Hand loading S&W Model 29-2 .44

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ricohman

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I am going to load for this .44 mag to keep costs reasonable and so I can use it at the indoor range. I went to the local Wholesale Sports and Cabela's and they don't even sell brass let alone lead bullets. I have a new press, scale ect but I will need the die set and some other stuff.
Since I have to order, I might as well ask where anyone has had good prices and service.
I am not interested in big magnum loads. Just something fun to shoot and that will be easy on this vintage 29.
 
You can get brass at Double Tap Sports (site sponsor).

Berry's plated bullets are available from Budget Shooter Supply and Custom Reloading Services (both site sponsors).
 
6.4 grains of Red Dot & 240 grain cast lead bullet=hot 44 Special handload that is very accurate at 25 meters
(inspect all powder loads prior to bullet seating, to prevent double charges)

23.0 grains WW 296 & 240 grain copper jacketed=commonly used accuracy load in 44 Mag
 
I have a couple similar, presently a 4" 29-2 for use





and a recently acquired 29-3 that's a Safe Queen only.



I've had a number of 29s over the years and have put a wide variety of loads through them. Heavy and light loads and using jacketed and cast bullets. My personal preference is more for the heavier loads and using cast bullets in the 240gr - 250gr range. I have and still go by loads developed by 'The Man'.

 
Personally, not a fan of heavy recoil from full house JSP/JHP loads in wheelguns anymore. Prefer, light loads still using the big bullets, though.

My two favs for the .44 Magnum: I'm using 6.5 gr Unique with a 240 gr lead wadcutter bullets purchased in bulk from Murray Charlton Ent Ltd.

Getting about 850 fps from my 1964 vintage S&W Model 29-2 with 6.5" barrel. Also using 6.0 gr of IMR 700X for ~ 900 fps from same.

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For shooting, I prefer the comfort of Pachmayr gripper grips, too:

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Still gotta try out these loads in my old model Ruger Vaquero 5.5" barrel .44 Mag, too, though:

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6.6 to 7.0gns of Tightgroup behind a 240gn cast LRNFP bullet and using .44Mag casings gives a firm THUMP that is about the same as a full house .44Spl. Enough recoil to know you're shooting a big bore but easy to shoot lots of rounds during a session without getting a sore hand.

I have not had a chance to chrono these loads but I'm guessing somewhere around 950 to 1100 fps for the two ends of that loading range.
 
Some good reduced recoil load suggestions using Unique. The loads around that 7 grain mark are very easy to shoot and are accurate. Just about anyone strong enough to hold the revolver steady with a decent grip can shoot them. And you don't need to spend a lot on dies so the Lee carbide ones will suit you well. While you're at it make sure to buy the Lee factory crimp die as well. I have RCBS and Lee 44 Mag dies and both have produced great ammo. Have fun with the 29-2!
 
The Lee roll crimp die that comes in the usual set is fine and proper for cast bullets with a cannelure groove. But the suggestion of a factor taper crimp for jacketed loads is a good one. No need to panic over it. Jacketed with a LIGHT roll crimp work just fine too. Just fussier to set.
 
If you are looking for brass and bullets I have had nother but GREAT expieriences with "customreloadingservice.com" out of B C. I just placed my order to them for 2000 230gn 45ACP bullets. I use their 240LRN bullets in my 4.2" 44 with pretty good accuracy.
 
I just got a deal on some IMR 4227 and am starting to load for a 629-4 with 230 grain cast lead. Any good loads to be had with this powder?
 
Bullet Barn's 240 gr Keith's work a treat and are reasonably priced.

Buying brass is always iffy WRT availability. Have you considered just springing for factory ammo and reusing the brass?
 
Concerning some of my choices of powder, I may still be hanging on to some of what was tried tested and true, from a few years back when I first started out. In rounds like the 357 Mag, 44 Mag and 45LC for example, Bullseye was one of the more acceptable choices for light indoor range use. Unique, with it's wide range of load flexability could work well for both heavy and light load applications. Hercules 2400 was a great choice for the really heavy stuff. A lot of advancement and improvement to components has taken place since as well as the addition of many new improved products.
I now use the likes of H 110 in the 500 S&W and when I exhaust my last couple of lbs of Hercules 2400, I'll quite probably turn to H 110 for my heavy loads in the previously named cartridges.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I will have to enter this info on my phone so I can refer to it while I'm shopping.
Here is a pic of my 29-2. Looking forward to shooting it as soon as I get some rounds loaded. The speed loaders and rounds are not mine!


 
Don't bother trying to order Starline Brass from Double-Tap sports.
They have been sold out of everything for about the last decade. They will gladly add you to their "waiting list" if you like.

Just buy some factory ammo to start with. Keep the brass.

Once you start reloading; 240 Grain Berry's bullets, Large magnum pistol primers, and 12 grains of Unique.

Buy your reloading stuff from Budget Shooter Supply. They keep things well stocked most of the time.
 
Ok. I've got everything I need to start reloading. But so far I only have 200g XTP bullets.
My Speer reloading manual #13 says 11-12 grains of Unique will give me 1330+ fps. This is to fast for the range I shoot at.
I've looked for some Hornady tables but come up emtpy. Anyone have any recommendations for a load that would give me a nice 900-1000 for the indoor range?
 
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