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

[Sully]

No doubt Fred Bear was the real deal. He knew how to hunt and he knew how to get close, and shoot! He also was smart enough to have a guide with a high powered rifle along most of the time.

Your 240's may or may not penetrate straight. It depends more on their profile than their FMJ construction.


If you have never fired the 300's at the speeds I am getting from 10 grains of Unique, you should. They are easier to control than any factory full powered 240 load by a noticable degree.

I dont find the recoil and muzzle jump from factory loaded 240 gr slugs. And I dont intend on loading anything heavier than 240 ( + or - a few grains) . I have several bullet "designs" here and even purchased a few molds to cast a couple of styles...which I intend on loading with 2400 and blue dot and even some 231starting at or about 1200 FPS and working up to around 1500 fps.

But as you say Freddie was "the man" but he carried a 44Mag in a shoulder holster when bear hunting and of course a "guide" with a small cannon to back him up "just in case"

 

[NE450No2]

The lowest recoil "Bear protection" ammo for a 4" S&W is the Federal 300gr Cast Core.

Next up is the Buffalo Bore 255gr Low Recoil, and then the Garrett 44 Mag ammo suitable for the S&W.

If you do not reload any of the above will work great.

I have used all of them with no problems.

 

[hurricane007]

Good thread. Thanks to you folks that have contributed. I wish I had read this before I started a new thread basically asking pretty much the same qustion recently.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/184192-44-mag-hard-cast-ammo-question.html

Gotta work on my "Search" skills a bit more.

- Jay

 

[DGNY]

.44 Magnum Bear load

As you note, topic duplication is not Job 1, and checking the archives is wise. But - not to worry greatly - we love these bear load threads, and bear threads in general, as they produce many responses and much interest. Even though I do not hunt any more, I would never miss a bear thread! My Model 629s get nervous just thinking about 300 grain bullets, and my wrist is tightening as I type this.

And 'Welcome'.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[off road]

Always love a good bear post!

Read the JJHack posts in this link: http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2911043/m/21810798?r=43810798#43810798

I rate a hardcast in the same category as a FMJ. If you have any sense, you wouldn't go into combat with humans with a non-expanding FMJ, so why go into combat with a bear armed the same way? It will make a nice clean hole of whatever caliber the bullet is. It will KILL the animal eventually, but if you want to STOP the animal quickly, you should pick a bullet that is well constructed, but will yes, actually expand.

I am in big time black bear country, and load Hornaday XTP 240 grain for 2.5-4" barrels, and 300 grain for longer barrels.

 

[hurricane007]

Thanks for the link Offroad. An informative read and it gives a lot of weight to his conclusions.

'Preciate it!

- Jay

 

[David LaPell]

A 250 grain cast bullet with a stout load of 2400, something like the old Lyman #429421. The .44 Magnum is plenty good enough for bear.

 

[BigBill]

I'm smack in the middle of black bear country with the most reported kills reported. On my land during the summer I carry my 357mag snubbie for personal protection. The 44mag should be plenty of gun it's all about the shot placement.

 

[one eye joe]

AS A NOVICE HANDGUN HUNTER, I LEARNED MY LESSON ABOUT THE NEED TO USE HARDCAST BULLETS THAT CAN PENETRATE. MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS HUNTING LARGE BOAR, 300 LBS AND UP, WITH MY NEWLY PURCHASED 8" PYTHON IN .357 MAGNUM. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD AN IN AT COLT, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET ONE, WHILE THEY WERE BEING WRITTEN ABOUT IN THE GUN RAGGS, BUT HAD YET TO BE SEEN ON THE SHELVES. I WAS VERY EAGER TO TRY IT OUT. IT WAS A SPUR OF THE MOMENT THING, WITH LITTLE PREP, SO I RUSHED OUT TO MY LGS, AND PURCHASED THE HEAVIEST SWCHP AMMO ON THE SHELF, THE ONLY TYPE OF AMMMO HE CARRIED IN .357 MAGNUM. THE BRAND AND SPECS ESCAPE ME NOW, IN MY OLD AGE. A FRONTAL SHOT FROM 50 FT, FAILED TO PENETRATE THE THICK GRISTLE OF THE CHEST. QUICKLY REALIZING MY PROBLEM, MY SECOND ROUND COMPLETELY SHATTERED THE FRONT LEG. ON THREE LEGS, HE TURNED AWAY FROM ME AND CHARGED THE DOG, WHICH WAS A CLOSER TARGET. THAT GAVE ME AN ANGLED SIDE SHOT FROM THE REAR, INTO HIS CHEST AREA, THE BULLET FRAGMENTED AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE. HE WENT DOWN, BUT HAD A DEATH GRIP ON THE DOGS NECK, THAT HE WAS SWINGING WILDLY, TRYING TO GUT WITH HIS LARGE TUSKS. TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE, THE DOG HAD HIS TEETH SUNK INTO THE BOARS NECK, ALSO. URGED ON BY THE GUIDE, WHO WAS ABOUT TO LOSE HIS DOG, (AND WAS ALSO ABOUT 4' UP A TREE) I BURST OUT OF MY COVER OF BRUSH AND FROM BEHIND, PUT A ROUND THROUGH HIS SPINE AT THE BASE OF HIS NECK. THAT ENDED THE STRUGGLE. THE DOG WENT TO THE VET AND LIVED, AFTER GETTING STITCHED UP. THE HOG WEIGHED 350 LBS. SWCHP IS DEFINITELY THE BEST MEDICINE FOR 2 LEGGED THREATS, BUT FOR WILD ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY BIG ONES IN A CHARGE AT YOU, YOU NEED A BIG HEAVY HARDCASTS THAT CAN PENETRATE, SMASH BONES, AND CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE--SMASH THROUGH THE SKULL, PENETRATE AND TAKE OUT THE SPINE, OR SMASH THE PELVIS--SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO STOP THE BEAST DEAD IN IT'S TRACKS. A HOLLOWPOINT WON'T ACCOMPLISH THIS, IMHO…..

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I know .44 really isn't adequate for bear. And I really don't plan on being in bear country,

Please explain to me when bears grew armor plating for skin??? Countless bear have been taken with a lot less than a .44 Magnum since before there was a .44 Magnum!

ANY .44 Magnum ammo manufactured compliant with SAAMI specs will be perfectly safe in your revolver as long as the revolver is in good operating condition.

 

[fredj338]

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.

In a ltwt 4" gn, these loads are brutal to shoot & not really necessary. A 300gr LFP bullet @ 1100fps isn't stopping inside any bear in NA, maybe a coastal brown shot end to end, but not much else. So adding another 200fps, only adding recoil & that makes shot placement, the critical part, more diff. If you aren't handloading for your 44mag, you should be. Then your ammo options are limitless. Even IF Kalif gets their internet ammo ban thru, which I doubt.
My bullet is a cast 270gr cup point. It will deform some, pushed @ 1100fps in a 4" M29. Easy to shoot accurately & quickly in DA if needed. Handloading gives you so many more choices.

 

[629classic3]

If your really worried the Baffalo Bore 305gr. These are hot out of my 3" but it's what I pack!

 

[Voyager28]

Man, for a 4 year old thread this thing really has some legs!

So, I'll add a bit and ask a question. It seems to me that most of the posters, in a defined set of circumstances, are all correct, at least to some degree. Sometimes you need expansion and sometimes you need more penetration. So, my question is: "Who ever said you had to load the same type of round in all six cylinders? Why can't you load the first round an XTP or some other good expansion round and the second round a Hard Cast for penetration then alternate them."

Yes, I know, when a bear is charging time is very short and you may not be able to get off many shots. But, in some or most circumstances, I'd guess you can get off at least 2 shots. So, that would be one good expander and one good penetrator.

I personally have been in a bear altercation and put it down with a .357 loaded with BB Hard Cast. Yes, it worked and yes it saved my hind parts. But, the experience taught me this: "I want the biggest thing on my hip that I can shoot competently when I'm in the woods." So, now my constant woods companion is a Model 69 which, after a good bit of range time, I can shoot nearly as well as my Model 66.

Be safe y'all.

Bob

 

[ironhead7544]

It should probably be mentioned that the 300 gr loads may shoot very high. This may not make a difference at close range for protection, but I like to have a revolver sighted to POA. This could be very simple if you have one that takes replaceable front sights.

Back when J.D. Jones came out with his 310 gr bullet, I ordered some. With his recommended load in my 6 inch M29 it hit a full 18 inches high at 25 yards. Also shot into 1 inch groups at that range.

For protection, I would prefer a flat nosed cast or soft point jacketed. Chances are you will have to get the skull. Norma used to make a steel jacketed soft point that would work if you could find some.

For factory ammo, I would go with the 255 gr cast Buffalo Bore.

 

[M294Ever]

HSM Bear Ammo 44 Remington Mag 305 Grain Lead Wide Flat Nose Gas Check

That little honeybunch oughta git er done, no?

 

[336A]

Yeah I know I'm a little late here and the OP already made a choice, but I think this thread has a lot of bearing here Your Best Handgun Hunting Bullet For The 44 Mag/44Spl

Contrary to what now has become popular belief, it don't take the heaviest bullet you can find launched at frame stretching, wrist breaking velocities to get the deed done. The average black bear is about 150-200 pounds, far short of being a battle tank.

 

[one eye joe]

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.

THANKS FOR THE POST, Larry. THIS KIND OF INFO, BASED ON REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE, IS INVALUABLE. LET'S KEEP IN MIND, HOWEVER, THAT DISPATCHING A TRAPPED BEAR, AND STOPPING ONE IN A FULL CHARGE, ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS……..

 

[Dump1567]

Since I started this thread 4 years ago, I no longer own that original 629. I now own a 4" 29 and have purchase several Bear load options. I still have yet to enter any Bear country though.

I've also added this blaster to the stable. Mostly to shoot light .45 Colt, but I like like my options with this.

Thanks for keeping this thread alive and all the great responses.

 

[307-Niner]

For me, bear country means I'm wearing my 4" 629-6 on my right hip, loaded with these.

 

[errolhill]

44 load for bear

you say the 44 isnt really great for bear i have guided black bear in northern new england and canada for 25 + years i use the hornady 240 xtp in a 629 and it performs great !! my favorite is the 41 mag in a 657 4'' hornady makes a 210 grain xtp exclusively for Cabelas and that is my favorite now if your talking BROWN bears the 44 and 41 might be a little undersized but if its black bears hornady xtp ammo is superior jacketed lead bullets for black bears demize

 

[Kid44]

For me, bear country means I'm wearing my 4" 629-6 on my right hip, loaded with these.

How do those 320 gr loads shoot?

 

[Kid44]

A .44 magnum is not adequate for bear?? Something we all need to remember is that a .44 magnum is a VERY POWERFUL round and has been around a long time, it has taken some of the largest game on earth, and will continue to do so.
The .44 magnum is the round all others are compared to, from less powerful rounds right up to today's monster handgun rounds. Are you better off with a .454 Casull, .460 or .500 Smith or one of the Linebaugh offerings, maybe so but don't shy away from the .44 magnum for big game, it's plenty adequate in the right hands.

 

[M E Morrison]

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.

What gave you the idea that a 44 mag isn't adequate for bear? Larry Kelly (of Mag-Na-Port fame) has knocked off even bigger critters with a revolver.

 

[pre16]

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.

I like my 458 WM for Grizzly,

 

[off road]

Surprised to see that this thread is still alive! I did one of the earlier posts, but a few years later and with a lot more experience, this is what I am carrying:

Remember, this is BLACK BEAR DEFENSIVE shooting. More and more, my work has me all over the western US out in the field, and camping out in bear country for weeks at a time. Experience has shown that the only practical guns to carry working outdoors all day long, are the snubby .44's. Carried cross-draw in a DeSantis Dual Angle Hunter holster, the draw is very fast. But, for rain, snow, dust, dirt, or mud especially while riding vehicles, only a fanny pack will insure that the gun stays clean and dry, but that slows the draw down some.

Where weight matters (mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, backpacking), I carry a S&W 329NG (2.5"), loaded with Hornady 240gr XTP. This load is superbly accurate in this gun! Recoil is quite manageable even for this light gun, and I can make an accurate very fast one handed first shot, with quick recovery for a second shot.

Where weight doesn't matter (short distance hiking, camping off the truck, ATV riding) , I carry a Ruger Alaskan (2.5"), loaded with Buffalo Bore 305 gr LBT-LFN hardcast. Again, this load is superbly accurate in this gun! In spite of the short barrel, this is still a big heavy gun with excellent Hogue grips that tame the recoil very nicely. (Even firing the hotter Buffalo Bore and Garrett +P loads, I have never had even a hint of bullet creep.)

When (very rarely) in GRIZZLY country, I will step up to the .454 Ruger Alaskan, loaded with Buffalo Bore 360gr LBT-LFN or a new even hotter Garrett 365 gr load (and keep a .45-70 lever gun around camp). Both these loads are superbly accurate in the short Alaskan as well!

 

[mbnatt]

Nothing like a good opinion piece to show how well we get along!

 

[NCavi8tor]

I like the Buffalo Bore 270 grain JFN round in my 629 Classic. Hits hard! Black bears are not difficult to drop nor are they aggressive.

NC

 

[badge 851]

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.

Click it

 

[SuperMan]

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.

For the .41, if you want penetration get some of the original Remington 210 Jacketed Soft Points. The points flatten slightly but doesn't hamper penetration at all. Velocity is 1250+- fps from a 4".

The Federal 250 CastCore is fairly mild at 1080 fps from a 4". It will penetrate just like the soft point round.... If you want hotter Buffalo Bore and CorBon boost the velocity of the heavies a bit...with added recoil.

Bob

 

[off road]

I like the Buffalo Bore 270 grain JFN round in my 629 Classic. Hits hard! Black bears are not difficult to drop nor are they aggressive.

NC

I like this load, but in a way it is to much and not enough. It is to hot for the lightweight alloy 329NG (even BB doesn't recommend it for alloy guns), and if I am shooting the big heavy Alaskan, might as well go with a heavier, hotter load.

I have tried to like BB's 255gr Keith "lower recoil" load for the 329, but I have to say that accuracy is pretty poor. It shoots a full 4" high, and the NG doesn't have adjustable sights. Plus the spread is more than I like, but still probably good enough for something the size of a bear.

I know that the Hornady 240gr XTP seems light for bears, but it is so wonderfully accurate and controlable, for me that trumps everything else.