commercial Cast SWCBB coated 5.0gr WST deep seated and crimped over fr dr band - 697fps
240gr Commercial cast SWCBB coated 17.5gr 2400 deep seated crimped over fr dr band - 1,100 fps
240gr Zero JSP 9.0gr H Universal – 930 fps (muzzle Labradar)
225gr Barnes XFB with 18.1 gr A#9 avg (1,214 fps (muzzle vel from Labradar)
240gr Cutting Edge Flat Point Mono – 22.6 H110 1,218 fps (1,247 fr 2.5” 329 Alaska Backpacker)
240gr Zero JSP with 24.0gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr JHP Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps (bought at an estate sale “44a 1981 production” – 1,375 fps from 7 ½” RSBH)
260gr WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat – crimped over front drive band) 1,119 fps avg
265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps.
310gr FNGCDC (Lee) with 20.0gr H110 avg 1,100 fps
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps
I Was curious, so I bought some 305gr Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo – here are chrono results.
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Buffalo Bore, 305 LBT LFN HC rated 1,325 fps
Underwood, 305 LFNGC Plated (HiTech?) rated 1,325 fps
LabRadar muzzle velocity at 33 deg F
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S&W M69 2.75" ===> BB 1,195 fps ===> Under 1,147fps
S&W M69 4.25" ===> BB 1,276 fps ===> Under 1,248 fps
Ruger SRH 7.5" ===> BB 1,395 fps ===> Under 1,315 fps
My most used load is the 240/265gr 17.5 2400.
Paul