I have a new 629, really like this gun, and the largest ammo shot thus far is 240 grain magtech. I would like to know what the largest grain bullet I can safely shoot in this gun, when calling S&W they were not much help because they said 240 grain is the most I should shoot and I know that people shoot more. Home loads for it are 180 grain corbon jhp, but for range shooting I would like to try more and am open to suggestions. Any help would be appreciated. The same question would also apply to a Taurus snub nose ,2" that I recently purchased, a 605 model and not an ultra lite.
maximum S&W 629 classic load to shoot
- Thread starter keithhr
- Start date
- Status
PattonTime
Member
Maximum Grain loads
I have just finished loading up 250 rounds of my special 300 grain lead loads.
I have never seen anything like them on the market so I make my own.
Mine are 14.0 grains of 2400 powder under a Meister 300 grain lead bullet
They shoot like a warmed up 44 Special which is about what I like.
The older I get the milder my everyday loads are. I do keep some stompers on
hand in both 44 Mag and 45 colt but not for everyday.
I find my Auto loads are mostly for cost savings but my wheelguns is where I really
experiment and have fun.
Good luck finding a mild 300 grain load I have never seen it , but maybe a place that does custom loading, there is of course nothing hard about it.
I just started 1/2 a grain under the start load , found it to be accurate and soft shooting
and have decided to stay with it. I may try a even lighter load with Unique for my 4" 629
I have used 2400 powder in tribute to Elmer Keith , who was one of the fathers of the caliber and was said to be very fond of 2400 and lead bullets.
I have just finished loading up 250 rounds of my special 300 grain lead loads.
I have never seen anything like them on the market so I make my own.
Mine are 14.0 grains of 2400 powder under a Meister 300 grain lead bullet
They shoot like a warmed up 44 Special which is about what I like.
The older I get the milder my everyday loads are. I do keep some stompers on
hand in both 44 Mag and 45 colt but not for everyday.
I find my Auto loads are mostly for cost savings but my wheelguns is where I really
experiment and have fun.
Good luck finding a mild 300 grain load I have never seen it , but maybe a place that does custom loading, there is of course nothing hard about it.
I just started 1/2 a grain under the start load , found it to be accurate and soft shooting
and have decided to stay with it. I may try a even lighter load with Unique for my 4" 629
I have used 2400 powder in tribute to Elmer Keith , who was one of the fathers of the caliber and was said to be very fond of 2400 and lead bullets.
My $0.02 - I got one two years ago and proceeded to shoot the hell out of it with alternating 240gr and 300gr full magnum loads. Within 500 rounds, the cylinder started counter-rotating under recoil. Sent it back to S&W, they fixed it under warranty, and it's back being used regularly.
Lots of folks say they shoot their 44's a lot and have no issues. Lots more insist you'll wear out a delicate s&w (tongue in cheek.)
Bottom line is that as long as the company is still around, their customer service is great, and you can get it serviced, so why worry? Go have some magnum fun.
Lots of folks say they shoot their 44's a lot and have no issues. Lots more insist you'll wear out a delicate s&w (tongue in cheek.)
Bottom line is that as long as the company is still around, their customer service is great, and you can get it serviced, so why worry? Go have some magnum fun.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
My hottest load for my 4" 629 is a 300 gr. cast bullet over a max load of H110 at around 1200 or 1250 fps. I got empties sticking in the chambers at any more pressure than that, so I backed down until that stopped happening.
That said, I don't shoot many of these. Maybe a few 100 a year. The gun saw around 6,000 .44 Specials last year, though. I may eventually have to send it back for a tune up, but it won't likely be because of the magnums.
-Sam
That said, I don't shoot many of these. Maybe a few 100 a year. The gun saw around 6,000 .44 Specials last year, though. I may eventually have to send it back for a tune up, but it won't likely be because of the magnums.
-Sam
bluetopper
Member
You can shoot whatever size bullet you want as long as the powder charge doesn't exceed published load data.
However, the 44 Mag was designed with the 240gr bullet in mind and it performs exceedingly well with it with accuracy I feel surpassing any handgun caliber. Especially in the 629 Classic. You have the Cadillac of 44 Magnum hanguns. My advice would be to not abuse it.
However, the 44 Mag was designed with the 240gr bullet in mind and it performs exceedingly well with it with accuracy I feel surpassing any handgun caliber. Especially in the 629 Classic. You have the Cadillac of 44 Magnum hanguns. My advice would be to not abuse it.
- Status
