...that I bought an old S&W 2nd Model Hand Ejector a while back. According to the serial number and proof marks, this gun was built in 1915 and was made for Canada. It was originally chambered for the .455 Webley Mark II (a 265 grain FMJ at 600 fps), but got rechambered to .45 Colt after it came back from WWI. It had a little fouling in the barrel when I got it, so I gave it a thorough scrubbing, and was pleased to find that the bore is in excellent condition. The target below is the first 6 shots I put through the gun earlier this morning. Flyer low at 6 o'clock is the first shot from a scrubbed clean, dry bore. The shot at 7:30 is the second, and the four 10s are shots 3-6. Not too bad for a gun that's almost 100 years old!

(Load data -- Lachmiller version of the 454190 RNFP, cast soft (recovered range scrap, about BHN 8), sized .454", lubed with homemade moly lube, over 8.0 grains of W231, CCI300 primers) 6 o'clock hold

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Also Canadian, also (I think) 1915, also later converted to .45 Colt.

Mine also bears stamps from the Royal Military College and the RCMP. It is a fine shooter, handles like a dream, and has a HEAVY but manageable trigger pull.

Bonus points: it arrived bundled with a nifty little factory nickel/pearl M1903. They were my first C&R purchases and remain favorites.

Fine shooting, Glen!

nt

dang Glen! you find the best toys!
b

Great shooter, enjoy !!

8 grains of 231 and a 255 RNFP was super accurate in my Uberti 45 Colt Peacemaker. But it was hard on the recoil shield at the point where the firing pin came through the frame. It kept peening the firing pin hole until the primer would flow back into the small depression and started locking up the gun. I had to tig weld up the hole and redrill for the firing pin. I backed off to 7.2 grains of 231 which didnt seem as accurate for me. But I'll bet that Smith can handle the 8 grains just fine

Bob

and a MO Bullet 255 RNFP to be soft shooting--and very accurate--in my 'old' Vaquero and a couple of other guns. I'd be reluctant to run anything beyond SAMMI loads in that old Smiff, but that's just me.

...the Hodgdon #26 Manual, 8.0 grains of 231 underneath a 250 grain bullet generates 15,600 CUP, and the Speer #12 Manual also indicates that it is within SAAMI spec, but your point is well taken. I have no intention of "red-lining" this old Smith & Wesson. For the next load I try, I am going to stick with the 8.0 grains of 231, but I am going to drop back to the 235 grain 452423 (this gun has a short cylinder and only a few bullets are going to work).

I was certain I had seen 7.1 of HP38 or W231 listed as a top load for standard 45 Colt loads... can't recall just where though, maybe the data center? I am sure open to correction and if 8.0 grains is copacetic, I'm all for it ;)

what old Smiths do to chronys!
b

....from personal experience what NEW Smiths do to Chronys as well!