New 629 3" question about max load

mini14gb · Feb 26, 2014

Let me first start by saying lets not discuss the merits of whether or not a .44 magnum is adequate bear defense. I know where I live and have been around more Montana bears than you can imagine as I have a place off grid. I'm fine with the .44 and actually got rid of the .454 Ruger Alaskan because I feel I shoot the .44 more efficiently. Lets just hope I never have to use it.

Now on to the question. I'm a little saddened by the fact that it seems my new Smith is a little less strong than the Ruger. I was wondering if any of you LONG TIME note LONG TIME experienced 629 owners can fill me in on how heavy of a load my new 629 can handle. There is a local company down the road a way that sells heavy bear loads and was wondering if a steady diet of these was going to destroy my new gun. The ammo is HSM hard cast and here is the specs and link. The fact that the Smith seems to be a little weaker has me already considering dumping it for the Ruger .44 Alaskan. I do have an email into Smith and Wesson for advise as well. I want to train with what I'm going to carry so heavy loads are the order of the day.

Caliber: 44 Remington Magnum
Bullet: 305-gr. wide flat-nose lead with gas check.
Case: Brass
Muzzle velocity: 1260 FPS
Muzzle energy: 1075 ft.-lb.

HSM Bear Load Handgun Ammunition : Cabela's

team sidewinder · Feb 26, 2014

I believe that you will be fine with that load of ammo. That being I would advise looking at Garrett Cartridge of Texas for bear loads safe for your 629. Info provided there will also give you fantastic info on bear defense ammo. I am using Garrett Defender 310gr hammerhead at 1020fps from a 4inch barrel in my 629 5inch with no problems with shooting the gun loose. I have the utmost confidence this load will let me put multiple shots on target with very little time between follow up shots. At least check out the info listed there. It is not cheap ammo by any means but for me I don't want to have to worry about a lesser ammo in a bear encounter.

XAVMECH · Feb 26, 2014

305

I have fired this exact round from my three-inch 629. The gun handled it a lot better than I did. It's a handful, for sure. I think the issue of followup shots might be a concern, but with the right grips and some practice it may not be that much of a problem - especially if you're used to a 454. The 305 bear load out of the 629 seemed a heck of a lot more uncomfortable that shooting a heavier round from my friends S&W 500. I am still learning the ropes with respect to big bore revolver shooting: I have a lot of respect for the energy that this round delivers!

mini14gb · Feb 27, 2014

Gentleman I thank you for your replies and its nice to see that someone else has fired that exact load from a 3". Sincerely, the .454 Alaskan I was using got to be too much as I've seemed to have aged a tad. I had trained with it one hand firing on occasion as I assume this might be practical in an emergency, it can be done with great discomfort..... I was seriously ready for a step down in power and I say that with no shame. I'm looking at running the load mentioned in the original post and doing a magna port as well. I just don't want to harm the gun. However it is worth to note that I do plan on giving it a steady diet of that load. Nobody sees a problem? I hope not.

Fishinfool · Feb 27, 2014

Both Ruger and S&W warranty their revolvers with any commercial ammo that stays within SAAMI specs. Any ammo exceeding those specs, they do not. Ruger got its reputation for handling "hot" loads mainly with rounds like the 45c and 44spc., loads that were loaded light from the factory because of a lot of older, weaker designes out there.

The 44 mag is a modern round loaded by most companies to close to its full, safe potential, but usually a little under for safety. Not a round that you want to "jack up" very much. I do not know the pressure of the particular load you are looking at. I would guess it is right at SAAMI max., hence the slight extra fps.

I would not worry about it blowing up your Smith, but it probably will accelerate wear and tear with constant, heavy use. And Rugers are not immune either. I have a Redhawk I have owned since the early 80's that has been a test mule for a lot of heavy loads I did not want to subject my Smiths to. It has held up well, but it is definitely "looser" then when it was new, and starting to spit a little now. I believe the 629-2e / 629-3 was the start of the incorporation of the "Endurance package" for that gun, which is a benefit for longevity.

Larry

ILLWIND · Feb 27, 2014

As quoted from "Fishinfool"....I believe the 629-2e / 629-3 was the start of the incorporation of the "Endurance package" for that gun, which is a benefit for longevity.

The endurance pkg was also a redesign of some internal parts. One problem SOME 629, 629-1 had was the cylinder opening during heavy recoil with bullets over 250 grains. The endurance package helped. I have never witnessed this. Then I don't like to shoot heavy loads in my 629-1 3"r often.

kwselke · Feb 27, 2014

Since being purchased new, my 1991 629-3 Classic has only been fed full power loads. The -3 engineering change notes the completion of the Endurance Package which started with the 629-2E. That being said, my standard loading is 23.5 grains of W-296 under a 240 grain jacketed bullet. I've experimented with 300 grain jacketed bullets and large amounts of 296, but found my standard load to be adequate for my needs. The only issues I've heard with heavy loads in the strengthened 29s and 629s is if a really big bullet extends beyond the cylinder and locks up against the forcing cone when revolving into place. At one time I took calipers to my Super Redhawk and my Model-629 cylinders and the Super Redhawk is longer by a bit.

New 629 3" question about max load

mini14gb

team sidewinder

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XAVMECH

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mini14gb

Fishinfool

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ILLWIND

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kwselke

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