Oregon Trail 310gr. gas check in 629....is this too much for this gun?

[peppercorn]

I have been shooting Laser Cast bullets from Oregon Trail with great results. I recently received a flyer from them and was interested in trying their Gas Checked 310gr WNFP bullet sized to .430

My question is, is this load/bullet combo safe in the 629?

Also, they only show AA powder in their data, would 2400 work and,if so, what would be a min /max range?

Their test gun was a Rugar Vaquero.
Primer was CCI 300
Their data is listed below.

310g GC Powder Min. Grains FPS Max. Grains FPS OAL
AA 2 8.6 1018 9.5 1072 1.639
AA 5 10.4 975 11.6 1084 1.639
AA 7 13.5 1179 15.0 1210 1.639
AA 9 16.6 1172 18.5 1285 1.639

 

[venomballistics]

I must have launched at least a half ton worth of a very similar 310g bullet from my 629. Probably more, it stood as my standard go to bullet for years. Its at its best with the slower powders like AA9 2400 H110 and the like.
today its been largely replaced by something else and very little of my 310 data remains. with 2400 I ran between 12 and about 17 grains to address everything I used the bullet for.
(side note since moving scrambled the remaining stock of 310 loads, these cartridges are in a mixed up box of random terror that keeps the shooter guessing as to how and when they will be punished as the hot ones turn up)

 

[peppercorn]

I must have launched at least a half ton worth of a very similar 310g bullet from my 629. Probably more, it stood as my standard go to bullet for years. Its at its best with the slower powders like AA9 2400 H110 and the like.
today its been largely replaced by something else and very little of my 310 data remains. with 2400 I ran between 12 and about 17 grains to address everything I used the bullet for.
(side note since moving scrambled the remaining stock of 310 loads, these cartridges are in a mixed up box of random terror that keeps the shooter guessing as to how and when they will be punished as the hot ones turn up)

Thanks venom,

Were the bullets you launched also gas checked?
Also, how does a 310gr hard cast semi wadcutter bullet, or any grain bullet for that matter, compare to a 'gas checked' bullet when it comes to powder type and charge?

 

[venomballistics]

yes they where of gas check design, however most often I didn't bother with them. I can see the need for a GC on them in a 445 super mag or a 444 marlin. However in a 44 magnum revolver, your really pushing the redline by 1350 FPS .. far short of the 1450 rule of thumb for a plain based cast bullet. A rifle might validate the use of a gas check, but its just added expense in a pistol most of the time. Not to say the option didn't come in handy for a few of the many loads used to propel them. usually a faster powder that seemed to burn the base of the bullet.

 

[peppercorn]

OK, more good info. Does the bullet need to be seated to a different depth/into a different groove depending on the gun used? I won't have them in hand till later in the week so I can't measure tonight. However, to my eye, the seated portion appears to be greater than my 240gr bullets from Oregon trail.

 

[venomballistics]

Many of these heavy hitters seem to have two crimp grooves, as im sure you have observed. You will find that the spacing between them just happens to be the case length difference between 44 magnum and 44 special. Ive not taken advantage of that fact, but the theory goes a load for a magnum at the front groove should directly transfer to a special on the rear groove ... assuming of course, that both will be fired from a magnum firearm.
My version was such that I could seat to the rear groove and just clear the cylinder without binding up the revolver .... most of the time.
Ive loaded less than 50 in this way, I feel its pushing ones luck.
so I advise use of the front groove. It'll save you some trouble on three fronts .. gun wear, hand damage, and uniformity issues between other / future 44's that won't chamber such an "outside the box" load.
if you ever think you need to do it, you really need a bigger gun .... Mine can be taken as qualified advice to be presented to a spouse prior to .. or after, obtaining that bigger gun ... your welcome

 

[Paul105]

peppercorn,

The bullet in question has a single crimp grove (I looked at a picture on their website). The data provided from Oregon Trail shows a loaded cartridge Overall Length (OAL) of 1.639 (crimped in the crimp grove I assume). This OAL will fit in your 629 without any problems. I have some Beartooth Bullets 325gr WLNGCs loaded to 1.710" OAL and they fit in my 629s.

If you want to use a different powder (other than AA) with this bullet, give Oregon Trail a call and ask for recommendations.

A limited number of these loads won't hurt your 629 -- I doubt you will be shooting very many - if the recoil doesn't stop you, the $43/100 will.

Here's a couple of other sources for high quality .44 Mag bullets.

Montana Bullet Works
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/44_Mag_U99O.html

Beartooth Bullets
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

Paul

 

[peppercorn]

peppercorn,

The bullet in question has a single crimp grove (I looked at a picture on their website). The data provided from Oregon Trail shows a loaded cartridge Overall Length (OAL) of 1.639 (crimped in the crimp grove I assume). This OAL will fit in your 629 without any problems. I have some Beartooth Bullets 325gr WLNGCs loaded to 1.710" OAL and they fit in my 629s.If you want to use a different powder (other than AA) with this bullet, give Oregon Trail a call and ask for recommendations.

A limited number of these loads won't hurt your 629 -- I doubt you will be shooting very many - if the recoil doesn't stop you, the $43/100 will.

Here's a couple of other sources for high quality .44 Mag bullets.

Montana Bullet Works
Quality hand-cast bullets for reloaders, competitors, and recreational shooters - 44 Mag Pistol Bullets - Price List

Beartooth Bullets
Beartooth Bullets Secure Online Shopping

Paul

Paul,
Thanks for the heads up and the links.
I looked at the beartooth 325gr WLNGCs, per your link, and am curious as to what you have behind yours, as far as propellant and primer, when loaded for your 629?

 

[peppercorn]

Many of these heavy hitters seem to have two crimp grooves, as im sure you have observed. You will find that the spacing between them just happens to be the case length difference between 44 magnum and 44 special. Ive not taken advantage of that fact, but the theory goes a load for a magnum at the front groove should directly transfer to a special on the rear groove ... assuming of course, that both will be fired from a magnum firearm.
My version was such that I could seat to the rear groove and just clear the cylinder without binding up the revolver .... most of the time.
Ive loaded less than 50 in this way, I feel its pushing ones luck.
so I advise use of the front groove. It'll save you some trouble on three fronts .. gun wear, hand damage, and uniformity issues between other / future 44's that won't chamber such an "outside the box" load.
if you ever think you need to do it, you really need a bigger gun .... Mine can be taken as qualified advice to be presented to a spouse prior to .. or after, obtaining that bigger gun ... your welcome

This made me laugh, especially so because I have been thinking about(not looking at yet) the 500Mag. My next thought is about the spouse and said spousal reaction to this thought, once spoken.

 

[Paul105]

Paul,
Thanks for the heads up and the links.
I looked at the beartooth 325gr WLNGCs, per your link, and am curious as to what you have behind yours, as far as propellant and primer, when loaded for your 629?

I'm using H110 and Fed 155 Mag Primers in Starline cases.

Hodgdon's on line data center gives load data for the 325gr Beartooth bullet.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp -- go to Cartridge loads, handgun data section (almost to end of drop down menu) and .44 Remington Magnum data.

Paul