shil
Member
Just curious. How many here shoot Model 29-2s and what ammo do you use?
29-2 ammo
- Thread starter shil
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I use my reloads, 9 gr unique, 250 gr cast, and 44 special 4.5 gr Bullseye, 180 gr WC. I learned my lesson of shooting full power loads with this gun, after starting to shoot metallic silhouette. Twice I had issues with the cylinder stop unlocking during the inertia of recoil. Not a safety issue, but a PITA. The factory finally realized there is an issue here, and created the endurance package for the production since about 1990. Back in the day, S&W never considered these guns would be shot as much as they are now.
These 29-2 guns in decent shape are bringing 2K on Gunbroker, so a little TLC is in order. My 29-2, is an 8 3/8 from the mid 1970's. Still looks like brand new. The bluing is incredible. Dirty Harry was S&W's best salesman.
These 29-2 guns in decent shape are bringing 2K on Gunbroker, so a little TLC is in order. My 29-2, is an 8 3/8 from the mid 1970's. Still looks like brand new. The bluing is incredible. Dirty Harry was S&W's best salesman.
Last edited:
Dirty Harry, in "Magnum Force", admitted to using a "light special load" in his Model 29. Using 44 Magnum brass, standard large pistol primers, 9.0 grains of Unique under a cast lead semi-wadcutter produces more velocity than a 244-250 grain 44 Special load, but a lot less than a full power 44 Magnum load. I'd say this is a nice, light special load and tends to produce exceptional accuracy.
For factory fodder in a pre-Endurance Package S&W N-frame 44 Magnum, full power loads using bullets weighing no more than 250 grains. Stay away from the boutique manufacturers who claim to make +P magnum loads. For pleasant shooting, any 44 Special load will work.
For factory fodder in a pre-Endurance Package S&W N-frame 44 Magnum, full power loads using bullets weighing no more than 250 grains. Stay away from the boutique manufacturers who claim to make +P magnum loads. For pleasant shooting, any 44 Special load will work.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,965
- Reaction score
- 11,073
I have a 29-2 that I bought new about forty years ago. Aside from .44 Special loads, I've used a slightly-under-full-magnum load for many years - a 235 grain #429421 HP or the regular #429421 250 grain Lyman designs and 19 grs. #2400. Works well and are probably easier on the gun.
Last edited:
I have two 4" 29-2s. One blue and one Nickel. I shoot only my mid range cast bullet handloads with my 250 gr bullets at around 925 fps.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I go with a mid-range load of a 250 LSWC at 950 fps in 44 Magnum brass.
Today I prefer a light 44 Special target load for plinking.
In 44 you have lots of options including shotshells.
With your 29-2 you should stay with basic loads. You want to push the boundaries of 44 Magnum power you should have a Ruger revolver.
Today I prefer a light 44 Special target load for plinking.
In 44 you have lots of options including shotshells.
With your 29-2 you should stay with basic loads. You want to push the boundaries of 44 Magnum power you should have a Ruger revolver.
Last edited:
I have been shooting 20gr 2400 and a 240 LSWC for decades.
Thank you, all, for your responses. My 29-2 is about the same age. I haven't fired it in years. I cleaned it and put it back in lockup after some unsuccessful testing with a new bullet. My chamber throats measure .432. I used a commercial cast 250 grain .431 "Keith" SWC with "moderate" loads of Unique, Accurate #5, IMR 4227, and 2400, all with published data. Never full-power. (Example: 10.0 grains of Unique.) Sticky extraction with all powders tried! I had to give the ejector rod a smack with my hand to eject the empties. Leading! I backed the Unique load off down to 8.5 grains. I still got sticky extraction, and, nasty leading 2-3" forward of the forcing cone. I never had issues with 250 SWCs in the (distant) past. I'm getting the urge to "play" with the gun again and was curious about what other shooters are using. Shall I try a different caster's bullet, at .430?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,965
- Reaction score
- 11,073
I found .432" cast bullets work best in my 29-2 and 29-3; same for my 24-3 .44 Special guns. .431" is a close second. I wouldn't consider anything smaller for my guns. Leading in the forcing cone and bore might be the result, not to mention a possible loss of accuracy. I also like to use the softest bullet that won't lead, but the alloy isn't as critical as bullet fit.
I’ve got the same pair, one blued, one nickel. I shoot a similar load, but a little hotter.
240gr Acme SWC
9gr Win244, 1.61” COAL, Win LP
20” Henry AW: 1285fps
4” 29-2: 1058fps
3” 629-6: 1028fps
With wood target grips, this is about all I want.
My 44 Special load with the same bullet is about 150fps slower.
240gr Acme SWC “+P”
7.5gr Herco, 1.47” COAL, Win LP
8.8” Contender: 972fps
4” 624: 899fps
3” 629-6: 850fps
With Herco instead of Unique, I should run about 8 grains to match Skeeter’s load. I’m content with where this is so I leave it alone.
950fps with a 240-ish SWC is basically the old “police” load for 44 Magnum. That’s an awful lot of juice for “social work”.
ETA - the Acme 240 grain SWC’s are sized to .430 and are coated. I have zero leading issues.
Last edited:
4 in mid 70s. I shoot 9 1/2 Herco with 250 SWC and my 44 Sp with 200 gr RNFP with a moderate load of Unique...have to check the powder load on the ammo cans. I loaded over a 1000 a few years back for a flattop Ruger 44 Sp
have seen book loads as low as 7 grains unique and a 250 grain bullet. have only used 9-10 grains. But still, its softer sounding, slightly less recoil, and much more fun than factory jacketed.
'79 Magnum GT
Member
I use the same loads in my 44 magnums as I do my 44 specials. 5gr of W-W 231 with a soft cast RCBS 250 gr. KT SWC. "Special" cases for the Specials and "Magnum" cases for the Magnums. My 44 Magnum rifles use 10 gr. of 231 with a 240 gr. Plated bullet. Neither my guns nor I are getting any younger. I'm 5' 3", 160 lbs at 69 years of age. Some arthritis in both thumbs and shoulders. Just can't shoot those full loads anymore.
Rick
Rick
Similar threads
