Heavy cast bullets in a S&W 629

[texgunner]

I recently bought a box of Cast Performance WFNGC .44 cal 300gr bullets with the intention of trying them in my Marlin 1894 SS. It occurred to me that I might try them in one of S&W 629s. My question is:

Are these heavy bullets safe to use in a Smith & Wesson revolver?

I plan to load these with 2400 and IMR 4227, data is from Lyman's Pistol & Revolver Handbook third edition. If I owned a Ruger I wouldn't be concerned and I don't want to wreck one of my Smiths. All replies are welcome.

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, as long as it is not someones "T/C Contender" or "Ruger Only" data, it would be safe.

My Lyman manual only shows standard pressure .44 MAg loads with the 300 grain cast bullet of well under 40,000 CUP.

As always, start out with the starting load and stop if you start getting sticky extraction.

rc

 

[Bula]

I've found that 2400 is little too fast for the heavies in .44 mag. I shoot the Lee 310g and settled with H110/W296. These are my "when I'm feeling brave" loads. They are not very fun after 12 rounds(or was it 6?). If I'm ever called on to bring a handgun to protect a village from a rabid feral Yak, these'd be what I reach for.

 

[Slamfire]

You did not mention which dash number your M629.

S&W modified their 44 Magnum revolvers in the 90's, I think, as heavy loads were beating up their 44 Magnums. S&W made changes and called these "endurance" modifications.

I read one thread on the S&W forums and the poster sounded intelligent and knowledgable.

He had shot loose “endurance” mod S&W’s. Basically he claimed the endurance mods had improved the package, but overall the gun has not changed much since 1908 (or so). And I think he is right.

The general trend of the thread was that if you were firing something like 5000 rounds a year, and shooting heavy bullets (like 300 grain) you should expect the pistol to loosen up.

I have a M629-4, which has the hammer mounted firing pin. This was made just as the endurance mods were kicking in.

I shot a few 290 LSWC's and found the recoil to be objectionable. Very accurate though.

 

[rcmodel]

The Model 29-3E (1987), and all 629-2E (1989) after that have the endurance package.

rc

 

[ironhead7544]

They will be OK but the recoil is substantial. I dont think you will want to shoot a lot of them. I have had good results with heavy bullets in the 44 Mag. The main problem is that they will shoot high. You will need a higher front sight. When I first tried the 300 grain bullets using a recommended charge of WW296 in a 6 inch M29 it hit 18 inches high at 25 yards. Very accurate with 3/4 inch groups at that range. Bullets were from SSK.