If I'm really blessed, I might own a 296 by Christmas. What handloads have my fellow reloaders come up with? Are we really limited to 200 gr or less, or can we come up with something in the 220 to 250gr arena? I'm used to healthy recoil, should I strap on my football helmet? Your thoughts please.

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beaver

When you say "a 296" do you mean a "can" of 296 powder? Or do you by chance mean a 696 revolver? Or even 296 in a 696? Please be more specific.

Dave Sinko

I'm pretty sure he means a 296Ti revolver that is limited to a 200gr bullet.

I had to do a double take as well. I have to admit, I am not the S&W officianado some are and I had to look up that model number!

As a matter of fact, a 296 is a hammerless, 44spl, 5 shot, "L" frame revolver. Like this:



It looks like a handful with full power loads. Might surprise us!

It's make up may be a little touchy when you get into the Elmer Keith loads, which I wouldn't suggest for that model. Here is a description from another website:

I think I would go easy with this model.

Speer's lartest manual has some very good powders listed for their 200 grin GDHP. Am using the max listed for V V -N350. Unique also works particulary well.

A 200 lrnfp over 6.0-6.2 grains hp-38 replicates the POI of the loads referenced above.

I'm quite pleased with mine.
296ti It's a Keeper!

I'm currently reloading the Speer 200gn GDHP with 7gns Unique and the S&S Casting 200gn RNFP with 6.5gns Unique. I don't have a chrony and am still dialing-in the loads. I'll post more when the results are in. Too cold to go shooting.

I don't think I'd try anything heavier than 200. It shoots well enough with the Federals as shown, just too expensive. A box of 20 was $18.00.

I'm sorry for the confusion. I meant a Smith and Wesson Model 296, which on the barrel limits one to 200 gr. bullets. Also to consider, is what loads shoot to point of aim.

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beaver

I would mark your bullets or watch them for signs of jumping crimp, that is the reason for the 200gr limit. While I have not reloaded for this gun, I have shot 210gr Blackhills cowboy loads which are not full power.

That's a very interesting revolver! I had never heard of such a thing. Frankly I'm no fan of alloy frame revolvers and the accompanying bullet restrictions that are placed on them. That said, my 629 Mountain Lion is light and brutal with the recoil. I shoot only .44 Special in it and have found that a good, comfortable load is a 255 gr. SWC with 7.0 grs. of 231. I think it gave me right around 950 FPS in the 4" barrel. I imagine the bullet weight restriction on the 296 is to prevent its becoming an inertial bullet puller with the heavier bullets. I don't see why you couldn't at least try the heavier bullets and see what happens. When I test heavy bullet loads in my light revolvers I'll fire the same two rounds in two cylinders full so that they're subjected to 12 recoil impulses. Then take two more rounds and give them 12 more recoil impulses. If they don't jump the crimp, then you're good to go. If you're testing expensive bullets, then generate the recoil with a cheap bullet that produces the same or more recoil. There's no need to waste money on expensive bullets when doing this.

Dave Sinko

The pink flyer that came with the gun originally explains the 200 grain bullet limit is due to the tendency of some heavy bullets to jump the crimp and tie up the gun.

I've successfully used firmly roll crimped jacketed bullets up to 240 grains in both my 296 and my 396 at 44 special pressures. If you avoid using heavy soft lead bullets, and use a heavy roll crimp, I don't think you'll have any issues.

Well, I got my Mdl 296. Mailer,box,papers,gun, out the door for $505. Not a bad deal at all. Gun looks unfired. The original price tag was $820, so it was quite a sale. I got the gun a Ken's, in Crescent, Oregon.

Don't we all notice when picking up a firearm, our minds' expect a certain mass associated with a gun, what our minds conception of mass/size should be. This gun blows that conception. It is unbelievably light. I'm quite smitten with it.

I only have 7 Winchester 200gr. Silvertips and have not fired it yet. I scrounged my buddy network for 200gr. 44 cal bullets and came up empty. I'll continue the search this next week. Thanks for all your help and especially the picture. I'm camera impaired, until after taxes.

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beaver

Load any bullet but keep it within safe posted limits. I'd advise a heavy crimp and if the bullets jump or pull the crimp, then stay with a 200gn bullet like advised. Being a handloader you can tune your ammo, so this is why any bullet should work.
Full power loads are going to be tough to control.

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NRA Benefactor Member

For defensive carry, I use the Winchester 210 S.T.H.P. with what ever powder you like. It's a very good bullet for the 44 Special.