.430" 310 WFNGC for .44 Mag

[Bearcat74]

Guys I just picked up a couple boxes .430" 310gr WFNGC to try from my 629 Mt Gun. I have 2400 and Unique on hand, any idea for loads?

 

[Skip Sackett]

No, but get a helmet to protect your forehead when the muzzle flip makes a big dent between your eyes!

Like that girl on youtube that shot the 50 caliber Desert Eagle!

 

[Bearcat74]

LOL, well I have fired the little Mountain Gun enough for one day. 13.5grs of 2400 seems to be nice and accurate from my gun before I got the wobbles. I fired 30 rounds from the little shortie and my hands go to tremoring some so I quit. The recoil is not that bad, feels like the Fiocchi 240gr factories. I am going to try a few more a little later on after I settle down some, LOL.

 

[flat top]

Bearcat74; I was told that Smith Tech says that a 300 grain bullet at 1000 fps is supposed to be the max bullet weight and velocity for that bullet weight in an N frame. I have shot 300's at 1000 fps out of my 629, 2 1/2 inch snubbie. They do kick a bit, but, I would not consider them to be abusive compared to some lighter bullets (like 250's) at higher velocities (1250 fps). Consult your reloading manuals for a starting load.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

In John Taffins' book Big Bore Handguns, he lists on page 83 a load of 10 grains of Unique under a BRP 290 grain cast swc true Keith style bullet. It is shown as giving 1148 from a 6.5" barrel. Primer or case brand not shown. Since it is lighter than the bullet that you are using (and it is also a gas checked design), but seats deeper than CPBC GC bullets do because of the design and crimp groove to base location, I would start at 8 grains and work up for your heavier bullet.

In Handloader #241 on page 31 there is a chart in an article by Brian Pearce that shows pressure tested load data for the .44 magnum that doesn't exceed current SAAMI specs of 36,000 psi. He also shows a Keith style bullet, but this one is from RCBS mold 44-SWC-300. He shows 18 grains of 2400 as giving 1207 fps from a 6.5" M-29. Again, since this is a Keith style bullet, it seats deeper than the CPBC GC bullets that you have when measuring from the base to the crimp groove, so it may give slightly more pressure weight for weight, but then it may not, since it isn't a gas checked design and yours is.

He also shows 10 grains of Unique with this bullet giving 1,082 fps. He used CCI 300 primrs for these loads and Winchester or Starline cases.

I haven't been able to tell any noticable difference in recoil when using the heavier designs in my guns. The lighter weights seem to came back faster, while the heavy weights seem to give a slower hard push. The overall recoil seems about equal though.

 

[michael thornton]

i try to stick with 240 and 250 gr for my 44 mags, i shot alot of 300gr out of my 629-1 and it didnt hold up well, i dont remember the load.

 

[Bearcat74]

Thanks for the info guys. Wow, 18grs of 2400 with the 300gr boolit, I think I would have to pass on that. I checked the Lee manual, and it does not list the barrel length but i doubt it is 4" and the manual had 13.5grs running at 1135fps. I should have 500 of the bullets I am mainly going to use on the way 245gr SWC that will be ran over 10grs of Unique. I got 100 of the 310's for Christmas so I figured I may as well try them out.

 

[flat top]

Bearcat74; I think that you will enjoy that 245 at 1000 fps or so. I have taken two deer with the 44 Mag...a 250 Keith @ 1000 fps. Darn good deer (or man) load. You can reserve the 300's at 1000 for your Tennessee bear load. I am sure it would do a great job as a close quarters back up for the blackies.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Thanks for the info guys. Wow, 18grs of 2400 with the 300gr boolit, I think I would have to pass on that. I checked the Lee manual, and it does not list the barrel length but i doubt it is 4" and the manual had 13.5grs running at 1135fps. I should have 500 of the bullets I am mainly going to use on the way 245gr SWC that will be ran over 10grs of Unique. I got 100 of the 310's for Christmas so I figured I may as well try them out.

Bearcat-

That load was taken as said from an article in Handloader, and is pressure tested to be within SAAMI specs, so it wouldn't be any harder on your gun than any normal load would. Too, it was in an article on laoding the different dash variations of the model 29, so none of the loads are what you would call warm. The article specifically says that they are safe in any 29 in sound shape, and are not what you might find listed for a Redhawk or Freedom Arms revo. For no more than you will be firing (100), I can't see an damage being done to your gun in that small number of rounds, as long as you follow the data correctly. You can get a back issue of that particular issue from Wolfe Publishing Co.. It may be worthwhile for you, since it is one of the best artciles on handloading the model 29 I have ever read.

 

[Bearcat74]

18grs of 2400 might not be hard on the gun but it would be hard on my hands. I fired 12 today that were 16grs of 2400 amd while not just pure punishment, they were not fun in the Mountain Gun.


Thanks for the info on the article, I will check that out.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I hear ya! That is a hefty load in a gun as light as that. A 300 @ 1,000 fps will penetrate anything in the lower 48 with relative ease, and do it without knocking you out from under you hat. I just posted what I had handily available for safe max loads for the 29/629. You can go down, but going over isn't recommended.

 

[Bearcat74]

Bearcat74; I think that you will enjoy that 245 at 1000 fps or so. I have taken two deer with the 44 Mag...a 250 Keith @ 1000 fps. Darn good deer (or man) load. You can reserve the 300's at 1000 for your Tennessee bear load. I am sure it would do a great job as a close quarters back up for the blackies.

I shot 30 or 40 something of the 245's and the Unique and they were nice to shoot and they were real accurate, so I look forward to them. The big old 300's sure do look good loaded up. Looks like a big old cigar sitting there. I bet they would smack the whizz out of a bear or whatever. The 4x4 post that the wife has in the yard witha bird house attached found out today that it was no match for one of the 300's. LOL

G4F, thanks for the info about the 2400. I like it because you can load it down safely, and load it down I will! It's always nice to know the top loads, and 18grs sure is one.


Thanks again

 

[flat top]

Bearcat74; I am sitting here cracking up!!! LOL! Thats a good shooting story, although I am sure your wife isnt too happy about that! Looks like you may have a "honey do" coming up soon!!!

That 10 grains of Unique "is" sweet isnt it?

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

The 4x4 post that the wife has in the yard witha bird house attached found out today that it was no match for one of the 300's. LOL

Quick, stick a peg in the hole and call it a new perch!

 

[Bearcat74]

Yeah, I had my ears in shooting and heard, BOOM....WHAP!!!!!!!!!! In mmy tiny little mind the WHAP was dismissed for a bit. I walked down to my target and was admiring the gigantic marks in the yard where the bullets had plowed. One caught my attention as being lighter than the other, it was high and then it hit me, you shot one higher. That was the WHAP! Imay blame it on a woodpecker, but i do like the new perch idea also. I may score points and say, "look what this huge woodpecker done to your bird hotel pole! I have an idea, let's make it a new perch." Thanks for the idea.

Yeah, 10grs grs Unique is pretty nice to shoot. I have the new stuff that isn't as smokey. It's nice to not look like you have been rebuilding those old Detriot diesels after a shooting session. It seems to be pretty universal with and proper 240-250gr bullet, just load and shoot.