Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-15-2015, 12:56 PM
tnvol44 tnvol44 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 52
Likes: 28
Liked 33 Times in 15 Posts
Default Model 29-2 Safe Load

Do any of you have any suggestions for a factory load that's safe to shoot in my 29-2.I understand this is a well built gun but I do not want to feed it anything that would shorten her life.Is there anyone that could recommend a load for shooting everyday and then a load at the top of the scale in which you would use only occasionally?Would it be better to shoot some sort of light 44 magnum load or 44 special?Is there anything detrimental to shooting 44 specials in this gun.Being as they are very close in price any help would be appreciated on this subject.Are heavier weight bullets harder on my gun than light weight,or the other way around.I just want to keep her in tip top shape because this is my favorite,most accurate handgun I own.Please elaborate on my concerns,thanks ahead of time.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-15-2015, 01:05 PM
gregintenn gregintenn is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lafayette, Tennessee
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 6,833
Liked 8,936 Times in 2,910 Posts
Default

The model 29 was designed and manufactured to fire 44 magnum ammunition. It will also safely fire 44 Special ammo.

Any commercially manufactured 44 Magnum ammunition produced to day should be safe to fire in your revolver, as it is what the ammunition was designed to be fired in.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 04-15-2015, 01:10 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

You can shoot anything 44 mag all day every day for the rest of your life
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 04-15-2015, 06:07 PM
tnvol44 tnvol44 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 52
Likes: 28
Liked 33 Times in 15 Posts
Default some are just too hot

I understand the toughness of smith and wesson revolvers but this gun was made around 1980 or so and some of these companies are loading stuff just too hot to be shot frequently,buffalo bore and underwood are two that come to mind.I am just looking for something I can shoot regularly out of ny 29-2 that isn't going to cause premature wear and tear.I love shooting this gun and if I were only going to occasionally take it out and shoot,I would agree,but this girl gets fed quite often and I'm just looking for a good factory load.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-15-2015, 06:32 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

In this case the age is not a factor. Heat treatment and metallurgy would be a concern for guns made at the turn of the 20th century.

1980, 90, 00......doesn't matter. You can safely shoot Buffalo Bore a d Underwood to your heart's content. You'll wear out your wallet before you wear out the gun. Any factory ammo is fine. It's like asking if it's safe to drive a 1980 Chevy over 50mph

Last edited by Arik; 04-15-2015 at 06:35 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-15-2015, 06:50 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

Just to clarify something. BB and Underwood are meant more for hunting and self defense. They aren't ment to be shot frequently but your gun can certainly shoot them. It would be like range shooting Speer Gold dots or taking a rifle and shooting hunting ammo instead of range ammo.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-16-2015, 10:19 AM
Kid44 Kid44 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Kansas City area
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
Liked 740 Times in 368 Posts
Default

Just buy a box, or boxes of standard factory 240 gr. JSP or JHP from someone like Remington, Winchester, Black Hills, the list goes on and on. All will do fine in your gun with no worries.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 04-25-2015, 07:00 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Iowa
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 14,444
Liked 3,763 Times in 1,784 Posts
Wink

Your Model 29-2 is safe to shoot with any commercial ammo. My experience with 44 Magnum ammo of recent manufacture is it's fairly moderate in terms of blast and recoil. It is true that some specialty ammo makers load much hotter and the stuff is way expensive. If you stick to name brand stuff...Winchester, Remington, Federal your gun will last longer than you will.

Now stop worrying and have fun!!
__________________
Bob.
SWCA 1821
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 04-26-2015, 12:52 AM
old 1911 fan old 1911 fan is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 171
Likes: 800
Liked 151 Times in 75 Posts
Default

I bought a 6.5" 29-2 new. Early in it's life I used a lot of SuperVel. Today it is considered to be loaded on the hot side. I don't shoot that high of velocity ammo out of it. Your .44 will take many rounds of ammo that is made by the names we all know. Sadly without going to .44 special, lighter lead factory ammo is impossible to find. Shoot your "29" enjoy, and find a source of lead bullets at about 1000 fps even if you have to reload.

old 1911 fan
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 04-26-2015, 02:14 AM
TexasRider TexasRider is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Houston, Texas USA
Posts: 297
Likes: 114
Liked 93 Times in 66 Posts
Default

You can safely fire the factory the 240grain Remington and Winchester rounds without any worry about damage to your S&W. As a matter of fact I think the factory rounds today are loaded to lower velocities than those of 30 years ago.

Firing a lot of the heavy hunting loads like the Garrett and others is where the problems develop. The same with heavy loaded hand loads.

Hand-loading and reloading for the 44 Mag is great as you can set up some soft light loads with 180s or go up to full on magnum rounds that can throw fire.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 04-26-2015, 07:41 AM
ironhead7544 ironhead7544 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bainbridge GA
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1,632
Liked 606 Times in 385 Posts
Default

Since you dont handload, I would say practice with the 44 Special cowboy loads. Might be some 44 Magnum cowboy loads out there too. These are low velocity lead bullet loads. If you get leading, wrap some material from a Chore Boy all copper scouring pad around a bore brush for a tight fit. This will remove the lead easily.

Shooting any centerfire handgun these days is not cheap. Handloading will allow you to shoot a lot more for the same money. It is not difficult and you dont need to spend a fortune on equipment. The light practice load I use runs about $6.00 to $8.00 dollars a box of 50, depending on what components I use and not including brass cost. Brass can be used many times with a light load. I generally use a 200 to 250 gr cast bullet at around 1000 fps or so. You still know you are shooting a big bore.

Any of the factory 240/250 gr loads will be fine in your M29. The heavier bullets will shoot high and may need a higher front sight. Not easy to do unless you have a revolver that uses interchange blades. The first time I shot 310 gr bullets with a 6 inch M29, they hit 18 inches above the point of aim at 25 yards. A bit more recoil too.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-22-2018, 09:49 AM
browndd1's Avatar
browndd1 browndd1 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 52
Likes: 21
Liked 19 Times in 13 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasRider View Post
You can safely fire the factory the 240grain Remington and Winchester rounds without any worry about damage to your S&W. As a matter of fact I think the factory rounds today are loaded to lower velocities than those of 30 years ago.

Firing a lot of the heavy hunting loads like the Garrett and others is where the problems develop. The same with heavy loaded hand loads.

Hand-loading and reloading for the 44 Mag is great as you can set up some soft light loads with 180s or go up to full on magnum rounds that can throw fire.
What would 24.0 grains of H110 and a Hornady 240 grain XTP load be considered today?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-22-2018, 09:51 AM
rkittine's Avatar
rkittine rkittine is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Manhattan/Sag Harbor, NY
Posts: 752
Likes: 9
Liked 855 Times in 365 Posts
Default

I load .44 Special level powder loads in a .44 Magnum case.

Bob
__________________
Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-22-2018, 11:20 AM
Drm50 Drm50 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Monroe cnty. Ohio
Posts: 6,923
Likes: 4,410
Liked 10,022 Times in 3,676 Posts
Default

I see no reason to shoot factory 44 magnum loads for target &
plinking. A steady diet of magnum loads beats up your gun for
no reason. A 29 will fire any factory 44mag safely. I'm not up
on factory ammo but would be shooting 44sp or lite mag loads
for recreational shooting. I never fire hot loads in any of my
S&Ws, I have a Ruger SBH for mag loads for deer hunting.

Top of the line S&W revolvers are precision instruments but
from swing out cylinder design it only is common sense that
they will take less abuse than a solid frame gun. I have no
experience with Cowboy in 44sp but have shot a lot of it in
45 Colt in m25-5s and it is pleasant and accurate to shoot.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-22-2018, 12:02 PM
murphydog's Avatar
murphydog murphydog is offline
Moderator
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,780
Likes: 934
Liked 18,872 Times in 9,240 Posts
Default

Guys, the OP hasn’t been here in nearly 3 years...probably out enjoying his model 29 and “full-power” loads.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-22-2018, 03:30 PM
Joed49 Joed49 is offline
US Veteran
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 651
Likes: 51
Liked 527 Times in 221 Posts
Default

When I bought my first .44 which was a 629-1 in early 2000 the gunsmith gave me one warning. He said the the 629 and 29 of that time frame were designed for a 240 gr bullet. His warning was do not shoot a 300 gr bullet as the life of the gun would be shortened.

I've stuck to that advice and have never had a problem with either the 629-1 or 29-2 that I own. To be honest I shoot either a .44 Spl at 950 fps or .44 mag at about 1100 fps using 250 gr LSWC bullets.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-28-2018, 05:16 PM
Riposte1 Riposte1 is offline
Member
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 10
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
Default Model 29-2 Safe Load

Quote:
Originally Posted by tnvol44 View Post
Do any of you have any suggestions for a factory load that's safe to shoot in my 29-2.I understand this is a well built gun but I do not want to feed it anything that would shorten her life.Is there anyone that could recommend a load for shooting everyday and then a load at the top of the scale in which you would use only occasionally?Would it be better to shoot some sort of light 44 magnum load or 44 special?Is there anything detrimental to shooting 44 specials in this gun.Being as they are very close in price any help would be appreciated on this subject.Are heavier weight bullets harder on my gun than light weight,or the other way around.I just want to keep her in tip top shape because this is my favorite,most accurate handgun I own.Please elaborate on my concerns,thanks ahead of time.
I find the CCI Blazer 240 gr. JHP runs around 1100 fps in my 4" 629 - sort of a "medium" load.

Otherwise I usually handload about that level.

Riposte
__________________
"Adventure is the result of poor preparation"
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-29-2018, 11:43 AM
Nevada Ed's Avatar
Nevada Ed Nevada Ed is offline
US Veteran
Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load Model 29-2 Safe Load  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,376
Likes: 3,183
Liked 12,712 Times in 5,669 Posts
Default

If the 38 Special worked in the 60's, the 44 Special should also do well.

I see no need for a 44 MAGNUM if you think the 44 special will work for you
but that is your choice.

There should be a light 44 Magnum load that you might try out, also.
Good shooting.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
686, 4'' barrel max safe load UncleUwe S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 4 02-09-2015 09:15 AM
Trying to Find a Safe Load for Model 29-2 mats Reloading 27 11-09-2013 12:50 PM
41mag load safe or not?? too hot maybe? BigBill Reloading 9 04-03-2011 09:37 AM
Safe load for Model 25-5 45LC? catdad Reloading 7 01-12-2009 07:27 AM
maximum safe load for the m29-2 338x74R S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 2 10-25-2008 02:07 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:42 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)