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April 25, 2008
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Been a little busy lately and the weather hasn't cooperated, but I finally was able to get to the range last week and shoot the latest Dan Wesson.
The Limited Edition IHMSA has just a superb bluing as typical of early Dan Wesson revolvers, this one being a 1979 model which was unfired until this day. I started out with the .357 Magnum loads I have for my Colt King Cobra, using Winchester 158 grain JHP's over AA-9 powder. With the rear sight just as it came from the factory, the first shots at 25 yards were dead on for elevation, and about 2" left. A couple small adjustments and it was sighted in.
I then moved to the 50 yard line and shot a bunch of Field Pistol pigs. The shots went right where the sights were pointed with no uncalled flyers. That was so much fun, I started taking shots at the 100 yard rams, getting my usual 50 percent hit ratio. The gun seems to like this load as it is. Several 100 meter Big Bore pigs were next and they went down with a satisfying clang. I still hadn't changed the sight settings, but the targets were hit on the low side. After another sight adjustment, I was able to hold dead on. With a bellyline hold, the targets at 25 and 50 yards were easy.
I had some old .38 Special +P+ loads to get rid of, and the Dan wesson digested them with ease. They did not seem as accurate with my limited testing though. Now I need to work up some specific loads for this gun over the winter. All total, about 110 rounds went downrange on a most enjoyable 65 degree November day. Thanks to Paul for a great gun, I love it! Now I need a 715-2, perhaps in a pistol pac...it never ends.
The Savantist
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November 17, 2008
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Great report Dean, Sounds like the 15 is doing great.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
January 22, 2008
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Thanks for the writeup. It's always good to see a rare edition Dan get out and do it's thing.
Knocking down steel targets at 100 yards with a 158 grain bullet should be proof enough that the .357 Mag round is no weakling. No need to step up to the .825 G&S just yet 
-Wayne
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January 24, 2009
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Sounds like the gun really enjoyed throwing some lead!
That's pretty impressive that the sights were still that close, after spending all these years pulling safe queen duty.
Range Officer
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Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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Great report on an even greater gun! That is one real beauty there. I have never braved shooting a model 15 at 100-yards, the results would be embarrasing
Thanks IHMSA for the report
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
November 4, 2008
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IHMSA,
Wow, that 15-2 is a nice piece of workmanship.
What are the pros and the cons vs your large frames other than the power factor which pays off for the 200 yarders?
I have always heard good things about AA#9, now I'll have to get a lb.
Good range report, I would bet most of us are wishing we had a range like yours let alone the 65 degree weather.
April 25, 2008
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Pros and cons? As you said, obviously, the power factor, but a .357 Magnum can work well on 200 meter rams using 170-180 grain bullets. With the auto-reset targets we have here, even the 158 grain bullet will work most of the time...just don't hit one real low.
The small frame is quite a bit lighter than the larger frames, which makes the gun a little easier to handle. For standing shooting, the larger frames get a bit tiring to hold up for extended shooting, but I believe they have a better balance with a VH6 barrel, at least for me.
This 15 with the VH8 holds pretty steady though, making it easier to stay on target, muzzle-wise, but the lighter gun does move around a bit more. I like both sizes, each has it's advantages, but they are very accurate, and being able to hit the target is most important. With all the different guns I shoot in silhouette competition, it is no problem for me to switch around without losing any skills, but you DO have to practice with them a lot.
The Savantist
November 4, 2008
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Nice comparison review, it's good to know that there weren't any dissapointments encountered with the "lil" guy since you are so accustomed to the large frame models. I would guess the 15-2 would work well in the field pistol catagory then.
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