[sam700]

I may have a chance to do some Black Bear hunting this fall, and thought I'd take my revolver along as a backup (5 inch S&W 629). I have a little bit of free time right now, so I thought I'd start working on working up a suitable handload. With any luck, it'll be in Alaska where even the black bears get pretty big so I'm not planning to use my deer load. (found out my friend knows someone up there)

I hear that the 629 is not nearly as good as the Rugers in holding up to very heavy loads and was wondering what is the max load that you would put through this gun on a regular basis.

I'd love to be able to practice with the same load I'm hunting with, but I'd hate to ruin a sweet shooting gun by shooting too many heavy loads through it. I'm going with either 270 or 240 grain bullets and probably using H-110. What would you recommend for either a max velocity for 240's or 270's, or a max number of grains of H-110 load.

[huntershooter]

For Black bear (or hogs) I would suggest a 240-250 gr. HC (hardcast) Kieth type or semi wadcutter at 1150-1250 fps (chrono'd from your gun).
I use Beartooth or Cast Performance GC (gas check) bullets in this weight.
I shoot a 4" 629.
Leading is a non issue.
Accuracy is 1.5"+ @ 25 yds. Iron sights.
This load is quite controlable and has impressive penetration.
I run H-110, but don't have the information in front of me.
I prefer not to guess.

[Snapping Twig]

I cast a 265g GCSWC from a Thompson design Lyman mould #429244 which I put over 22g H110 for a sweet and accurate round that is not too harsh.

[Jeff F]

Just get some Buffalo Bore hard cast gas check .44 magnum and use a few to sight in with. I'm not sure I'd want to reload a max load that I may have to defend my life with against something thats big, mean, and trying to eat me. Buffalo Bore makes some of the hottest, safest loads on the market.

[sam700]

The other question is what is the fastest I should push a 240 or 270 grain bullet through a 629 without wearing it out too quickly with repeated practice.