Just purchased my first 44 mag wheel gun

Me, too!

Yeah, aren't these just the greatest revolvers EVER??
This spring I was fortunate enough to acquire a 29-2, Harry. It's the first .44 I've owned. According to the numbers, it was manufactured in 1967/68, but it looks nearly new. I'm thrilled! After 200 rd of Magnums, I am in love with this gun! At first, I expected terrible recoil based on what I'd read, or heard about, especially with those beautiful wooden grips, but I was pleasantly surprized at how manageable it felt, and how good my wrist was feeling after a day at the range. I expect that's due to the 6-1/2" barrel, and the balance point being more forward than those with shorter barrels. The other surprize was the accuracy I was getting at 25 yd. Time and again I was able to group in the 6" circle on the very first day; I wasn't doing any better than that with my 9mm pistol. Later on, a friend let me try his Ruger Super Blackhawk,shooting the same loads. --There was so much muzzle flip, I couldn't stop laughing. Maybe that's because the bore axis is higher on that Ruger than it is on the S&W: "Ka-BOOM!" and the barrel was lifting up into a vertical position, whereas all I was getting from the Smitty was more of a rearward recoil impulse, and maybe 30 degrees of lift.

Well, at the risk of becoming "long-winded", I'll just conclude by saying how delighted I am.


BTW--I'm hoping to post a pic just as soon as I can remember how! :bangHead:
 
Finally!

DSCF0153 (1).jpg


Here's the pic I was trying to post last night!

(Thx for your helpful guidance, Machman).

Now how in blazes did I just manage to DO that????

Aaaaagh….:confused:
 

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The SW 44 in truly its classic format!
When i purchased mine was tempted to go with blued ones.
But the 5’’ SS 629 with full underlug, 900$ brand new, felt too good a deal to pass up.

I am sure i got a new one for the price of a used one.
 
I know...

Yeah, I was at the range a few months ago, and there was a fella there with several revolvers laid out on his table. He came over and asked if there were any I'd like to shoot. Never one to pass up such an opportunity, I picked his SS 629 w/ 4" bbl. I'd never shot a .44mag before, so I was a little nervous, but... shooting it FELT GREAT!
I really was pleasantly surprized that I could actually shoot that fabled hand-cannon, and live to tell about it. The very next day saw me at our local CABELAS (conveniently :evil: located just up the hill from my house...) where they had several .44s to choose from. I went home to do some e-research on the 'Toob, til I got to our EE where, what to my wandering eyes should appear... but this classic 29-2 from ca 1968! LSS, 4 hours later I was the new owner, EMT sent, and ad taken down.
Oh-- I did pay a little bit more than the price of your new one! :rolleyes:
 
Still looking for that rare model 29-2, almost bought one from a fellow on EE but he didn't have the correct grips, in the meantime I have a mint 629 no dash with original coke grips '81 vintage just before the pinned barrel and recessed cylinders were removed and few Ruger 44's. The hardest to shoot is Super blackhawk with 4 5/8 barrel. Those little wood grips are hard to hang on too which makes it a handful. Keeping my eye out for the next 29-2 that comes across EE. When I got into guns it was all about the semi auto until I bought my first S&W 686, now I rather shoot revolvers all day long.
 
Squiggy said:
Still looking for that rare model 29-2, almost bought one from a fellow on EE but he didn't have the correct grips, in the meantime I have a mint 629 no dash with original coke grips '81 vintage just before the pinned barrel and recessed cylinders were removed and few Ruger 44's. The hardest to shoot is Super blackhawk with 4 5/8 barrel. Those little wood grips are hard to hang on too which makes it a handful. Keeping my eye out for the next 29-2 that comes across EE. When I got into guns it was all about the semi auto until I bought my first S&W 686, now I rather shoot revolvers all day long.
Click to expand...

Looking at your avatar, was this ''the'' dirty harry edition?
While waiting this impossibly long transfer, been watching a few dirty harry clips for s*** and giggles.

Got 12 rounds loaded with 23gr H110, , 240gr Campro, 0F starline brass, Large pistol magnum CCI primers, 1.610'' and heavy crimp.
Just can't wait to 1. chrony the load and 2. remeasure oal of 6th round to see how the crimp fares.

Got guests coming to the range for initiation in a week now, i'd like for them to have this conversation piece to finish the day with.
 
12? With those completely within limits specs, do up about another 100 or more. You'll find out why soon enough, grasshopper.
 
dirtybarry said:
12? With those completely within limits specs, do up about another 100 or more. You'll find out why soon enough, grasshopper.
Click to expand...

Haha
A new caliber always intimidates me. First outing is always slow.
Believe me, once i have determined my initial 12 behave correctly with no pressure signs of changing OALs under recoil,
I have another 188 virgin 0F starline casings just waiting to get a bullet seated in ‘em!

If 23gr feels mild i could also load up slowly 0.2gr at a visit till i reach 24gr
 
Had a blast with the 44 tonight.
Just got in from Tenda, they shipped canpar without asking, this made me mad but is behind me now.

My starting load was CCI mag primers, 23gr H110, and campro 240gr bullet.
I have to say, I do not feel the need AT ALL to upgrade load.
Got more than enough bark as is.
Out of my 5 inch barrel this would create a fireball at my indoor range.

Grip was hard to maintain as grip material would be slippy, thinking of trying to find hogue rubberized grips.
As G10 would rip my hands out.
Agressive G10 is perfect for a 177PF single stack 1911, on this revolver it would just hurt.
As even the factory rubber ones we're not that pleasant, recoil was more than anticipated.

Being a ''fun gun'' I will not downgrade it's load.
It's the special gun to whip out here and then.

The new 629 classic next to my G17

npWBvNEh.jpg
 
Cold Warrior said:
Yeah, aren't these just the greatest revolvers EVER??
This spring I was fortunate enough to acquire a 29-2, Harry. It's the first .44 I've owned. According to the numbers, it was manufactured in 1967/68, but it looks nearly new. I'm thrilled! After 200 rd of Magnums, I am in love with this gun! At first, I expected terrible recoil based on what I'd read, or heard about, especially with those beautiful wooden grips, but I was pleasantly surprized at how manageable it felt, and how good my wrist was feeling after a day at the range. I expect that's due to the 6-1/2" barrel, and the balance point being more forward than those with shorter barrels. The other surprize was the accuracy I was getting at 25 yd. Time and again I was able to group in the 6" circle on the very first day; I wasn't doing any better than that with my 9mm pistol. Later on, a friend let me try his Ruger Super Blackhawk,shooting the same loads. --There was so much muzzle flip, I couldn't stop laughing. Maybe that's because the bore axis is higher on that Ruger than it is on the S&W: "Ka-BOOM!" and the barrel was lifting up into a vertical position, whereas all I was getting from the Smitty was more of a rearward recoil impulse, and maybe 30 degrees of lift.

Well, at the risk of becoming "long-winded", I'll just conclude by saying how delighted I am.


BTW--I'm hoping to post a pic just as soon as I can remember how! :bangHead:
Click to expand...

One interesting factiod with the Smith 44's. They prefer mid to high power loads. for some reason soft loads tend to beat up the pawl on the guns.

Love the 29-2. DIRTY HARRY indeed. I love shooting it!!!
 
Got Juice? said:
here is me dual wielding 44 magnums

2eoun9v.jpg


Love the 12.6 SS 4" and the 6.5" DH

Full house H110 loads with Nosler 240gn HP's
Click to expand...

How much H110 are you pouring in and what velocity does it give you?
Myself tested on the labradar yesterday,

1. I was really impressed with my ES and SD, very very minimal. Weighing each single one on an FX120 doesn't hurt!
2. I was disappointed with my velocity, so to speak. The gun kicks like a mule (i'm good to handle the current recoil), so I was expecting to be around 1400FPS.
Clocked in at exactly 1205 FPS.

240gr campro, 1.610''oal, heavy roll crimp, 23.0gr H110


On the picture you'd think the lab radar would catch fire!

AUGkKG0h.png
 
Cool, glad you're enjoying it. Velocity needs longer barrels and/or lighter bullets. The 240's are nothing to sneeze at but if you want to some "hammer of the gods" type rounds try heavy loads with 180 gr Hornaday's or Sierra's.
 
MartyK2500 said:
How much H110 are you pouring in and what velocity does it give you?
Myself tested on the labradar yesterday,

1. I was really impressed with my ES and SD, very very minimal. Weighing each single one on an FX120 doesn't hurt!
2. I was disappointed with my velocity, so to speak. The gun kicks like a mule (i'm good to handle the current recoil), so I was expecting to be around 1400FPS.
Clocked in at exactly 1205 FPS.

240gr campro, 1.610''oal, heavy roll crimp, 23.0gr H110


On the picture you'd think the lab radar would catch fire!

AUGkKG0h.png
Click to expand...

23.8gn H110 with a CCI Large mag primer and Nosler 240gn medium crimp is clocking in at 1500 out of the 6.5, and 1420 out of the 4" Same load is almost 1740 out of my lever action 44 mag. The H110 is a nice slooow powder that really shines with more barrel length and it meters so well.

Love the 44's!!!

PS if my cameraman was any good, there were another 5" of flames coming out in the pic. Since I am already close to max vel on the powder with a LIGHTER charge, I see no reason to push to the full 24gn of H110. I have slight pressure signs (nothing to worry about) but safety first.
 
MartyK2500 said:
How much H110 are you pouring in and what velocity does it give you?
Myself tested on the labradar yesterday,

1. I was really impressed with my ES and SD, very very minimal. Weighing each single one on an FX120 doesn't hurt!
2. I was disappointed with my velocity, so to speak. The gun kicks like a mule (i'm good to handle the current recoil), so I was expecting to be around 1400FPS.
Clocked in at exactly 1205 FPS.

240gr campro, 1.610''oal, heavy roll crimp, 23.0gr H110


On the picture you'd think the lab radar would catch fire!


Try a little less heavy of a crimp. Too much and I find there is too much energy leaking past the front gap between the cylinder and the barrel. I set my crimp with a factory round then went 1/16" turn more on the die, and set it there.
Click to expand...
 
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