I have a S&W 29 with a 10"bbl it want to use for hunting deer and hogs
I have a loads of 23grn of H110 with a Beartooth hard cast 250grn bullet that I use in my Ruger. The Ruger is scoped and I want to try the Smith with open sights.
Would this load be safe for the 29? If not how much powder can I safely use?
Thanks
Coach

It depends on what you mean by safe. S&W M29s are not known to blow up if loads that are safe in a Ruger are shot in them. I've never seen powder companies list a load they warn is safe in a Ruger 44.mag but not in a S&W. Smiths are known to wear faster with heavier loads than Rugers, but not blow up. I have shot M29s for decades, adding up to many tens of thousands of rounds of mild loads, mostly 10 grs. of Unique behind a cast gas checked 250 grain bullet. This load has proven more than enough for Florida deer and hogs, drilling a half-inch hole all the way through. But I hunt where you cannot see more than 50 yards and usually no more than 30. If I was going to take 100 yard shots, I would go up to 12 grains of Unique. This is still considerably less than the max velocity you can get with powders like H110, but it's more than enough for my needs and isn't hard on the gun or shooter. Keep in mind that 12 grains of Unique is with old powder. I haven't even been able to buy Unique in years but still have a few pounds of it left. New Unique may call for less powder. Check the current loading data provided by the manufacturer.

I'm not trying to talk you into using a different powder, just suggesting that you do not need max loads to hunt deer and hogs and that Smiths are just as safe as Rugers. They just will not take as much of a beating from heavy loads over many years before needing work on them.

Hodgdon's website doesn't provide data for a 250 grain cast bullet for H110. They do list a max. load of H110 for a 240 grain jacketed bullet at 24 grains.

They also list a max H110 load for a 270 grain jacketed bullet at 21.5 grains.

My old Hodgdon manual lists a max load of H110 for a 250 grain cast gas checked bullet at 23 grains. But this is a very old manual.

H110 is one powder I've never loaded, so I can't help you any more. But I don't use any load I'm afraid the gun will not take with ease.

IIRC I've used 19.5 grains H110 over a Spear 270 grain JSP with good results for both accuracy and penetration. It shoots well in both my 4" 629 and my 6" 29. I've been using my .45 Colt revolvers much more over the last several years though. Does an outstanding job on elk and smaller critters with less fuss than a .44 magnum.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

H110 is NOT a powder you reduce loads with.. Stick with the load manuals or what Hogden says, and don't deviate...

True, but there is some leeway according to the manuals. The loads I listed are max. None of the manuals warn "This load is safe for Rugers but not S&Ws." His question was is his load safe in S&Ws.

What dash model is it?

Handloader #241 lists a 250gr cast LSWC, Lyman 429421, with 24.5gr/H110 @ 1368mv from a 6-1/2" pre-M29, as safe for all M29, M629 & M329s. 36K psi or less, "but they should be used sparingly on models before 1988."

So your load shouldn't be a problem unless your gun isn't in top shape.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

Your load of 23grs of H110 behind a 250gr bullet is close to max. I have used this load behind a Hornady 240gr XTP for deer for many years. My gun is the 10 5/8" S&W 29. The NEW Hornady book has a load of 23.3 grs, H110, and 265gr jacketed bullet so I would say your load is a little below this. Be sure to use Mag primers with the H110 and I would suggest gas checks on your lead bullets.
Contrary to what has been posted, your Ruger is a much stronger frame than your S&W! I have never heard of a S&W chambered in 454 Casull, for a reason! The modern books do show loads to be used in Ruger/TC guns only!
jcelect

Sure, Rugers are "stronger" but any load that will blow up a S&W .44mag WILL blow up a Ruger. Thus S&Ws are just as safe as Rugers. Both are tested by the manufactures to extremely high overload pressures. The frame isn't what holds the pressure, anyway. The loads for "Ruger/TC only" are for OVERLOADED .45 Long Colt and other certain calibers and are not to prevent you from blowing up a modern S&W revolver. Those same loads will blow out an old .44 LC case, but are safe in modern cases. This is no different from the hot loads for the 45/70 that are fine for a modern Marlin rifle but would blow up a black powder trap door rifle. I might be "new" here, but I've been at this since the early 70s. Show me a .44mag load listed by a company that warns it will blow up a S&W but is fine for Rugers.

Time to open an old can of ''WORMS''.. Rugers are CAST. Smiths FORGED

Forged is BEST :-)

How about a S&W 500.

My late father in law worked for 1st North American, then NA Rockwell then Rockwell International... he developed & oversaw the making of guidance systems for non nuclear missiles, nuclear missiles & ICBMs... retiring out in the mid 1970's, as a projects manager. Robert opined that properly cast materials for receivers could be just as strong as any that were forged... if the proper protocols & methods were followed.. and in some cases could/would be superior to forged structures....

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

Now, as in years past, Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler still stress the strength and durability of FORGED parts in their high performance engines..

Smith&Wesson does the same some of their revolvers