Hand load accuracy rounds for 29

[SmithWessonand Me]

I recently picked up a 29 target, and have a 25 target on hold. My father who is gunsmith and a S&W fan always preached to me when I reloaded for his 25, to always use unique. And I do. Well for my 29 the only powder the only powder I have found in the reloading data manuals we have is Unique. I been loading them 8.5 grains unique for a 240 Lead SWC. It shoots well, but is there a better grain amount I should use for more accuracy? Anyone have any good data charts? All info is appreciated.

 

[arjay]

I use 8-10 gr.of Unique for mild to medium loads with a cast 240 gr swc in my guns and I believe the max is higher.I switch to 2400 when I reach for more velocity.
Edit: Lyman # 46 shows 13 gr as max with #429421 and 12 gr max with #429244.
I've never pushed beyond 10 gr. it's accurate and produces about 1000 fps.

 

[SmithWessonand Me]

Thanks Arjay. I plan on trying a few variants when I reload here soon. I may load a few straight 10's.

 

[dsen]

For target shooting in my 8 3/8 629 I get great results with 5.4 gr of Titegroup and 240 LSWC.

 

[SmithWessonand Me]

Have to look into Titegroup. Does it have high CUP pressures like IMR4227? Cause I dont like IMR4227 in loads for my S&W's lol

 

[M29since14]

If I may say so, 4227 (and 2400) has been an accepted standard in the 44 Magnum since I was a little boy and there is nothing wrong with it, though personal preference may be a factor. 4227 probably won't yield the velocities that 2400 will, and of course W296 and H110, but it has always had an exceptional reputation in the 44.

But getting back to your Unique question, I used to use 8.5 grs, which Elmer Keith recommended as an "outdoor target load," by the way, and never was completely satisfied with it. If you have a chronograph handy, check your extreme spreads and see what you get. Handle the gun like you do when you shoot it. No special precautions for positioning the powder. You'll probably find primers (brand) make a difference. I have been using 9 grs for the last few years now and I believe I prefer it. I do think these loads are a bit harder to shoot for accuracy than a faster load with 2400. JMHO.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I have used a ton of Unique at 8, 8.5 grains under a 240-250 cast swc. My chrono shows pretty consistent velocities at very close to 1000 fps from a 6, 6.5" barrel.
However, 8 grains of 231 is a nicer shooting, and cleaner load and close in velocity using the same bullets.


BTW, while changing load charge weight can affect accuracy greatly, you have to start with a bullet(s) that your particular gun likes, and work up and down once you find a good one. Not all 240 swc's or any bullet of the same weight are equal. Not by a long shot. Depending on the age of your 29, it might have throats that are correct at .430", or it may have the slightly larger .432-.433" throats that were the norm from the very beginning of the pre-29's and on up through the 29-3's. The factory tightened them up on the 29-4's and later dash versions when they came out with the endurance package in '88-'89. Check your throats with pin gauges and use a bullet that matches them as closely as possible rather than worrying about the bore diameter. If the bullet matches the throats correctly, the gun will shoot great.

 

[MichiganScott]

I use 10gr. of Unique behind a 240gr LSWC for around 1100fps in m y 8 3/8" M29. It's accurate but not abusive, although you are well aware that you've pulled the trigger.

 

[alwslate]

There are many better powders for target loads in the 44 mag than
poorly metering Unique. In my 4" 29-2 6.2 grs Bullseye under a 250 gr
cast SWC is accurate and mild at 830 fps.

 

[H Richard]

I like Accurate #9 for the 44 Mag. I'm away from home now so don't have access to my data, and I don't trust my memory. Individual guns are different, start in the low to mid range for the powder used and work up.

 

[dsen]

According to my Lee Second Edition manual, Titegroup CUP Pressure (if using max load) of 10.0 gr is 38,400. Max load of IMR 4227 in this book is 22.0c @33,300.00.

According to this book the highest pressures (at max loads) come from Accur 2,5, 9 and IMR 700X where all are 40,000 or just under.

I've never had any issues with my load of 5.4 gr and its quite accurate and pleasant to shoot. I never found it necessary to shoot full-house 44 mag loads when target shooting and around here you have to be under 1,000 fps if you want to shoot steel silhouettes.