Model 629 cast bullet diameter?

[cowboy4evr]

People keep referring to the " bore " size . That measurement is pretty much worthless . What you want is the " groove " diameter . It's the largest of the 2 . I will tell you this , I cast and load for 2 smith 44's . I size my cast bullets .431 . Boatbum101 lightly touched on what is usually required to shoot cast bullets effectively . Regards Paul

 

[jtcarm]

Chamber throat diameter is the critical dimension. Measure those. Properly-sized bullets should go through the throats with a little bit of pressure.

Throats need to be a bit larger than groove diameter. Groove diameter is hard to measure on S&Ws due to the odd # of grooves, but you can check fit by slugging the barrel. The resulting slug should slip easily through the chamber throats.

IDK about the 629, but Smiths in general tend to have very tight throats.

 

[nbedford]

I had a Henry Big Boy in 44 magnum/44 Special for awhile. Got a box of HSM Cowboy loads and believe it or not about one out of three rounds at 15 yards actually key holed. Pertiest silhouette of the bullet I've ever seen. Speer swaged .430 240 grain swc's were better, but the best accuracy was with Oregon Trail .431" laser cast 240 grain swc's. Both the .430 and the .431 240 grain swc's shoot just fine in my Ruger new model BH in 44 Special. Therefore I don't think you can go wrong with at least a .430 240 grain swc cast bullet.

 

[typetwelve]

I got so frustrated with my 4" 629 that I traded it in on Super Redhawk (long story, not worth telling).

I can't say what worked in magnum lead loads, I can say that .429" Summers projectiles lead like crazy.

Missouri Hi-Tek .430 #3 Cowboy in special loads were a-ok, never leaded one bit.

 

[RonPagan]

I love when people with experience chime in with what models had a spot of trouble with the throats and what model they started hitting on the head. Because of this forum I kinda knew before I got my 625-2 it might have a tight throat or two and it did!