Curious with a very loved Smith 29 6", I used to carry as a back up when a Wildlife Officer many years ago. Now retired and getting back into all kinds of shooting. Even F/TR is fun. I've always used H110 for 240g, but not sure if it is the right powder for the 180g JHPs. What you guys say? Lee's manual says it's ok at 29-31.5g, but I don't usually trust Lee's manual. I like to hear from others who have tried things. Lots to gain there. And Lee can be way off sometimes. Hodgon's website just quotes Lee's manual's charge range. Curious as to what you guys say. Thanks in advance. dlg
Hodgon H110 loads with 180g JHPs Smith 29, 6"
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dannyabear
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Lee only copies others info, they do not produce there own
oink
Well-known member
I've only loaded 240 gr and above.
My Lyman 1987 6th printing of the 1978 Pistol and Revolver Handbook lists 28.7 to 32.3 of H110 for the jacketed Sierra 180gr HC #8600 showing 1277 to 1510 fps out of a universal receiver and special 4" vented barrel.
My Lyman 1987 6th printing of the 1978 Pistol and Revolver Handbook lists 28.7 to 32.3 of H110 for the jacketed Sierra 180gr HC #8600 showing 1277 to 1510 fps out of a universal receiver and special 4" vented barrel.
muddocktor
Well-known member
I've loaded 180 grain JHP rounds in the past for my 44 Mags with H110 and a few other powders. I don't remember the charge weight, but the ones you quote from the Lee manual sound in the ball park to me. And 29.0-31.5 grains is also what Hodgdon shows on their online data for H110 too.
It should make great balls of fire too!
It should make great balls of fire too!
That depends.
What type of shooting are you wanting to load for?
Hunting, plinking, metal target...? Infrequent use or common use?
What dash model 29 do you have?
I don't load my 29-2 heavy anymore, I save those loads for my newer 629-6. If you want to shoot lighter/moderate loads other powders are better. H110 is pretty much an all or nothing powder.
.
Hornady internet page sez:
180 gr xtp maxes at 31.5 grains H110 with a R.em 2 1/2 primer. According to my old data that is a hot load and your should get plenty of 'shooting satisfaction' from it. I would approach carefully.
Several people report satisfaction with 25-29 grain H110
180 gr xtp maxes at 31.5 grains H110 with a R.em 2 1/2 primer. According to my old data that is a hot load and your should get plenty of 'shooting satisfaction' from it. I would approach carefully.
Several people report satisfaction with 25-29 grain H110
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Qc Pistolero
Well-known member
Blue Dot's questions about which 29 you've got are pretty on the spot.
My 629-2 doesn't see anything near max loads.I know I could for a short stint but I wanna keep it for a good while still!
If your 29 is an ''E''model,than you can load with a little more oooomph and it won't hurt the innards.
Anyways,have fun with it and keep playing it safe!
My 629-2 doesn't see anything near max loads.I know I could for a short stint but I wanna keep it for a good while still!
If your 29 is an ''E''model,than you can load with a little more oooomph and it won't hurt the innards.
Anyways,have fun with it and keep playing it safe!
OP That is what the Hodgdon website says to use...
Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading
Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading
gwpercle
Well-known member
I looked in Hornady's Manual since they make the 180 grain JHP .
Also when using Lee data remember they are for cast lead bullets not JHP...data will differ for bullet construction.
Hornady Manual #8 doesn't even list H110 as a powder . That said , I would use the Hodgdon data. See post #8 . I try to get data from both the bullet maker and powder maker , when possible , for cross reference but Hodgdon is a reliable source.
Hard to beat 2400 for top loads and accuracy .
Welcome to the forum from Baton Rouge , Louisiana !
Gary
Also when using Lee data remember they are for cast lead bullets not JHP...data will differ for bullet construction.
Hornady Manual #8 doesn't even list H110 as a powder . That said , I would use the Hodgdon data. See post #8 . I try to get data from both the bullet maker and powder maker , when possible , for cross reference but Hodgdon is a reliable source.
Hard to beat 2400 for top loads and accuracy .
Welcome to the forum from Baton Rouge , Louisiana !
Gary
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STORMINORMAN
Well-known member
30 grains of powder!?!
Couldn't agree more: when Hodgdons list loads for AutoComp, Universal and WIN 231 @ 1,400+ fps using less than half as much powder, why deal with H110/WIN 296...?
Unless...?
Cheers!
Couldn't agree more: when Hodgdons list loads for AutoComp, Universal and WIN 231 @ 1,400+ fps using less than half as much powder, why deal with H110/WIN 296...?
Unless...?
Cheers!
bmcgilvray
SWCA Member
Thirty-something years ago I was experimenting with .44 Magnum and various bullet weights. Curious what sort of velocities could be achieved from the 8 3/8-inch barrel of the Model 29 I still have, I worked up to maximum published charge weights in the 1978 edition of the Sierra manual using the Sierra 180 grain jacketed hollow point. H110 was the high velocity champion. With a max charge of 32.3 grains of H110 the bullet averaged 1814 fps over the chronograph screens in a 10-shot average.
Pressures didn't seem excessive (note that verb "seem") and ejection was normal. I recall having quite a few rounds left over from the testing so tweaked the sights of the Model 29 and carried them hunting that deer season. Never encountered a deer in my wanderings of the deer lease in San Saba county, but a lucky shot taken at a fairly long distance on one of the black rock squirrels that inhabit the region completely and neatly removed his head.
I worked up to maximum loads listed in that Sierra manual with quite a few powders and with both the 180 grain bullet and their 240 grain bullet and their maximum loads were everything the .44 Magnum is cracked up to be.
Rock squirrels are the hardest small game to skin out that I ever encountered.
Pressures didn't seem excessive (note that verb "seem") and ejection was normal. I recall having quite a few rounds left over from the testing so tweaked the sights of the Model 29 and carried them hunting that deer season. Never encountered a deer in my wanderings of the deer lease in San Saba county, but a lucky shot taken at a fairly long distance on one of the black rock squirrels that inhabit the region completely and neatly removed his head.
I worked up to maximum loads listed in that Sierra manual with quite a few powders and with both the 180 grain bullet and their 240 grain bullet and their maximum loads were everything the .44 Magnum is cracked up to be.
Rock squirrels are the hardest small game to skin out that I ever encountered.
buck460XVR
Well-known member
My only fear would be the use of such a slow powder with such a light for caliber bullet. Still, it would take a sending a lot of them downrange before you would notice any excessive forcing cone erosion.
Qc Pistolero
Well-known member
The heavy charge of H110 under such a light bullet ought to give you a fireball everybody will see on the firing lane.A good way to start conversation.
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