Register
Log In
Home
April 25, 2008
Offline
Friday, I had a perfect day at the range...sunny, 75 degrees, light winds, low humidity. Packed the usual assortment of steel guns, plus a couple Dan Wessons in .22LR and .44 Magnum. Had a little rain the previous day, but the range looked pretty good.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
The morning light is kind of bad for iron sights, so it was about 1:30 when I got out the 744-VH10. I got this one awhile back for a great price, but really haven't shot it that much, since I am more of a .41 Magnum fan. The initial outings indicated that it was a decent shooter. Well today, I wanted to work seriously with it, to get the sight settings nailed down, and see how accurate it was, plus just have some fun with it.
The only loaded ammo I have for the .44 Magnum is the one I developed for my El Dorado single-action. That load is a Sierra 250 grain FPJ and 23.5 grains W-296 using Starline brass and Fed 155M primers. I also have some plinking ammo for my Redhawk, but I knew those rounds weren't that great, even at 100 meters, so they stayed home. Looking in my book, I found the initial sight settings I worked out before I got the Hogue grip on it. It turns out they were just about perfect for the present configuration. After setting the sights and confirming the hits were where I wanted them, I shot a few cylinders full at each bank. The shooter only missed a few with some bad shot breaks, but the gun performed flawlessly. The rams are always fun to hit...you see the ram start to move, then hear the loud clang as it slowly falls over.
After going through a few banks of rams, I decided to see how good this load really was. I always put out swingers or regularl targets for shootoffs at 200 meters. These are Half-Size targets we normally use for tie-breakers. Half-Size is half the dimensions of length and height, but it really works out to about 1/4 of the area of the original targets. You can see the turkey, pig and ram swingers here.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
After a few guesses and no hits, I ended up coming down 4 clicks on the Bomar sight and connected. The second hit on the ram broke the swinger, that is why it's tilted down on the right. I shot at the pig and then the turkey. 4 out of 5 shots hit the pig, and 3 out of 5 shots hit the turkey. They weren't all in the center, but for a revolver, any hit out at 200 is an excellent hit. That is damn good for a single-shot gun. You bet I am pleased with that! After doing NO "load-testing" for this gun before today, I am happy to say my load work is now complete. It is very rare where the first load tried in a new gun works this well. Later, I might try some 300 grain bullets just for fun.
Just to show you my guns are really shot, and not safe queens, here's a picture of the revolver after 70 rounds went through it for the day. I do clean the outside after shooting, before it goes back in the safe.
The Savantist
January 22, 2008
Offline
Hey IHMSA80×80,
Great report! I'm happy to hit something at 50 years with a revolver so I would be estaic to hit anything at 200 meters!
I think we need to have the first annual DWF shoot at your range!
April 25, 2008
Offline
Hey…I am all for that one! I host a shoot at my range here every May for another website.
http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/eve
It is for all the members on that website to get together, meet each other, shoot a lot of steel and try out each others guns. It is a 4-day event, free. We could do that here anytime the DWF members want to. That would be neat to have a Dan Wesson Shoot.
Several of the SP members are also DWF members here.
The Savantist
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
That would be really fun! Could you fly around & pick everybody up?
hehe
As always, another nice range report at a beautiful range. One of these days I'm gonna find me a set of those Bomar's, you watch.
Those looks like great sights.
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
Moderators
November 17, 2008
Offline
Great range report. Next best thing to being there my self. Well almost. He He He.
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
April 25, 2008
Offline
The Bomar is an outstanding sight. If you find any extras, let me know. I still need a few sets.
As far as flying around picking everyone up, I would donate my time for free, but you wouldn't like how much an airplane would cost you. OUCH!
At the last Specialty Pistol shoot here we had someone drive up from Florida. Another year, someone drove from Manchester, New Hampshire. They all enjoyed the range and the get-together with online friends.
The Savantist
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
Offline
You are sooooo lucky to have a range like that. We have no outdoor ranges near us so we shoot into a pile of rubber in a crowded indoor range.
What a fabulous range that is. 
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
My "range" consists of rocks & sagebrush, with a few tumbleweeds thrown in for good measure. I will admit that my "range" isn't a range at all, but more of a couple isolated spots I've found. There's an actual range nearby that I could pay money for, but other than having target stands & benches there, it doesn't look much different than my little spots, so I keep my money in my pocket & enjoy the peace & quiet.
I'll take my camera along next time.
January 22, 2008
Offline
Maybe we could get a bus instead of an airplane!
January 4, 2009
Offline
HEY ZOOM.. do what I used to do... go anywhere south of 38th and the Dan Ryan..early morning is best, ( before most of the locals are fully awake!!), go east past the L tracks a few blocks.. when you come to the mostly deserted industrial area.. start checking deserted lots or buildings for Chicago sewer rats... kick over piles of tires, wood, etc... WONDERFUL moving targets...
one tip.. don't stay around to awfully long... gun fire is a normal sound down in that hood .. but if your shooting a lot... you may attract more attention then you want... don't bother bringing a picniclunch... eat at Carms beef on your way back up North...
be sure and take pictures.. and give us a range report will you...
Gad I miss those outings .. LOL..
Wayne
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
Offline
IHMSA, As usual great range report. I would love to visit your range too someday. It would be great to get a DWF scheduled shoot. I may opt for the train over the bus offered though.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Supporter
Moderators
January 24, 2009
Offline
How about THIS bus? You could bring your car along, too.
The Afghani's obviously have this method dialed!
[Image Can Not Be Found]
December 17, 2008
Offline
Great report and pics IHMSA! 200 meters...incredible...
So, I'm up for the shoot on that beauty of a range, but after checking the mass transportation options I'm trying to figure how long a walk it is from Texas...
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
Offline
IHMSA:
I would love to shoot at your range, but aDWF shoot? No thanks, I don't want to show off what a poor shot I am.
Hey Wayne -- I'd love to do that, 
but with my luck CPD would catch me and take my Dan's away. It would be really cool to somehow organize a varmit shoot down there with official sanction. Unfortunately Hizzoner M. D. is one of those who thinks only criminals should be allowed to own guns.
April 25, 2008
Offline
The shoots here are all about fun, no one cares if any targets are missed. I have the benefit of 24 years of shooting steel, and I can miss targets with the best of them. Besides, revolvers aren't supposed to be that accurate at those distances...something about antiquated technology.
The Savantist
January 22, 2008
Offline
I think it would be very cool just to watch someone hit steel at 200 meters with a revolver! I think there's a club around Charlottesville, VA that does silhouette maybe I need to go up and watch a match!
April 25, 2008
Offline
Oh you definitely need to do that. Be prepared to have folks there offer you guns and ammo to try it, but I warn you, once you do, you will be hooked, and it's all downhill from there. 
The Savantist
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 28, 2009
Offline
IHMSA80x80 said:
Oh you definitely need to do that. Be prepared to have folks there offer you guns and ammo to try it, but I warn you, once you do, you will be hooked, and it's all downhill from there.
I'm sure that somewhere I read that that is one of the laws of the universe: the first law of what a blast, or something like that.
Unfortunately, the nearest silhouette course to me is about 200 miles away, I think.
February 2, 2009
Offline
We've got a pretty good range here in central Ky., we're still working on it; I'll send pics as soon as my camera's back from the shop. I got in my explosive target material today and took one to the range, my DW is still at the factory, so I had to use a Contender in 223. The material is a 4oz plastic jar filled with what looks like styrofoam balls and a packet of gray powder that you put together and shake for 45 seconds then shoot from at least 50 meters for the one I bought, they also had 100 meter and 150. Set mine at 100yds stuck to a sillouette target. Took about 5 shots and the target disappeared along with a big flash/bang, pretty neat stuff. Saving the rest for when my son comes; he'll shoot video and I'll post a connection. Bits of cardboard floated down for a few seconds.
2 Guest(s)
