.445 Super Mag range report

[Daveinthebush]

:grin: I finally took my new .445 to the range today to play.  I had bought a 14" .44 barrel and sent it of the Mike Bellem.  He rechambered it to .445, added a mussel break and six base screws and a Weaver base.

Recoil:  I had heard that it was supposed to be bad and was ready for a forehead smashing on the first round.  Wrong!  It was about the same as shooting heavy .44 mag rounds in a 10" unscoped gun.  Not all that bad.  Do remember to place your fingers in the correct position as the trigger guard can make some nice cuts.  :oops:  Even though, a little blood letting is good for the soul now and then.

Loads:  Since getting supplies is expensive here I opted for one round. I am looking for a moose/grizz load.  I used 28 grains of H110, CCI mag primers, and 300 grain XTP, 300 Speer and 300 hardcast w/gc.

Accuracy:  Once on paper!  I only had 6 300 grain Speers made up.  At 25 yards they printed around 1" or less.  The XTP's did about 3/8" and the hard cast again around 1".

On to 50 yards.  I had to re adjust the sights again but all loads printed pretty close together.  The 3 XTP's that I shot went into about 1/2".  I had more but am in short supply and wanted to save the rest.  The hardcasts were about 1 1/2".  I think I was getting tired as the group started to spread but stayed under 2"

All in all, it was not too bad.  Further range work is needed.  I think the XTPS will be OK for black bears but I think I am going to load up more of the 300 Speers and see how they do.  The bark was worse than the bite, the finger should heal in time.  I did not try it without hearing protection-Probably a smart move but it did not seem bad.

[Nate C]

I also took my 14" Bellm rechamber 445 to the range today for the first time.   Mine was ported by someone (not Mike B) sometime after the rechamber.   Ports are 2 ea side, plus one top center where the front site would normally be.

All starline brass, WW LP primers.
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32g H110 w/ 240g Hornady Jacketed Silhouette
29g H110 w/ 300g Hornady XTP
26g I4227 w/ 300g Hornady XTP

The above three loads were all too hot (in my gun).  Extraction was very tough.  Only fired 1 sample from each.   Had to tap brass out with a cleaning rod.
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Was discouraged, but luckily I had also brought

28g I4227 w/ 240g Hornady Jacketed Silhouette.

These were brisk, and loud but extraction was no problem.  Managed a few different 5 shot groups of 1-1/2" at 25yds with 2x Simmons with a semi-supported (hands and elbows) rest.    

Recoil was comparable to a 10" non scoped 44mag TC.  More than any of my blackhawks, but tolerable for a hunting bbl.   I thought I had the loudest gun at the range, until a guy sat next to me with a 15" EABCO braked 308 encore.  :shock:

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I haven't tried any cast yet, but will pull and reduce charges for the first three loads and try them again in a few weeks.  I think the bbl has potential, tho the groups aren't spectactular, for me they are decent.   I may also try a higher x scope if I stumble on a good deal.

Nate C

[Daveinthebush]

OK Who makes a protective device for the middle finger on the non-shooting hand?  Forgot my grip and opened the previous cut a little wider and a little deeper.  Kind of took the fun out of shooting today as the blood was dripping over to many things.

I tried the 28 grain loads of H110 and 300 grain cast at 100 yards.  Not to be!
Moved back to 50 yards and had some new loads of 30 grains of H110.  recoil was not anything more noticeable.  I forgot which round threw the hammer extension back at me but I have never had that come off before!  Seems the .445 is good for letting you know what is loose.

The 30 grains of H110 and the 300 grain Speers are showing the most promise.  I punched 5 into about 1 1/2" at 50. Someone put a 5 gallon Jerry Can out at the 200 yard mark.  If I am ever attacked by one it is in serious trouble.

The gun is still in the truck, hammer extension will have to be replaced and I will try again tomorrow. :roll:

[PJ]

What grips do you have? Factory composite or wood with ruber insert.I found that the Pachmayr's stoped the finger cuting.

[Daveinthebush]

It was the trigger guard that caught me.  I have the Pachmar grips.  It is a different ball game with this gun as I am learning.  DON'T put your elbow on the table, use a pad.  I took a little hit there too. This is goig to be a teaching experience. Lucky for me the range is close to home.

Does anyone have a preference in this caliber between cast and jacketed bullets? Jacketed seem to be the way to go so far.

[Nate C]

I have the pachmayrs and the strong hand feels ok.   My supporting hand got wacked by the finger guard the first time and I moved it down to more of a cup/saucer type hold and was ok from here on out.

Keep us posted on your cast loads.  I have some leadheads gc bullets that work great in my 41, and would be interested to try something comparable in the 445 sometime.

[lostchild]

I've got a .445 in a 10'' was a hand full till i got a break instaled.  I hold my tc kind of like a stockless rifle,  I pull back on the forend and push on the pistolgrip (kind of a squeezing action) my fingers don't get bit this way and for me gives a steadier hold.  As far as bullets any of the 300gr work well, but the most penetration I've goten has been from a max load with a C.D.P. cast 300gr(went threw a 8"x8" pt timber @ 125yds.  Hope this helps.    ..  lost

[Whodaheck99]

I got a 10 T/C barrel, with a 2x Leupold. I have custom wooding grips on it. I been shooting Dan Wesson factory ammo 240 XTP,s. The first shot out of that barrel, I got bite by the trigger guard. After that, I cup the grip. At 25 yards, 3 shot group, I get a hole and 1/2. At 50 yards, I get quarter size groups. I still have around 60 rounds of factory ammo. I just got reloading dies. I can not wait to try 300 grain XTP,s.

[Jeff Vicars]

Are you going to use 44 Mag. dies?

[PJ]

Hey,guys I was looking at my loading notes on the 445 and LiL-Gun was the best powder as far as accuracy.

[Tony D]

OK Who makes a protective device for the middle finger on the non-shooting hand? Forgot my grip and opened the previous cut a little wider and a little deeper. Kind of took the fun out of shooting today as the blood was dripping over to many things.
.

Dave, The Uncle Mike's pistol shooting gloves, although fingerless, have extended coverage on the middle fingers.  Been working well for me.

One technique I've heard of, but never tried, to take some of the sting out of getting whacked by the trigger guard spur was to put some surgical rubber tubing on it.  The cup and saucer hold works well, also.

I sometimes forget to use the "cup and saucer" hold myself on the heavy kickers.  It's what we call in the military "self critiquing!"

[BCB]

Jeff,

Before I reveal whether I use custom 445 SM dies or 44 Magnum dies, I am curious as to why you ask the question!  I may know the answer, and I have my own opinions on this subject!

To all posting on this subject,

I have researched this caliber with about every source I could find.  I have read the “old” stuff and the new stuff.  I have listened to people on these take forums who have them and shoot them.  I have heard of extreme accuracy—but I have heard of that with every caliber that man shoots!  I am often times quite amazed at the accuracy people are able to achieve with a given caliber/weapon!  I have nearly 60 different powders (not all O.K. for the 445 SM) at my reloading bench,  I believe I have almost every primer suitable for the large pistol, and I have 17 different 44 Magnum bullets, including my own cast bullets.  So variety is not the problem!  Loose ‘scope…Naw.  I have had to have the screws that hold the rings in place drilled to be removed!  The only tighter mounting system would have been to weld the ‘scope to the barrel!!!!!!!!!

I am really curious, in that, can anyone who claims extreme accuracy with this 445 SM caliber, shoot AT 100 YARDS, ten-3 shot groups in a row and keep them at 1.25” or LESS?  To me this would be accuracy with a Contender.  Mine won’t…Period.  Yet, I do have a Super 14” in 223 Remington caliber that will…Period.

It is my opinion that this 445 SM caliber is not conducive to extreme accuracy, unless possibly, extreme measures and customizations are done.  I may be wrong, so I would certainly welcome any thoughts on this post.  Thanks and good-luck with those 445 SM’s…BCB

[Jeff Vicars]

BCB, I just traded for a TC Custom Shop 12" stainless barrel. This is a case I have never loaded for. I have read that steel 44 dies work better than carbide(carbide oversize the case). When I get time I'm going to give your accuracy test a try.

[MS Hitman]

I have an old Dan Wesson revolver in .445 SM.  I got started back when one had to make the brass.  Then the IHMSA brass came along, but it was too soft to load very heavy.  Spent some time sizing cases to work harden them to be able to shoot the SM loads.  Made a many .445SM case from the .303 British.  I use .44 Special Lee carbide dies for all my reloading of this caliber.  BCB, I don't know about your accuracy challenge, but I do know 2-3" five shot groups at 200 meters are quite common with this revolver using loads it likes.  I have shot several high 30s in shilouette using this revlover and cleaned the rams.

[BCB]

Jeff,

I have used both 445 SM dies and 44 Magnum dies.  Regardless, I only "neck" size the cases just to the seating depth of the bullet.  I actually size all of my straight-walled cases that way.

MS Hitman,

2"-3" five-shoot groups at 200 meters would pass the accuracy test!!!!!  Surely that Dan Wesson is 'scoped?

I am unfamiliar with silhouette (sp) shooting.  At what distance are the rams and approximately how big are they?   BCB

[MS Hitman]

BCB,

You can go to the IHMSA website and get the poop on handgun metallic silhouettes.  The rams are life sized and at 200 meters.  No, the DW is not scoped.  It's got an 8" barrel with the patridge front and DW rear sights.

[BCB]

MS Hitman,

That is some mighty fine shootin'--'scoped or not 'scoped--at 200 meters with a cylinder gun...Damn straight out of my league!!!!!

My Contender would most certainly hit a ram, if indeed it is life size, at 200 meters.  Yet, it would be difficult to predict where the point of impact would be.  But it probably would be all in a 10" circle.  

I guess maybe accuracy is a very relative/subjective topic...BCB