Let me say hey to all you folks
I appreciate the opportunity to be a member and get some questions answered from your experience.

I just bought a 29-3 and want to test it at the range what is the best 44 mag ammo for this gun?

Welcome from Iowa.
The best ammo is dependent on what you are using it for. Will it be for targets, hunting or self defense?
Jim

Welcome from Va.

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Roger

I have many 29's from 1956 onward, but this little roughed up 4" 29-3 is my favorite 'heavy field gun' and my best .44 "shooter" by far. It sees alot of range and field time.



It likes three different loads:

Plinker: Lyman 429421 Cast Lead over 9.0 Unique and a Federal No. 150 cap for a chronographed 940 FPS / 471 FPE.

Midrange: Lyman 429421 Cast Lead over 20.0 2400 and a Federal No.150 cap for a chronographed 1160 FPS / 732 FPE.

Serious Stuff: Hornady 200 Grain XTP over 26.0 IMR-4227 and a Federal 150 cap for a chronographed 1255 FPS / 700 FPE.



All of the above loads shoot better than I can hold.

I think that the 29-3 is under appreciated and the best bargain there is in the current Model 29 used gun market. I have found them to be some of the best shooters too...

Drew

Drew,
I couldn't agree more with your assessment of the -3 guns. I have one in 6" but am looking for a 4". There is one on GB that has a starting price of $995!! Not for me. It's been on there a long time. I'll find a 4" when the stars are aligned properly.

Welcome aboard RAGGUY from the great state of Pennsylvania!

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.:God Bless America:.

Lenny,

I bought this 29-3 from a Bowhunter who was "moving up" to a Taurus .454.



Paid $325 if I recall correctly, but it had rubber stocks on it.

Drew

Drew,
"Movin up" and Taurus just don't fit together in a sentence. Nice find though even with rubber!

Best part was that the Taurus got the Flat Black Spray-Bomb Treatment... Thank God he didn't do that to this Smith!

My first use will be target loads, and then hunting

Ragguy,
If you want to shoot light loads and don't reload I'd go with some 44 special cowboy bullets. I think, although I haven't used store bought ammo in a very long time, that 44 special is quite expensive. I'm not sure that you can find 44 mag light ammo that easily. Most 44 cartridges loaded with lead (non jacketed) commercially should be lighter loads so that is what I'd look for.
You've got yourself arguably one of the most versatile revolver cartridges in the world. Go have FUN.

Anyone who would do that to a S&W should be pistol whipped with a Taurus! Your -3 looks like a honest wear gun and I like the smooth targets, kind of a different color to them.

Hello RAGGUY & welcome aboard!!

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Ogy

Those are true "Presentation" stocks from Goncalo. Note the cut out on the starboard stock panel that is relieved so as to not obscure the S&W sideplate logo. They predate the gun by perhaps 20 years, but life's too short for your carry gun to have cheesy stocks mounted. 'Cides... I'm known for my Smith wood and my crew has expectations of me when I'm seen in public.

RAGGUY, welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome to the site from Arid-zona!

Welcome from Kentucky

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

I opted out of the factory targets for Ahrends targets as they fit my hand so much better. The -3's seem to be the last of the high gloss polishing in the 29 series.

My 6"er:

Welcome from WI!

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"What does this button do..."

Greetings from Maine. Welcome aboard!

Welcome from Texas RAGGUY. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)