Ammo for a S&W 296

[starbuck]

I love this gun but the recoil is punishing. What ammo could I use that might keep the recoil tolerable?
I have fewer problems with recoil on my 329pd. At the gun show this weekend it was suggested by an ammo seller, I should try some American Ammunition 200 gr. RNL-FP, 44 Russian. Is 44 Russian ammo OK to use? Thanks

 

[starbuck]

I love this gun but the recoil is punishing. What ammo could I use that might keep the recoil tolerable?
I have fewer problems with recoil on my 329pd. At the gun show this weekend it was suggested by an ammo seller, I should try some American Ammunition 200 gr. RNL-FP, 44 Russian. Is 44 Russian ammo OK to use? Thanks

 

[Spotteddog]

All that you listed should work. With a caveat of keeping an eye out for bullet "pull". It's a plague that all Ti/Sc seem to suffer to a greater or lesser degree? Also you may find the loads land a bit higher. That's a gun that screams out for covered back strap grips, of larger than stock diameter. They are a very neat carry gun!

 

[starbuck]

I have rubber grips that cover all-around when I carry. I have also bought/tried the 500 grips from S&W but the recoil is still heavy.
Should the Russian ammo help with the recoil? I understand I would need to really clean the gun after usage.
I have also bought Speer Gold Dot HP from reading the forum and have not tried them as yet.

 

[Spotteddog]

Compared to ANY of the so called "self defense" loadings, the Russian's will feel positively warm and fuzzy. There's no getting around Newton's law though? A very light gun in a big bore caliber, is going to have it's recoil go somewhere. Typically, that's into the shooters hand. I've never had a 296, but always wanted to. Of course I got used to going best two out of three falls with a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special that weighs the same as your 296, about 35 or so years ago. My 4" Model 29-2 with full house Mag loads never impressed me much afterwards!

 

[starbuck]

I have several CA Bulldogs' and a 329pd and enjoy shooting 200 gr Winchester's out of both. But with the same ammo in my 296 after 4 rounds I am considering unloading the 5th. I am aware of Newton's Laws but for some reason the 296 is worse. Perhaps I am the only person that is bothered by his 296 but I am determined to come up with an answer because I do like the gun.
I have a 340pd but am happy just shooting .38 +p like many others that have tried .357 and hurt.

 

[Spotteddog]

If you give a close look at the specifications on Winchester's .44 Special 200 grain Silvertip, you'll see that their velocity isn't that much higher that the standard LRN 246 grain loading, but while using a 46 grain lighter bullet. I think you'd also find that particular loading to be the mildest of the self defense loadings? What may be impacting your felt recoil, is the height of the bore centerline above the grip. Because the C/A was "shorter" in that dimension, it probably tended to "whip" less during recoil? My Bulldog is with my Son 1000 miles away. But if you still have yours around, for giggles compare the difference's in those dimensions.

 

[starbuck]

I will do that in a few minutes. I remember Jerry Miculek discussing how high or low to grip the gun to affect the felt recoil/jump. In the martial arts it is best to keep the force in a straight line to be most effective. From the front 2 knuckles in a straight line through the wrist to the shoulder, etc.. I must give that some more thought but in the meantime I do remember holding my 2 hand grip as stiff as possible to accept the recoil. Maybe I need to think about using my grip more like a shock absorber and allow some movement.

 

[Spotteddog]

FWIW: Locked wrist, locked elbow, locked shoulder.

 

[starbuck]

I have measured the distance from the bore center line to the center line of my trigger/ finger pull and the 296 is 3/8 inch greater. The CA is closer to the center line of my wrist which would give a lesser moment arm with recoil. I would need to be much higher up on the 296 grip to be equal to the CA. Very interesting.

 

[44fanatic]

I've been carrying and shooting CCI 200 grain Gold dots in my 296 and use the same load in my 329PD. They are comfortable (for me at least) in both guns.
They are available in the berdan primed aluminum cases as well.