Loads for S&W Mdl. 29-2

[AlaskaMike]

A couple of months ago I picked up a gorgeous 4" barreled model 29-2. I know that the -2 models predate S&W's endurance package, which as I understand it basically beefed up the internals. Because of this I'm hesitant to use my warmer loads in it that I've been shooting in my Colt Anaconda. I want this gun to last a very long time.

I was thinking of something that pushed a Keith bullet no faster than 1300 fps, maybe like 12.5 grains of Power Pistol, or 23 grains of 296. But I was curious what you all thought about max loads for these slightly older model 29s. Any strong opinions out there?

Thanks,
Mike

[felix]

Way too hot for that gun year. 14.5 BlueDot or equivalent is MAX with 250 grainers. ... felix

[Bass Ackward]

A couple of months ago I picked up a gorgeous 4" barreled model 29-2. I know that the -2 models predate S&W's endurance package, which as I understand it basically beefed up the internals. Because of this I'm hesitant to use my warmer loads in it that I've been shooting in my Colt Anaconda. I want this gun to last a very long time.

I was thinking of something that pushed a Keith bullet no faster than 1300 fps, maybe like 12.5 grains of Power Pistol, or 23 grains of 296. But I was curious what you all thought about max loads for these slightly older model 29s. Any strong opinions out there?

Thanks,
Mike


Mike,

Anything that keeps you at less than 28,000 should be fine. The problem is seating depth of the bullet. With a 250 Origional Keith, 23 grains of 296 is only 24,000 psi. The power pistol is 30,000 psi. Change bullets and pressures can change dramatically.

My favorite is 15.4 grains of 2400 for just around 1100 fps. That's only 21,000.

[Poygan]

Mike,

I have two 29-2s - personally I would stay on the conservative side by starting with 10 grains of Unique with a Lyman 429421. I recently acquired some power pistol but haven't used any yet. The H-110/296 are used for full snort loads and I would use them very sparingly if at all. Because these two aren't supposed to be reduced by more than 3%, I would go to 2400 if I wanted to increase velocity.

[waksupi]

Mike, I shoot 14.5 gr. 2400, 240 gr. KSWC in mine. Very accurate, light recoil.

[AlaskaMike]

Wow! I guess it was good that I've only been shooting my lighter loads in it so far (7.5 gr. 231 or 9 gr. Unique, both with RCBS 44-250-K). I thought I'd have a little more room for higher pressures though. I guess I'll save the hotter stuff for the Anaconda and continue to shoot the above loads in this one.

Thanks,
Mike

[AlaskaMike]

Oh, and I couldn't resist--here's a picture! The grips are Eagle's ebony oversize, and feel absolutely perfect.

http://www.tibor.org/mod-29.jpg

[Char-Gar]

Another vote for 10/Unique/240 SWC in the SMith 29-2s. Very accurate, about 1,100 fps, plenty of stomp and long life for the pistol.

[9.3X62AL]

The S&W Model 29 variants are a good match for Mr. Keith's load--the #429421 at about 1200 FPS max. Much hotter than that, and things get uncomfortable. For me, at least. The newer examples may be built to endure stouter loads, but I won't run things much past the Keith-level--even in my Redhawk. I just don't see the point of pounding myself like that.

[August]

Unless there's a bear on the muzzle end of the piece, there's no reason that I can figure to use hot loads in any 44. That's why I took up this loading hobby in the first place. In over forty years of handloading, I have never tried to build a hot load. Have no interest in it. My smiths seem to appreciate it, too.

When you buy a smith, buy one box of factory, hot loads. Shoot one cylinder full for information purposes. Put the rest of the box away in a dry place. Take six rounds out when you 'go to work.' The box will last you for a lifetime.

On the other hand, shoot as many rounds per month of 900-1000 fps loads per month as you possibly can.

[MT Gianni]

I am another believer in low level loads for practice and a lot of shooting. try green dot in the 44 for 900-1150 fps. You should be very pleased with the results.
It is a great looking gun. Gianni.

[rockrat]

I used to shoot your 231 load all the time in my 29-2 along with an occasional 22 gr 296 with the 429421 boolit. Stood up for about 15, 000 rounds, but finally wallowed out the hole in the frame where the cylinder locks a the rear of the cylinder.

[d.thomson]

I use 24.5grns of h110 in my 629-3 with 210 grn boolit some one asked me at the range why I load so high for it , I told him if I wanted a 38 I would have bought one. This load shoots well out to 100 yards Can hit 10 inches 5 out of 10 times. I would realy like to be able to afford an X frame in 500 smith or a .460 that should rattle some teeth.

[Dale53]

I have several .44 magnums. My Mod 29 Smith 8 3/8"is the oldest and most used. It now wears a scope.
It has been fired many, many thousands of times. Since I also have three .44 Specials, I have only loaded "full" loads in the 29. Now, my idea of a full load is not one that bulges the cylinder every time you pull the trigger. My "standard" load is a 250 Keith (more nearly 240 with my metal) ahead of 23.0 grs of H110. For hunting, I used 24.0 grs of H110. However, I learned that the deer did not know the difference between 23.0 and 24.0 grs of H110. So, I now just use 23.0 grs.

23.0 chronographs 1200 fps in my revolver and the 24.0 chronographs 1300 fps.

For me, that is hot enough (either load, take your pick) and my Smith is still as tight as the day I bought it.

On the other hand, I had an acquaintance who insisted on using Red Dot to hot load his S&W (gunpowder is gunpowder, right?) and after a couple of years it rattled like an old pick up truck. Using faster powders to drive relatively heavy bullets at high velocity is really not a good idea. I much prefer to use slower burning powders just slightly off max for good performance and long life.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53

[AlaskaMike]

I use 24.5grns of h110 in my 629-3 with 210 grn boolit some one

I think your 629-3 has stronger guts than my 29-2 (but I may be wrong). I really, really like 7.5 grains of 231 under RCBS 44-250-K. This being my only big bore revolver with a 4" barrel, I want to come up with a load that won't send it to an early grave, but one that will do better than the 231 load on a bear or angry moose while hiking or fishing or something. Based on what people have written above, I may pick up some more 2400. I don't like reducing 296 loads much. I've never had any *serious* problems doing so, but it seems to start getting inconsistent velocities. When I started using a strong crimp using my Redding profile crimp die, it reduced that to some degree, but I bet 2400 will work better.

In my Anaconda I really like 24 grains of 296 with RCBS 44-250-K. I've been playing with IMR-4227 lately though, and 23.5 grains with the same bullet might even be more accurate in that gun, although it's about 100 fps slower.

Mike

[MT Gianni]

While I'm certain you know this Mike, I've taked to marking my 44 loads with my daughters fingernail polish. Green for medium go to loads and red for hot loads. A little on the base helps me know whats what when it gets unloaded. I use pink to id low psi rifle loads so as not to get any brass confused. Gianni.

[AlaskaMike]

I'd forgotten about the fingernail polish tip. I should start doing that, and not only on .44 mag. I don't want my bolt-action .30-06 loads going through my Garand.

Thanks!
Mike

[Poygan]

Mike,

I use magic marker on the primers to distinguish loads. (Decided to do that after I dumped a box of various loads and had no idea of what was what). Primer get changed when resizing. I only do this when I have different loads with the same boolit in the same box.

[d.thomson]

I have several .44 magnums. My Mod 29 Smith 8 3/8"is the oldest and most used. It now wears a scope.
It has been fired many, many thousands of times. Since I also have three .44 Specials, I have only loaded "full" loads in the 29. Now, my idea of a full load is not one that bulges the cylinder every time you pull the trigger.

My "standard" load is a 250 Keith (more nearly 240 with my metal) ahead of 23.0 grs of H110. For hunting, I used 24.0 grs of H110. However, I learned that the deer did not know the difference between 23.0 and 24.0 grs of H110. So, I now just use 23.0 grs.



23.0 chronographs 1200 fps in my revolver and the 24.0 chronographs 1300 fps.

For me, that is hot enough (either load, take your pick) and my Smith is still as tight as the day I bought it.

On the other hand, I had an acquaintance who insisted on using Red Dot to hot load his S&W (gunpowder is gunpowder, right?) and after a couple of years it rattled like an old pick up truck. Using faster powders to drive relatively heavy bullets at high velocity is really not a good idea. I much prefer to use slower burning powders just slightly off max for good performance and long life.

Just a thought or two...

Dale53Sounds like we have about hte same pressures with you useing a 240 grn boolit and me useing a 210 grain boolit. By the way does any one know who makes a 180grn boolit mold inin .429/.430, thanks and regards Dave T.

[d.thomson]

I think your 629-3 has stronger guts than my 29-2 (but I may be wrong). I really, really like 7.5 grains of 231 under RCBS 44-250-K. This being my only big bore revolver with a 4" barrel, I want to come up with a load that won't send it to an early grave, but one that will do better than the 231 load on a bear or angry moose while hiking or fishing or something. Based on what people have written above, I may pick up some more 2400. I don't like reducing 296 loads much. I've never had any *serious* problems doing so, but it seems to start getting inconsistent velocities. When I started using a strong crimp using my Redding profile crimp die, it reduced that to some degree, but I bet 2400 will work better.

In my Anaconda I really like 24 grains of 296 with RCBS 44-250-K. I've been playing with IMR-4227 lately though, and 23.5 grains with the same bullet might even be more accurate in that gun, although it's about 100 fps slower.

Mike
Hi Mike I have used up to 12grns of reloade #7 and I have had a hard time with bullged casses but never a pressure problem with H110 get slow burrning powder. Dave T.:Fire: :drinks:

[9.3X62AL]

Dave T--

That is an intriguing result with RL-7 in 44 Magnum......it's supposed to be a lot like IMR-4198 in burn speed. Could you mean AA-7 (Accurate Arms)?

I say this, because I'm using 24.0 grains of RL-7 in 44-40 with a 200 grain cast boolit, and the load appears pretty docile in my 1897-vintage M-73 Winchester, and Alliant shows light pressures in their data.

[d.thomson]

Yesw I meen aa#7 I use realoader # 7 in my sks, my shagrin

[Dale53]

Lee has a nice looking 200 gr RF for .44's. You could well have a problem zeroing the lighter bullets with iron sights. Some guns have enough range but some do not. In fact, my S&W Model 29 8 3/8" as issued, did not have a high enough front sight for FACTORY 240 gr bullets. :confused: Fortunately, the front sight is pinned on the barrel and it was relatively easy to change (and Smith had different height sights available).

Dale53

[45r]

H-110 and 4227 was the most accurate in my old 44 smith and it is still in good shape.I think slow powder will be less hard on a revolver than fast powders.I liked 23.0 4227 and cci 350 primers.

[Lloyd Smale]

my favorite load for a 29/629 is 20 grains of h4227 and a 250 its accurate hard hitting low recoiling and easy on the gun.

[Ricochet]

I've done the primer color coding thing, too. I like that, because when you punch out the primer it's gone. Load something different in it and you can mark it accordingly. I'm also doing some loading of boolits that I only use in light loads (Lee 429-215-1R) with the semiwadcutters and hollow points always meaning a medium or heavy load. I'm going for that 200 grain double ended wadcutter group buy, too; it'll also be a light load boolit, and anything in a .44 Special case is something I'd hand to my little wife to shoot in her 3" Bulldog.

[MtGun44]

10.0 Unique and Keith 250, or 9.0 Power Pistol with same bullet
are both VERY accurate in all my X29s. About 1100 fps, more than
you may want if you are really going for low recoil, but will do
almost anything you need with tiny groups. Make sure you do
not use magnum primers with these loads, not from a pressure
standpoint (altho it will probably be a bit higher) but because the
groups will suffer.

:Fire:

Bill

[Bear4570]

I have a pair of 29-2's and tend to keep them on the lighter side.
My standard loads for them are

250 Keith Bullet and 10gr of Unique = just over 1050 fps
or
250 Keith Bullet and 16.5 gr of 2400 = just about 1200 fps

But I use the second one sparingly.
When I want full house .44 loads I use my Redhawk.

This way I can enjoy them, while shooting a fairly significant load and shoot them loose anytime soon.

[Shuz]

Dave:

NEI makes a nominal 180g .44 mould. It carries the number 158. Mine is a 4C aluminum mould. --Shuz

[d.thomson]

Thanks for the reply, you wouldnt happen to have an address email for that mold manufacturer , htanks again Dave T.

[AlaskaMike]

Thanks for the reply, you wouldnt happen to have an address email for that mold manufacturer , htanks again Dave T.

Here's the URL for NEI's website: http://www.neihandtools.com/

They list a couple of email addresses.

Mike

[AlaskaMike]

I have a pair of 29-2's and tend to keep them on the lighter side.
My standard loads for them are

250 Keith Bullet and 10gr of Unique = just over 1050 fps
or
250 Keith Bullet and 16.5 gr of 2400 = just about 1200 fps

But I use the second one sparingly.
When I want full house .44 loads I use my Redhawk.

This way I can enjoy them, while shooting a fairly significant load and shoot them loose anytime soon.

That's pretty much my philosophy--my heavy stuff goes through my Anaconda. The vast majority of what goes through my model 29 is 7.5 gr. W231 under a 250 grain Keith.

I'm curious about that 2400 load--the velocity seems much faster than my experience. I've chronographed the following two 2400 loads out of my Anaconda (6" barrel):

19.0 gr. 1249 fps (250 gr. Keith)
19.5 gr. 1278 fps (260 gr. Ly. #429244)

Based on my chrono results I've been thinking about 18 to 18.5 grains 2400 for my 29-2. Originally I'd figured that with Keith's load being 22 grains, I might back it off 2 grains and go with 20. However, he sized his bullets to exact groove diameter, and I size mine .001" to .002" larger, meaning I'd have higher pressure given equal powder charges, so 20 still seems a bit much for my preference.

Mike