329PD projectile selection

[Beneviolence]

Hi all!

I've had my 329PD for a bit now, and have been shooting the HSM 240gr (at 1150 ft/s reportedly, chrono says 1240ft/s) that has been leading up the barrel something fierce. Not complaining at all but I am also surprised at how much fire cutting the cylinder has received in the ~150rds I've shot through it. Got the X-frame grip on it and thoroughly enjoying it. Just went through the process of taking out the internal lock (HH) and putting it back together.

From my research, as I've interpreted it, these guns are good for any SAAMI spec loaded ammo, and may do better with the ~240-255gr projectiles or lighter. My intentions were to bring this with me backpacking and I wanted something hot to keep in it.

I have currently loaded (for lighter critters):

200gr XTP
28gr H110
Fed Mag Pistol Primers (match, for whatever that's worth)
Starline Brass (crimped fairly firm)

reloading manual says 1750ft/s but I'll consult the chrono when I shoot it. Not looking to shoot a lot of hot rounds, just medium spicy.

I am looking at either some 260gr Cast performance gas check hard cast, or what I was really wondering about was the 220gr xtreme penetrator. I've seen these talked about for 9 and 380, but never 44. My thoughts were that the higher penetration of the xtreme penetrator than the hard cast bullet would make up for the revolver only having a 4" barrel & lower velocity. Perhaps 1500ft/s with the 220gr?

I haven't seen any discussions about the xtreme penetrator for 44, but it sounds like grizzlies, you only really care about penetration. Black bears, perhaps the 240 XTP's are more appropriate. The xtreme penetrators need to be pushed really fast, otherwise they are poop?

Thoughts/suggestions? Thanks!!

Picture because why not.

 

[Rule3]

Aren't the HSM soft bullet Cowboy loads??

Anyway. get some Hi Tec COATED bullets hard cast and no more leading.

They say that flame cutting is "self limiting" I don't know. It will cut for a while and then stop. All kinds of therios on it. In a alloy frame gun, who knows??

Missouri Bullet Company

 

[Pisgah]

This is the #1 reason I have no interest in a titanium-cylindered gun. Maintenance/cleaning procedures considered normal with a steel-cylindered gun can be destructive to a titanium cylinder, and even if you stick to S&W's cautions on the subject you're going to eventually see erosion that, at best, is darned ugly. For me, not worth the small weight savings.

 

[Beneviolence]

Aren't the HSM soft bullet Cowboy loads??

Anyway. get some Hi Tec COATED bullets hard cast and no more leading.

They say that flame cutting is "self limiting" I don't know. It will cut for a while and then stop. All kinds of therios on it. In a alloy frame gun, who knows??

Missouri Bullet Company

Yes, I believe they are relatively soft...I don't know though. Surprised that they push them so fast for a cowboy load; maybe that's the culprit. That would be good if the flame cutting was self limiting. It seems superficial now, so I don't mind. I have access to some PVD machines; I may try something stupid like an ion nitride on the face of it to see if that helps.

 

[fredj338]

Yes, I believe they are relatively soft...I don't know though. Surprised that they push them so fast for a cowboy load; maybe that's the culprit. That would be good if the flame cutting was self limiting. It seems superficial now, so I don't mind. I have access to some PVD machines; I may try something stupid like an ion nitride on the face of it to see if that helps.

Probably poor fit if getting leading at 1250fps, unless they are very soft, like dead soft lead. Check your cyl throat dia, if tight, they are swaging down the lead bullet which could be exacerbating the flame cutting. I also think slow powders like H110 accelerate flame cutting, as do shorter shank bullets like 200gr in 44mag.
A hard cast 240-250gr LFP or LSWC @ 1250fps would do anything I need a 44mag to do & easier to shoot in that light weight gun. Not much walking in NA will stop one of those.

 

[Forrest r]

I'd stick with the 240gr/260gr bullets also. The shorter/lighter 44cal bullets do extremely well in the short bbl'd/snub nosed revovlers (3" or less). Your 4" bbl should be around 1400/1450fps with 220gr bullets and 1300fps with 245gr lead/cast/coated bullets. Jumping up to a 260gr bullet will put you in the 1200/1230fps range.

You'd be better off using 2400, aa#9, h-4227 powders. A lot less flame cutting with them compared to h110/ww296.

fredj338 has excellent advice as usual. A 240/250gr lead bullet doing 1250fps is a fearsome load.

 

[mejetski2000]

Cast Performance 255gr LBT gave excellent accuracy from my Alaskan. So good in fact I wish some of my JHP loads shot as well. I used Alliant 2400, started at 18.5gr IIRC. No leading issues whatsoever.