44 special loads for 29 with universal powder

[gene s]

Hello, in a very short time I have gotten a Model 29-2 44 mag, 4 inch barrel, a lot of 180 and 200 grain jacketed Bullets, and a lot,of Universal powder and 44 magnum cases.
I wish to shoot this great revolver a lot, with 44 special loads in 44 mag cases with the 180-200 gr. Jhp Bullets.
I am turning to this forum to get really precise data. I note this beautiful revolver with its excellent trigger and sights is like a bomb going off in my hand when I used a few full power 44 magnum loads in it.

 

[__steve__]

Welcome to the S&W forum gene s.

I bet your topic will catch more interest here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/

To locate just Scroll down to the Ammunition/Gunsmithing section

 

[JAREDSHS]

Welcome to the forum. Wish I still had me 29-2...Seems like I had a Speer loading book and loaded some soft shooting 240 gr. Mag loads with Unique powder and new Starline brass. Shot like a *****cat. Can't remember the exact load data.

 

[BillBro]

Just dont use 44 special data in the mag cases. You can load magnum loads down quite a bit but 44spl is a different cartridge with it's own specific data. Please, please buy a load manual.

 

[nbedford]

I never shoot jhp loads in 44 Special or Magnum, after a squib load lodged the bullet at the muzzle. A light but accurate 44 Magnum load with a .430" 240 grain swc is 7 grains of Unique, running about 900 fps. But no mastodons or griz in Arkansas.

 

[gene s]

Thank you all for your input, but my Criterian is 44 mag cases with universal powder and 180 and 220 jacketed Bullets.

Thank you,
GS

 

[gwpercle]

Thank you all for your input, but my Criterian is 44 mag cases with universal powder and 180 and 220 jacketed Bullets.

Thank you,
GS

Don't discount coated lead bullets in the 44 spcl-mag loads.
You can do a lot of inexpensive shooting and coated bullets eliminate any Lead Buildup Fear .
A cast lead 200 or 220 grain cast SWC or RNFP
in a 44 magnum case with
6.5 to 7.5 grains of Universal
A Pet Load for decades ...

Don't get all hung up on jacketed bullets ... they have a place and time but for lower / lighter loads ... coated cast lead is just the ticket .
Read the replies ... do you wonder why there isn't much encouragement to load down JHP's ? There are reasons .
These people do know a little about reloading ... trust me
Gary

 

[spring1271]

Go to the Hodgdon website and you can get the data there for Universal. Just compare 44mag and 44 special data and you will get what you need.

 

[mikld]

I have used 44 Special data in 44 Magnum brass many, many times (I have reloaded everything from 123 gr. balls to 300 gr ingots in my 44 Special and 44 Magnum brass). I don't use any "formula" to compensate for larger case capacity, Magnum vs Special and have never stuck a bullet in the barrel of my 4, 44 Magnum handguns. I just understand that the listed 44 Special velocities will be higher than the same load in 44 Magnum brass. I haven't loaded any jacketed bullets in quit a while (a very long while) and my data is out in the shop so I can't quote any loads...

 

[Nevada Ed]

Welcome to the S&W site and it is nice that you have quite a bit of supplies for loading.

Your jacketed bullets will work just fine in your weapon, just that most shooters
use the copper coated bullets at the higher end FPS range and full loads for hunting.

Unique & Universal are both a "Medium" powder that will get some high fps loads
but they work a little better with lead bullets, if you can find them.
The light 180 & 200 JSP will get around 1300 to 1150 with your powder but
a lighter load around 1100 & 1050 are a lot easier for shooting paper.

I said lighter weight bullets since the .44 can go up to a 300 gr or larger,
if you ever want to try them.

The little Lyman booklet that has 44 data is only$9 at most sporting good stores.

Have fun.

 

[cowboy4evr]

In the past I have done that . I took the load data for the 44 special for whatever bullet I was using , added 1/2 gr of powder and called it good . Never a problem . Regards Paul

 

[ddixie884]

If I were you I would try 9gr of universal with either of your jacketed bullets in Magnum brass to be fired in a S&W M-29. You should not have to worry about sticking a bullet and after loading 20 or so of each of your jacketed bullets of different weights. After shooting a few of each you will know if you would like to load a little hotter. I wouldn't go any lower with jacketed bullets. This should let you load with the components you have. I too suggest that if you are going to load lighter target type loads in the future you should look at cast lead bullets which should be cheaper to buy. I get the feeling that you have these components and want to use them for now. This should let you load with the stuff you already have without worrying about sticking a jacketed or plated bullet in your barrel. Be safe and have fun.

 

[BC38]

If I were you I would try 9gr of universal with either of your jacketed bullets in Magnum brass to be fired in a S&W M-29. You should not have to worry about sticking a bullet and after loading 20 or so of each of your jacketed bullets of different weights. After shooting a few of each you will know if you would like to load a little hotter. I wouldn't go any lower with jacketed bullets. This should let you load with the components you have. I too suggest that if you are going to load lighter target type loads in the future you should look at cast lead bullets which should be cheaper to buy. I get the feeling that you have these components and want to use them for now. This should let you load with the stuff you already have without worrying about sticking a jacketed or plated bullet in your barrel. Be safe and have fun.

^^^THIS^^^

Recommendations to switch to cast lead are fine for normal times - you know, when you can find and afford whatever components you want.

That isn't the case right now. The way I read the OP he's new to reloading and doesn't have a wide variety of components to choose from. The jacketed bullets and universal (and W231 in his other thread) are what he has to work with, so he needs specific info for loading with what he has.

 

[Barbarosa99]

Use 44 magnum brass, 240 poly coated bullets with whatever powder you have that will push them 950 to 1200 FPS. Pick a good load for your gun, you will not wear it out ever!