best load for 29-2 plinking
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Photog
Member
Remington makes, or used to make, a load, and I believe that the product number is R44M4, or something like that...I do remember the last two digits were M4. It was a mid range load that made about 1100fps in a 6.5" barrel. I really liked it.
If that has been discontinued, I would stick with factory 44 mag loads of not more than a 240gr. bullet. Even these are a bit stiff for just plain plinking. Other than that, I think you almost have to go down to a 44 spl. load to get a mild load.
You really should consider reloading!
If that has been discontinued, I would stick with factory 44 mag loads of not more than a 240gr. bullet. Even these are a bit stiff for just plain plinking. Other than that, I think you almost have to go down to a 44 spl. load to get a mild load.
You really should consider reloading!
These are used in cowboy action shooting and I'm sure there are other brands available. Most any .44 Special ammunition would also meet your needs.
Ultramax Cowboy Action Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 240 Grain Lead Flat Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
Ten-X Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 200 Grain Lead Round Nose Flat Point Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
Ultramax Cowboy Action Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 240 Grain Lead Flat Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
Ten-X Ammunition 44 Remington Magnum 200 Grain Lead Round Nose Flat Point Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
Bomberman
US Veteran
AMM-4971 - Ammo .44 Magnum BVAC Semi Wad Cutter 240 Grain 884 fps 50 Round Box
Follow the link...this is what you are looking for. These rounds by Bitterroot Valley have very low recoil and are extremely accurate. They are smokey and dirty to shoot but it all cleans up at the end of the day. You will be hard pressed to find a better shooting factory load for plinking.
Good luck.
Follow the link...this is what you are looking for. These rounds by Bitterroot Valley have very low recoil and are extremely accurate. They are smokey and dirty to shoot but it all cleans up at the end of the day. You will be hard pressed to find a better shooting factory load for plinking.
Good luck.
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Thanks for the info guys!
I should have stated earlier that the reason I am asking is that I may have the opportunity to purchase a 29-2 with the 8 and 3/8 inch barrel from a family friend. I have never owned a 44 magnum but I have read on here that these early models (29-1 and 29-2 I think) do not have the endurance package and while durable were not designed for really heavy stuff. I do not have time to reload so I was wondering what factory ammo is out there that I can buy “off the shelf” and still have a fun time shooting this beast.
What is cowboy ammo exactly? I see the velocity is pretty low. Will this ammo detract from the fun of shooting of 44 magnum? I don’t want to get beat to death, but I also don’t want to buy a 44 magnum if this low velocity stuff makes it like shooting a 357 magnum.
At the end of the day, I just want to be assured that if I buy this 29-2 that there is ammo out there that I can buy off the shelf that I can use and not worry about damaging the gun.
Any advice is appreciated! Forgive my 44 magnum ignorance!
I should have stated earlier that the reason I am asking is that I may have the opportunity to purchase a 29-2 with the 8 and 3/8 inch barrel from a family friend. I have never owned a 44 magnum but I have read on here that these early models (29-1 and 29-2 I think) do not have the endurance package and while durable were not designed for really heavy stuff. I do not have time to reload so I was wondering what factory ammo is out there that I can buy “off the shelf” and still have a fun time shooting this beast.
What is cowboy ammo exactly? I see the velocity is pretty low. Will this ammo detract from the fun of shooting of 44 magnum? I don’t want to get beat to death, but I also don’t want to buy a 44 magnum if this low velocity stuff makes it like shooting a 357 magnum.
At the end of the day, I just want to be assured that if I buy this 29-2 that there is ammo out there that I can buy off the shelf that I can use and not worry about damaging the gun.
Any advice is appreciated! Forgive my 44 magnum ignorance!
NFrameFred
Member
Normal factory ammo in the 240 grain range will not harm a 29-2. All that stems from folks reloading hot and pushing 300 grain (or more) pills out of the barrel.
Silhouette shooters wanting heavy slugs to take down the rams reliably found their guns developing problems after a steady diet of such. Thus the "endurance" package" in later models.
The 29-2's were designed for 240 grain ammo so you should be fine. As far as a plinking load, the cowboy ammo they've told you about is available for the Cowboy Action Shooting games and is lead loaded to reduced velocities since magnums are neither desirable or necessary for that game.
Silhouette shooters wanting heavy slugs to take down the rams reliably found their guns developing problems after a steady diet of such. Thus the "endurance" package" in later models.
The 29-2's were designed for 240 grain ammo so you should be fine. As far as a plinking load, the cowboy ammo they've told you about is available for the Cowboy Action Shooting games and is lead loaded to reduced velocities since magnums are neither desirable or necessary for that game.
TSQUARED
Member
Try using Trail Boss powder with either the 200 gr. or 245 gr. lead bullets - very mild and accurate loads. Data can be found on Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People. I use the minimjum recommended load with the 245 gr. LSWC and obtain excellent results.
Bomberman
US Veteran
There's plenty of ammo available if you're looking for a round with some kick to it that won't damage your gun. Just stay away from the Buffalo Bore heavy rounds and you should be fine. Pay attention to the size of the bullet and the FPS advertised for the rounds you want to shoot. Heavier bullets and faster FPS mean more recoil. I have a 4 inch 29-2 and find that Winchester "White Box" ammo is too heavy for comfortable shooting in my gun. I like to have fun when shooting and this ammo is not fun. Try a few different rounds to find what you like. You're not going to hurt the gun unless you consistantly shoot heavy magnum loads...we're talking thousands of rounds of that stuff and you may have a problem. A round or two (that'll be all you want to shoot of it anyway) will not hurt the gun.
Good luck.
Good luck.
dnonac
Member
I've been shooting older 29's for a long time and based on my experience you're good to go with factory ammo.
If you stick with 240 gr factory .44 mag ammo, I think you'll have a difficult time wearing your 29-2 out. While they don't have the enhancements that some of the later models have, they were designed to take factory loads all day long. If recoil is an issue, then you can drop down a notch to Cowboy loads or .44 Specials to lessen the violence.
The 8 3/8" barrel will absolutely let you reach out and nail targets and it's just a whole lot of fun to shoot. It seems that most folks at the range I go to shoot semi-autos. When the .44 comes out, it gets a lot of attention.
We definitely need pictures when you get it!
Craig...
If you stick with 240 gr factory .44 mag ammo, I think you'll have a difficult time wearing your 29-2 out. While they don't have the enhancements that some of the later models have, they were designed to take factory loads all day long. If recoil is an issue, then you can drop down a notch to Cowboy loads or .44 Specials to lessen the violence.
The 8 3/8" barrel will absolutely let you reach out and nail targets and it's just a whole lot of fun to shoot. It seems that most folks at the range I go to shoot semi-autos. When the .44 comes out, it gets a lot of attention.
We definitely need pictures when you get it!
Craig...
Bomberman
US Veteran
That's the truth! Especially the guy standing next to you...usually after the 2nd shot, he's looking around the corner to see what you're shooting.
Enjoy...and yes, pictures are in order.
Here's my baby:
Arrdy
Member
The Cowboy loads are below 1000 fps because the CAS and SAS says so.
No sense in beating yourself up until you're used to shooting your 29. Quickest way to a flinch is to go full bore before you're ready.
I recently started loading some 900 fps 240 gn LRN for my 29-4. Shoot all afternoon and can still feel my fingers afterward.
No sense in beating yourself up until you're used to shooting your 29. Quickest way to a flinch is to go full bore before you're ready.
I recently started loading some 900 fps 240 gn LRN for my 29-4. Shoot all afternoon and can still feel my fingers afterward.
Online "freebie" info for a variety of light to heavy 44 Mag loads can be had by consulting any of the powder manufacturers websites. TSQUARED provided the best one IMO.
Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People
Another is:
Alliant Powder - Home
If you don't currently re-load consider doing it. If you don't want to bother consider having a knowledgeable, reliable and meticulous friend who does re-load do it for you. Ammo prices have gone through the roof and there doesn't seem to be any downward trend in sight...
Fear not for your 29-2 if you keep your loads reasonable. I've been shooting one of my 8 3/8" guns for 4 decades without a problem... and I know many others with the same experience..
JMHO
Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People
Another is:
Alliant Powder - Home
If you don't currently re-load consider doing it. If you don't want to bother consider having a knowledgeable, reliable and meticulous friend who does re-load do it for you. Ammo prices have gone through the roof and there doesn't seem to be any downward trend in sight...
Fear not for your 29-2 if you keep your loads reasonable. I've been shooting one of my 8 3/8" guns for 4 decades without a problem... and I know many others with the same experience..
JMHO
