Smith and wesson 629-6 4 inch barrel h110 240 xtp velocity

[Big-bore-bob]

Hello all, I've posted a thread before concerning h110 and over pressure signs in a smith and wesson 629-6 44 magnum with a 4 inch barrel. My current load I've worked up is 23.5gr h110, 240gr xtp, cci 350 magnum primer, starline 2x fired brass, coal 1.5925, heavy crimp, SD 19, ES 68, AVG Vel 1350, hi of 1386, lo of 1318, fired casings just fall out of the cylinder. Primers are slightly flattened but not to an extreme. I was wondering if these velocities are typical for a 4 in .44 or if maybe I have a fast barrel? I chrono'd some factory WWB 240 jsp today and the box says VEL 1180, my results were SD 27, ES 90, AVG vel 1309, hi of 1338, lo of 1248. Groupings of my handloads are clover leaf 5 shot groups at 15 yards bench-rested. Does anyone have similar results with their 4 inch .44? Will repeated use of rounds this hot damage my revolver? Possible round count before service is needed? I'm just looking for experienced opinions regarding my load data in my gun. I will be using these loads and gun for deer and elk hunting, as well as shooting steel (and annoying my shooting buddies). Thanks! Happy shooting!

 

[JmacD]

I’m getting ready to start loading 44 mag, so I’m interested as well.

 

[nick22]

You are right in the middle of the published data at 23.5 grains of H110 so I think you are okay for the load safety wise. I personally wouldn't run those true magnum rounds all the time say 500 to a 1,000 rounds per year. If you shoot that much I would find a cast bullet with a middle of the road load that's cheaper on your wallet and will help that gun last for the next generation. I am away from my book but if memory serves I use a 240 grain keith bullet on top of 11.5 grains of CFE for a nice range round. And it would also probably kill anything I hit it with properly. If your cases fall out of the cylinder with ease you are good to go on the pressure side.

 

[mcb]

With a very similar load, same bullet, powder charge 23.5 gr H110, and 1.590 OAL but less aggressive crimp I am getting nearly the same average velocity, 1351 fps from a 6.5-in m29.

Revolvers often make what looks like flattened primers but do so at lower pressures. On ignition the prime can back out of the case against the recoil sheild and then as the rest of the powder charge combusts the case is driven back over the primer reseating it. This often results in what looks like a flattened primer typical of over pressure despite pressures being normal.

 

[Big-bore-bob]

I am away from my book but if memory serves I use a 240 grain keith bullet on top of 11.5 grains of CFE for a nice range round.

Funny you should mention cfe. I tested a starting load yesterday for a cfe load using a 200gr xtp, 12gr cfe, winchester 3x fired cases, cci 300 primer, coal 1.590, moderate crimp. Avg vel 1265, SD 16, ES 51. None of those primers were flattened at all, cases were shiny and ejected perfectly, however grouping was so-so (maybe 2 inches at 15yds, could have been me flinching though ). I'm going to up that charge closer to the 13.4 max to see if groups tighten up. How does your Keith load shoot accuracy wise? Any leading? I found cfe to burn extremely clean for me, but I was also testing h110 loads so the gun got filthy from those.