.44 Magnum Load for Bear that's Safe to Shoot in 629

[Dump1567]

I know .44 really isn't adequate for bear. And I really don't plan on being in bear country, but CA is about to close the door on Internet handgun ammo sales. So I figured now's the best time to purchase while my selection isn't limited to the stock on hand at the local GS.

I see there's several hard cast style loads available, but some of these seem like they're only safe in rifles or heavy frame .44's like Rugers.

What's recommended and safe to shoot out of a new production 4" 629 if need for SD in bear country.

Thanks.

**Update**: This thread is now 4 1/2 years old (as of 5-23-15). CA as of now hasn't banned internet ammo purchases. I also no longer own the original 629, but do have a 29, Ruger Alaskan in .454, and older large frame Vaquero in .45 Colt. I now have the full spectrum from light to heavy ammo well covered. Thanks for all the great info.

Feel free to continue to post your thoughts on this topic for the benefit of other members.

 

[guntherapist]

The 270 grain Speer gold dot soft point should be good for bear.
Works good on big hogs anyway. Also 300 grain Hornady XTP

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Any good jacketed or cast bulleted load that is full power and contains a 240 or heavier bullet will be adequate for black bear.

If you want a heavier load though, Federal's Cast Core load will be fine in your gun. So will all of the Buffalo Bore loads except the load listed as +P+.

Click on any of the loads shown here for the .44, then when the drop down opens, read the statement at the bottom regarding what guns it is safe in-

Heavy 44 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

 

[one eye joe]

You need a heavy hardcast bullet loaded to SAMMI .44Mag specs by any of the major manufacturers. ( NOT the hot Buffalo Bore +P+, etc ) The 629 can handle that w/o a problem. You will probably not shoot enough of that ammo in your lifetime to wear out or damage your 629. You need bone smashing penetration.......

 

[RedBerens]

Look at the 255gr Keith style SWC loading from Buffalo Bore. It's an excellent penetrator, and very accurate in my model 29.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

You need a heavy hardcast bullet loaded to standard pressure .44Mag specs by any of the major manufacturers. ( NOT the hot Buffalo Bore, etc ) You need bone smashing penetration against bear. The 629 can handle that w/o a problem. You will probably not shoot enough of that ammo in your lifetime to wear out or damage your 629. Your wrist will give out first.......

Joe,
you need to read BB's site. Their loads are within SAAMI spec, and safe for any and all steel revo's. The +P+ load won't blow a Smith either, but it will wear them fast, and it is generally too long for the cylinder of a S&W.


Because they can reach velocities above what a handloader can with their other .44 magnum loads doesn't mean that their loads are "hot". They have access to, and use powders that aren't available over the counter to handloaders, the same way that Hornady does with their Ultraperformance ammo.

 

[Jim Kuykendall]

Georgia Arms loads an excellent round with a 300 grain bullet for the .44. A little stout for me. Check them out on their website.

 

[MountainGun]

Check out the ammunition from Double Tap. I have the 320gr. cast loads and I have fired them from my Smith Mountain Gun. They are not pleasant to shoot but the gun will handle them. As stated earlier any of these heavy loads will show greater wear on the gun (and even heavier wear on you).
But the number of rounds you need to shoot will not be a problem. I purchased two boxes of the Double Tap 320s; shot 30 rounds to see where they shot and to make sure the pressures did not effect cylinder rotation or extraction. I still have more rounds than I HOPE ever need.

By the way if you really expect to run into a bear who doesn't want you around, carry a carbine or shotgun.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Garrett Cartridges Inc. try Garrett's offerings, they've been making .44 mag loads for dangerous game for a fair number of years.

 

[tom turner]

I second the recommendation of the 300 gn. Federal "Castcore," which is a hardcast, flatnose premium hunting round. It will NOT damage your 629. I've been using this stout hunting round for many years now in my 6" Model 29.

VERY accurate and very effective.

 

[Larry from Bend]

When horse packing in Grizzly country (MT's Bob Marshall) I carry a 5" 629 Classic loaded with 285 grain Hard Cast bullets that I handload to about 1200 fps. When I'm living in a tent in Black Bear country (NE Oregon) I use the same 629 but with 240 grain Hollow Points. I expect the Grizzly that I see in MT to be twice the size of the Black I see in Oregon. Big difference.

 

[Dump1567]

So it sounds like the 240 and 300 gr. XTP loads I already have should work on local black bear.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Of the two, I'd personally go with the 300's. Load them to somewhere between 1000-1200 fps and never look back (but I would make sure my sights were adjusted correctly before going afield).

The 300 XTP may or may not expand depending on actual, impact velocity, but regardless, it'll penetrate quite well, especially from bad angle shots that are often taken at a moving/attacking animal.

The 240 XTP is a great bullet, but in my opinon should be left to lighter built animals. I have killed black bear, and they are far more heavily muscled/boned than other game in the same weight range except for hogs (which I have killed quite a few of) which are almost identical in structure.

 

[Dump1567]

Just ordered some 300 gr. solid lead flatnose ammo from BB & Grizzly. I think each loading was pushing around 1300 fps.

With this order, I'll have several options for my 629.

I also have a .41 mag MG to feed, but I'll hold off on that.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[mikeydio]

Ditto on what Gun 4 Fun said about sight adjustment. There can be a significant change in point of impact from a .44 magnum revolver when you increase or decrease bullet weight. Just make sure your sights are dialed in for what you intend to use.

Take care. Mike

 

[Larry from Bend]

So it sounds like the 240 and 300 gr. XTP loads I already have should work on local black bear.

In fact, a fellow I know who trapped Black Bear for a major forest products company felt the 240 grain HP gave him quicker kills than heavier bullets BECAUSE they expand. The only reason that we use heavier bullets, like hard casts, is for increased penetration. Although it's possible to run into a huge Black Bear that might require more penetration than some 240 44 mag HPs give, it's more probable that you'll drop the average size (or even above average size) black in its tracks with that 240 grain slug than one which doesn't expand. The XTP is a pretty tough bullet and excellent for this use.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

In fact, a fellow I know who trapped Black Bear for a major forest products company felt the 240 grain HP gave him quicker kills than heavier bullets BECAUSE they expand. The only reason that we use heavier bullets, like hard casts, is for increased penetration. Although it's possible to run into a huge Black Bear that might require more penetration than some 240 44 mag HPs give, it's more probable that you'll drop the average size (or even above average size) black in its tracks with that 240 grain slug than one which doesn't expand. The XTP is a pretty tough bullet and excellent for this use.

I have to disagree here.
I bet that the fellow you know has taken bears with basically broadside shots and the 240's. For come what may shooting as in a real world attack, and not just dispatching a trapped bear, penetration is paramount over all else. Ask any bear guide in AK, Canada or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

Read what Randy Garrett says on his website about it-
Garrett Cartridges Inc.

 

[one eye joe]

Hey Tom Turner and Gun 4 Fun, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. You are both right on the money......

 

[Larry from Bend]

I have to disagree here.
I bet that the fellow you know has taken bears with basically broadside shots and the 240's. For come what may shooting as in a real world attack, and not just dispatching a trapped bear, penetration is paramount over all else. Ask any bear guide in AK, Canada or anywhere else in the US for that matter.

Read what Randy Garrett says on his website about it-
Garrett Cartridges Inc.

Disagree all you want. Interesting that you would jump to a conclusion about where he placed bullets to try to substaniate your incorrect assumption. People that have little experience with bears think a bear is a bear is a bear. I saw posts recently by someone from Michigan that talked about Michigan's Brown Bear population -- maybe that was you? I was only trying to point out that not all bears are the same. All the Blacks I've seen hung and skinned looked more like a human than anything else, although, as I said, I realize there can be really large Blacks, also. For this thread to be helpful to the OP, the first question to be asked would have been what kind of bear are you referring to?


PS Did you really think Garrett would advise potential customers NOT to use hardcast bullets??

Oh yeah, and when you say "Ask any bear guide in the USA or Canada" you remind me a lot of someone who tells me that all scientists believe in man-caused global warming and if I don't then I'm stupid - In my experience people that make broad brush comments like that have little first-hand knowledge and are reaching for some "everybody agrees with me" statistic to bolster their case.

 

[26Ford]

As a 629 P.C. owner, I say from all that I have learned over the years, it's just not good for a so-called " steady diet " of hot loads. Yes, avoid the "extremely" hot loads. I seriously doubt that one would blow thier N-frame from anything sold over the counter, but they will wear out. I'm sure everyone knows, its the design of the frame and the open side plate, that makes it slightly weaker than the Redhawk. I am first and foremost a S&W man, but I like my Rugers also. I would never ever sell my 629 for a Redhawk, I would just step up to a X-frame Smith. There can be a considerable diffrence between Brown and Black bears, and the ammo needed to stop one and just not tick him or her off. I probably would want the X-frame .460 for a day with the Black bears. That's just me, as most everyone here are better and more experienced hunters than myself. Lots of good rounds already mentioned, so pick one, check your side plate mounting screws after hunting each time, and then alternate with some 44 Specials for practice, and smaller game and you should be fine. P.S., my 629 is full underlug barrel, FWIW. 26.