I've shot a 5" .44 mag (S&W 629 Classic) for 12 years, now. Always used jacketed bullets, up to 300 grain solids. I heard about Beartooth and called to get more info. The owner (nice guy) sold me some 280 grain lead bullets with gas checks. They have a wide, flat nose and are good looking bullets for my usage. He suggested a load of 21.5 grains of H110 (my favorite powder for this caliber). With this load my 629 is quite accurate but I can't get over how little the gun recoils. I get stiffer recoil out of 240 jacketed factory loads. My Chrony is broken, but based upon the recoil it's hard for me to believe that velocity is over 1000, much less the 1200 I was hoping for. This 44 is strictly for big bear protection when I pack into Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness and I want all the velocity I can get. Is there such a difference in cast vs jacketed felt recoil that would explain this? More powder? Different powder?

Yes, cast lead will have quite a bit less friction than hard jacketed bullets. That's why you can stoke them up with a bit more powder than is recommended for jacketed loads.

I would imagine with that loading you're exceeding the 1000 fps threshold! :D

Cast bullets have a lower friction coefficient than do jacketed bullets, and indeed, I would be quite surprised if your load didn't exceed 1200 fps by a little margin!

A good way to estimate the velocity of your load is to compare points of impact with the alloy bullets when compared to the jacketed 240g ammo you are shooting. The 280g load, if it really is as slow as you estimate will shoot to a SUBSTANTIALLY higher point of impact than does your jacketed ammo.

Let us know what you find.

Hope this answer helps out a little bit.

God bless,

It would be pretty shocking if you got less than 1,000fps. Get the Chrony and find out.... I run the Beartooth 280 WFNGC at over 1300fps, with just a bit more powder.

Now, you will get a lot less muzzle blast with a heavy cast bullet. That does contribute to the sensation of less recoil.

It would be pretty shocking if you got less than 1,000fps. Get the Chrony and find out.... I run the Beartooth 280 WFNGC at over 1300fps, with just a bit more powder.

Now, you will get a lot less muzzle blast with a heavy cast bullet. That does contribute to the sensation of less recoil.



Thank you all for your knowledgable replies. My comments are - Yep, muzzle blast is less (which I was equating to a slower load) and the POI is slightly higher than the 240 factory loads but not over 2-3" @ 25 yards. My wife sent the Chrony back to the factory for repairs today. I'll let you know what the velocity turns out to be, but if it's really 1200 or so I'm changing over to cast bullets in all my revolver calibers. Mike G - I wondered how much H110 you used and in what model .44 with what barrel length - If I'm out of line asking please excuse my lack of manners.

Super Blackhawk, and 22 grains of 296. 7.5" barrel. That should put you in the mid 1300's, at least with Marshall's good bullets. Can't speak for anything else. OAL is 1.610".