Low-smoke/high-flash loads for 629 .44mag snubby?

[dbooksta]

I've been playing with loads for my .44mag 629-1 with 3" bbl. Everything I've tried so far with the following powders gives me excessive amounts of smoke and carbon fouling:

- Titegroup
- TrailBoss
- IMR4227

I'm loading hard cast lead and semi-jacketed bullets in the 200-300gr range.

Has anyone found a powder that produces low smoke in this barrel length?

Also, since this is often a "shock and awe" show-off gun I would love to find a powder that puts out as much muzzle flash as possible. My father had a load that tended to produce a 6-foot fireball out of this gun, but he can't remember the recipe since it was many years ago. Any ideas on loads for maximizing muzzle flash?

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Blue Dot is usually good for a light show.

 

[nitesite]

It's the bullet lube creating the smoke. For comparison, try shooting a jacketed bullet with the same powders and you won't see much smoke.

For flash, I would suggest 2400.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Really, any one of the slow pistol powders with a jacketed bullet SHOULD produce quite a light show. I would think that a lighter bullet would produce more flash as well, say in the 180gr range.

Not sure though as I have an aversion to flash and try to produce loads that don't produce much!

 

[fredj338]

Light bullets & slow powders are great for a light show. I find WSF shoots quite well for midrange loads from the 3"-4" bbls. I run a 265grLHP @ 930fps in my 629-3" using 8.6gr of Unique or 8.7gr of WSF.

 

[perrazi]

28-30gr of 296 with a 180grain bullet and a magnum primer. you will get blast. wear your best ear protection.

 

[Forty Five Auto]

The WW296 mentioned above will make a fireball for sure. Just don't go lower than your manual's recommended powder charge (will cause overpressure).