Anyone have any good accurate load data for the 6 1/2 inch Model 29-2?

I use a 250gr. Keith cast from WW with 19.gr. of 2400 and a standard fed. primer. it is powerful and accurate,,,,,,,,,,,

My target load , using a 245 gr Keith (HG 503) is 7.0 grs of WST . Bullseye , red dot , IMR 700X will also work just fine with any 240 gr cast bullet . That produces a 44spl +P load in the lower 900ish fps , depending on barrel length , your gun etc . Back down 2.0 grs and it shoots about like a 45acp .
I have several real good " everyday " carry loads . 8.0 of W231 / HP 38 / Ramshot Zip using same bullet for about a 1000fps or some more . I like 9.0 of WSF (Winchester Super Field ) and have gone up to 10 for more power . The 9 gr load is the one I shoot the most .
I have personally tried EK's load of 22 grs / 2400 using his bullet in a model 29 . I would not recommend using that load in a Smith , better in Ruger Blackhawk/Redhawk etc . It is very powerful and I felt pretty hard on the model 29 , even with the endurance pkg it is just too much for steady use . As " olskool " said , 19 grs is a great load and max in my book . I use a lot of IMR 4227 when I want full magnum loads . With that powder I always use a " full magnum " primer , CCI 350 . Not Winchester or the Remington " in between std and magnum primers " . I give up a bit in velocity , has great accuracy and is easier on the gun . Hope this helps , Regards, Paul

That is exactly what I use. I don’t have any chronograph data handy right now but IIRC it runs right around 1250 FPS in the 44 I use most often. As long as the bullets fit the exit bores of your gun’s cylinder, that load always works well and I barely have to do any serious cleaning of the barrel. In fact, I make a deliberate effort not to “over clean” the barrel.

Lots of it out there, between published manuals and online powder manufacturer/distributor websites. Don't fool yourself, No one here can tell you what powder charge/bullet combo is going to shoot the best from your gun. Model 29s are inherently accurate. Any published load shown to be accurate(most books tell you which ones were most accurate for them) should shoot well from a 29 in good working condition. Without slugging your throats and bore, it would be impossible to say if lead will shoot better than jacketed. Every gun is a different beast, and the only way to find out what it likes, is to feed it.

Get at least a Lyman book; has many jacketed and cast loads.

If you cast or can find commercial cast bullets that fit your gun, there is seldom an advantage to shooting jacketed bullets in any handgun.

Mild load for target & plinking:
240gr cast SWC
10.5g Unique
Win LPP
Book says: 1000fps

My current, go to, PLINKING 44 Magnum reload is;
240gr .431dia Lead Semi Wad Cutter Laser Cast bullet
also Lighting Ammo (in the 100rd black box) .429dia RNFP
5.6grs Alliant Red Dot, CCI LP #300 primer
Brass is Winchester, Remington, Federal, Starline.
Crimp is what I call medium roll crimp.
FPS approximately 825?
Bullets tumbled lube with Ben's Liquid Lube,
for Lead free barrel performance.
Primers no where near flat.

The Lead bullet recipes above I would increase to
approximately 1000 FPS for Hunting Deer up to Black Bear.

My go to for Soft skin/Muscle is 240gr Hornady XTP
22.5 - 23grs Winchester 296
CCI LP Mag #350 primer
Cases: Win or R-P
Crimp: Medium, is what I think is Medium
FPS: choreographed 22.5grs 1300fps
with 23grs approaching 1400 stout with
revolver in my avatar.

Attached Images

	SW MG 629 CO.jpg (4.4 KB, 222 views)
	SW MG 629 44Mag cleaning bore.jpg (4.5 KB, 225 views)

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Are you a good accurate shooter.. That is a good start..

I have loaded several types of powders and bullet types and weights...

Seems it's more me than any load I use.

Plinking loads:215gr cast RFN topping 10gr Unique.My full loads with H110 I keep for my other 44s since my 629 doesn't have E package.
I think that you have to work hard to find a load that is not accurate in any tight .44.As long as your bullets are well cast,the caliber seems to be eager to please.Have fun!

240 grain LSWC & 7.5 grains of Unique
240 grain JSP/JHP & 19.0 grains of 2400

Honestly, when I had a 6.5 inch 29, I never found a load it wouldn't shoot well.

My thoughts exactly, BB.
I've yet to find a load that shoots worse than I do.

drop some bullets in first and measure the throats for a tight fit, otherwise accuracy won't be even anything to consider. My 29-2 (6.5'' 1977) and 29-5 (6'') are both precisely at 0.433. They are laser accurate with cast bullets matched to that. My 29-6 is 0.429 and shoots that size modern jacketed ammo great with it.

I use 44 spl brass and load 5.1 gr Bullseye for all 3 of my 29s and they are precisely accurate with that load. I know it's not a load to grow hair on your chest but for target or varmint work it's plenty good. Anything else can be done with 14 gr 2400 and 8 gr HS-6 in 44 spl cases. That's where I end it but I don't go grizzly hunting either.

When you say drop some bullets in and measure the throat are you referring to the cylinder? I was going to slug the cylinder bores and barrel from the muzzle end.

It’s easy to find accurate loads in a .44 with 6-1/2” barrel. I use a 240 gr LSWC over 8-9 grains of unique or universal. Good luck:

This is a great stand by. I have loaded thousands of these. All of my 44's like this load.

I have a 6 1/2" 29-2. It really likes 19.5 of 2400 under a 240 gr. Hornady XTP with a Win LP primer. Not max and very good accuracy.

Generally, some amount of powder, with a bullet stuck on top. And don't forget the new primer at the rimmed end.

Seriously--what is it that you want? "Accurate" at 7 yards? 50? 100?

Light load? Magnum?

Jacketed? Lead?

Hunting? Paper?

Are you having problems with a book load?

It's sort of like when somebody asks me if X grains of Whatever under a Y-grain Whatever bullet will work in their gun.

Well...it's work at least once.

240 SWC with 8.5 grains of Unique.

Barrel does not matter. Drop a bullet of known diameter into each cylinder chamber. You get the right size if they do not drop straight through the throat but require a tap with a pencil to get through. The barrel and forcing cone should be slightly smaller than the cylinder throats and in most instances they are. If not, sell the gun.

Or, alternatively, if you like the gun otherwise, it’s a pretty simple and inexpensive matter to have someone expertly hone the exit bores to the proper size. Note, however, that this is not a job for someone with an electric drill and a flex-hone.

Just be aware that once this is done, it’s done. Have to be sure to get things right the first time!

The Hornady 240 grain XTP's did not pass the throat test and fell right through at .430

I slugged one of the throat's and it came in at .434

Could this explain why I am having accuracy issues at 20 yards? I also slugged the barrel but don't know how to properly mic the grooves yet.

Attached Images

44 Magnum Barrel and Throat Slugs.jpg (168.3 KB, 16 views)