Just how good do you think the Thunder Ranch S&W 44 is?

Can that frame take a lot of shooting (was it ever chambered for a 44 or 45 stronger than 44 special??)

I once had a 5in barreled m1950 S&W 44 spl like the one the TR special is a copy of. This makes for an excellent all around carry gun. The large frame will take the Keith load with no problem. If the price comes down some on the TR model, I will probably get one. I think it makes a great backup gun for hunting too.

Thanks for the info.

How strong is the Keith load you are referring to?

The general size of the frams is the same as the 44 magnum Smiths. The only difference is the fixed sight vs adjustable sight option. Cylinders will also be the same thicknss, tho the 44 spl cylinder is slightly shorter. Heat treatment MAY be different, but when the model 24's came out again 15 or so years ago it was reported that they had the same heat treatment as the model 29's (44 magnums)since the cartridge was a favorite of Elmer Keith fans and they woulld likely be wanting to duplicate his loads.

The Keith load was a 250 gr cast bullet (Lyman mold No 429421 I believe) at 1200 fps velocity. Powder used was 2400, charge varied asto whether the case was the old baloon head or modern solid head case. Kieth reduced the load to be the same velocity when the new solid head cases came out..

The Keith load is 17 grains of 2400 with Keith's 250 gr SWC. This should go about 1100 or so in the 4in barrel. A good practice load is 7.5 grains of Unique with the same bullet for about 875 fps from a 4in also. Beartooth has the true Keith bullet in their bullet selection.

I just checked my copy of "Sixguns" by Keith, he specified in old BALLOON head cases 18.5 grs 2400, and in SOLID head cases 17.5 grs. both loads with the Lyman #429421 bullets. He said 1200 fps, but I think this may have been in 6 1/2" barrels.

In my old copy (latest copyright date is 1961) of the NRA reloading handbook it shows some data on the 44 special. The Keith loads showed 18.5 grs 2400 in BALLOON head caes as giving 1233 fps velocity, and 20,870 PSI ( not CUP ) pressure. They say that the change to solid head cases made an over 7000 PSI increase in pressure for the same loads that were previously loaded in balloon head cases. They recomended loading at 16 grs 2400 powder in solid head cases, for 1138 FPS and 18,860PSI pressure. They did show a load of 17.5 grs 2400 with a Lyman # 431244 bullet, a gas check design weighing 254 grs, and showing 1183 FPS, and 22,960PSI pressure. The loads in the NRA handbook were pressure tested by HP White laboratories. Barrel length was 6 1/2". I think Iron is real close with the 1100 FPS estimate of velocity for a 4" barrel.

I loaded the 17.5 gr load with 429421 bullet for my Colt SAA back in the 80's and had no trouble with it, but it was a pretty brisk load to shoot. I will likely load some 17.5 gr loads for my current model 24-2. Won't likely shoot them much, but nice to have being on the edge of good grizzly country.

Wow! That's hotter than I would have imagined for 44 Special. I like a little heavier bullet moving slower. Right now I am shooting a 265 BTB over 6.2 grains in my 44 mag for an average 875 fps in a 4-5/8 barrel. From what you say that same load would be no problem in a 44 special. That Thunder Ranch looks mighty attractive, but the near $1,000 is a bit offputting.

Dave, those heavy Keith loads are nice for hunting or for bear protection, but for most shooting the medium velocity loads are much nicer to shoot, and will take care of about any deer size animal. I most often shoot 6 1/2 grs Unigue with the 250 gr Lyman bulllet. Keith mentioned 7 1/2 grs Unique I believe, as Iron also did. It would make a nice load with a little more velocity than my 6 1/2 grs. I've never chronographed the 6 1/2 gr load, but figure it's about 850 fps.

Iron, what velocity does your 7 1/2 gr load give?

3in 696 - 845, 4in Taurus - 875, 4 5/8 Ruger 905