Factory Ammo Suggestions for Model 29-2

[scotchblade]

I managed to find one of these, which, living in California, is no easy task. Pick up day is Friday and I am looking forward to checking it out at the range.

I don't plan to shoot it that often, maybe 12-18 .44 Specials and half a dozen .44 Magnums a couple of times each month, if even that.

Any suggestions on factory .44 Specials? Handloading is not an option - not yet anyway. I see quite a number of cowboy loads, but have read reviews that say they are "light loads, smokey and dirty." Is there anything between those and pricey self defense hollow points?

I don't see much in the way of options browsing ammo online.

What should I feed this beautiful piece of American craftsmanship? I would be curious what 29 owners, both past and present use in the way of both specials and magnums.

If there is anything I should avoid, do tell!

 

[gmiller0737]

I managed to find one of these, which, living in California, is no easy task. Pick up day is Friday and I am looking forward to checking it out at the range.

I don't plan to shoot it that often, maybe 12-18 .44 Specials and half a dozen .44 Magnums a couple of times each month, if even that.

Any suggestions on factory .44 Specials? Handloading is not an option - not yet anyway. I see quite a number of cowboy loads, but have read reviews that say they are "light loads, smokey and dirty." Is there anything between those and pricey self defense hollow points?

I don't see much in the way of options browsing ammo online.

What should I feed this beautiful piece of American craftsmanship? I would be curious what 29 owners, both past and present use in the way of both specials and magnums.

If there is anything I should avoid, do tell!

I do not own a 29 but do have 3 .44 Magnums Ruger Redhawk,Ruger Old Model Flat Top Blackhawk & Ruger .44 Carbine & I have had good luck with the Remington 240 gr JHP .44 Mag Load all 3 guns shoot it or a comparable Hand load with the same bullet well Remington Express Ammo 44 Remington Mag 240 Grain Semi Jacketed Hollow
I haven't used any .44 special loads as I handload .44 Mag. Target Loads so I can't really comment on those,I stick with the .240 grain loads due to the fact hat the Ruger .44 Carbine's Rifiling Twist does not stabalize 180 grain bullets well.

 

[DWalt]

" Ruger .44 Carbine's Rifiling Twist does not stabalize 180 grain bullets well."

I find that an odd comment - lighter and shorter bullets always stabilize somewhat better than longer bullets, and do so with a slower rifling twist. Can you explain why the Ruger carbine would be different?

 

[cochise]

If you are just "shooting" paper targets shoot the cheapest name brand ammo and save the brass for when you start to reload.

 

[scotchblade]

If you are just "shooting" paper targets shoot the cheapest name brand ammo and save the brass for when you start to reload.

It's looking like that's the plan. Based on price and lack of availability, I've come to the conclusion that handloading is the way to go.

Are cowboy loads the mildest recoil? Not that I want that, I want to feel some kick, but not the full magnum blast except in small doses.

When looking at .44 special cartridge data, what do I look for that will help me determine if a cartridge is mild, medium or hot? Bullet size? Muzzle velocity and energy? How can you tell?

Googling reloading now

Thank you

 

[cochise]

All the .44 special brands is mild compared to the "magnum " load. The Cowboy load is the mildest .44 special. The weight of the bullet is lighter, and the "powder" load is lighter. There used to be a intermediate .44 mag load by Remington but they discontinued that product. If you go to the manufacturer's web site, i.e. Winchester, Federal, etc. they give you the ballistics for each laod. that should answer most of your questions right there.

In a nut shell, magnum loads are hot, or hotter,& .44 spcl are mild.

 

[gmiller0737]

" Ruger .44 Carbine's Rifiling Twist does not stabalize 180 grain bullets well."

I find that an odd comment - lighter and shorter bullets always stabilize somewhat better than longer bullets, and do so with a slower rifling twist. Can you explain why the Ruger carbine would be different?

I can't explain why but I tried some 180 grains in the .44 Carbine & they did not group at all & a Friend had the same experience with his Carbine I thought it was in the Ruger Owners Manual but I could not find it in there,Perhaps it was just our 2 guns but they both shot much better groups with the 240 gr bullets & Performed lousy with 180's