My 431 Taurus in 44 Spl shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with factory advanced 200 grain self defense loads. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertized brinell hardness of 13.
I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.
Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.
Code:
Taurus M431 3" Barrel
240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500
Ave Vel = 684.1
Std Dev = 17.11
ES = 57.84
Low = 654.1
High = 712
N = 16
Shoots way high
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 11-Dec-04
Ave Vel = 789.6
Std Dev = 27.18
ES = 96.54
Low = 724.1
High = 820.6
N = 30
Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading.
205 LSWC 6.5 Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 54 °F 25-Nov-04
Ave Vel = 866
Std Dev = 16
ES = 52
Low = 839
High = 891
N = 11
Elevation good, but left; more leading
205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique thrown, Midway Brass WLP
T = 57 °F 25-Nov-04
Ave Vel = 906
Std Dev = 16
ES = 56
Low = 876
High = 932
N = 15
elevation good but left: worst leading
