.44 Magnum Loads?

[OLDFED]

I have a 629 in 6" and plan to go into black bear country for a week. What load do you folks recommend, by weight, bullet type and maker? Thank you!

 

[banjopkr]

I am watching this post to see what the experts will say,down south where I live we dont see bears,I would carry hard cast bullet loads in mine were I going into bear country,Lyman 429421 hard cast over 2400 or H110,hope this helps but you are probably looking for factory loads,by the way that bullet casts out for me at about 255grns.

 

[mod29]

I would feel quite comfortable with WWB 240-gr semi-jacketed soft points. That's what I'm packing in my 629's.

-Jim

 

[Mike-4]

I would feel quite comfortable with WWB 240-gr semi-jacketed soft points. That's what I'm packing in my 629's.

-Jim

Do you happen to know what these chrono out to?

Regards

 

[NE450No2]

A hard cast 240 SWC over a healthy dose of 2400 or H 110 would no doubt work.

If you do not reload, try some Federal 300gr Cast Core.
They are actually more comfortable to shoot than full power 240gr ammo.

I have shot several black bear, and in the fall they can have a lot of fat, over 5", so I would be sure I had enough penetration to shoot through that, as well as the skull.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I carry a 5" 629 in the Bob Marshall Wilderness where Griz live. I load 285 grain wide flat nose Beartooth bullets with gas checks ahead of H110 for over 1200 fps. If I didn't handload I'd just use the Federal 300 grain CastCore.

However, a fellow whose job used to be disposing of Black Bears for a large Washington timber company said he got better results (quicker kills) with 240 grain hollow points (he used a Hornady product) than with heavy cast bullets.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Since I've had success with it on deer, I'd use a Sierra 240 grain JHP over a heavy charge of H110. The powder charge weight I settled on is 1.7 grains under the maximum charge weight listed in the 1978 Sierra manual for their 240 bullet. I only have an 8 3/8-inch Model 29 but the load gives a velocity of 1478 fps from the long barrel.

 

[Jst1mr]

I would offer up CorBon 320gr HC with their Bonded Core Soft Point ...1175 fps, penetration and expansion.

 

[mod29]

Do you happen to know what these chrono out to?

Regards

Per the Winchester web site:


Product Symbol: Q4240

Description:

Proven Accuracy
Notched Design
Solid Nose Design


Features:
Massive Energy Deposit, Accurate, Optimum Penetration, Consistent Expansion

Cartridge: 44 Remington Magnum Bullet Weight: 240 Muzzle Velocity: 1180

 

[JeffHolt]

Appalachian Ammunition has 2 loads that will work. A 240 gr XTPJHP that chrono's 1220 fps (out of a 2" inch barreled revolver) and a 320gr Hardcast SSK that does 1460 fps out of a 92 Puma lever action.
Check them out at: appalachianammo.com

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[MTKTM]

I'm in the camp that likes 300+ grain hard-cast SWC or FN bullets. I handload and my current favorites are the 300 and 320gr. CastPerformance bullets, with a tendency to prefer the 320s. I load it over 20 grains of H110/W296.

 

[JeffHolt]

I'm in the camp that likes 300+ grain hard-cast SWC or FN bullets. I handload and my current favorites are the 300 and 320gr. CastPerformance bullets, with a tendency to prefer the 320s. I load it over 20 grains of H110/W296.

Great minds think a like. I got a lot of input from Bob P. at Penn Bullets when I built the AA 320 gr. Hardcast-SSK.

 

[cp1969]

For black bear? Lyman 429421 over 20.0 gr. of 2400 (~1250 fps). It will probably go through a black bear from any angle you choose.

 

[RedBerens]

I like Buffalo Bores 255gr Keith style SWC. I think it's rated around 1300 fps or so. In my mountain gun, I use Buffalo Bore's .44 Special load using the same bullet but at 1000 fps. I don't think there is a black bear in my state that could shake off either load.

 

[tamu94]

Per the Winchester web site:


Product Symbol: Q4240

Description:

Proven Accuracy
Notched Design
Solid Nose Design


Features:
Massive Energy Deposit, Accurate, Optimum Penetration, Consistent Expansion

Cartridge: 44 Remington Magnum Bullet Weight: 240 Muzzle Velocity: 1180

I just chrono'd these in my 329NG and 7.5" Super Blackhawk. They were doing 1478 at 6ft from the Blackhawk and 1112 from the Night Guard. 1180 is conservative!

 

[MMA10mm]

I might cast it out of harder alloy, but here's what I'd use:

Or maybe my Heavy Keith bullet:

I don't believe in loading them super hot. I'd rather have reliability. 1100-1200 fps is plenty with these big boys.

 

[AgentSmith]

Until I start handloading, I run the 270gr JFN from Buffalo Bore in my Mountain Gun. Approx 1450 fps and 1250 ft-lbs.