Are these loads compatible with the Model 29-2 and Model 629?

[peppercorn]

I recently acquired some 'Laser Cast' bullets from Oregon Trail for my 44s in a 240 gr semi wadcutter sized at .431.

2400:
The data they sent me calls for 19.8 Grs. of 2400 to start and 22.4 as a max load.
So far I have loaded 19.8, 20.0, 20.2 and 20.4 but have not shot any as of tonight.

Unique:
Start load is 10.8 and max is 11.7. I have not loaded up any with Unique yet.

Their test gun was a Ruger Super Red Hawk and they call for Winchester Standard Pistol primers.

I am only shooting paper and am still Way New to reloading and wanting to explore what is out there in bullet and powder combinations. What I do not want to do is hammer my guns in the process. So, any and all input would be appreciated.

 

[Rule3]

Well Alliant powder on line only lists 7 grs max of Unique?

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide




Lymans Cast manual list:

For 240 gr cast lSWC 44 Mag

Unique start 10grs to 11.7 Max

2400 start 18.5gr to 20.6 Max

So as they say, start low and work up. Load only say 10 rounds and see how they go. You can get enough performance from Unique and use less powder than 2400. For just paper punching just try the Alliant data. You do not need Mag primers for either powder.

 

[series guy]

3 of my fellow shooters at the gun club load 8gr. of unique. It's a very accurate and easy shooting load. I load 7.5gr. of titegroup and like it alot. We can interchange ammo and the zero stays the same. We're all shooting 629 Smiths.

 

[M29since14]

Lymans Cast manual list:

For 240 gr cast lSWC 44 Mag

Unique start 10grs to 11.7 Max

2400 start 18.5gr to 20.6 Max

So as they say, start low and work up... You do not need Mag primers for either powder.

I edited Rule3's post to reflect "my views." I would be hesitant to go much beyond 20.6 grains and, as a rule, I use considerably less than that for everyday shooting with slightly heavier (250-255 grs) Keith bullets of the same diameter. This is not to say the gun won't take more, but why? According to my chronograph, 18.6 grs of 2400 is burning cleanly and consistently and making the same power as current 44 Magnum factory loads. If I wanted to make loads for a special purpose (viz., the proverbial "bear load" ), maybe something more powerful would be of interest, but not for ordinary recreational shooting.

I agree 100% with Rule3's comment about magnum primers. I have never seen a case where a magnum primer fixed any problems in these types of loads. Once Unique and 2400 makes "enough" pressure, they seems to ignite and burn cleanly and consistently without magnum primers.

 

[arjay]

Most of my target shooting and plinking loads are made with a 240 gr lswc and 7-10 gr of unique.Easy on the shooter and the gun.There was a time when I made nothing but barn burners using jacketed bullets and 2400. Both types are great fun.

 

[peppercorn]

A good friend helped me work up a load with Unique. 9.8 grs to start, I pushed it up to 10. A great all around load.

This is why I ask the question.
For target I will be in this range.
The Oregon Trail data seemed a bit high to my unseasoned reloading mind. I don't want to shoot their loads at the range every day but I would like a lead bullet/powder combo that has minimal leading and is slightly hotter than a 'target' load.

 

[Rule3]

I was only "quoting" the data listed in Lymans cast manual. I would not use the high end load of 2400 either.
As stated there is no need to. I do not load anything at Max or beyond as the small gain (if any) what is another 50 fps?? JMO

I have of course shot full house loads and they are not real fun.

Kinda like maximum charge 357 Mag 158 gr out of a scandium J frame.

 

[M29since14]

I have of course shot full house loads and they are not real fun.

Kinda like maximum charge 357 Mag 158 gr out of a scandium J frame.

I don't think anything in a 629 is that bad.

IIRC, something around 18.6 grs of 2400 runs around 1250 FPS in a 6.5-inch gun and slightly under 1200 in a 4-inch. Current factory specs can be as low as 1180 for a 240 gr 44 Magnum (some are faster) but however you slice it, a 250 Keith whistling along at 1200 FPS or so is nothing to sneeze at and I would not feel uncomfortable with it anywhere I thought it worth the trouble to take a revolver. If you run that up to 20+/- grs, you might get another 100 FPS (might not, too). I can't imagine a situation at ordinary pistol range where that would make a big difference.

I'm sure there are more powerful loads that can be run through an S&W 44, but I am not sure how well I could shoot them.

 

[alwslate]

Recently I decided to work up a few mid-range loads for my various .44
mag revolvers and came up with a few that I found to be accurate and
consistant. By "hotter than target" I assume what might be called mid-
range is what you're looking for. Unlike many others I never considered
Unique powder due to my previous experience with it. You might want
to consider these three loads. The gun was my Ruger Bisley with 7 1/2
inch barrel. Win brass, Rem LP primer, 250 gr Lyman 429421 cast
bullet. Five rounds chronographed of each. 8.2 grs W231 = 1047 fps
ES = 17 fps. 7.3 grs Bullseye = 1044 fps ES = 12 fps. 7.4 grs Titegroup
= 1052 fps ES = 12 fps.

 

[CWH44300]

The only center fire handguns I own are chambered in 44 magnum, I've been loading for this caliber for over 25 yrs, not that it means anything, just that I've shot most of the available bullets with most of the common powders, Ive settled on two loads and 3 bullets, first is the rcbs 250k with 9 gr unique its my everyday load(it will penetrate a deer lengthwise ) second is 240gr speer and hornaday or the 250k on top off 19gr of 2400 . The mid range load shoots good in most guns and its a comfortable for both gun and shooter, one of the 2400 loads usually is a top performing combo in about every gun I've tried it in. Let us know how your making out

 

[peppercorn]

Great information everyone. Thanks for taking the time.

I suppose these bullets could be loaded to standard wadcutter specs, or can they and still not lead?
Interestingly they have a 100% gaurantee that, if loaded to their data, the bullets won't lead.
Tonight I am wondering what might happen if I load them to lower levels with say, Unique or Universal in the 8.5 to 10.5 range. Am I just asking for leading issues by going using data for other manufacturers wadcutters and the data others have used here with softer bullets?

 

[M29since14]

I suppose these bullets could be loaded to standard wadcutter specs, or can they and still not lead?
Interestingly they have a 100% gaurantee that, if loaded to their data, the bullets won't lead...

People have been arguing about that since Elmer Keith threw out 8.5-grs of Unique as his standard midrange load way back in the early sixties. (He also suggested 5.0-grs of Bullseye as a gallery load.)

Everyone can say what they will, but I have never seen a midrange load of any sort that shot clean in any of my guns. There is always leading. It is just a matter of how much leading, and how many rounds can be fired before accuracy deteriorates.

I won't offer to eat any cast or swaged bullets that can be shown not to lead, but I would sure like to see them.

 

[tops]

Winchester large pistol primers are marked for standard or magnum loads. Using the Laser Cast 240 gr. and 10 grs. of Unique a 6 1/2 in. barrel 29-2 gets 1099 fps. A 4 in. barrel 29-3 gets 1088 fps. A 3 in. barrel 29-4 gets 1023 fps.
Using 18 grs. of 2400 and a 29-3 with a 4 in. barrel gets 1196 fps. and 1311 fps. with a 7 1/2 in barrel Super Blackhawk. A Super Blackhawk 7 1/2 in barrel with 20. and 22. grs. of 2400 is 1446 fps. I don't know why 20 and 22 grs. shoot the same speed unless 20 is max. for a 7 1/2 in. barrel. Larry

 

[peppercorn]

Winchester large pistol primers are marked for standard or magnum loads. Using the Laser Cast 240 gr. and 10 grs. of Unique a 6 1/2 in. barrel 29-2 gets 1099 fps. A 4 in. barrel 29-3 gets 1088 fps. A 3 in. barrel 29-4 gets 1023 fps.
Using 18 grs. of 2400 and a 29-3 with a 4 in. barrel gets 1196 fps. and 1311 fps. with a 7 1/2 in barrel Super Blackhawk. A Super Blackhawk 7 1/2 in barrel with 20. and 22. grs. of 2400 is 1446 fps. I don't know why 20 and 22 grs. shoot the same speed unless 20 is max. for a 7 1/2 in. barrel. Larry

Larry, How was the leading with these loads?

Also, did you download,less than 10 grs., using the Unique and if so, how was the leading?

 

[tops]

10 grs. of Unique is the lightest load I shoot in a .44. For me leading has never been a problem. I try to shoot a box or 2 of shells every week and after several weeks or a couple of months I can still see rifling but I will use a brush and some kind of bore cleaner. There will be some lead in the barrel but it doesn't affect the way the gun shoots. Larry

 

[arc2x4]

The Loads they gave you are Max, and good for Alaskan Bears, but not so good for target practice. They will lead.
I like IMR Trailboss for target lead loads, no leading no smoke, little recoil. If you want to use max loads I would advise Jacketed bullets.

JMHO YMMV

 

[Coastie762]

10.0 grains of Unique and Winchester LP primers under a 250 cast SWC clocked an average of 1091 FPS from my 6" 29-3 and 1070 FPS from my 5" 629-3 Classic. This load gave good accuracy from both revolvers.

8.0 grains of Unique with a 240-250 grain cast bullet clocks at between 900-950 FPS from both, depending on the brand and alloy. This load is comfortable to shoot and makes for a good all-around load when maximum power isn't needed.

 

[dla]

I recently acquired some 'Laser Cast' bullets from Oregon Trail for my 44s in a 240 gr semi wadcutter sized at .431.

2400:
The data they sent me calls for 19.8 Grs. of 2400 to start and 22.4 as a max load.
So far I have loaded 19.8, 20.0, 20.2 and 20.4 but have not shot any as of tonight.

Unique:
Start load is 10.8 and max is 11.7. I have not loaded up any with Unique yet.

Their test gun was a Ruger Super Red Hawk and they call for Winchester Standard Pistol primers.

I am only shooting paper and am still Way New to reloading and wanting to explore what is out there in bullet and powder combinations. What I do not want to do is hammer my guns in the process. So, any and all input would be appreciated.

You aren't going to harm your guns.

You don't need magnum primers for 2400 or Unique. But if you do use WLP it won't make a difference with either powder.

I've always had best luck by driving Lazercast hard. Also, I think it is silly to buy a 44mag and then shoot 38spl-type loads with it.

Get yourself a pistol cleaning rod and bronze brush. Start with a clean, dry barrel and shoot a cylinder of each loading (talking 2400 here). Note the "feel". Dump the empties and note whether or not they fall out easily (sticky means over pressure) and whether they're all soot covered towards the case mouth (under pressure). Run a patch through the barrel and then look to see if you've got lead plastered in the first inch or so past the throat. Then use the brush to scrub out the barrel, clean your chambers and repeat the process with the next loading. Take notes and remember the recipe you like best.

Now I use the Oregon Trail 240gr LSWC for target shooting and I lube them with Lee liquid allox. I drive them to around 1250fps from a 4" - so they're not put-put Unique loads. I went to alox because it took the guesswork out of eliminating leading.

This might be of help to you. Have fun! S&W329pd Information

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like Unique in my handguns, and tend to get better (cleaner) results on the "warmer" end of things. Keep in mind that Winchester LP primers are for standard and Magnum loads, and burn a little cleaner, but there needs to be a mild adjustment in the powder amounts to comp for it. This saves even more powder, and allows me to use them in all large pistol applications. Flapjack.