Long Range shooting

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Richard,

It's 20% skill and 80% passion. I've always been fascinated with how far I could accurately shoot a handgun. We have a place that we can shoot 800-1000 yds. I tried a couple of revolvers at 800 yards, but only got one general area hit. I managed to hit the cut-bank, but not even close to my target. Kind of like firing a mortar...


My eyes are getting to the point that it's gets a bit more difficult each time. What kind of .44 Special do you have? I shoot one of the new S&W 21-4 , I love it. It's the one that I usually grab when I head for the woods. Very easy to carry , and has more than enough punch for any Nasty Grabbers I might run into. It shoots hard cast bullets like a target pistol. My shooting pardner has a Ruger Vaquero in .44 Special that I like a lot too.

I like 38-40 very much also... just didn't like the thin walls at the cartridge neck.

I enjoy shooting a S&W 624 that I purchased many years ago. My favorite 44 Special revolver is my S&W Mod. 696. It is just the perfect revolver for my hand, and needs. That revolver will never be sold while I am alive. Sometimes I load my S&W Mod. 29 up with 44 Specials and give it a go. Within the last year, I purchased a Cimarron 4 3/4 in bbl. 1871 open top revolver in 44 Special. Sort of like a Navy Colt that fires contained cartridges....what a hoot to shoot, and POI is POA. I keep the loads fairly soft for that pistol with lack of a top strap, and a brass gripframe and triggerguard. Great trigger pull.

You are correct about the 38-40 and the thin brass. It does split easier than most other calibers, but I find 38-40 and 44-40 brass from time to time at gunshows, and Starline makes it new. I have an RCBS conversion/reforming die to convert 44-40 to 38-40, so that keeps me in brass. I have owned a 1905 Colt SAA in 38WCF for many, many years, and enjoy taking it to the range.