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Author Topic: FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG  (Read 1092 times)

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Offline SingleFan

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« on: December 12, 2004, 06:55:09 AM »
Is anyone within our little community using an FA97 as a primary hunting handgun?  Considering .41, 45, or 44 sp to be the viable rounds.

What I'm primarily interested in is your experience carrying, and shooting it in the field.  Do you feel it is too light for effective loads for deer sized game out to 50 yards?  I've seen a couple of articles by Quinn & GB in particular both of whom indicated it recoiled alot with potent loads.
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Offline TScottO

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2004, 08:39:01 AM »
SingleFan,

For the last couple of years I’ve been using a mod 83 for handgun hunting. Just a month or so ago I ordered a 97 44Spec for the purpose you are talking about. I’m in the middle of moving to another state so all of my stuff is packed up and I haven’t had much time to fool with my new gun other than with factory loads. I bought this gun for 50 yards or less iron sight shooting. The gun handles, carries and shoots extremely well. Any caliber on your list is adequate for the purpose you stated. I wish I had more field experience with this gun so I could answer your question better.

Buffalo Bore offers a good hunting load for the 97 in 45 colt. The cylinder of these guns is too short to allow real long bullets in 45 caliber. These guns are not meant to be as strong as 5 shot conversions. The guns are just fine for a primary hunting handgun but the 45 isn’t meant for 5 shot conversion loads and the 44 special will handle 240 cal bullets in the 1150 fps range. I don’t know anything bout the 41 magnum.

Be Safe,
Scott
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Online Graybeard

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2004, 09:05:24 AM »
I think as a .44 Special it would be a super choice. I had a hard time deciding whether to have Bob send me one of them or the FA83 in .44 Magnum and ended up chosing the latter.

I carried the FA97 in .45 Colt with me regularly a couple seaons I think but never had a chance to shoot game with it. I liked the feel of the 7.5" on my hip. It carried nicely. Was plenty accurate and powerful enough for the hunting I do.

Recoil with Tim Sundle's Buffalo Bore ammo was just plain vicious to me. Fully as much as the FA83 with max .454 loads also from Buffalo Bore. I ended up backing off on the loads as I couldn't handle the recoil of those top end loads in this light gun. That's when the idea for the .44 Special hit me. With bullets of 240 to 260 grain pushed to about 1000-1100 fps it should be a super choice.

I'm not really a fan of the .41 magnum personally. But if you are it should be OK. Again tho because of the long case you'll be limited somewhat in which loads you can use. The FA97 cylinder is same length as the old Colt SAA cylinder so won't take long nose bullets.
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Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline SingleFan

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2004, 01:21:03 PM »
Well, thanks gents.  Just the type of feedback I needed.  I saw from the other posts that you both had one in the works.

GB...I'm with you on the recoil from full house loads.  I'm going to check on what case oal the gun can handle in 45 colt because if I elect to use that caliber, I'd like to use some of the excellent 280gr WFNGC's I have from Beartooth.  Excellent bullets and I push them right around 1050 fps.  On game performance is really good from both experiences I've had with it.

Fill me in on the 44 special.  I have no experience with that round...just it's magnum bigger brother.  What loads/bullet combinations would you recommend?  Roger on the 240-260 ( I love the 250 gr. nosler partition HG for that caliber).  Powder recommendation?
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Offline TScottO

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2004, 02:16:52 PM »
I don’t know if you are familiar with Mr. John Taffin. He’s a very knowledgeable source for handgunning.

Here is his link:
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

Lots of good general reading there as well as loading data under “Taffins Test”.

Another good source for loading data:

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=44%20Special%20%20P&Weight=250&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=Admin

These are the sources I use.

Speer makes and excellent JSP-SWC, this is what I plan on using:

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=7&s2=27

Be Safe,
Scott
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Offline JOE MACK

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FA M97
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2004, 02:45:12 PM »
The M97 is limited in how heavy a bullet it will take due to cylinder length.

I've got one in .41Magnum and limit it to the 220s and under. I really like LAH's 230gr. Keith type in it over 8gr. of Unique. Works on any deer that is at a reasonable range for the cartridge. 8)
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JOE MACK aka Brian aka .41FAN

HAVE MORE FUN AND GET THE JOB DONE WITH A .41

Offline ktw

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Re: FA M97
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2004, 05:04:35 PM »
Quote from: JOE MACK
The M97 is limited in how heavy a bullet it will take due to cylinder length.


Only to the degree that bullet weight has an effect on crimp to meplat length.  In 45 colt  the M97 cylinder will handle both the 250g and 300g XTPs.  It will take the 275g Keith from Dry Creek and the 270g Keith from Leadhead (same mold as far as I can tell) but the 255g Keith from Dry Creek is too long.

I have a 300g XTP load for a rifle that does 1200fps in the M97.  Recoil is pretty stiff and I haven't made a habit of shooting it in the revolver.  My prefered load is the 275 Keith from Dry Creek in the 1000 to 1100 fps range.

I haven't tried any of the 255/280/300g short-enough-for-a-m97 bullets from Beartooth.
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Offline LarryL

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Why 45 Colt and not 44 Mag
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2004, 04:48:05 AM »
Hi all,

I am puzzled why FA offers the M97 in 41 mag and 45 colt, but not 44 mag?  The hot 45 colt loads quoted here are pretty stout.  If the frame and cylinder handle those loads, why not the .44 mag?  I love the feel of the M97 in my hand.  The M83 feels a bit bulky and heavy by comparison.  Seems like a M97 in .44 mag would be a perfect hip gun.  Much like a Ruger SBH in size/weight, but much higher quality.

Anyone else feel the same way I do?
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Online Graybeard

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2004, 08:46:51 AM »
Yup, wondered the same thing myself. I think the answer tho may lie in the length of cylinder. It's quite short. Likely you'd be limited to 240s or have to have a mighty short nose bullet to fit. Just a guess. Had the FA97 been available in .44 Magnum I'd have had an even harder time deciding between it and the FA83.
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Bill aka the Graybeard
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Offline SingleFan

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2004, 01:53:22 PM »
According to their literature, the M83 is intended to be "excellent as a primary hunting firearm".  Which leads me to believe that indeed the M97 is intended to be more of a packing gun.

I'm sure GB is right...the more compact nature of the M97's design lends itself to smaller cartridges.  

I'd be curious to know how many people are using it as a primary hunting handgun.  That's why I posted this message.  To date the only one who has replied to that affect is Scott.  Guess I'll be 2nd on this site (although the handy nature of this gun MUST have driven others to use it as a primary gun.
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Online Graybeard

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2004, 04:17:06 PM »
Not really. I told you I carried it for two seasons in the deer woods. Just didn't get a chance to use it during that time. Nothing in range of the limits I place on myself for iron sight guns. I don't use scopes on revolvers any longer and limit myself to shots at 50 yards or less. So even tho I carried it as my primary hunting handgun for two seasons it just never was used on game. Did a lot of shooting with it. Had it been a .44 Special I think it would have stayed with me. I still may end up with one in that chambering.

I'd use the Lyman 429244 in it at about 1000 fps and not feel under gunned for anything I hunt.
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Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline ktw

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2004, 07:18:55 AM »
Quote from: SingleFan
According to their literature, the M83 is intended to be "excellent as a primary hunting firearm"...

I'd be curious to know how many people are using it as a primary hunting handgun...


If you were located out west (like the Freedom Arms people) and planning to shoot at elk/large bears/moose, the M83 with it's ability to take the really heavy cast bullets would be the way to go.

In my opinion, If you live out east, and only ever shoot at whitetail deer/black bear/wild boar, the M97 in 41/44sp/45c is more than enough gun for a primary hunting handgun.

I carry a M97 during deer season, but I'm not primarily a handgun hunter.  I carry it in addition to a rifle.
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Offline tominboise

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FA97 As a Primary Hunting HG
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2005, 12:08:12 PM »
Quote
If you were located out west (like the Freedom Arms people) and planning to shoot at elk/large bears/moose, the M83 with it's ability to take the really heavy cast bullets would be the way to go.


No, if you live out west, you carry a rifle and use it on the critters.  The handgun stays on your belt and is used in the event a "dinner bell" bear or such tries to bother you during the field dressing and pack out..... :wink:
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Regards,

Tom
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