YOULL NEED TO SHOOT A GREAT DEAL TO GET THE NECESSARY PRACTICE,
its that frequent practice and hand loading that significantly reduces ammo cost,
THAT MAKES THE 445 REALLY EFFECTIVE IN YOUR HANDS,
CASTING YOUR OWN BULLETS SIZED EXACTLY TO THE THROAT/BORE SIZE HELPS,
AS DOES THE COST SAVINGS CASTING YOUR OWN BULLETS SAVES YOU
remember a properly sized and lubed gas check, cast bullet, of very similar length and shape,
has significantly less friction or resistance to acceleration than an identical weight jacketed bullet ,
seated over the identical powder charge if seated to the same over all length ,
Ive used a S&W 44 mag for decades
but the 445 DWSM is a larger handgun that pushes the same 44 caliber pistol bullets to about 200 fps faster
to gain max potential from the 445 DWSM, a hard cast gas check bullet similar to this accurate arms 320 grain, or the LEE 310 grain gas check design
would do very well if cast from 95% ww and 5% pure tin alloy
options
(yes this is a link to useful data)
thus lower pressures and higher velocity generally result
keep in mind that just because a particular cartridge or revolver is no longer in production,
does not indicate it was not excellent quality or highly effective,
or very accurate,
it just means it did not consistently make its manufacturer a good high profit margin,
and a wide market share, over a long time frame.
the DAN WESSON SUPER MAGS WERE AND ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER,
these are hunting revolvers, and are too large and heavy for most other applications
the bullet size in relation to the bore, the hardness and the LUBE used all effect the results
things to read
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/should-i-start-reloading.14021/
if you don,t think handguns are effective in skilled hands read this
(an excellent choice if your convinced you need more than a 44 mag, would be the 480 ruger or 445 DWSM)
an keep in mind, a 44 mag with 310 grain hard cast bullets will kill anything in north america including the largest bears with decent shot placement and a knowledge of the games anatomy
the 44 mag silhouette with adjustable front site and 10 5/8" barrel
YES IT REQUIRES a shoulder holster to use comfortably
Here's some web Data Info, I have no personal experience with reloading
the .445.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_magnum
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt445sm.htm
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=445 Supermag&Weight=All&type=Rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://stevespages.com/429p_5.html
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0000690227
heres the LEE 310 grain cast bullet I use in my 44 mag loaded over 21 grains of h-110 it makes an effective load
if you get 1250 fps in a 10" 44 mag with a 310 grain bullet that equals about 1075 ft lbs at the muzzle
the same lee 310 grain gas check bullet over 30 grains of H110 in a 445 DWSM, in the larger case,
gets you about 200-220 FPS more velocity
if you get 1450 fps in a 10" 445 mag with a 310 grain bullet that equals about 1450 ft lbs at the muzzle
SOME DAN WESSON PARTS
keep in mind that cartridges like the 445 dan wesson
(an extended length case , version of the 44 mag,)
or the 454 casull and 460 S&W ( an extended length case, similar to a 45 colt)
while significantly more powerful than a standard 44 mag, are not necessarily more lethal in skilled hands,
but the extra velocity allows longer effective range use.
and the DAN WESSON REVOLVERS ARE KNOWN TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY ACCURATE and BARRELS ARE EASY TO REPLACE
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt445sm.htm
TAFFIN TESTS: THE .445 SUPERMAG
JOHN TAFFIN
The .357 SuperMag as chambered in the Dan Wesson heavy frame revolver of the same name or in the Ruger .357 Maximum Blackhawk or even in the Seville Silhouette Single Action, is generally regarded by many experienced silhouetters as the finest revolver cartridge for long range shooting ever conceived. The concept was a simple one. Instead of using a big bore for silhouettes, stretch the .357 Magnum enough that it would handle 180 and 200 grain bullets at normal .357 Magnum muzzle velocities. A length of 1.610" was selected and 180-200 grain bullets did indeed attain the same muzzle velocities as the .357 Magnum using 158 grain bullets. Though the concept was simple, carrying it out was not. It was more than a matter of chambering an existing revolver for the new cartridge as stretching the case to 1.610" also meant stretching revolver frames and cylinders a like amount. This is no simple task and certainly required a large investment in time, money, and engineering.
When the .357 SuperMag from Dan Wesson first appeared on the scene, more than one wildcatter was waiting with reamers in hand to do one thing: Turn it into a true big bore. The largest number of these were turned into .44 SuperMags, and I had the privilege of doing extensive shooting of one such early wildcat, the .44 UltraMag. The .44 UltraMag used .444 Marlin brass cut to 1.600", and this brass being larger in diameter than .44 Magnum brass, was swaged and turned on a lathe until it matched .44 Magnum dimensions. The reason, of course, was to also allow the use of the shorter .44 Magnums in the same cylinder.
My good friend Lew Schafer created the .44 UltraMag and by careful reloading we acquired the following muzzle velocities, in cold temperatures of 20-25 degrees, brutally cold when shooting a big bore revolver, using a six-inch barreled Dan Wesson revolver:
Barrels for the .44 UltraMag were standard Dan Wesson .44 Magnum barrels but because the SuperMag frames used different threads, eight-inch .44 Magnum barrels were cut to six-inches and rethreaded. Various .44 SuperMags, based on either .444 Marlin or .30-40 Krag brass, have surfaced since, but the ".44 Stretched Magnum" became a production six gun in 1988. Dan Wesson and the late Elgin Gates of IHMSA, combined forces to create the.445 SuperMag. Dan Wesson supplied the guns, IHMSA supplied the brass and healthy orders for the new big bore six gun.
As of this writing, .445 SuperMags are available only from Dan Wesson in both blue and stainless steel versions. No other revolver manufacturer has seen fit to produce the .445 SuperMag, so it is either Dan Wesson or a Thompson/Center Contender single-shot. Brass is available, but no factory loaded rounds. Brass can be acquired only from The Silhouette (phone 208-524-0880), and the latest run will be head stamped ".445 Gates" in memory of its creator.
Problems surfaced early with the .445 SuperMag revolver and also with the .445 brass. The first guns had oversize cylinders and the brass was not properly annealed. Problems with sizing .445 SuperMag brass has also resulted whether using either .445 or .44 Magnum carbide sizing dies both of which often raise a sharp ring of metal right above the base of the fired shell. Standard non-carbide .44 Magnum sizing dies will give better results. In my reloading of the .445, I use neither .445 nor .44 Magnum sizing dies but instead opt for a custom RCBS .44 Schafer UltraMag sizing die that puts a slight taper on the case from base to mouth, and is much easier on brass. It is somewhat of a nuisance to use as cases must be lubed and virtually hand fed into the very sharp, very flat base of the sizing die, but the results are well worth it. Most sizing dies have a slight funnel shape at the bottom to assist entrance of the case mouth; the .44 UltraMag die does not.
Except for the case-sizing cautions, reloading the .44 SuperMag is the same as for reloading the .44 Magnum. A good heavy crimp is required both to keep bullets from moving forward in recoil as the big sixgun is fired, and also to get the powder started burning properly. Powder selection is a little different as I stay with H4227, WW296, H110, WW680, and AA#1680, staying away from any faster burning powders.
The same bullets that work in the .44 Magnum also work well in the .44 SuperMag with my preference being for the heavier bullets in the 290 to 310 grain weight range. The .44 SuperMag is a an exceptionally accurate cartridge and this accuracy is even further enhanced by the use of heavyweight bullets such as the SSK J.D. Jones designed #310.429 flat point, the NEI #295.429 GC (available from BRP Bullets, 1210 Alexander Road, Dept. AH, Colorado Springs Colorado 80909) or Sierra's 300 grain jacketed flat point. Speer also has a 300 grain bullet in the works but I have not yet received any for testing as this is written.
Large Rifle primers are usually recommended for the .445 UltraMag/SuperMag/Gates, but I have yet to determine a nickel's worth of difference between the use of Large Rifle Primers and Magnum Pistol Primers. Muzzle velocities and accuracy are both virtually identical whether Federal or CCI Large Rifle Primers, or Federal or CCI Magnum Pistol Primers are used.
The .445 SuperMag has been touted as a silhouette revolver and it is IF properly loaded. It makes little sense to load it to the hilt and try to shoot 40, 60, or 80 targets with it. Even with the ten-inch barreled version, which is just a shade under four pounds, recoil can be quite disconcerting with full house loads. For silhouetting, I would stay at 1650 feet per second or less with the 220 grain Sierra silhouette bullet or 1500 feet per second with the 240 Speer silhouette bullet. Using the 220 grain Sierra and 34.0 grains of H4227, muzzle velocity is 1648 feet per second according to the triple sky screens of my Oehler Model 35P chronograph. The same load in an eight-inch barrel goes 1635 fps, six-inch gives 1541 fps, and the Super Fourteen T/C Contender milks it for all it is worth and yields just barely over two thousand feet per second.
With the 240 Speer silhouette bullet, I use either 33.0 grains of H110, 31.0 grains of H4227, or 38.0 grains of WW680 for the 1500 feet per second muzzle velocity range from the ten-inch barreled Dan Wesson. These same loads will do 1350 to 1450 feet per second in the six-inch and eight-inch barreled DW's and right around 1850 in the Super Fourteen.
The heavier weight bullets really make the .445 worthwhile and the replacing of the ten-inch standard barrel or eight-inch heavy barrel that were standard equipment with my early .445 Dan Wesson with a standard weight six-inch barrel makes the .445 handle as easily as a Smith & Wesson Model 29. Well, real close anyway. The shorter barrel transforms the big Dan Wesson from a clumsy, heavy competition pistol to a very packable hunting pistol.
Hunting with the .445 SuperMag means heavyweight bullets such as the 265 grain Hornady Jacketed Flat Point, the 300 grain Sierra Jacketed Flat Point, or cast bullets such as NEI's 295 grain Keith style or SSK's 310 grain flat point. Using 31.0 grains of H110 with the latter three bullets in the 300 grain weight range yields impressive muzzle velocities with the six-inch barreled Dan Wesson. Even with this relatively short barrel length, the 300 grain cast bullets will go 1500 feet per second giving a lot of power from a small package, or the 300 grain Sierra Jacketed Flat Point will do 1300 feet per second with the same load. For a slightly less powerful load, try 34.0 grains of WW680 with either of the 300 grain bullets.
keep in mind the PROJECTILE DESIGN IS CRITICAL as it does ALL THE WORK, and SHOT PLACEMENT is CRITICAL, simply because the projectile can't be effective if not placed where it can do the most damage.
you must also select a projectile designed to maximize results on its intended target thus you must know the intended targets anatomy and where the vitals are located internally, a bullet designed break bone and penetrate to the vitals on a large bear will zip through a human opponent, causing less than ideal internal damage, a bullet designed to max internal damage on a human opponent might expand far to rapidly on a BEAR! to ever reach the vitals!
LOADS FOR THE .445 SUPERMAG
FIREARM: DAN WESSON MODEL 445
CHRONOGRAPH: OEHLER MODEL 35P
PRIMER: FEDERAL #210
TEMPERATURE: 70 DEGREES
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SIERRA 300 JFP 29.0 GR. H110 1299 1290 1220
30.0 GR. H110 1302 1294 1242
31.0 GR. H110 1395 1394 1295
32.0 GR. H110 1445 1429 1369
32.0 GR. WW680 1144 1121 1100
33.0 GR. WW680 1229 1163 1133
34.0 GR. WW680 1284 1247 1191
35.0 GR. WW680 1340 1293 1253
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
BRP 295 KEITH* 29.0 GR. H110 1447 1443 1376
30.0 GR. H110 1512 1502 1477
31.0 GR. H110 1608 1572 1498
32.0 GR. H110 1635 1607 1527
32.0 GR. WW680 1397 1344 1336
33.0 GR. WW680 1435 1406 1405
34.0 GR. WW680 1554 1496 1442
35.0 GR. WW680 1568 1541 1514
36.0 GR. WW680 1612 1550 1538
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SSK 310 FN** 29.0 GR. H110 1446 1442 1402
30.0 GR. H110 1501 1472 1421
31.0 GR. H110 1546 1494 1491
32.0 GR. H110 1575 1563 1544
32.0 GR. WW680 1399 1375 1334
33.0 GR. WW680 1492 1462 1444
34.0 GR. WW680 1572 1521 1500
35.0 GR. WW680 1601 1547 1517
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
HORNADY 265 FN 29.0 GR. H110 1361 1308 1258
30.0 GR. H110 1406 1394 1286
31.0 GR. H110 1486 1459 1310
32.0 GR. H110 1536 1527 1409
29.0 GR. H4227 1390 1377 1267
30.0 GR. H4227 1468 1445 1306
31.0 GR. H4227 1534 1506 1327
32.0 GR. H4227 1581 1576 1430
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SPEER 240 FMJ 32.0 GR. H110 1471 1441 1313
33.0 GR. H110 1516 1517 1387
34.0 GR. H110 1522 1525 1442
35.0 GR. H110 1577 1533 1485
36.0 GR. H110 1570 1575 1512
30.0 GR. H4227 1408 1367 1296
31.0 GR. H4227 1514 1493 1326
32.0 GR. H4227 1609 1599 1444
33.0 GR. H4227 1682 1626 1550
35.0 GR. WW680 1419 1335 1227
36.0 GR. WW680 1451 1359 1289
37.0 GR. WW680 1476 1391 1331
38.0 GR. WW680 1504 1432 1353
39.0 GR. WW680 1499 1630 1405
34.0 GR. AA#1680 1256 1235 1045
35.0 GR. AA#1680 1345 1324 1070
36.0 GR. AA#1680 1377 1365 1189
37.0 GR. AA#1680 1388 1376 1252
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SIERRA 220 FMJ 34.0 GR. H4227 1648 1635 1541
35.0 GR. H4227 1759 1705 1561
36.0 GR. H4227 1793 1780 1640
38.0 GR. WW680 1479 1460 1287
39.0 GR. WW680 1482 1461 1295
40.0 GR. WW680 1517 1491 1360
E.W. Kovachic Technologies
210 South Park Street
Richmond, OH 43944
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?m ... ucts_id=93
Dan Wesson Muzzle Brake Kit Large Frame Stainless
$42.95
This brake kit is used in place of your barrel nut-very nifty accessory for your Dan Wesson! I have found the most effective design seems to be 2 rows of holes/ports oriented somewhat vertically. The trick is getting the ports timed correctly-this kit takes care of that by the use of precision shims for custom installation on your pistol! Please note the brake is "fairly" simple to install-it takes a little bit of time and patience to get the ports aligned perfectly. Instructions included. For all large frame calibers up to and including the .45's. No frame/shroud/barrel/sight included-used for demo purposes only.
BTW YOU CAN ORDER REPLACEMENT BARRELS AND OTHER PARTS FOR A DAN WESSON AT
1-607-336-1174 which is DAN WESSON PARTS DIRECT LINE, but be aware some parts are made to order and require 4-6 week delivery
OR https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1198640
or
genny@cz-usa.com
http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh ... .tests.asp
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCommentsCBAlloys.htm
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/al ... /index.asp
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/VIIB5.html
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/obturation.htm
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/castbullet.htm
http://www.rserv.com/Alloy.html
https://shop.cz-usa.com/dw-products/revolver/barrels-shrouds/44-magnum
http://www.n-ssa.org/NORTHWEST/Casting Bullets.htm
http://www.theantimonyman.com/price.htm
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/ ... ights.html
I've been using a couple hand guns for over 45 years too hunt larger game, (mostly deer, elk and hogs)
during those decades I've learned a few things along the way, and while I'm sure there's several people who may have more field experience,
I don,t think the experienced members will have much to argue about.
(1) precisely placed hits and a good knowledge of the games anatomy produce quick decisive kills.
(thus a good deal of practice with your handgun of choice is required)
(2) reasonably heavy for caliber gas check bullets with at least a 70%-85% flat nose (melplate)tend to produce a consistent deep ,strait lethal
wounds, (a 44 mag or a 445 dwsm can consistently shoot completely through even an elks chest)
(3) I've found a well lubed, gas check bullet cast from, 95% ww alloy and 5% tin provide a reasonable compromise in accuracy, penetration and almost no barrel leading
(4) in 45 plus years of hunting with an iron sight revolver's (mostly S&W mod 29 44 mag and dan wesson 445 super mags)I've found the 280-310 grain bullets produce the most consistent results
(5) ranges I and others I've hunted with, seldom exceed 70 -90 yards and that,s a good thing because under field conditions most of the people I've hunted with can not consistently place their first shot in anything smaller than a 6" paper plate past 75 yards.
(6) accuracy is more important than velocity as actual kills tend to be under 100 yards and a 300 grain hard cast bullet at only 1300 fps from a 44 mag will consistently kill even elk, and while I've used a 445 DWSM throwing a 300 grain bullet at 1550 fps the results are very similar.
ok now all the 45-50 caliber guys can tell me why I need more power, more bullet mass and higher velocity,
, but I've rarely recovered a bullet as most exit, and yes I own a 500 S&W and a 454 cassul Ruger
yes I've hunted with both and they also work ok,)
and yeah off a bench rest there's lots of guys that can shoot better groups,
but after several hours climbing canyons and walking through conifers and aspen,
at 8K-9K altitudes those groups youll shoot leaning against an aspen,
don,t match your best bench rest groups
its that frequent practice and hand loading that significantly reduces ammo cost,
THAT MAKES THE 445 REALLY EFFECTIVE IN YOUR HANDS,
CASTING YOUR OWN BULLETS SIZED EXACTLY TO THE THROAT/BORE SIZE HELPS,
AS DOES THE COST SAVINGS CASTING YOUR OWN BULLETS SAVES YOU
remember a properly sized and lubed gas check, cast bullet, of very similar length and shape,
has significantly less friction or resistance to acceleration than an identical weight jacketed bullet ,
seated over the identical powder charge if seated to the same over all length ,
Ive used a S&W 44 mag for decades
but the 445 DWSM is a larger handgun that pushes the same 44 caliber pistol bullets to about 200 fps faster
to gain max potential from the 445 DWSM, a hard cast gas check bullet similar to this accurate arms 320 grain, or the LEE 310 grain gas check design
would do very well if cast from 95% ww and 5% pure tin alloy
options
Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds
www.accuratemolds.com
(yes this is a link to useful data)
Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds
www.accuratemolds.com
thus lower pressures and higher velocity generally result
keep in mind that just because a particular cartridge or revolver is no longer in production,
does not indicate it was not excellent quality or highly effective,
or very accurate,
it just means it did not consistently make its manufacturer a good high profit margin,
and a wide market share, over a long time frame.
the DAN WESSON SUPER MAGS WERE AND ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER,
these are hunting revolvers, and are too large and heavy for most other applications
the bullet size in relation to the bore, the hardness and the LUBE used all effect the results
things to read
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/should-i-start-reloading.14021/
if you don,t think handguns are effective in skilled hands read this
(an excellent choice if your convinced you need more than a 44 mag, would be the 480 ruger or 445 DWSM)
an keep in mind, a 44 mag with 310 grain hard cast bullets will kill anything in north america including the largest bears with decent shot placement and a knowledge of the games anatomy
the 44 mag silhouette with adjustable front site and 10 5/8" barrel
YES IT REQUIRES a shoulder holster to use comfortably
Here's some web Data Info, I have no personal experience with reloading
the .445.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_magnum
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt445sm.htm
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=445 Supermag&Weight=All&type=Rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
http://stevespages.com/429p_5.html
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0000690227
heres the LEE 310 grain cast bullet I use in my 44 mag loaded over 21 grains of h-110 it makes an effective load
if you get 1250 fps in a 10" 44 mag with a 310 grain bullet that equals about 1075 ft lbs at the muzzle
the same lee 310 grain gas check bullet over 30 grains of H110 in a 445 DWSM, in the larger case,
gets you about 200-220 FPS more velocity
if you get 1450 fps in a 10" 445 mag with a 310 grain bullet that equals about 1450 ft lbs at the muzzle
SOME DAN WESSON PARTS
keep in mind that cartridges like the 445 dan wesson
(an extended length case , version of the 44 mag,)
or the 454 casull and 460 S&W ( an extended length case, similar to a 45 colt)
while significantly more powerful than a standard 44 mag, are not necessarily more lethal in skilled hands,
but the extra velocity allows longer effective range use.
and the DAN WESSON REVOLVERS ARE KNOWN TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY ACCURATE and BARRELS ARE EASY TO REPLACE
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt445sm.htm
TAFFIN TESTS: THE .445 SUPERMAG
JOHN TAFFIN
The .357 SuperMag as chambered in the Dan Wesson heavy frame revolver of the same name or in the Ruger .357 Maximum Blackhawk or even in the Seville Silhouette Single Action, is generally regarded by many experienced silhouetters as the finest revolver cartridge for long range shooting ever conceived. The concept was a simple one. Instead of using a big bore for silhouettes, stretch the .357 Magnum enough that it would handle 180 and 200 grain bullets at normal .357 Magnum muzzle velocities. A length of 1.610" was selected and 180-200 grain bullets did indeed attain the same muzzle velocities as the .357 Magnum using 158 grain bullets. Though the concept was simple, carrying it out was not. It was more than a matter of chambering an existing revolver for the new cartridge as stretching the case to 1.610" also meant stretching revolver frames and cylinders a like amount. This is no simple task and certainly required a large investment in time, money, and engineering.
When the .357 SuperMag from Dan Wesson first appeared on the scene, more than one wildcatter was waiting with reamers in hand to do one thing: Turn it into a true big bore. The largest number of these were turned into .44 SuperMags, and I had the privilege of doing extensive shooting of one such early wildcat, the .44 UltraMag. The .44 UltraMag used .444 Marlin brass cut to 1.600", and this brass being larger in diameter than .44 Magnum brass, was swaged and turned on a lathe until it matched .44 Magnum dimensions. The reason, of course, was to also allow the use of the shorter .44 Magnums in the same cylinder.
My good friend Lew Schafer created the .44 UltraMag and by careful reloading we acquired the following muzzle velocities, in cold temperatures of 20-25 degrees, brutally cold when shooting a big bore revolver, using a six-inch barreled Dan Wesson revolver:
- 200 grain Hornady Jacketed Hollow Point 1718 fps
- 220 grain Sierra FPJ Silhouette 1670 fps
- 240 grain Hornady Jacketed Silhouette 1596 fps
- 265 grain Hornady Jacketed Flat Point 1495 fps
- 305 grain Cast Gas Checked Bullet 1589 fps
Barrels for the .44 UltraMag were standard Dan Wesson .44 Magnum barrels but because the SuperMag frames used different threads, eight-inch .44 Magnum barrels were cut to six-inches and rethreaded. Various .44 SuperMags, based on either .444 Marlin or .30-40 Krag brass, have surfaced since, but the ".44 Stretched Magnum" became a production six gun in 1988. Dan Wesson and the late Elgin Gates of IHMSA, combined forces to create the.445 SuperMag. Dan Wesson supplied the guns, IHMSA supplied the brass and healthy orders for the new big bore six gun.
As of this writing, .445 SuperMags are available only from Dan Wesson in both blue and stainless steel versions. No other revolver manufacturer has seen fit to produce the .445 SuperMag, so it is either Dan Wesson or a Thompson/Center Contender single-shot. Brass is available, but no factory loaded rounds. Brass can be acquired only from The Silhouette (phone 208-524-0880), and the latest run will be head stamped ".445 Gates" in memory of its creator.
Problems surfaced early with the .445 SuperMag revolver and also with the .445 brass. The first guns had oversize cylinders and the brass was not properly annealed. Problems with sizing .445 SuperMag brass has also resulted whether using either .445 or .44 Magnum carbide sizing dies both of which often raise a sharp ring of metal right above the base of the fired shell. Standard non-carbide .44 Magnum sizing dies will give better results. In my reloading of the .445, I use neither .445 nor .44 Magnum sizing dies but instead opt for a custom RCBS .44 Schafer UltraMag sizing die that puts a slight taper on the case from base to mouth, and is much easier on brass. It is somewhat of a nuisance to use as cases must be lubed and virtually hand fed into the very sharp, very flat base of the sizing die, but the results are well worth it. Most sizing dies have a slight funnel shape at the bottom to assist entrance of the case mouth; the .44 UltraMag die does not.
Except for the case-sizing cautions, reloading the .44 SuperMag is the same as for reloading the .44 Magnum. A good heavy crimp is required both to keep bullets from moving forward in recoil as the big sixgun is fired, and also to get the powder started burning properly. Powder selection is a little different as I stay with H4227, WW296, H110, WW680, and AA#1680, staying away from any faster burning powders.
The same bullets that work in the .44 Magnum also work well in the .44 SuperMag with my preference being for the heavier bullets in the 290 to 310 grain weight range. The .44 SuperMag is a an exceptionally accurate cartridge and this accuracy is even further enhanced by the use of heavyweight bullets such as the SSK J.D. Jones designed #310.429 flat point, the NEI #295.429 GC (available from BRP Bullets, 1210 Alexander Road, Dept. AH, Colorado Springs Colorado 80909) or Sierra's 300 grain jacketed flat point. Speer also has a 300 grain bullet in the works but I have not yet received any for testing as this is written.
Large Rifle primers are usually recommended for the .445 UltraMag/SuperMag/Gates, but I have yet to determine a nickel's worth of difference between the use of Large Rifle Primers and Magnum Pistol Primers. Muzzle velocities and accuracy are both virtually identical whether Federal or CCI Large Rifle Primers, or Federal or CCI Magnum Pistol Primers are used.
The .445 SuperMag has been touted as a silhouette revolver and it is IF properly loaded. It makes little sense to load it to the hilt and try to shoot 40, 60, or 80 targets with it. Even with the ten-inch barreled version, which is just a shade under four pounds, recoil can be quite disconcerting with full house loads. For silhouetting, I would stay at 1650 feet per second or less with the 220 grain Sierra silhouette bullet or 1500 feet per second with the 240 Speer silhouette bullet. Using the 220 grain Sierra and 34.0 grains of H4227, muzzle velocity is 1648 feet per second according to the triple sky screens of my Oehler Model 35P chronograph. The same load in an eight-inch barrel goes 1635 fps, six-inch gives 1541 fps, and the Super Fourteen T/C Contender milks it for all it is worth and yields just barely over two thousand feet per second.
With the 240 Speer silhouette bullet, I use either 33.0 grains of H110, 31.0 grains of H4227, or 38.0 grains of WW680 for the 1500 feet per second muzzle velocity range from the ten-inch barreled Dan Wesson. These same loads will do 1350 to 1450 feet per second in the six-inch and eight-inch barreled DW's and right around 1850 in the Super Fourteen.
The heavier weight bullets really make the .445 worthwhile and the replacing of the ten-inch standard barrel or eight-inch heavy barrel that were standard equipment with my early .445 Dan Wesson with a standard weight six-inch barrel makes the .445 handle as easily as a Smith & Wesson Model 29. Well, real close anyway. The shorter barrel transforms the big Dan Wesson from a clumsy, heavy competition pistol to a very packable hunting pistol.
Hunting with the .445 SuperMag means heavyweight bullets such as the 265 grain Hornady Jacketed Flat Point, the 300 grain Sierra Jacketed Flat Point, or cast bullets such as NEI's 295 grain Keith style or SSK's 310 grain flat point. Using 31.0 grains of H110 with the latter three bullets in the 300 grain weight range yields impressive muzzle velocities with the six-inch barreled Dan Wesson. Even with this relatively short barrel length, the 300 grain cast bullets will go 1500 feet per second giving a lot of power from a small package, or the 300 grain Sierra Jacketed Flat Point will do 1300 feet per second with the same load. For a slightly less powerful load, try 34.0 grains of WW680 with either of the 300 grain bullets.
keep in mind the PROJECTILE DESIGN IS CRITICAL as it does ALL THE WORK, and SHOT PLACEMENT is CRITICAL, simply because the projectile can't be effective if not placed where it can do the most damage.
you must also select a projectile designed to maximize results on its intended target thus you must know the intended targets anatomy and where the vitals are located internally, a bullet designed break bone and penetrate to the vitals on a large bear will zip through a human opponent, causing less than ideal internal damage, a bullet designed to max internal damage on a human opponent might expand far to rapidly on a BEAR! to ever reach the vitals!
LOADS FOR THE .445 SUPERMAG
FIREARM: DAN WESSON MODEL 445
CHRONOGRAPH: OEHLER MODEL 35P
PRIMER: FEDERAL #210
TEMPERATURE: 70 DEGREES
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SIERRA 300 JFP 29.0 GR. H110 1299 1290 1220
30.0 GR. H110 1302 1294 1242
31.0 GR. H110 1395 1394 1295
32.0 GR. H110 1445 1429 1369
32.0 GR. WW680 1144 1121 1100
33.0 GR. WW680 1229 1163 1133
34.0 GR. WW680 1284 1247 1191
35.0 GR. WW680 1340 1293 1253
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
BRP 295 KEITH* 29.0 GR. H110 1447 1443 1376
30.0 GR. H110 1512 1502 1477
31.0 GR. H110 1608 1572 1498
32.0 GR. H110 1635 1607 1527
32.0 GR. WW680 1397 1344 1336
33.0 GR. WW680 1435 1406 1405
34.0 GR. WW680 1554 1496 1442
35.0 GR. WW680 1568 1541 1514
36.0 GR. WW680 1612 1550 1538
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SSK 310 FN** 29.0 GR. H110 1446 1442 1402
30.0 GR. H110 1501 1472 1421
31.0 GR. H110 1546 1494 1491
32.0 GR. H110 1575 1563 1544
32.0 GR. WW680 1399 1375 1334
33.0 GR. WW680 1492 1462 1444
34.0 GR. WW680 1572 1521 1500
35.0 GR. WW680 1601 1547 1517
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
HORNADY 265 FN 29.0 GR. H110 1361 1308 1258
30.0 GR. H110 1406 1394 1286
31.0 GR. H110 1486 1459 1310
32.0 GR. H110 1536 1527 1409
29.0 GR. H4227 1390 1377 1267
30.0 GR. H4227 1468 1445 1306
31.0 GR. H4227 1534 1506 1327
32.0 GR. H4227 1581 1576 1430
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SPEER 240 FMJ 32.0 GR. H110 1471 1441 1313
33.0 GR. H110 1516 1517 1387
34.0 GR. H110 1522 1525 1442
35.0 GR. H110 1577 1533 1485
36.0 GR. H110 1570 1575 1512
30.0 GR. H4227 1408 1367 1296
31.0 GR. H4227 1514 1493 1326
32.0 GR. H4227 1609 1599 1444
33.0 GR. H4227 1682 1626 1550
35.0 GR. WW680 1419 1335 1227
36.0 GR. WW680 1451 1359 1289
37.0 GR. WW680 1476 1391 1331
38.0 GR. WW680 1504 1432 1353
39.0 GR. WW680 1499 1630 1405
34.0 GR. AA#1680 1256 1235 1045
35.0 GR. AA#1680 1345 1324 1070
36.0 GR. AA#1680 1377 1365 1189
37.0 GR. AA#1680 1388 1376 1252
BULLET LOADMV 10"MV 8"MV 6"
SIERRA 220 FMJ 34.0 GR. H4227 1648 1635 1541
35.0 GR. H4227 1759 1705 1561
36.0 GR. H4227 1793 1780 1640
38.0 GR. WW680 1479 1460 1287
39.0 GR. WW680 1482 1461 1295
40.0 GR. WW680 1517 1491 1360
E.W. Kovachic Technologies
210 South Park Street
Richmond, OH 43944
http://www.ewkarms.com/zen8/index.php?m ... ucts_id=93
Dan Wesson Muzzle Brake Kit Large Frame Stainless
$42.95
This brake kit is used in place of your barrel nut-very nifty accessory for your Dan Wesson! I have found the most effective design seems to be 2 rows of holes/ports oriented somewhat vertically. The trick is getting the ports timed correctly-this kit takes care of that by the use of precision shims for custom installation on your pistol! Please note the brake is "fairly" simple to install-it takes a little bit of time and patience to get the ports aligned perfectly. Instructions included. For all large frame calibers up to and including the .45's. No frame/shroud/barrel/sight included-used for demo purposes only.
BTW YOU CAN ORDER REPLACEMENT BARRELS AND OTHER PARTS FOR A DAN WESSON AT
1-607-336-1174 which is DAN WESSON PARTS DIRECT LINE, but be aware some parts are made to order and require 4-6 week delivery
OR https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1198640
or
genny@cz-usa.com
http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh ... .tests.asp
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm
http://www.lasc.us/FryxellCommentsCBAlloys.htm
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/al ... /index.asp
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/VIIB5.html
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/obturation.htm
http://www.sixguns.com/crew/castbullet.htm
http://www.rserv.com/Alloy.html
https://shop.cz-usa.com/dw-products/revolver/barrels-shrouds/44-magnum
http://www.n-ssa.org/NORTHWEST/Casting Bullets.htm
http://www.theantimonyman.com/price.htm
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/ ... ights.html
I've been using a couple hand guns for over 45 years too hunt larger game, (mostly deer, elk and hogs)
during those decades I've learned a few things along the way, and while I'm sure there's several people who may have more field experience,
I don,t think the experienced members will have much to argue about.
(1) precisely placed hits and a good knowledge of the games anatomy produce quick decisive kills.
(thus a good deal of practice with your handgun of choice is required)
(2) reasonably heavy for caliber gas check bullets with at least a 70%-85% flat nose (melplate)tend to produce a consistent deep ,strait lethal
wounds, (a 44 mag or a 445 dwsm can consistently shoot completely through even an elks chest)
(3) I've found a well lubed, gas check bullet cast from, 95% ww alloy and 5% tin provide a reasonable compromise in accuracy, penetration and almost no barrel leading
(4) in 45 plus years of hunting with an iron sight revolver's (mostly S&W mod 29 44 mag and dan wesson 445 super mags)I've found the 280-310 grain bullets produce the most consistent results
(5) ranges I and others I've hunted with, seldom exceed 70 -90 yards and that,s a good thing because under field conditions most of the people I've hunted with can not consistently place their first shot in anything smaller than a 6" paper plate past 75 yards.
(6) accuracy is more important than velocity as actual kills tend to be under 100 yards and a 300 grain hard cast bullet at only 1300 fps from a 44 mag will consistently kill even elk, and while I've used a 445 DWSM throwing a 300 grain bullet at 1550 fps the results are very similar.
ok now all the 45-50 caliber guys can tell me why I need more power, more bullet mass and higher velocity,
, but I've rarely recovered a bullet as most exit, and yes I own a 500 S&W and a 454 cassul Ruger
yes I've hunted with both and they also work ok,)
and yeah off a bench rest there's lots of guys that can shoot better groups,
but after several hours climbing canyons and walking through conifers and aspen,
at 8K-9K altitudes those groups youll shoot leaning against an aspen,
don,t match your best bench rest groups
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