I went to the range Tuesday with my new 29-2.



I loaded some 240 gr Sierra JHC over 7.5 gr of Unique in .44 Special. According to Handloads.Com this load should develop 950 fps. Mine averaged 923 with the Chrony set up about 10 feet out. While concentrating on not hitting the Chrony, I put five rounds into 1-3/4 inches. The exposed lead was somewhat deformed while loading and I think that may influence grouping.

The second load I put together used the Oregon Trail LCSWC 240 gr over 10.0 gr of Unique. I was really surprised at how consistent this load was. The average velocity was 1180 fps with a maximum spread of 32 fps and a SD of 11. This one produced a five shot group of 1-1/2 inches. This was a very easy load to shoot with recoil being a non-issue.

All loads were in new brass, Remington for the magnum loads and Starline for the .44 Special, and WLP primers were used throughout.

This afternoon I am going to load some of the LCSWC over some 2400. I'm going to start at 19.8, the starting load recommended by Alliant, and slowly work up from there.

Frank

Sounds like you have things well at hand.

Typically I like to load everything in a magnum case - I don't like to reset the dies.

My specials are 7g W231 under a 240g Keith - Lyman #249421.

Magnums are 22g H110/W296 under a 265g GCSWC - Lyman #429244.

Frank,

I load 20gr of 2400 and use a CCI 300 primer under a TVB 240gr LSWC. I chrono out of 4" Model 29 right at 1275 FPS. Nice load with manageable recoil. Another load is 23gr of H110 and I have no chrono numbers. With the TVB LSWC I get no leading and the bullet has a BHN of around 12.

Mark

You're already on the way to having a whole stable of good loads worked up for your Model 29 with the loads you describe. The 2400 can give you all the full power performance you can enjoy and the two Unique loads will be so useful for much of what one can use a big-bore revolver for.

I don't have my reloading data handy, but W231 & a 240gr LSWC @ 1100 fps has served me well.