I found a model 29-2 at the local store and it called my name. Its on layaway for the next couple months so I figured i'd get ammo loaded up for it.

I have some resevations about shooting my standard super blackhawk load in this gun. I am quite concerned with shooting this gun loose. What are some reasonable loads that will not accelerate wear. I would like to keep the velocity in the 1100-1200 fps range.

I know a couple posters have mentioned shooting model 29s loose and I would like to learn from your experiance.

I found a model 29-2 at the local store and it called my name. Its on layaway for the next couple months so I figured i'd get ammo loaded up for it.

I have some resevations about shooting my standard super blackhawk load in this gun. I am quite concerned with shooting this gun loose. What are some reasonable loads that will not accelerate wear. I would like to keep the velocity in the 1100-1200 fps range.

I know a couple posters have mentioned shooting model 29s loose and I would like to learn from your experiance.


Model 29s shooting loose didn't really become a problem until silhouette shooters started shooting thousands of heavy-bullet max loads thru them. Fired with "standard" loads, a 29 will last a long, long time with no worries.

Having said that, I'll admit that I find loads a bit below standard velocity to be easy on me and my 29-2. Specifically, my favorite load is a 240 gr. cast bullet (SWC or HP) over 19.5 gr. of 2400. My chrono has been down for quite a while, and I don't know precisely the velocity of this load from my 4" barrel, but it is quite accurate and effective on game. Generally, sticking with 240 gr. bullets and 18-20 gr. 2400 is a good place to start looking for a less-than-max load that still gives some magnum ooomph.

I just got my 6 1/2" M29-2 this year and the only load that I'm currently using is 10grains of Unique under a hard cast 240 SWC. Velocity should be around 1100 fps.

CD

The Smith and Wesson 44 magnum story (http://www.sixguns.com/range/SmithWesson44Mag.htm)

I found this while doing a search for the S&W 29-2

BTW, I don't own a S&W anything right now, but do own a Taurus Tracker in 44 Mag with a 2" barrel.. a good load that I use is a 240-gr JSP or SWC with 8.0 gr of WW 231. Very accurate and nice to shoot.

I found a model 29-2 at the local store and it called my name…

I have some resevations about shooting my standard super blackhawk load in this gun. I am quite concerned with shooting this gun loose. What are some reasonable loads that will not accelerate wear. I would like to keep the velocity in the 1100-1200 fps range.

Handloader 241, June-July '06 had an article on this. I put the issue out with the recycling today, but dug it up for you. A page or 2 are missing, but it has most of what you need.

Page 26 (http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4528/p26rg1.jpg)
Page 27 (http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7342/p27ae1.jpg)
Page 28 (http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5341/p28ub2.jpg)
Page 29 (http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8176/p29tn2.jpg)
Page 30 (http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/9045/p30pb5.jpg)
Page 31 (http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8741/p31ia7.jpg)
Page 32 (http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/925/p32ni7.jpg)
Page 33 (http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8703/p33il8.jpg)
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Found the last page:
Page 35 (http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/5341/page35dx1.jpg)

I have a Smith model 629 that I bought used over 15 years ago. I now shoot hornady bullets with 22 grains of win 296.That gives a velocity of about 1150 fps. This load is accurate in my gun. This is the top load I shoot in my gun. It is no where near max. I have tryed hotter loads but the gun does not like them. And I have had no problems with the gun shooting loose or anything.

23.0 grains of IMR4227 with a 250 grain cast bullet is a good load for a M29. Velocity from a 4 inch is about 1200 fps. IMR4227 is easy on guns.

I have a few 29-2s. The most used loads are 8.5 and 10 grains Unique with a 240 laser cast swc. I have shot thousands upon thousands of rounds through my 29-2s with this load with no ill effect. I really prefer the 8.5 grain load for my 4" guns. The 10 grain load is a very efective hunting load for deer size game and is still easy to manage in the recoil dept.

Congrats on your 29-2. They are fine guns.

In search of a lower recoiling, less than maximum load for my .44, i've used 16 grains of AA#7 and the Sierra 180 grain JHP's before.

Back of the napkin math would put that load probably around 1200-1250 from a 2" barrel. I never did get a chance to chronograph these loads from my 7.5 inch Ruger Redhawk, but they sure felt alot less than full charge 44's.

Another good powder for mid range 44 loads with the light bullets is Blue Dot.