Model 29 -44 caliber - What type of load do you shoot?
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flop-shank
US Veteran
I use handloads. I use warm 180 gr. magnums and a couple cylinders of hot 180 grainers for practice. I will switch over to Federal 180 gr. JHPs for protection once I use up my stock of 165 gr. JHP defensive handloads. I don't use that gun to hunt game (I kill varmints occasionally). For deer I would use Remington 240 gr. SJHPs.
What do you intend to use your .44 for?
As far as the .44 spl. goes, outside of practice I have no use for that cartridge. It is useful and accurate, and some like it, but if I were to forego the power of the .44 mag. I would rather carry a .357. I like handgun cartridges with an identity crisis (they're trying to act like a rifle cartridge). The closer a handgun acts to a rifle ballistically, the more effective it will be, provided the shooter can use it well and the bullet that's being pushed is up to the task.
What do you intend to use your .44 for?
As far as the .44 spl. goes, outside of practice I have no use for that cartridge. It is useful and accurate, and some like it, but if I were to forego the power of the .44 mag. I would rather carry a .357. I like handgun cartridges with an identity crisis (they're trying to act like a rifle cartridge). The closer a handgun acts to a rifle ballistically, the more effective it will be, provided the shooter can use it well and the bullet that's being pushed is up to the task.
jj2am44
Member
8.5 grains of Unique with a 240 gr SWC in my 44. I shoot specials a lot more (6.0 Unique-same bullet) because it's easier on me and the gun.
Sir, the big magnum loads are somewhat obnoxious in an indoor range. I can't imagine what they'd be like inside a house without hearing protection.
FWIW, I prefer .44 specials or mild handloads for short-range (<50 yards) paper-punching.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
FWIW, I prefer .44 specials or mild handloads for short-range (<50 yards) paper-punching.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The full-power .44 Magnum is a hunting cartridge, having generally excessive penetration for self defense in the home. Recoil and muzzle flash are tremendous, and follow-up shots will be slower than something lesser. One of the modern .44 Special JHP loadings would be better for that use, and much less unsettling in an indoor range setting.
Factory Magnum ammo is expensive so I shoot mostly handloads with cast semi-wadcutter bullets of my own. It's usually a Lyman 429421 over a charge of -2400 with standard large pistol primers, not magnum primers. I have shot thousands of these over the last 30+ years. The same bullt in .44 Special cases over 7.5 grains of Unique powder is a great general purpose loading for both Magnum and Special revolvers.
Factory Magnum ammo is expensive so I shoot mostly handloads with cast semi-wadcutter bullets of my own. It's usually a Lyman 429421 over a charge of -2400 with standard large pistol primers, not magnum primers. I have shot thousands of these over the last 30+ years. The same bullt in .44 Special cases over 7.5 grains of Unique powder is a great general purpose loading for both Magnum and Special revolvers.
flop-shank
US Veteran
Buff is right about the .44 magnum having excessive peretration, however that isn't always true. The testing I've done indicates that Federal 180 gr. JHPs are a great defensive load, but not many shooters can handle them. As has been mentioned, the muzzle blast is pretty nuts and indoors would be hell on one's ears. The upside for those using full house .44s is that it allows one to use a cartridge that is somewhat rifle-like in performance, and a big step up in power over almost all handguns. If you're interested in using the .44 for defense. I would start by using a .44 spl. load designed for defense. Corbon's 165 gr. JHP and Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot come to mind. From there you can move up to managed recoil magnums designed for defense. Corbon makes such a load (using the same excellent Sierra bullet as their .44 spl. JHP offering), as does Speer with it's 200 gr. SB Gold Dot. If you can shoot well with something hotter than those, and most shooters can't, then Fed. 180s are the top dog IMO. Others like the mid range stuff, but if someone is trying to kill me, I want all the power I can handle.
You can do most of your range work with mild loads and finish up with a couple cylinders of your carry ammo, or handloaded equivalent, when practicing. That will save you from taking a needless beating, but keep you used to your defensive ammo.
Spotteddog
Member
You can run any of the factory (Big 3) stuff out of it.
Just remember to wear your sun screen, when you do!
Just remember to wear your sun screen, when you do!
AZ Shooter
Member
I frequently carry my 29 and 629 and I almost never shoot anything but .44 Special in them. My carry load comes from Custom Cartridge:
http://www.customcartridge.com/products/index.php
I shoot the "Supercharged" line. I like the 210 grain gold dot round that gets a bit over 1,100 fps from a six inch barrel. My guns are six and a half and six so I am getting close to that in velocity.
My practice rounds are either Miwall reloads or my own. I use 240 grain lead with Winchester 231 powder. If memory serves, the load is about 5 grains (I'd have to look as I haven't loaded any in a while).
http://www.customcartridge.com/products/index.php
I shoot the "Supercharged" line. I like the 210 grain gold dot round that gets a bit over 1,100 fps from a six inch barrel. My guns are six and a half and six so I am getting close to that in velocity.
My practice rounds are either Miwall reloads or my own. I use 240 grain lead with Winchester 231 powder. If memory serves, the load is about 5 grains (I'd have to look as I haven't loaded any in a while).
Nframe357
Member
My early 629 sees only heavy 44 special type loads in magnum cases, I've lost 2 model 29's to too much magnum ammo! I'll not lose this one! My favorite load is a 250gr Keith bullet over 10gr. of Unique, about an 1150 fps load in it's 6" barrel. Plenty powerful for anything i'll be shooting at and you and your model 29 will last a looong time with this load. I keep Federals barnes X bullet load in my 44's for SD, i wouldn't fret much over how loud or flashy a SD load is, when and if you ever need to use your 44 you will not hear the report or see the flash, trust me.
44forever
Member
The Federal 200 grain SWC-HP .44 Special has a lot ot offer as a self-defense round if you don't want to or haven't practised enough with the full house magnums to handle them comfortably. The Federal load uses a soft lead bullet that gives decent expansion, adaquet penetration for human targets, low recoil for quick recovery and is very plesant to shoot.
If you want somthing more powerful in a factory loading, try the Winchester 210 grain Silvertip .44 magnum. Not a full house load but noticably stiffer than the Federal special load.
With handloads, I like a 200 - 240 grain wadcutter or SWC at about 1000 fps. If that won't kill it, I probably ought not to be shooting it with a pistol in the first place!
If you want somthing more powerful in a factory loading, try the Winchester 210 grain Silvertip .44 magnum. Not a full house load but noticably stiffer than the Federal special load.
With handloads, I like a 200 - 240 grain wadcutter or SWC at about 1000 fps. If that won't kill it, I probably ought not to be shooting it with a pistol in the first place!
flop-shank
US Veteran
......and noticably lighter than the Federal magnum load (180 gr.). The Silvertip is a good one. It overpenetrated with my heavy clothing test, but did great into bare Perma-Gel (and hit like a ton of freaking bricks). Those who tend toward deeper penetration will like it, and the expanded diameters were impressive. It is scary accurate in my gun also.
I had forgotten about the "FBI load on steroids" (.44 spl. LSWCHP). Thanks for jogging my memory, 44.
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I use Sierra 240s and winchester 296 for mags, cast 240 SWCs and Bullseye for specials.
I hunt with the magnums & target shoot with the specials,
I hunt with the magnums & target shoot with the specials,
Jeff423
US Veteran
My standard target load is a 240 gr. LSWC over 8gr. of 231. I've shot as low as 5 gr., but I like 8gr. more. I'ts got enough "pop" but is not abusive.
Jeff
Jeff
Don K.
Member
A great load for practice/plinking (and to demonstrate how versital the .44 is) is 5.5g. of universal under the Lee 240g. swc tumble lube bullet in special cases. The recoil is so slight, you will be amazed! It's a great contrast to the more thumping rounds, and will really highlight how much you are fliching if you mix it in with some magnum rounds in the cylinder. It averages out at 728fps. out of the 3" 29 i have. 240 g. at 728 fps. is nothing to sneeze at, out of a longer barrel you would probably getting into .45acp territory, at least on paper.
I shoot mostly the unique loads already mentioned by fellow members above. I also dabble with the "usual" powders- H110, 2400, no9, 4227's. Don't overlook Lil'gun for both magnum and +P specials.
I shoot mostly the unique loads already mentioned by fellow members above. I also dabble with the "usual" powders- H110, 2400, no9, 4227's. Don't overlook Lil'gun for both magnum and +P specials.
I use Montana Gold 240 gr JSP, 19 grains of 2400 and Federal Primers. I shoot about 200 44 Rem Mag per week in several guns.
All are reloaded on an RCBS Pro loader. Good luck.
All are reloaded on an RCBS Pro loader. Good luck.
Docent, it sounds like you are a relatively new shooter, and not a handloader. I recommend you try the Blazer 200 grain GDHP in .44 Special. They are relatively inexpensive as .44s go, so good for practice. It turns out they are also great for home defense. Experiment with the .44 Magnum rounds later after you become proficient with the Specials. This is the round I'm talking about:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/63215-5.html
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/63215-5.html
harry carey
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200 g rnfp ,cast, 3.7 bullseye. magnum or special case. accuracy.
29aholic
Member
My 29 has had a steady diet of 7grs of IMR 700X and 240gr LSWC. Kinda an upper mid-range load.
I use H110 for hot loads, but to be honest it has been so long that I dont remember what the load was. WW296 is good too, as is 2400 but I have always preferred H110.
I use H110 for hot loads, but to be honest it has been so long that I dont remember what the load was. WW296 is good too, as is 2400 but I have always preferred H110.
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