Questions about hot ammo for my 629

[C J]

To my knowledge there is no SAAMI specification for anything like .44 Magnum+P+ or +P for that matter. That rating is just a marketing gimmick used by the manufacturer.

Did you check out the specs on the round I mentioned as a +P+ round? Maybe it isn't official but clearly it's a round that is very powerful compared to the original .44 magnum specs. Here are those spec for the Buffalo Bore round they are calling +P+.

340 gr. 1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.

That may not have official specs making it a true +P+ round but it dang sure is a powerful round for a .44 mag.. I'm looking at a .50 cal. cartridge with specs like this.

325 gr. 1450 FPS

So the .44 mag. round labelled as +P+ is likely more powerful than this .50 cal round. It doesn't have the ft./lbs. listed but I would have to assume a 325 gr. bullet going slower than a 340 gr. bullet is going to have less energy. Either way it's a big load for a .44 mag. and if Buffalo Bore, which has a very good reputation, says not to use it in a S&W then I'm not going to. I know that early models of the 629 had issues with 300 gr. bullets. They would jump time and all sorts of things like having the cylinder spin backwards because of shooting rounds that were too powerful. Again the Endurance Package helped deal with that issue but not to the point of firing a 340 gr. bullet 1478 fps. That's a lot whether it's officially a +P+ or not. Maybe there's marketing involved but there's also physics involved. That round is too powerful for S&W revolvers from all I've ever heard.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Since the discussion is simultaneously about "can" and factory ammo, I will mention Buffalo Bore and Grizzly .

If the discussion were to shift to "should" , responses would " you should.ct" , and handloads sugguestions.

 

[sixtwoniner]

I know it's about factory ammo. It sound to like you should start the other addiction that ails most magnum freaks. Reloading. I have never found a factory load that will maximize the ability of my 629 classic 8 3/8. Sounds like you caught the BANG!! bug. You'll go broke trying to sate your needs with factory ammo. I know. That's what got me started 25 years ago and I have never looked back.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

If you want flash, bang and recoil, why not buy one of those 12 gauge "pistols" that is the rage these days?

 

[500SNW]

Thanks for the information steelslaver !!

 

[jcelect]

Punishment! ?

If you think that punishment is fun, buy a 460!
jcelect

 

[mazer]

Sounds like someone is ready for an upgrade to a 460S&W!!! I love the 44's but the 460? It is a class unto itself! Enjoy shooting the 44's, but as already mentioned, to get the best "affordable" bang for your buck, you should start to reload your own. The equipment purchase will begin paying for itself the minute you begin to pull the handle!

 

[steelslaver]

Ya, if you want noise and muzzle flash a short barreled 460 will make a 44 mag look like a pop gun. The 500s make an impression to. I have a 500 with an 8 3/8" and some people start looking around for thunder clouds as they think they heard and saw lighting.

 

[629classic.44]

Should probably clarify I meant rounds that are safe to use in a 629. Not what they can maybe handle. Lol. Like those +p+ BB. At that point it'd be best to step up in caliber. Reloading is something I plan to do later this year. Is it hard to learn?

 

[629classic.44]

If you think that punishment is fun, buy a 460!
jcelect

I just might!

 

[629classic.44]

Sounds like someone is ready for an upgrade to a 460S&W!!! I love the 44's but the 460? It is a class unto itself! Enjoy shooting the 44's, but as already mentioned, to get the best "affordable" bang for your buck, you should start to reload your own. The equipment purchase will begin paying for itself the minute you begin to pull the handle!

Along with the poster below you there's 3 .460 S&W suggestions now, hahah. Would you say that the .460 is a better upgrade than a .500? Yeah with how much I like to shoot my Magnums I'll need to start to keep costs down!

 

[629classic.44]

Ya, if you want noise and muzzle flash a short barreled 460 will make a 44 mag look like a pop gun. The 500s make an impression to. I have a 500 with an 8 3/8" and some people start looking around for thunder clouds as they think they heard and saw lighting.

How short, 5" .460V or 3.5" ? Would you say the .460 makes more of an impression than the .500?

 

[steelslaver]

I have heard that it is louder with more flash than a 500. I don't really know. Either in a short barrel is going to make serious noise. I think it is a waste on a 460, but if you really want noise a 3 1/2" would give you some serious decibels.

Reloading is not hard to learn, but does require attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. If you fire many rounds of ammo it will pay for itself. Unless you end up spending the money making more ammo.

 

[jcelect]

Should probably clarify I meant rounds that are safe to use in a 629. Not what they can maybe handle. Lol. Like those +p+ BB. At that point it'd be best to step up in caliber. Reloading is something I plan to do later this year. Is it hard to learn?

The answer to most of your questions are in a good reloading manual!!!!!!!! Buy one TOMORROW, it's the first step to reloading! I like Horandy for their explanations up front but you will probably end up buying most all of the major manufactures manuals.
High end 44s and most 460 ammo is very expensive, compared to reloads!
I'm too cheap to buy ammo, that's why I reload for most all revolver calibers and a few auto calibers! If you are shooting 100-200 rounds a month then almost any single station press will be fine. These can be purchased at gun shows rather cheap. Save your brass! ! ! !
The implication of my first post; If your going to haul 1 ton of bricks, don't buy a Ranger, buy a 3/4 ton truck! ! ! !
Good luck and if you need pointers in reloading, email me, I've been doing it for over 30yrs!
jcelect

 

[mod29]

Reloading is not hard to learn, but does require attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. If you fire many rounds of ammo it will pay for itself. Unless you end up spending the money making more ammo.

Agreed. Not that difficult at a basic level, but requires all your attention.

I reload mostly for my .44 magnum revolvers.
I enjoy shooting light magnum loads far more than full-house loads.

Not only do I save money, but the ammo is more accurate, too.

 

[H Richard]

A friend of mine used to also shoot the hottest loads he could, over quite a few years. He now only shoots 38 WC target loads and .22's due to the excessive damage to the bones in his wrist. He can barely hang on to 38 standard velocity loading, and has difficult trying to write.

Shoot responsibly or wind up with problems in your older age.

 

[mazer]

Along with the poster below you there's 3 .460 S&W suggestions now, hahah. Would you say that the .460 is a better upgrade than a .500? Yeah with how much I like to shoot my Magnums I'll need to start to keep costs down!

Oh...short isn't necessary to make an impression! One of these should do you nicely!
The top is the new PC XVR 7.5" and the bottom is the 8 3/8" XVR. Both are tack drivers!!!

The PC is my favorite...well...it goes with my 44mag theme!!
Here it is with my 44mags! Well...the competitor is a .357...but it looked good with the rest of my group! I may also need to find a Lew Horton with a solid cylinder and get a Competitor in 44mag with a solid cylinder as well!! they are messing with my set a little!!

 

[BruceM]

Did you check out the specs on the round I mentioned as a +P+ round? Maybe it isn't official but clearly it's a round that is very powerful compared to the original .44 magnum specs. Here are those spec for the Buffalo Bore round they are calling +P+.

340 gr. 1,478 fps/M.E. 1,649 ft. lbs.

That may not have official specs making it a true +P+ round but it dang sure is a powerful round for a .44 mag..

I guess the point is that the ammo you're talking about is in all likelihood overpressure by a fair amount. Overpressure is defined as being above SAAMI pressure specifications for that round. I would think that fact should answer the OP's question.

It would seem logical to me that if you need external ballistics which exceed those of SAAMI specification ammo, you need to obtain a gun chambered for a round which will provide that level of performance within SAAMI spec's.

Or, you can try to make a .44 magnum into something it isn't by venturing into the free-for-all which is boutique ammo which conforms to no know and recognized manufacturer's association standard.

I enjoy shooting light magnum loads far more than full-house loads.

I understand what you're saying but if you think a bit about it, this is an oxymoron.


Bruce

 

[629classic.44]

Oh...short isn't necessary to make an impression! One of these should do you nicely!
The top is the new PC XVR 7.5" and the bottom is the 8 3/8" XVR. Both are tack drivers!!!

The PC is my favorite...well...it goes with my 44mag theme!!
Here it is with my 44mags! Well...the competitor is a .357...but it looked good with the rest of my group! I may also need to find a Lew Horton with a solid cylinder and get a Competitor in 44mag with a solid cylinder as well!! they are messing with my set a little!!

Oh man.. That Performance Center looks so good. I checked one out in the shop not long ago. Aesthetically I like how it looks more than the PC .500. That's a lovely looking collection you got there!

 

[Not Getting Any Younger]

How short, 5" .460V or 3.5" ? Would you say the .460 makes more of an impression than the .500?

I have a 629 Classic with a 6 & 1/2" barrel -- one of my favorites that I bought over 20 years ago. Now if I'm interested in buying something, I go to YOUTUBE so I can see them in action! It's also a good idea to see/hear opinions from several different sources. And renting a gun from the range is also a good idea when you think about how much some of these guns cost.