A Special Sixgun

by JimT, Texas, Thursday, March 09, 2023, 15:18 (625 days ago)

Nearly 20 years ago now The Shootists celebrated their 20th Anniversary by having a special run of USFA's in .44 Special. The serial numbers began with SH (for Shootists Holiday of course). The guns were 5 1/2" barrels .. standard Colt SAA configuration. All the USFA guns I have examined .. not that many ... have been as good or better than any Colt SAA I have examined. The color on the frame and hammer is excellent and the blueing is just perfect. The fit and finish overall is excellent. They came with the black USFA stocks on them and I had mine fitted with a pair of hand-made walnut stocks by Paul Persinger.

Some guns apparently had issues with the height of the front sight. Mine was just right the way it came. The two loads i settled on work very well with the sight untouched. I use the Keith 429431 and either 6.5 gr. of Unique or 16.5 gr. of 2400.

For fun I sometimes shoot bullet 430185. This bullet was originally designed for the .44 Colt. It is an outside lubricated heel bullet. It is nominally 210 grains and has no lube grooves or crimp groove. The heel is .430" and the bullet body is .441". I use cases that have been fired in my gun but not resized. I deprime and re-prime them, drop in the powder charge, shove the bullet into the case, smear a little lube on it and stick in the gun and shoot it. Lee Liquid Alox works well. Using a 4.5 gr. charge of Bullseye gives a velocity of 760 fps. It's a fun little plinking load. I found in some guns the cases need to be trimmed .100" to allow chambering so if you decide to try this, make up a dummy round and check it first. With no sizing, neck expanding or crimping the brass will last indefinitely. My Dad had one .44 brass that he loaded like this and the count was over 1200 times it had been fired. Pressures are low so it does not get worked and become prone to cracking.

The Heel Bullet