44 Speecial

Decades ago I acquired a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44Mag. By acquired I mean it was basically free. Since I had a 44Mag I used that as a reason to get a 44 Special. The big 44 went away because it was not at all comfortable in my hand. I have no problem with the cartridge or recoil, after all I have fun shooting a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454Casull.

The 44Mag went away but I still have a Charter Arms 5 shot 44Special. It's time I worked up a light recoiling load for that revolver using the 240JHP left over from the magnum. Any load approaching 44special capability is painful in that very light weight revolver.

 - - - - 12/8/24

When I got the "free" 44Mag it came with some bullets. Forgot there were some cast lead bullets in the mix. I'll start experimenting with different powders and charges behind the 240 and 215 grain LSWCs. 

Unique now TiteGroup

 For decades I've been loading my own 45acp ammo using 125gr Hornady XTP bullets and Unique powder. I've found this combination to be of good and consistent velocity. As of late that powder has been very difficult to find. Yesterday, at the range, I compared loads using TiteGroup and W231. For the most part they were comparable, except that I would get the occasional flyer with W231 and not TiteGroup. Since I was alternating the 2 loads, I'm fairly certain it wasn't me. I'll run at least 50 more with TiteGroup, and if the results are the same, It'll be my powder in the future.

 - - - - - 11/27

The Hornady XTP is actually 185 grains. Major brain dead moment there. I don't shoot 125 grain bullets in anything. 

The load I've been using was determined decades ago for my first 45, a used Llama. When I bought a new Kimber, it naturally shot tighter groups with the same load, so no need to change, until now.

Celebration

 Most everyone in my little part of the country is very happy that Trump won, (the Boss actually jumped up and down with joy) that GOP will control the Senate and maybe the House. This puts a bump in the road, slowing the slip into just another socialist/communist country.

I don't under stand why anyone would vote for a candidate in the Dem/socialist/communist party.

I celebrated today by spending a couple hours launching lead 25 yards down range. Hi-Power 9mm, Hi-Power 40S&W, and 1911 45acp. Even fired a few at 50 yards. Marksmanship wasn't too bad considering it's been over a month.

Also ran 25 through the lever action 454 at 75 yards off hand. Not bad at all with the red dot sight.

An elderly man told me that the 50 yard bank is actually 75 yards. Now I'm curious. I'll bring my laser range finder next time.

Surprised

 I must admit that I'm surprised at the presidential election results. My gut said that Trump would win the popular vote, but it would have to be huge to overcome the Democratic games shoving things in their direction.  

Oh well, let the lawsuits and riots begin.

Escaping Milton

 The Saturday before Milton hit Florida, the Boss and I arrived in Lakeland Florida. When we left home 3 days earlier, to visit my sister, there was no sign of a Hurricane.  All the models had us right in the center of the probability cone. So rather than risk sitting in a 5th wheel camper with 100mph winds we were there only 2 nights. We then spent a week in central Georgia, now one night in Tennessee heading home.

Glad we didn't wait any longer. The Hwy was so packed with vehicles heading north, that the usual 5hr drive time to our destination in Ga, took 8hrs on the road.

Plan ??

 I didn't watch the debate because my vote is cast in concrete. I choose substance over style, capitalism over socialism/communism, small Fed government over large.

Some in the media say that she voiced her plan for the future. I disagree. She voiced mostly targets, not plan. Plan is how you get to the end result, not the end result itself.

Threw Some Lead

One of the firearms I received when the sister-in-law's husband passed (brother-in-law) was a FN Hi-Power in 40 S&W. I never did and still don't have a need for a 40. To me it's a solution looking for problem. Any way, the first thing was to eliminate the magazine disconnect, and then have a fiber optic front sight installed. The metal frame of the front sight failed, so it's back with the 'smith getting a set of Heinie sights installed. I have the same brand and style on a 30 year old Hi-Power 9mm and a Kimber 1911 45. 

The most available bullet for the 40 is 180 grains. I've been loading 185 or 200 grain bullets in the 45. The velocities are close to the same and therefore the felt recoil is about the same.

Another pistol given is a 45 colt single action revolver. Until recently I haven't shot it. I ran about 40 rounds through it and thought it was ok, but won't shoot it very often.  I just don't like the grip style or angle. I suppose that's because I've shot 1911s so much.