629 Classic shooting extremely left with 240 grain bullets

[.44MagnumN00b]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm not sure if this belongs in reloading or not, but if it doesn't I can ask it there and delete this thread, anyway. I bought my dad's 629 classic(with 6.5 inch barrel) from him and have started reloading for it, I figured I should try 240 grain bullets, because they are kind of the norm for .44Mag and I would like to kill a deer with the pistol one day. My dad never really reloaded for this gun, so all it's seen are factories up to this point. I've been working up a load and I'm going with either 22 or 22.5 grains of imr 4227(haven't decided yet) for a 240 grain jacketed bullet with cci 350 magnum primers. I've kind of been sighting it in along the way and here's my problem: With 240s it shoots extremely left, I have adjusted the rear sight to the point that the notch is flush with the rear sight base. It always shot great with factory 180s and the rear sight notch was about in the center. I've got it sighted in now, but I don't see why they are shooting so extremely left. It shot really high before I adjusted it too, but I've heard that that's common when switching to a heavier bullet. Gonna try reloading some 180s to see if that fixes the problem. Any help would be appreciated, because I would like to carry this on my hip while Mule Deer hunting next year and I'd like to have something heavier than 180s for Muleys. Thanks.

 

[71firebird400]

Have you had anyone else shoot the gun? Are they experiencing the same thing (shooting left)?

 

[MrSurly]

My first guess is that you are experiencing a reaction to the greater recoil present with the 240s.
At least you should consider it.
Try shooting from sandbags or a rest, to take that variable out. Changing loads will have a huge affect on trajectory or (elevation/distance) but should not have any affect on windage.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With all the bullets and powders I have used over the years .....
I have had "EVERY" spot available around my target taken up with bullet impacts !!

Some find a load right off.........
others find a load after 100 rounds or so and then there are some......
Like me that some times have to give up on a powder or a bullet because it will just not work in my gun...... not often but it can happen.

Most guns with a 6 inch tube or more will shoot a lot better than the shorter barrels..........
Just hang in there and it will come together in time.

 

[.44MagnumN00b]

I have thought that it could be me pulling my shots, I was shooting while leaning across a pickup hood, so it's definitely possible. I'll have to see if my dad's up for shooting his old gun again. I should load some 44 specials to train myself not to flinch, but cases are getting hard to come by and spendy. I've heard bad things about special loads in magnum cases. Guess I'll just start shooting a lot more rounds and get more familiar with this awesome cartridge. I'll post the results of another(more experienced) .44 shooter when we get around to it. Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I've heard bad things about special loads in magnum cases.

Not sure what you're referring to on this? The only downside to a 44Spcl load in a 44Mag case is that it's a little weaker because of the large case volume. My favorite target/plinking/training load is a 240gr LSWC using 16.5gr/2400 in a Spcl. case or 17.0gr/2400 in a Mag case. Then you can bump it higher if you like. I suspect you're "pushing" the bullet left, with the trigger, instead of squeezing it straight back. Easy fix.

Welcome to the forum. Keep us updated.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Default answer #1 - placement of finger upon trigger face.

Default answer #2 - how you are gripping the gun and/ or how the grips fit in your hand.

 

[Kilibreaux]

Accuracy variance due to load variability is exceedingly slight. If you're looking at impact points extremely to one side or the other, or up or down what you're REALLY looking at is shooter problems.
"Groups" might open up over distance but they don't go flying WAY OFF COURSE unless the shooter is either pushing or pulling...a COMMON problem with shooting hard-kicking magnum handguns.

 

[dickttx]

I started shooting about four years ago. My first gun show low and left. So did my second, third, fourth, fifth, etc.
After thousands of rounds, they have somehow moved to the bullseye.

 

[vitochieti]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm not sure if this belongs in reloading or not, but if it doesn't I can ask it there and delete this thread, anyway. I bought my dad's 629 classic(with 6.5 inch barrel) from him and have started reloading for it, I figured I should try 240 grain bullets, because they are kind of the norm for .44Mag and I would like to kill a deer with the pistol one day. My dad never really reloaded for this gun, so all it's seen are factories up to this point. I've been working up a load and I'm going with either 22 or 22.5 grains of imr 4227(haven't decided yet) for a 240 grain jacketed bullet with cci 350 magnum primers. I've kind of been sighting it in along the way and here's my problem: With 240s it shoots extremely left, I have adjusted the rear sight to the point that the notch is flush with the rear sight base. It always shot great with factory 180s and the rear sight notch was about in the center. I've got it sighted in now, but I don't see why they are shooting so extremely left. It shot really high before I adjusted it too, but I've heard that that's common when switching to a heavier bullet. Gonna try reloading some 180s to see if that fixes the problem. Any help would be appreciated, because I would like to carry this on my hip while Mule Deer hunting next year and I'd like to have something heavier than 180s for Muleys. Thanks.

well i've the same problem. my 629 shoots too left also adjusting all the rear sight. I asked to a few shooters to try my 629 and they got the same problem: too left. I shooted only 240 g bullets but i'll try 180. The front sight it's ok in the middle.the barrel seems to be ok. but the 629 shoots on left.

 

[358156hp]

Prss the trigger straight back. It sounds like you're "pushing" the trigger to the left as you pull it. You might concentrate on tightening up your grip a bit too.

 

[AveragEd]

Although his gun shooting "straight" with a different bullet weight probably rules this out, barrels can do that. I once bought a Remington Model 700MKS, a lightweight bolt-action rifle very similar to the production Mountain Rifle series but built in their Custom Shop with a Kevlar stock. That $2,300 gun shot 12 inches right at 100 yards no matter who shot it! There wasn't enough windage adjustment in the Leupold scope I had on it to bring it into the center of a target.

I sent it back to Remington and the Custom Shop manager called me several weeks later. It did the same thing for them and continued to do it even after the barrel and the stock were replaced. It turned out that every one of the "Mountain Rifle" profile barrels in that caliber they had on hand had the same defect and they had to special-order a barrel from an outside firm to get my gun repaired in a decent amount of time.

Strange things can happen when a bullet travels down a bore...

Ed

 

[Nevada Ed]

Oh my gosh...................

Not another LEMON !!

I have heard about them.....................Bummer.

Yes that is something that can happen and we all hope it is not the gun that we get. Just glad that it can be fixed and we will................
survive.

I also like the idea of starting with light target loads and moving "UP" to more powerful loads as one get better with their weapons.

 

[.44MagnumN00b]

Not sure what you're referring to on this? The only downside to a 44Spcl load in a 44Mag case is that it's a little weaker because of the large case volume. My favorite target/plinking/training load is a 240gr LSWC using 16.5gr/2400 in a Spcl. case or 17.0gr/2400 in a Mag case. Then you can bump it higher if you like. I suspect you're "pushing" the bullet left, with the trigger, instead of squeezing it straight back. Easy fix.

Welcome to the forum. Keep us updated.

I've heard with certain powders that with the extra friction caused by jacketed bullets and the lower pressures because of the larger case size, that it might cause a bullet not to exit the barrel , but become stuck inside the bore. I guess I would just rather not risk it unless anyone has used imr 4227 for specials in magnum cases reliably.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

If you can find some Unique, 10 grains of Unique behind a 240gr bullet in a 44 magnum case is my "go to" 44 magnum plinking load. It's a definite step above a 44 special load, but is far from a full powered magnum load. I can shoot this load all day out of my 629 Mountain Gun.

I've never used 4227 in any form or fashion, so can't offer any advice on reduced loads or otherwise.

 

[Doubless]

Different cartridge, but 21 grains of IMR 4227 behind the Lyman 410459 shot lights out for me for many years in my 57 no dash. It would stack them into one ragged hole off a bench...

 

[arjay]

If it shoots fine with 180s and left with 240s,Im betting on a flinch.Buy some lead semi wadcutters,240 gr and load them down to 800-900 fps.I like unique for these,but I hear its hard to find right now.

 

[AveragEd]

For what it's worth, my .44 Magnum target load of a 240-grain lead semi-wadcutter over 5.5 grains of Clays shoots to the same 25-yard point of impact as the Hornady XTP 240-grain JHP factory load so I don't have to adjust the sight when changing loads. I could never see the point in handloading the few rounds I might shoot when handgun hunting so I use factory loads for that purpose. In six years, I've fired four shots (I've used most of my tags during our archery seasons).

Also, I have the same Hornady ammo in 180-grain and to me, it delivers significantly more felt recoil than the 240-grain stuff, no doubt due to the 200fps higher muzzle velocity.

Ed

 

[mikld]

Another idea, from my experience with my 629-1; look at the barrel from the top and make sure it hasn't twisted. My 629 had the same problem of POI because the barrel had moved about 1-2 degrees to the left, I believe from shooting heavy loads. I knew I couls fix it by just turning the barrel back in place, but I sent it into the factory for a permanent repair. I now only shoot no heavier than mid range magnum loads, and lighter...

BTW, ZI've been reloading the .44 Magnum since '92 and have never heard of Special loads in Magnum brass being "bad". I do it all the time.

 

[AveragEd]

Obviously, from my post above, I do as well.

Ed