Do any of you have any suggestions for a factory load that's safe to shoot in my 29-2.I understand this is a well built gun but I do not want to feed it anything that would shorten her life.Is there anyone that could recommend a load for shooting everyday and then a load at the top of the scale in which you would use only occasionally?Would it be better to shoot some sort of light 44 magnum load or 44 special?Is there anything detrimental to shooting 44 specials in this gun.Being as they are very close in price any help would be appreciated on this subject.Are heavier weight bullets harder on my gun than light weight,or the other way around.I just want to keep her in tip top shape because this is my favorite,most accurate handgun I own.Please elaborate on my concerns,thanks ahead of time.
Model 29-2 Safe Load
- Thread starter tnvol44
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gregintenn
Member
The model 29 was designed and manufactured to fire 44 magnum ammunition. It will also safely fire 44 Special ammo.
Any commercially manufactured 44 Magnum ammunition produced to day should be safe to fire in your revolver, as it is what the ammunition was designed to be fired in.
Any commercially manufactured 44 Magnum ammunition produced to day should be safe to fire in your revolver, as it is what the ammunition was designed to be fired in.
Arik
Member
You can shoot anything 44 mag all day every day for the rest of your life
some are just too hot
I understand the toughness of smith and wesson revolvers but this gun was made around 1980 or so and some of these companies are loading stuff just too hot to be shot frequently,buffalo bore and underwood are two that come to mind.I am just looking for something I can shoot regularly out of ny 29-2 that isn't going to cause premature wear and tear.I love shooting this gun and if I were only going to occasionally take it out and shoot,I would agree,but this girl gets fed quite often and I'm just looking for a good factory load.
I understand the toughness of smith and wesson revolvers but this gun was made around 1980 or so and some of these companies are loading stuff just too hot to be shot frequently,buffalo bore and underwood are two that come to mind.I am just looking for something I can shoot regularly out of ny 29-2 that isn't going to cause premature wear and tear.I love shooting this gun and if I were only going to occasionally take it out and shoot,I would agree,but this girl gets fed quite often and I'm just looking for a good factory load.
Arik
Member
In this case the age is not a factor. Heat treatment and metallurgy would be a concern for guns made at the turn of the 20th century.
1980, 90, 00......doesn't matter. You can safely shoot Buffalo Bore a d Underwood to your heart's content. You'll wear out your wallet before you wear out the gun. Any factory ammo is fine. It's like asking if it's safe to drive a 1980 Chevy over 50mph
1980, 90, 00......doesn't matter. You can safely shoot Buffalo Bore a d Underwood to your heart's content. You'll wear out your wallet before you wear out the gun. Any factory ammo is fine. It's like asking if it's safe to drive a 1980 Chevy over 50mph
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Arik
Member
Just to clarify something. BB and Underwood are meant more for hunting and self defense. They aren't ment to be shot frequently but your gun can certainly shoot them. It would be like range shooting Speer Gold dots or taking a rifle and shooting hunting ammo instead of range ammo.
Kid44
Member
Just buy a box, or boxes of standard factory 240 gr. JSP or JHP from someone like Remington, Winchester, Black Hills, the list goes on and on. All will do fine in your gun with no worries.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
Your Model 29-2 is safe to shoot with any commercial ammo. My experience with 44 Magnum ammo of recent manufacture is it's fairly moderate in terms of blast and recoil. It is true that some specialty ammo makers load much hotter and the stuff is way expensive. If you stick to name brand stuff...Winchester, Remington, Federal your gun will last longer than you will.
Now stop worrying and have fun!!
Now stop worrying and have fun!!
old 1911 fan
Member
I bought a 6.5" 29-2 new. Early in it's life I used a lot of SuperVel. Today it is considered to be loaded on the hot side. I don't shoot that high of velocity ammo out of it. Your .44 will take many rounds of ammo that is made by the names we all know. Sadly without going to .44 special, lighter lead factory ammo is impossible to find. Shoot your "29" enjoy, and find a source of lead bullets at about 1000 fps even if you have to reload.
old 1911 fan
old 1911 fan
TexasRider
Member
You can safely fire the factory the 240grain Remington and Winchester rounds without any worry about damage to your S&W. As a matter of fact I think the factory rounds today are loaded to lower velocities than those of 30 years ago.
Firing a lot of the heavy hunting loads like the Garrett and others is where the problems develop. The same with heavy loaded hand loads.
Hand-loading and reloading for the 44 Mag is great as you can set up some soft light loads with 180s or go up to full on magnum rounds that can throw fire.
Firing a lot of the heavy hunting loads like the Garrett and others is where the problems develop. The same with heavy loaded hand loads.
Hand-loading and reloading for the 44 Mag is great as you can set up some soft light loads with 180s or go up to full on magnum rounds that can throw fire.
ironhead7544
Member
Since you dont handload, I would say practice with the 44 Special cowboy loads. Might be some 44 Magnum cowboy loads out there too. These are low velocity lead bullet loads. If you get leading, wrap some material from a Chore Boy all copper scouring pad around a bore brush for a tight fit. This will remove the lead easily.
Shooting any centerfire handgun these days is not cheap. Handloading will allow you to shoot a lot more for the same money. It is not difficult and you dont need to spend a fortune on equipment. The light practice load I use runs about $6.00 to $8.00 dollars a box of 50, depending on what components I use and not including brass cost. Brass can be used many times with a light load. I generally use a 200 to 250 gr cast bullet at around 1000 fps or so. You still know you are shooting a big bore.
Any of the factory 240/250 gr loads will be fine in your M29. The heavier bullets will shoot high and may need a higher front sight. Not easy to do unless you have a revolver that uses interchange blades. The first time I shot 310 gr bullets with a 6 inch M29, they hit 18 inches above the point of aim at 25 yards. A bit more recoil too.
Shooting any centerfire handgun these days is not cheap. Handloading will allow you to shoot a lot more for the same money. It is not difficult and you dont need to spend a fortune on equipment. The light practice load I use runs about $6.00 to $8.00 dollars a box of 50, depending on what components I use and not including brass cost. Brass can be used many times with a light load. I generally use a 200 to 250 gr cast bullet at around 1000 fps or so. You still know you are shooting a big bore.
Any of the factory 240/250 gr loads will be fine in your M29. The heavier bullets will shoot high and may need a higher front sight. Not easy to do unless you have a revolver that uses interchange blades. The first time I shot 310 gr bullets with a 6 inch M29, they hit 18 inches above the point of aim at 25 yards. A bit more recoil too.
browndd1
Member
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What would 24.0 grains of H110 and a Hornady 240 grain XTP load be considered today?
rkittine
Member
I load .44 Special level powder loads in a .44 Magnum case.
Bob
Bob
I see no reason to shoot factory 44 magnum loads for target &
plinking. A steady diet of magnum loads beats up your gun for
no reason. A 29 will fire any factory 44mag safely. I'm not up
on factory ammo but would be shooting 44sp or lite mag loads
for recreational shooting. I never fire hot loads in any of my
S&Ws, I have a Ruger SBH for mag loads for deer hunting.
Top of the line S&W revolvers are precision instruments but
from swing out cylinder design it only is common sense that
they will take less abuse than a solid frame gun. I have no
experience with Cowboy in 44sp but have shot a lot of it in
45 Colt in m25-5s and it is pleasant and accurate to shoot.
plinking. A steady diet of magnum loads beats up your gun for
no reason. A 29 will fire any factory 44mag safely. I'm not up
on factory ammo but would be shooting 44sp or lite mag loads
for recreational shooting. I never fire hot loads in any of my
S&Ws, I have a Ruger SBH for mag loads for deer hunting.
Top of the line S&W revolvers are precision instruments but
from swing out cylinder design it only is common sense that
they will take less abuse than a solid frame gun. I have no
experience with Cowboy in 44sp but have shot a lot of it in
45 Colt in m25-5s and it is pleasant and accurate to shoot.
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Guys, the OP hasn't been here in nearly 3 years...probably out enjoying his model 29 and "full-power" loads. 
When I bought my first .44 which was a 629-1 in early 2000 the gunsmith gave me one warning. He said the the 629 and 29 of that time frame were designed for a 240 gr bullet. His warning was do not shoot a 300 gr bullet as the life of the gun would be shortened.
I've stuck to that advice and have never had a problem with either the 629-1 or 29-2 that I own. To be honest I shoot either a .44 Spl at 950 fps or .44 mag at about 1100 fps using 250 gr LSWC bullets.
I've stuck to that advice and have never had a problem with either the 629-1 or 29-2 that I own. To be honest I shoot either a .44 Spl at 950 fps or .44 mag at about 1100 fps using 250 gr LSWC bullets.
I find the CCI Blazer 240 gr. JHP runs around 1100 fps in my 4" 629 - sort of a "medium" load.
Otherwise I usually handload about that level.
Riposte
If the 38 Special worked in the 60's, the 44 Special should also do well.
I see no need for a 44 MAGNUM if you think the 44 special will work for you
but that is your choice.
There should be a light 44 Magnum load that you might try out, also.
Good shooting.
I see no need for a 44 MAGNUM if you think the 44 special will work for you
but that is your choice.
There should be a light 44 Magnum load that you might try out, also.
Good shooting.
