300 grain loads safe for 29-2
- Thread starter 71vette
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If you use them at low to moderate velocities they shouldn't cause problems.
Back in the day, heavy bullets at higher velocity (think metallic silhouette competitors) were causing lockup/timing issues with earlier model 29s, which led to the "Endurance Package" modifications of the later -3s and beyond.
Back in the day, heavy bullets at higher velocity (think metallic silhouette competitors) were causing lockup/timing issues with earlier model 29s, which led to the "Endurance Package" modifications of the later -3s and beyond.
bluetopper
Member
As we know, reloading is all about chamber pressure. Keep it within cartridge specs and hopefully a bit below, and you'll be fine.
I have two 4" 29-2s. I wouldn't shoot 300 gr bullets in mine as heavy bullets create more recoil impulse unless fired at very low velocity. Battering from recoil is what caused 29-2s to get loose, not pressure. Your gun your decision.
Capt. F.
Member
Garrett Cartridge Co. loads a 310 grain at 855 fps according to their ad.
They don't list an advisory as the do with the 325 Hammerheads so I assume they'd be ok in your 29.
They don't list an advisory as the do with the 325 Hammerheads so I assume they'd be ok in your 29.
AJ
US Veteran
A 29 will handle hot loads, by why do so if only punching paper? I long time ago a friend equated the Model 29 to a Cadillac and the Ruger Super Blackhawk to a Chevrolet. He said why beat up a Caddy? The 29 is a great gun, but more delicate than a Ruger. I have had both and enjoyed both. The 29 is the finer piece. The Rugar is built like a tank. Shoot the 29 with some hot loads once in a while,and then use Special loadings for punching paper. For a steady diet of boomer rounds use a Ruger.
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I see recoil as the main drawback to these extra heavy bullets, even in lighter loads. However, if they provided some incredible accuracy advantage over bullets of the more common 240-250 grain range, the heavy bullets would be worth trying.
Other than a possible accuracy improvement, what would be a benefit of the heavy bullets?
Other than a possible accuracy improvement, what would be a benefit of the heavy bullets?
Protocall_Design
Vendor
I've been shooting 300 gr. Hornady XTPs in my 8-3/8" 629 at Met. Sil. for decades. Same gun. It is still having zero problems. It shoots 5"-6" groups at 200 meters, 218 yards, same as when I started. It took 2 months of load development to find the load, then I never changed. Everything has remained the same over many years. When Covid hit, I was unable to find 300 gr. XTPs any more. I did find some 320 gr. powder coated cast that I hollow pointed down to 300 gr. They shoot nearly as well as the XTPs. The last Sil. match I shot in August, I got a 39/40. This load has seldom failed to take down any targets. The Rams at 200m weigh 54 pounds each.
The load is Fed. LP mag. primer, 18 gr. 4227, either Hogdon or IMR, and 300 gr. lead or jacketed HP bullet. This load is around 1050 FPS out of my gun, just subsonic. The recoil is very mild, like an easy 44 Special. I have shot 120 (3 x 40) of them at one match many times, and never feel any adverse effects from the recoil, either during or after shooting. In working up this load, it turned out that a 300 Soft Point would not shoot the groups that a 300 Hollow Point would. I don't know the reason for that.
The load is Fed. LP mag. primer, 18 gr. 4227, either Hogdon or IMR, and 300 gr. lead or jacketed HP bullet. This load is around 1050 FPS out of my gun, just subsonic. The recoil is very mild, like an easy 44 Special. I have shot 120 (3 x 40) of them at one match many times, and never feel any adverse effects from the recoil, either during or after shooting. In working up this load, it turned out that a 300 Soft Point would not shoot the groups that a 300 Hollow Point would. I don't know the reason for that.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have the SSK 310 grain truncated cone 4-cavity mold. A fairly warm load is 18 to 19 grains of WW-296. I know there is a good 2400 load for this bullet, but I can't locate that info!
I also have a half box 20 to 30 of old Frank Barns' BARNS BULLET CO's Original Bullet 300 grain soft flat point 300 grain. They developed these for 444 Marlin but sent me loading data when I told them by phone I would shoot them only in my Super 14" Contender. The 44 mag "Overload" is 26.6 of H-110/WW 296 with a Large pistol Mag. primer! Never Ever shoot those in a S&W or Colt revolver, I used a T/C 14" and a friend used a Rugar Super Blackhawk. He blew deer to heaven at 100 and 122 yards! I only killed concrete blocks. I had been shooting blocks wit actual S&W 240 grain factory ammo and 8x8x16" two core concrete blocks into fist sized hunks. The went up like a fountain about 15 or 20 yards and went in a perfect arch over my head and land about 30 yards out. I took a Barnes load and shot a three-core block in the end. There was a large quantity of dust. When it cleared the end panel was still standing. I thought "Just a Through-N-Through" and walked up to see. The entire block (except for the end) was vaporized! Nothing bigger than a pea still existed.
(Hornady says the 300 grain max safe for S&W's load is 22 grains of WW-296/H-110)
My Super-14 is Mag-Na-Ported! And yet the recoil of that load puts a wave of recoil up your arm, then down my back and it settles into the small of my back.
I store these loads in a totally different location from regular 44 Mag ammo!
Ivan
I also have a half box 20 to 30 of old Frank Barns' BARNS BULLET CO's Original Bullet 300 grain soft flat point 300 grain. They developed these for 444 Marlin but sent me loading data when I told them by phone I would shoot them only in my Super 14" Contender. The 44 mag "Overload" is 26.6 of H-110/WW 296 with a Large pistol Mag. primer! Never Ever shoot those in a S&W or Colt revolver, I used a T/C 14" and a friend used a Rugar Super Blackhawk. He blew deer to heaven at 100 and 122 yards! I only killed concrete blocks. I had been shooting blocks wit actual S&W 240 grain factory ammo and 8x8x16" two core concrete blocks into fist sized hunks. The went up like a fountain about 15 or 20 yards and went in a perfect arch over my head and land about 30 yards out. I took a Barnes load and shot a three-core block in the end. There was a large quantity of dust. When it cleared the end panel was still standing. I thought "Just a Through-N-Through" and walked up to see. The entire block (except for the end) was vaporized! Nothing bigger than a pea still existed.
(Hornady says the 300 grain max safe for S&W's load is 22 grains of WW-296/H-110)
My Super-14 is Mag-Na-Ported! And yet the recoil of that load puts a wave of recoil up your arm, then down my back and it settles into the small of my back.
I store these loads in a totally different location from regular 44 Mag ammo!
Ivan
STORMINORMAN
Member
Hodgdons shows a START load of 18gr IMR 4227 for a 300gr XTP...
Protocall_Design's excellent post should further put to rest any qualms about 300gr bullets in a Model 29.
Cheers!
P.S. My 44 Magnum is a Super Blackhawk Hunter: I have yet to find the need for any visits into the "Ruger ONLY!" load data world... Ivan's load sounds WAY too much for my exigencies!
Protocall_Design's excellent post should further put to rest any qualms about 300gr bullets in a Model 29.
Cheers!
P.S. My 44 Magnum is a Super Blackhawk Hunter: I have yet to find the need for any visits into the "Ruger ONLY!" load data world... Ivan's load sounds WAY too much for my exigencies!
muddocktor
Member
Back when my brother bought his first 629 (no dash) several years ago, he got a couple boxes of 300 XTP bullets to try and he had loaded them hot. When he went to the range with me with those reloads, he had a couple instances where the cylinder rotated backwards from the heavy recoil and the next pull of the trigger would have the just shot case fall under the hammer again. That 629 corresponds with the 29-2 version. Those same reloads gave no problems in my 629-3 Classic, which has the endurance package. But with the 300 XTP loaded down a bit from max, his 629 had no problems. So I would say that a 29-2 with a mid power reload with 300 XTP bullets would be fine to shoot in it.
