29-3 silhouette model questions

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Hello, I’m getting two 29-3’s the 10-5/8 version I don’t think either one has more than 50 rounds thru them. Just curious if anyone has one and anything they think I should know about them ? I heard they shoot loose but not sure about that. I definitely will be working up some loads with imr4227 and H110 also any ideas on values both mint + with boxes and paperwork.
Thanks !

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am fairly certain you should have lots of fun with them. Those things tended to be shot very little unless they were owned by a hard-core silhouette shooter. If you don't like them you can always cut them down and make tunnel rat guns out of them. (But you probably shouldn't.) CONGRATS.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I'm apparently a hardcore silhouette shooter. I've been shooting an 8-3/8 629 for many years. The best load I've come up with is 18 gr. of 4227 under a 300 gr. hollow point bullet. Hornady XTP and Nosler both work fine,as well as cast & lubed. I have used H and IMR 4227 both, with equal results. In my testing, a 300 gr. HP shoots better groups than a 300 gr. soft point. This load is easy on the gun and shooter, but flattens the 54 lb. steel rams with authority.

To get the same accuracy out of 240 grain bullets, would take a lot hotter load with more velocity and more recoil.

In my gun, I'm getting 5 to 6 inch groups at 200 meters (218 yards) with heavy knockdown power and 44 Special type recoil. I have shot 120 (40 x 3) of these in one day many times with no recoil discomfort of any kind.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I am fairly certain you should have lots of fun with them. Those things tended to be shot very little unless they were owned by a hard-core silhouette shooter. If you don't like them you can always cut them down and make tunnel rat guns out of them. (But you probably shouldn't.) CONGRATS.

Thanks I may cut one down to 8-3/8" ? Yeah these are pretty much new taken out to hunt with a few times then tucked away for years.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I'm apparently a hardcore silhouette shooter. I've been shooting an 8-3/8 629 for many years. The best load I've come up with is 18 gr. of 4227 under a 300 gr. hollow point bullet. Hornady XTP and Nosler both work fine,as well as cast & lubed. I have used H and IMR 4227 both, with equal results. In my testing, a 300 gr. HP shoots better groups than a 300 gr. soft point. This load is easy on the gun and shooter, but flattens the 54 lb. steel rams with authority.

To get the same accuracy out of 240 grain bullets, would take a lot hotter load with more velocity and more recoil.

In my gun, I'm getting 5 to 6 inch groups at 200 meters (218 yards) with heavy knockdown power and 44 Special type recoil. I have shot 120 (40 x 3) of these in one day many times with no recoil discomfort of any kind.

Planning on getting some GC wad cutters going for this set up I have many molds to try but I like the idea of starting with the 300's and IMR 4227 or would like to possibly see if enforcer will work but haven't studied that yet.

 

[jaymoore]

Most of the heavy load requirements that wore out 29s were removed when IHMSA adopted topple point standards a long time ago. In the early days, "hard set" critters were common. It's now common to use (mostly Freedom Arms) .357 magnum revolvers.

I've only lost (ETA: failed to knock over) a couple of well hit Rams using a 240gr LSWC bullet at 1000 fps. There's a certain impact point where a free standing (versus hinged) Ram tries to move straight back instead of tipping. There may be a similar point on hinged critters where it happens, but I haven't found it, yet.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Most of the heavy load requirements that wore out 29s were removed when IHMSA adopted topple point standards a long time ago. In the early days, "hard set" critters were common. It's now common to use (mostly Freedom Arms) .357 magnum revolvers.

I've only lost (ETA: failed to knock over) a couple of well hit Rams using a 240gr LSWC bullet at 1000 fps. There's a certain impact point where a free standing (versus hinged) Ram tries to move straight back instead of tipping. There may be a similar point on hinged critters where it happens, but I haven't found it, yet.

I don't have a model 83 in 357 I do have a 83 with all four cylinders including my favorite 45 win mag I may get a 357 some day but now's not a good time to get one thanks !!

 

[jaymoore]

I still use a 10 5/8" barreled 29-3 for BB, but not for Production. It's my usual choice for Standing. One State Championship 60 shot match it was good for all 15 50m Chickens and the first 10 100m Pigs. For whatever reason, it's my best Standing gun. Better than TCs, BFs, etc. I have another set up for Field Pistol. Downside is that my favorite bullet is no longer in production.

My avatar is a practice target Field Pistol Chicken shot with my first 29-3 10 5/8". Don't think I've ever shot it off a rest.... Almost got to International classification in Field Pistol with it: A 31/40. Got close to another 30+ within the next year, but never quite made it. Nor with anything else, for that matter. Stuck in AAA for ages!

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

What bullet are you referring to ?

 

[jaymoore]

The Speer LSWC 240 swaged. After years of fighting with cast bullets, these worked great after culling those with damaged bases. Uniform in weight, which meant no internal voids to unbalance things. Most folk don't shoot much past 50 yards so little things that won't matter much at "short range" make a difference further out. And "close" means zero points in IHMSA.
I could run them at a comfortable 1000 fps with no leading for thousands of rounds (with a quick tumble lube of modified Lee Liquid Alox before loading), which means less fatigue than shooting hotter loads. Especially important on Turkeys and Rams, either at Field Pistol distances or Standing Big Bore.
FP or FPAS: Turkey 75 yd, Ram 100 yards on 1/2 size targets.
BB Standing: Turkey 150m, Ram 200m.

ETA: For some reason I've never gotten the Hornady swaged bullets to do as well. And they cost more. I reckon I've spent more on bullets, powder and primers than I've spent on the revolvers...

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

The Speer LSWC 240 swaged. After years of fighting with cast bullets, these worked great after culling those with damaged bases. Uniform in weight, which meant no internal voids to unbalance things. Most folk don't shoot much past 50 yards so little things that won't matter much at "short range" make a difference further out. And "close" means zero points in IHMSA.
I could run them at a comfortable 1000 fps with no leading for thousands of rounds (with a quick tumble lube of modified Lee Liquid Alox before loading), which means less fatigue than shooting hotter loads. Especially important on Turkeys and Rams, either at Field Pistol distances or Standing Big Bore.
FP or FPAS: Turkey 75 yd, Ram 100 yards on 1/2 size targets.
BB Standing: Turkey 150m, Ram 200m.

ETA: For some reason I've never gotten the Hornady swaged bullets to do as well. And they cost more. I reckon I've spent more on bullets, powder and primers than I've spent on the revolvers...

I’ll be shooting up to 150 yards I might use it next year in Wyoming in that handgun competition they have in Newcastle every year I own a few freedom arms revolvers I’ll use if I can’t dial one of these 29-3’s in but one of them is from my best friend that passed away and would like to use his in the competition I’ll send some pics when I get the first one in a few weeks the second may take a few months to get.

 

[6string]

Most of the heavy load requirements that wore out 29s were removed when IHMSA adopted topple point standards a long time ago. In the early days, "hard set" critters were common. It's now common to use (mostly Freedom Arms) .357 magnum revolvers.

I've only lost (ETA: failed to knock over) a couple of well hit Rams using a 240gr LSWC bullet at 1000 fps. There's a certain impact point where a free standing (versus hinged) Ram tries to move straight back instead of tipping. There may be a similar point on hinged critters where it happens, but I haven't found it, yet.

This is quite true! Back in the 80s, I beat myself up in IHMSA Standing class while shooting my TC Contender in 357 Herrett and 30-30. Then, my brother got a S&W 25-5 in 45 Colt. With loads using 250 gr. cast SWCs and standard 900-1000 fps velocities, it never failed to topple any target it hit. And, it did it with a lot less recoil than my TC!
So, I loaded my 29-3 down to match my .44 loads to what my brother was using in 45 Colt. It worked out great!

To the OP, my recommendation is to focus on using IMR4227 for your load development. It will work better than H110 in developing a "warm" mid-range load. That's all the power you really need, and it will be easier on the gun.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

This is quite true! Back in the 80s, I beat myself up in IHMSA Standing class while shooting my TC Contender in 357 Herrett and 30-30. Then, my brother got a S&W 25-5 in 45 Colt. With loads using 250 gr. cast SWCs and standard 900-1000 fps velocities, it never failed to topple any target it hit. And, it did it with a lot less recoil than my TC!
So, I loaded my 29-3 down to match my .44 loads to what my brother was using in 45 Colt. It worked out great!

To the OP, my recommendation is to focus on using IMR4227 for your load development. It will work better than H110 in developing a "warm" mid-range load. That's all the power you really need, and it will be easier on the gun.

Will do on the 4227 I like it much better than 110 especially in my 454 it’s easier shooting powder especially since my hands are beat up from a life long electrician thanks for the tips everyone!

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I finally got the first 29-3 tonite will post some pics tomorrow. The gun is 99.9% condition no box but has the manual. The cylinder has a tad bit of slop and the trigger is pretty decent but I will get in there and give everything a good stoning and polish. Just guessing by eye the cylinder gap looks to be around .005-.006 but will check that all out tomorrow.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Here's a couple pics the cylinder gap is .007 which I think is about perfect for this gun.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

The grips feel pretty good in hand does anyone have any recommendations on different grips ? I'm not even sure what type of butt this has a square or round I guess I should take the grips off to find out.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I gave the internals a cleaning found no rust anywhere just some small amount of carbon. I changed the cylinder latch from the original .100 to a .103 power customs part helped tighten the lock up a tad probably could go with a .104 but they are tough to find that big but I'm not concerned. The trigger is very nice I haven't measured it yet but I'm guessing a 3lb single action and 10lb double so I may swap the springs out at some point.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Getting the second one of these in May going to have it cut down to 8-3/8" won't need two 10-5/8" versions not sure if I should stay with the original front sight but I'm thinking just going with a gold bead or option to change as needed maybe to fiber.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I ordered some new oversized cylinder stops from Power customs the one I previously fit was a tad small @.101.5 I ended up with a .103 lock up much better did some more polishing internals and knocking off any burrs I'm getting 2.11 oz single actions and 11.5 on the double action pull incredibly smooth action will finally get out next week to shoot and adjust front sight if needed.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I loaded up some rounds using IMR-4227 today one load is a 300 gr XTP over 19.0 IMR-4227 and the other is a 240 XTP over 23.1 IMR-4227 I think these 240's are going to be pretty spicy I did get that load out of my Lyman pistol load book they show it as a silhouette load I only loaded 25 rounds each will test next weekend along with some other loads using enforcer powder. Keep ya posted.