My First 44 Mag 629-1

[Dwaine]

Always been a fan of the .357 magnum but now the proud owner of a 44 mag. I have a box of Underwood 300 grain JHP 1300 MV 1126 ME.... can this S&W handle this load? Underwood states this is a standard pressure load.....

 

[75Vette]

Congrats and welcome to the 629 club. The dash 1 models weren't made to handle the constant pounding of 300 gr rounds. That's why when the dash 3 engineering mods came about, the yoke was strengthened, longer cylinder stop notches, etc were added to make the later 629s able to handle the ground shakers. I'd limit that one to 240 gr bullets or 44 spl.

 

[Nightowl]

The -3 strengthening upgrades were a result of folks shooting a lot of rounds with max loads of 300 grain bullets. I doubt one box would hurt the gun if it is otherwise good condition. From now forward, use the 240 grain bullets. My old 1968 purchased 29-2 shot a lot of 240 grain bullets ahead of 20 grains of 2400, and it is tight as it left the factory.

I think a lot of folks do not give enough credit to the strength of the pre upgrade guns.

 

[Dwaine]

My ammo for the 44.... not planning on shooting any of the 305's unless something big is chasing me! Will buy some 44 special too....

 

[M29since14]

What 75Vette said. The gun will probably handle limited use of the 300 grain stuff, but why? There are better guns for this type of ammo. Your 240 gr at 1000 FPS ammo should be an enjoyable load in your new 629. Easy on both you and the gun!

 

[one eye joe]

Always been a fan of the .357 magnum but now the proud owner of a 44 mag. I have a box of Underwood 300 grain JHP 1300 MV 1126 ME.... can this S&W handle this load? Underwood states this is a standard pressure load.....

CONGRATS, THAT'S A BEAUTY. I DOUBT YOU'LL BE SHOOTING A STEADY DIET OF THAT 3O0 GR LOAD---UNLESS YOU WISH TO BREAK YOUR BANK,OR YOUR WRIST.....

SHOOT IT ONLY FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE, AND YOU SHOULD BE FINE.........

 

[dr. mordo]

Congrats on the 629. If I could only own one gun, it would be my M29, so I think you are in for some fun. Reloading your own ammo opens it up to be the most fun cartridge ever than can be loaded from tame to nuclear.

Good price on good 44 SPL ammo:

44 SPECIAL : Precision ONe Ammunition, Dont Shoot Twice Shoot Precision ONe

 

[Mr.Harry]

Others could tell you better if that load is 'good' for the gun or not, I doubt a box of it would do much if any harm at all, but that's an uneducated guess. Still, I wouldn't be using it for practice or putting holes in paper. Save it for the woods and dumping something big and hairy. Buy some cheaper and more moderate loads for getting to know your new beautiful gun. Congrats.