Elmer Kieths legendary shot... - The Firearms Forum

JLA · 09-12-2009, 03:31 PM

I got my most recent issue of Handloader (#262) and was reading up on Brian Pearce's article on pg. 74 about Elmer Kieths legendary 600 yd shot on a wounded muley with an early S&W .44 magnum (pre-Model 29) and factory REM-UMC .44 Magnum (240 gr. lead gascheck at an advertised 1570 fps.) Im inspired to duplicate remingtons 1957/58 era factory loading using a lee 240 gr gascheck cast bullet and alliant 2400. Elmer Kieth was a great man and an invaluable contributor to the shooting world, and one of my personal favorite 'gun guys'. If you guys havent yet read this article, you need to. Its full of solid gold information about the ballistics performance of the .44 mag as well as some of Kieths personal favorite handloads...

Rembrandt · 09-12-2009, 03:55 PM

Did it mention he fired several rounds for effect...eventually walking the final shot up to its mark?

Makes you wonder what Elmer would think about the big handgun calibers available today.....500 SW etc.

JLA · 09-12-2009, 03:59 PM

yeah, Hed probably turn over in his grave at the mere sight of the monstrous X frame 500.

retired grunt · 09-12-2009, 04:08 PM

I think he would be a big fan of the 460..... Imagine him at 1000 yards

JLA · 09-12-2009, 04:13 PM

Id be nervous to be on the business end of his revolver at any range. He was a true pistolero...

Hammerslagger · 09-12-2009, 04:22 PM

I think it was the March 1956 "American Rifleman" that introduced the S&W 44 Magnum and its Remington Ammo. { I was doing other research, several years ago, and "tripped" across this article. I am working from memory here.}

The revolver had a nominal 6" or 6.5" barrel. The 240 grain lead alloy bullets (gaschecked I do not remember, but do not think so) were "apparently" propelled by 22 grains of Hercules 2400 for a claimed velocity of 1450 fps.

The NRA never saw better than 1350 fps! The average was about 1300. Some rounds chronoed as low as 1250 fps.

Not every "i" dotted, or "t" crossed, but I trust one gets the idea that advertising departments often take "certain liberties" with the truth.

I do not know if you can find a load this "hot" in any current manual. It will lead badly, without a gas check and 50/50 Alox-Beeswax lubricant. It will still lead, regardless. About 6000 of these loads would send 5 screw revolver back to the factory in need of significant rebuilding.

I

tEN wOLVES · 09-12-2009, 06:38 PM

Howdy Gents

It's good to see Elmer's name come up, he was a hell of a Pard, I followed his writing most of his life, if you haven't read his book, you owe it to yourself to do so, the book is " Hell I Was There " great book for anyone interested in firearms and shooting, for me it was reading in the times of my own Grandfather, and I was able to relate to Elmer's writing from some of the stories my Granddad told me.

Regards

tEN wOLVES

JLA · 09-12-2009, 10:37 PM

According to the article in Handloader #262 it was Vintage REM-UMC circa 1957/58, With a 240 gr Gascheched lead bullet. And advertized MV of 1570. The author chronyd the vintage ammo with results from his pistols were between 1425 to 1475 fps.

09-12-2009, 03:31 PM	#1
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,298	Elmer Kieths legendary shot... I got my most recent issue of Handloader (#262) and was reading up on Brian Pearce's article on pg. 74 about Elmer Kieths legendary 600 yd shot on a wounded muley with an early S&W .44 magnum (pre-Model 29) and factory REM-UMC .44 Magnum (240 gr. lead gascheck at an advertised 1570 fps.) Im inspired to duplicate remingtons 1957/58 era factory loading using a lee 240 gr gascheck cast bullet and alliant 2400. Elmer Kieth was a great man and an invaluable contributor to the shooting world, and one of my personal favorite 'gun guys'. If you guys havent yet read this article, you need to. Its full of solid gold information about the ballistics performance of the .44 mag as well as some of Kieths personal favorite handloads... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! -->

09-12-2009, 03:59 PM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,298	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... yeah, Hed probably turn over in his grave at the mere sight of the monstrous X frame 500. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-12-2009, 04:08 PM	#4
retired grunt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern NY Posts: 416	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... I think he would be a big fan of the 460..... Imagine him at 1000 yards

09-12-2009, 04:13 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,298	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... Id be nervous to be on the business end of his revolver at any range. He was a true pistolero... __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-12-2009, 04:22 PM	#6
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... I think it was the March 1956 "American Rifleman" that introduced the S&W 44 Magnum and its Remington Ammo. { I was doing other research, several years ago, and "tripped" across this article. I am working from memory here.} The revolver had a nominal 6" or 6.5" barrel. The 240 grain lead alloy bullets (gaschecked I do not remember, but do not think so) were "apparently" propelled by 22 grains of Hercules 2400 for a claimed velocity of 1450 fps. The NRA never saw better than 1350 fps! The average was about 1300. Some rounds chronoed as low as 1250 fps. Not every "i" dotted, or "t" crossed, but I trust one gets the idea that advertising departments often take "certain liberties" with the truth. I do not know if you can find a load this "hot" in any current manual. It will lead badly, without a gas check and 50/50 Alox-Beeswax lubricant. It will still lead, regardless. About 6000 of these loads would send 5 screw revolver back to the factory in need of significant rebuilding. I

09-12-2009, 03:55 PM	#2
Rembrandt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 98	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... Did it mention he fired several rounds for effect...eventually walking the final shot up to its mark? Makes you wonder what Elmer would think about the big handgun calibers available today.....500 SW etc.

09-12-2009, 06:38 PM	#7
tEN wOLVES V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northridge, California Posts: 174	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... Howdy Gents It's good to see Elmer's name come up, he was a hell of a Pard, I followed his writing most of his life, if you haven't read his book, you owe it to yourself to do so, the book is " Hell I Was There " great book for anyone interested in firearms and shooting, for me it was reading in the times of my own Grandfather, and I was able to relate to Elmer's writing from some of the stories my Granddad told me. Regards tEN wOLVES __________________ NRA, SASS #69595, NCOWS #3123, RATTS # 369, SCORRS, BROW, ROWSS#40, Leather Shop

09-12-2009, 10:37 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,298	Re: Elmer Kieths legendary shot... According to the article in Handloader #262 it was Vintage REM-UMC circa 1957/58, With a 240 gr Gascheched lead bullet. And advertized MV of 1570. The author chronyd the vintage ammo with results from his pistols were between 1425 to 1475 fps. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!