Finally, I have my 44 magnum. :)
- Thread starter john777
- Start date
If I buy another handgun and I don't think I will anymore. I will need a new case to carry my two Sigs and 629.
I bought the cheapest case from Lebarons. Don't care about quality cases (yet). I would put it in a plastic bag or just holster them all to the range if allowed.
I bought the cheapest case from Lebarons. Don't care about quality cases (yet). I would put it in a plastic bag or just holster them all to the range if allowed.
My Hornady manual lists 24.8gr of H110 as their max with a 240gr jacketed bullet, so the same behind a cast bullet will be fine. There is a significant difference in recoil between 22gr and 24gr of H110, but not a big difference in performance. I like to shoot the heavy loads for sh!ts and giggles, but shoot 80+% of my .44 with light loads of WW231, around 8.0gr or so behind a 245gr cast SWC. That load is super accurate in my gun and not at all offensive to shoot all day.
No Way, H110 rules the roost. That's the joy of .44mag - KaBoom!
Ben is talking about not using the heavy loads in a 629, which not the most robust of the magnum revolvers. If you want to shoot a steady diet of heavy loads, a Redhawk, Super Redhawk or Blackhawk are all better choices that will stand up much better to the heavy loads. They don't have that sweet S&W trigger, though.
Mark
I finally took my 629 out to the range. It's amazing! Loaded 6-10grn of titegroup pushing 240gn lead cast boolit felt nice. But holy H110. 50rds of that and it's way more than enough per visit. But I can't get those flames like factory 180gn REM. I loaded up to ~23.2gn of H110 and nothing. Just a marginal flame. Factory REM causes a huge FLASH and has deeper BOOM too. I was like holy *#*(. I then went to outdoor range and REM didn't have nice flash anymore and I couldn't even see any flames with H110.
After 5 shots of magnum loads, I measured 6th bullet and it's about 0.002" longer. All I can say is I did a light crimp.
How do you guys get flames like factory REM?
The accuracy on this gun is amazing. I managed to pretty much hit bullseye on first shot at 10 yards. I was able to unscientifically group 1" with 3 shots using 6gn titegroup at 25 yards.
I developed horrible flinch later.
I shot some 9mm afterwards and it felt like 22lr. That's not cool at all. lol
After 5 shots of magnum loads, I measured 6th bullet and it's about 0.002" longer. All I can say is I did a light crimp.
How do you guys get flames like factory REM?
The accuracy on this gun is amazing. I managed to pretty much hit bullseye on first shot at 10 yards. I was able to unscientifically group 1" with 3 shots using 6gn titegroup at 25 yards.
I developed horrible flinch later.
I shot some 9mm afterwards and it felt like 22lr. That's not cool at all. lol
Makes sense. My accuracy was poor and lost all my concentration. I was just messing around doing double tap and wasting ammo. I only shot under 50rds of 9mm and it seriously felt like 22lr. That is not good b/c I will never want to shoot my P220 in 22lr again. lol
Danimal247
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toronto, ON
can't wait to try one !
so i'm at the range today talking with the RO, and we're checking the SFRC site for ammo prices. doing the math, 44Mag in volume comes to around $0.65 a shot (after taxes and whatnot). cheaper than i thought, and makes buying a Raging Bull / 629 kinda tempting in the near future.
After trying my new 629 today. I don't think I will ever shoot more than a box of 44mag per visit but I reload and cast so it's basically shoot as much as I want.
I think I could do more if the stock grips were wrapped around the metal part. Reload and your hands would thank you too. Or shoot more 44spl. I don't know the cost of these, but I don't think they're that much cheaper. If I shoot factory, I can't justify shooting 44spl if cost savings is only a few bucks.
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Can't commet on the reloads for .44 Mag (yet) but playing with some .357Mag loads using both H110 and 2400 I found that heavier bullets don't let the H110 really show off the best. But the 2400 was a whole other story. VERY satisfying flame show even with the relatively heavy 158gn bullets in the .357 loads.
Like you I expected the H110 to show better. But it would appear that it really only does well at the fireworks when sitting behind a lighter bullet so the bullet can get out of the way while the powder is still burning. The 2400 is an even slower powder than the H110 so it offers more of a show even with mid to heavier weight bullets. For this reason I would not expect it to have stellar ballistics performance with lighter bullets but if you're looking for a hole in the paper or the sound of a gone along with a celebratory fireworks show you may want to try some 2400.
Like you I expected the H110 to show better. But it would appear that it really only does well at the fireworks when sitting behind a lighter bullet so the bullet can get out of the way while the powder is still burning. The 2400 is an even slower powder than the H110 so it offers more of a show even with mid to heavier weight bullets. For this reason I would not expect it to have stellar ballistics performance with lighter bullets but if you're looking for a hole in the paper or the sound of a gone along with a celebratory fireworks show you may want to try some 2400.
My light loads are about $0.20/round and the full house H110 loads are about $0.24/round, so they are about 1/3 the price of factory ammo at your prices. The .44 Mag is such an incredibly versatile round that it begs to be reloaded to get the most out of it, the massive savings are just a bonus.
Mark
- Location
- London, Ontario
Looks really nice...I want to fire a .44Mag
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I run 23-24 grains of 110 behind 240 grain plated bullets. Firing 'em out of either my 4 inch Mdl 29 or Desert Chicken is noisy. After 30-40 rounds, I've had enuf.
I love running light HP-38 loads thru the 29. Very comfortable to shoot.
I love running light HP-38 loads thru the 29. Very comfortable to shoot.
I will add my 2 cents worth. I have 9 .44 Mag revolvers and a desert eagle semi-auto. 1 super redhawk, 1 super blackhawk, and the rest are S&W 29/629's.
I have the exact same model that you have and I have mounted a scope on it for load development purposes and for shooting the chickens and pigs and rams for fun.
For flames you need 2400 powder, usually in the 20-22 gn department gives a really nice show.
For accuracy any 245-255gn Keith bullet sized to .430-.431 with 8 grn of Unique will get you in under an inch for 6 shots at 25 yards with open sights and if you do your part. It is the load by which all other 44 mag loads are judged against. It is a nice mid power load that will go easy on your shooting iron and your wrist and your wallet. I can easily ring the 50 yard 6" gong 6 for 6 offhand. Blows peoples mind when they see me do it, nothing great just a really accurate load in a superb revolver, but hey they don't need to know that,lol.
For more kick and smoke than the 20-22 gn 2400 with the same bullet is what the full power loads are judged against. This load is just as accurate but then the shooters experience really kicks in to see if they can get the accuracy without the flinch.
As far as kick goes with full house rounds the easiest on your wrist is by far the super blackhawk. You shoot a 629 with a full house load and then use the same rounds in the blackhawk and you get the same flash and smoke but the recoil is more pleasant because of the single action handle that actually rolls in your hand. You can shoot 3-4 box's of full house ammo in it where 1 box is enough in any double action revolver.
As far as reloading costs go, 8 gn of unique and water quenched WW bullets will run about $3.50 (7 cents a round) a box after the equipment/molds etc are paid for. That is not much more than a box of .22's and a lot more fun.
( http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp with $30.00 for powder, 8 grn per round, $35.00 per 1000 for primers and nothing for the case or bullets) In case people wanted to do the math for themselves.
The only model 29 that I am missing is the 4" Nickel version, had a couple show up on the EE but they wanted to much and I am a patient buyer. Lots of fun.
I have the exact same model that you have and I have mounted a scope on it for load development purposes and for shooting the chickens and pigs and rams for fun.
For flames you need 2400 powder, usually in the 20-22 gn department gives a really nice show.
For accuracy any 245-255gn Keith bullet sized to .430-.431 with 8 grn of Unique will get you in under an inch for 6 shots at 25 yards with open sights and if you do your part. It is the load by which all other 44 mag loads are judged against. It is a nice mid power load that will go easy on your shooting iron and your wrist and your wallet. I can easily ring the 50 yard 6" gong 6 for 6 offhand. Blows peoples mind when they see me do it, nothing great just a really accurate load in a superb revolver, but hey they don't need to know that,lol.
For more kick and smoke than the 20-22 gn 2400 with the same bullet is what the full power loads are judged against. This load is just as accurate but then the shooters experience really kicks in to see if they can get the accuracy without the flinch.
As far as kick goes with full house rounds the easiest on your wrist is by far the super blackhawk. You shoot a 629 with a full house load and then use the same rounds in the blackhawk and you get the same flash and smoke but the recoil is more pleasant because of the single action handle that actually rolls in your hand. You can shoot 3-4 box's of full house ammo in it where 1 box is enough in any double action revolver.
As far as reloading costs go, 8 gn of unique and water quenched WW bullets will run about $3.50 (7 cents a round) a box after the equipment/molds etc are paid for. That is not much more than a box of .22's and a lot more fun.
( http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp with $30.00 for powder, 8 grn per round, $35.00 per 1000 for primers and nothing for the case or bullets) In case people wanted to do the math for themselves.
The only model 29 that I am missing is the 4" Nickel version, had a couple show up on the EE but they wanted to much and I am a patient buyer. Lots of fun.
Thanks for all the tips guys.
23gr of H110, it'll run me about 11-12 cents (not factoring cost of brass and lead to cast).
24hrs later, after firing $6 worth of magnum loads, my bloody arm is sore when I woke up , it is still sore now. lol
23gr of H110, it'll run me about 11-12 cents (not factoring cost of brass and lead to cast).
24hrs later, after firing $6 worth of magnum loads, my bloody arm is sore when I woke up , it is still sore now. lol
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Lolol
That's a sign that you should back 'em off a little. I've read of a few folks that shot a lot over their lives and thanks to lots of heavy handgun loads, like .44Mag, they've got serious issues with their wrist joints and can't shoot at all anymore. And if you have pain after a session that's a sign that your body isn't happy with what you did to it. Do it often enough and you'll do permanent harm.
44 Mag
I love shooting 44 Mag as well, I shoot club level safari matches with it. While practicing, can't handle more than 4 - 5 cylinders.
Never tried 629, my 44 is Colt Anaconda. Very smooth, real hair trigger on SA. It's my real safe queen, will never leave it. I am seriously thinking of getting S&W Performance Centre 44 Mag. Here is my snake:
I love shooting 44 Mag as well, I shoot club level safari matches with it. While practicing, can't handle more than 4 - 5 cylinders.
Never tried 629, my 44 is Colt Anaconda. Very smooth, real hair trigger on SA. It's my real safe queen, will never leave it. I am seriously thinking of getting S&W Performance Centre 44 Mag. Here is my snake:
More 629 ####
My 629 PC, my favorite wheel gun.
S&W's rock
My 629 PC, my favorite wheel gun.
S&W's rock
