My new 629

[ScottyPotty]

Hello guys, I just picked this 629-1 for deer hunting this year. I have a couple questions on this revolver.

What kind of velocity's/bullet weight should I stay under to prevent issues.

What grips do you guys like for hunting? it came with rogers grips which arnt too bad, but would prefer something different.

Anyone know the date on a 629-1 N926XXX?

 

[ab4ka]

that's a great looking setup

 

[toroflow1]

That serial # puts it at about 1982-83. Them grips feel great to my hand, but I don't like mine due to the fact that they are plastic! I would stay at max 250 grain bullets at 1200 fps or under to prolong its life. If you want to push 44 mags higher, get a Ruger Redhawk. Nice looking setup there!

 

[valkyriekl]

Thanks for posting that picture; now I'll have an idea of what my 629-5 w/ 6"/half-lug barrel would look like if I put glass on it. I don't do any hunting, but I prefer Ahrends Tactical fingergroove grips on all of my target revolvers:

As for ammo, I load mine with 18.5gr of Alliant 2400 powder behind a 240gr Competition Proven-brand lead semi-wadcutter bullet with 1.609" overall cartridge length. According to my manuals, this is the starting load for this type of bullet and this powder and gets somewhere around 1100fps out of their test equipment (I haven't chrono'ed this myself). This load is fairly soft-feeling as compared with some factory 240gr JSP and JHP loads, but there's plenty of recoil and report to let me know that it's definitely a magnum.

 

[dirty harry 629]

[lang=sk]very nice 629, I have one with 6,5 barrel. I would like set up on 629 some montage and optics, but in Slovakia is not possible to buy that accessories, can you recommend me any web shop or catalogs??[/lang]

 

[ScottyPotty]

Thanks for posting that picture; now I'll have an idea of what my 629-5 w/ 6"/half-lug barrel would look like if I put glass on it. I don't do any hunting, but I prefer Ahrends Tactical fingergroove grips on all of my target revolvers:

As for ammo, I load mine with 18.5gr of Alliant 2400 powder behind a 240gr Competition Proven-brand lead semi-wadcutter bullet with 1.609" overall cartridge length. According to my manuals, this is the starting load for this type of bullet and this powder and gets somewhere around 1100fps out of their test equipment (I haven't chrono'ed this myself). This load is fairly soft-feeling as compared with some factory 240gr JSP and JHP loads, but there's plenty of recoil and report to let me know that it's definitely a magnum.

Thanks for the comments. I picked this up for $600.00 and I want to kill a deer with a pistol. Once I get a deer I want to return this to a stock configuration, but Ill need to pick up a rear sight and some grips to make it happen. I'm not in love with the 4x Leupold, its too hard to find the crosshairs - I'm wishing for a 2x.

What do you guys think about the factory hornady XTP 240grn hunting ammo. It has a listing of 1350fps. Is this OK to use?

 

[WFR]

I had a 6" no-dash 619 with the same mount on it.
I will warn you that that particular mount left a nasty gouge on the front of the frame where it clamps over in front of the cylinder.
It being a really nice "-1" you might want to consider a different mount and preserve it's good looks.
Congrats on a very nice purchase.
Now go fill the freezer with it!

 

[ScottyPotty]

I had a 6" no-dash 619 with the same mount on it.
I will warn you that that particular mount left a nasty gouge on the front of the frame where it clamps over in front of the cylinder.
It being a really nice "-1" you might want to consider a different mount and preserve it's good looks.
Congrats on a very nice purchase.
Now go fill the freezer with it!

It came with that mount/scope already on it - I'm a little worried whats underneath

 

[Dale53]

I have a couple of Smith .44 magnums. My deer hunting rig is a Model 29 8 3/8" made before they "beefed up" the Smith. I have about 10,000 rounds through mine and it is as tight as the day I bought it.

My everyday practice load is a 250-260 gr Keith bullet ahead of 23.0 grs of H110. My hunting load is 24.0 grs of H110. 23.0 chronographs 1200 fps and 24.0 chrongraphs at 1300 fps.

You do NOT have to run gun straining loads all of the time. In fact, max is 25.0 grs of H110 with the above bullet and I have never run that. No need to. The 1200 fps load will shoot through a deer lengthwise (I have NEVER recovered a Keith from a deer- through and through regardless of the angle).

Use your 629 and use it a lot. Just load wisely and you'll not have a problem.

I have .44 Special guns that I shoot lighter loads in and never had a need to shoot light loads in my magnums. So, all of the loads have been 1200-1300 fps and if you follow a similar regimen you'll be "good to go" for a long, long time.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[jcelect]

Formula for success in Ohio!

Hey Scotty! Here's my formula for success in Ohio which has work for quite a few years now.
Hornady 240 XTP in front of 23 grs of H110.
PLUS THIS!

EQUALS THIS! Last year, that's 2 guys, 2 44's, 2 days!

The optics is not a scope but a red dot sighted in to 100yds!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[Snapping Twig]

Congrats on an excellent roscoe!

Hogue wood grips are similar but constructed from wood. You can get them smooth too, which is my preference.

My favorite hunting and fun load is Lyman 429244 (265g from WW) over 22g W296/H110 and a WLP.

A plinker load is the Lyman 429421 (250g) over 7g W231/HP38 in a magnum case. Still @ 900fps and you could hunt with it.

 

[Notime2]

That mount looks more substancial than the weaver base held on by the 3x56 screws that I had on my 629-0 8 3/8. Blew the 2x Leupold clean off, just missed my eye.
Like Toroflow said..I sent 1 of a consecutive pair of redhawks back to the factory to be rebarreled.

Like the redhawk, love the Smiths....Notime2

Loads: 240gn JHP 22gn. 2400
Grips Hogue rubber, but transitioning to wood Hogues checkered, but it's whatever fits your hand size, if unhappy, Herretts builds grips based on a drawing of your actual hand.