Ammo gurus, help w/29-3

[S&W Fan]

I'll start with "yes, I searched but still didn't find the info I was looking for". I recently added a very nice 4" 29-3 after being away from a 4" .44 mag for a long time. It will be used mostly as a range gun, perhaps carried in the back country during camping trips.

It's tons of fun with Specials but I don't really enjoy it with the magnum loads I currently have (240gr jhp, various mfg). My typical range session entails shooting around 50 rounds per gun. What are the "ligher" recoiling factory magnum loads I should search out? I get slightly concerned about carbon build up in the cylinders shooting the specials even with a good cleaning.

I know I could've searched for a 24 but I've always preferred the aesthetics of the 29. I have a 6.5" 29-2 but I don't shoot it much & the recoil wasn't an issue in that for me as it is in the 4". Of course it's also been a very long time since I fired the -2.

I don't reload, not really interested in starting frankly so a factory load is my choice. I usually shoot a 5" 1911 but can't just let this nice 29 sit & not get used liked it was intended.

Thanks for bearing with me, I tend to get a little wordy at times, I appreciate your suggestions.

 

[Krogen]

Take a look at some of the cowboy action loads. Midway lists some that are in the range of 44 Special velocity. Might be hard to find some in stock these days.

I hope you're saving your brass. Even if you don't reload now, it could be tempting in the future.

 

[Schmidty]

I have found the Magtech 240 grain .44's seem pretty light through my 4 inch. They are also the least accurate.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thank you both. I was in 2 local shops today, one only had 1 magnum load (Federal 240gr. jhp) & no specials. The other had a few options in magnum though all on the "hot" side & 2 special loads (Federal 200gr lead hp & Winchester Cowboy). I am definitely keeping my brass, especially with the price of metal these days.

I do have some Winchester Silvertips in .44 Spl if I decide to keep it handy around the house though my 1911 is my "go to" pistol 99% of the time.

 

[DWalt]

A minimal investment in a Lee loader and purchasing some components would not take up much space and would eliminate your supply problem. That's how I started with .44 Magnum nearly 50 years ago.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90260

 

[S&W Fan]

I found Speer's Gold Dot Short Barrel with a 200gr jhp. Tried a few rounds & I think this is what I was looking for. Reduced recoil compared to any of the other magnum rounds I've tried, more stout for sure than the specials but not so much to be uncomfortable. Just passing it on if anyone else is in the same boat as I.

 

[Professor Cassidy]

Try the WW 44 Mag 210gr Silvertips. Much milder than 240gr 44 mag loads.

 

[DGNY]

If you can find any, aluminum case Blazer. It always felt like ~80% recoil.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[SWBigBang]

If reloading is definitely out then disregard this post, but if you are on the fence I recommend Vihtavuori powder N320 and 240 gr bullets. This is a very mild load and what I use for those people who want to shoot a .44 Mag but don't want the .44 Mag full experience. Easily shoot this one handed without concerns of wild recoil. If you were local, I would let you give it a try.

 

[StatesRightist]

Agree w/ DGNY, Blazer is the lighter, cheaper load. HSM does some cheaper, mid range loads as well.

 

[gregintenn]

Load your own! A minimum charge of Bullseye behind a 200 grain lead round nose bullet is a load my 9 year old can shoot cylinder after cylinder with a great big grin on his face. I like em too.

 

[crofoot629]

I didn't know Blazer made .44 Mag ammo. If the maddness ever abates I'll look for some.

For carry I use Corbon's 165 Grn 44 Magnum load. If I recall correctly it's only about 1350 fps. Magnum lights. I've never shot anyone but they seem like a good choice for.

Emory