Need Help with 629 Mountain Gun Load

[myanof]

My 629-5 has become my go to field side arm stoked with 240gr HCSW over 7gr of Unique for fun, and when I'm fly fishing in Colorado I carry 300gr Speer Bonded FP over 21gr of 296. This heavy load is not working for me as it is too hard to manage for fast double action shooting. After shooting the fourth round my hand hurts and is shaking too much to my liking to be accutate in an emergency situation.

I am not concerned with big bears in Alaska; only blackies and general field applications. I'm thinking I need to go to a Hard Cast around the 250gr area and start working up until I reach my proficiency limit. Any suggestions for a good MG load that has adaquate power that is still managable?

I read about a lot of guys who shoot a 300gr WFNHC with max loads. Either I'm getting too old for this stuff or Hard Cast bullets have a lot less recoil than my bullets.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[myanof]

My 629-5 has become my go to field side arm stoked with 240gr HCSW over 7gr of Unique for fun, and when I'm fly fishing in Colorado I carry 300gr Speer Bonded FP over 21gr of 296. This heavy load is not working for me as it is too hard to manage for fast double action shooting. After shooting the fourth round my hand hurts and is shaking too much to my liking to be accutate in an emergency situation.

I am not concerned with big bears in Alaska; only blackies and general field applications. I'm thinking I need to go to a Hard Cast around the 250gr area and start working up until I reach my proficiency limit. Any suggestions for a good MG load that has adaquate power that is still managable?

I read about a lot of guys who shoot a 300gr WFNHC with max loads. Either I'm getting too old for this stuff or Hard Cast bullets have a lot less recoil than my bullets.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[S/W - Lifer]

I can't offer you a specific load but I will say that I think you are on the right track. Common sense (and safety) should rule the day.

I'd bump right back to 240 - 245 grain cast bullets and forget the heavier weights. Reduced loads in SR-4756 and 2400 come to mind as a starting point.

I've shot .44 magnum since I was 18 years old, to include a variety of reduced loads. I thought the 4" Model 29 was the limit when it came to recoil and control. Now we have the Mountain Gun and I can appreciate how much that must recoil. I have a 625 Mountain Gun and I was surprised at how much that gun bucked with .45 ball ammo.

Taming your gun by reducing your loads is a wise choice in my opinion.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, for a general field load in .44 mag, I like 8.5 grains of Unique with a cast 240- or 250-grain semi-wadcutter. Not sure it's enough for a bear, though.

Once upon a time, 10.0 grains of Unique with a cast 250 was a popular .44 mag load. It's supposed to be about halfway between .44 special and a full-power magnum.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[okie john]

10 grains of Unique should give you about 1,100 fps in a 4" Smith. That's a LOT of gun.


Okie John

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I don't know what your recoil tolerance is but a hard cast 250 grain bullet driven from your S&W at about 1100 fps or so should suffice.

It's very unlikely that you'll have a problem with a black bear but if you do,direct your shot to the brain with your pistol.

I carry a 629 4" with a STANDARD barrel a lot but I realize the light barreled mountain gun whips very strongly in the hand.

I could give you other data but the one suggested by Okie John sounds fine.If it were me,I wouldn't go lower. A Lower velocity tends to skid on a heavy skull when hit at an odd angle.

 

[Vanman]

I use 240gr hard cast bullets with 10 -10.5 gr of Unique. I also got a pair of
Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue grips from S&W which make a BIG difference.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/we...y_rn=46303&training=

 

[myanof]

This is some great information, and I thank you all. Now if I can find some primers I cans start working up some loads. As far as the X Frame Grips, I actually tried them and they are fantastic, but they are just a bit too large for my finger reach. I can shoot them just fine single action, but I have a little trouble getting enough finger on the trigger for double action so I returned them. I'm wondering if anyone has tried any other grips that might help tame this beast.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Any grip that covers the back strap(rear of revolver grip frame)is going to increase trigger reach.

 

[Shuz]

myanof--I have had a 629 Mtn Gun for many years now. One of my favorite loads is Lyman 429421 and 7.5g of Green Dot. Very easy on the hands and mine has the Hogue standard N frame grips. Another way to reduce felt recoil would be to use a lighter boolit such as Lyman's 429215 or Lee's 215g boolit. 8.5g of Green Dot works well with these boolits.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by Shuz:
myanof--I have had a 629 Mtn Gun for many years now. One of my favorite loads is Lyman 429421 and 7.5g of Green Dot. Very easy on the hands and mine has the Hogue standard N frame grips. Another way to reduce felt recoil would be to use a lighter boolit such as Lyman's 429215 or Lee's 215g boolit. 8.5g of Green Dot works well with these boolits.

Have you ever chronographed your Green Dot load? Just curious. I have never felt the need to cast my own, but it sure makes sense these days.

 

[MTAustin]

I'd also recommend 10 grains of Unique behind a 250 grain cast. It's my 'medium' load for my 4" 629.

You might also try 17 grains of 2400. Its still somewhat of a magnum load, but nowhere near 20-21 grains (max Keith load).

 

[Hook686]

I shoot a 329PD (4" lite weight .44 magnum). As someone noted 10 grains of Unique can be quite severe in a 4" revolver, especially a lite weight. On the other hand, 9.4 grains of Unique with a 200 grain JHP was a moderate load, as was 14.8 grains of 2400 with a 300 grain XTP/HP. I also load 16 grains of 2400 with a 240 grain SJSP that has what I consider moderate recoil.

Factory loads you might consider Speer Short Barrel loads or B uffalo Bore Heavy .44 Special.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by MTAustin:
I'd also recommend 10 grains of Unique behind a 250 grain cast. It's my 'medium' load for my 4" 629.

You might also try 17 grains of 2400. Its still somewhat of a magnum load, but nowhere near 20-21 grains (max Keith load).

I have shot 21gr of 2400 for years in my SBH, but in the mountain gun it is not very pretty. I need to start backing down till I quit saying ouch every time I pull the trigger.

 

[idahostreams]

I have been very happy with a 250 Keith and 21.5-22.0 grns of either H4227 or IMR 4227(same powder) I have 29's and 629's from 4" to 83/8" and find this load tolerable and very accurate. 1250-1300 fps. Manuals usually show 24grns. as max.

Julian

 

[Shuz]

Originally posted by myanof:

Originally posted by Shuz:
myanof--I have had a 629 Mtn Gun for many years now. One of my favorite loads is Lyman 429421 and 7.5g of Green Dot. Very easy on the hands and mine has the Hogue standard N frame grips. Another way to reduce felt recoil would be to use a lighter boolit such as Lyman's 429215 or Lee's 215g boolit. 8.5g of Green Dot works well with these boolits.

Have you ever chronographed your Green Dot load? Just curious. I have never felt the need to cast my own, but it sure makes sense these days.

8.6g of Green Dot and 429421 gives 1035fps
8.6g of Green Dot and 429215GC gives 1022fps from a 5" Smith 629
8.0g of Green Dot and 429421 gives 894fps from a 4" 329PD

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by Shuz:

Originally posted by myanof:

Originally posted by Shuz:
myanof--I have had a 629 Mtn Gun for many years now. One of my favorite loads is Lyman 429421 and 7.5g of Green Dot. Very easy on the hands and mine has the Hogue standard N frame grips. Another way to reduce felt recoil would be to use a lighter boolit such as Lyman's 429215 or Lee's 215g boolit. 8.5g of Green Dot works well with these boolits.

Have you ever chronographed your Green Dot load? Just curious. I have never felt the need to cast my own, but it sure makes sense these days.

8.6g of Green Dot and 429421 gives 1035fps
8.6g of Green Dot and 429215GC gives 1022fps from a 5" Smith 629
8.0g of Green Dot and 429421 gives 894fps from a 4" 329PD

Thanks

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by idahostreams:
I have been very happy with a 250 Keith and 21.5-22.0 grns of either H4227 or IMR 4227(same powder) I have 29's and 629's from 4" to 83/8" and find this load tolerable and very accurate. 1250-1300 fps. Manuals usually show 24grns. as max.

Julian

Who's Keith are you using?

 

[David LaPell]

Out of my 4-inch Model 29, 10.0 grains of Unique with a 250 grain cast bullet #429421 averages about 1065 fps. My .44 Special loads (using .44 Special cases) with the same bullet and 7.5 grains Unique is a bit over 900 fps. Both are very nice, very mild shooting loads.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I'm rapidly becoming more comfortable with a load of 6.5 or 7 grains of Bullseye and my homecast Keith bullet. IIRC, the 7 grain load put velocities at around 1050 from my 6 inch 29, and SDs of roughly 5 fps. Very easy-shooting load, and I bet no animal under 1000 lbs knows the difference between 1050 fps and 1250 fps.

 

[R. Walter]

Originally posted by myanof:

Originally posted by MTAustin:
I'd also recommend 10 grains of Unique behind a 250 grain cast. It's my 'medium' load for my 4" 629.

You might also try 17 grains of 2400. Its still somewhat of a magnum load, but nowhere near 20-21 grains (max Keith load).

I have shot 21gr of 2400 for years in my SBH, but in the mountain gun it is not very pretty. I need to start backing down till I quit saying ouch every time I pull the trigger.

Backing down can make a lot of sense.

For general purpose shooting the 240 - 250 gr LSWC type bullets are economical and deadly efficient with the mid-range Unique loads in the 8 - 10 grain range.

If you truly are concerned with black bear, the 300 gr bullets should not be dropped just because you're having trouble shooting hot loads with them. They certainly have an edge over the 240 gr bullets. I would start practicing with a lighter load and work the loads up gradually.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by R. Walter:

Originally posted by myanof:

Originally posted by MTAustin:
I'd also recommend 10 grains of Unique behind a 250 grain cast. It's my 'medium' load for my 4" 629.

You might also try 17 grains of 2400. Its still somewhat of a magnum load, but nowhere near 20-21 grains (max Keith load).

I have shot 21gr of 2400 for years in my SBH, but in the mountain gun it is not very pretty. I need to start backing down till I quit saying ouch every time I pull the trigger.

Backing down can make a lot of sense.

For general purpose shooting the 240 - 250 gr LSWC type bullets are economical and deadly efficient with the mid-range Unique loads in the 8 - 10 grain range.

If you truly are concerned with black bear, the 300 gr bullets should not be dropped just because you're having trouble shooting hot loads with them. They certainly have an edge over the 240 gr bullets. I would start practicing with a lighter load and work the loads up gradually.

Running into a Black Bear in Colorado, although rare, while fly fishing in the back woods, was the primary reason I bought my MG. I have hunted with a SBH for many rears, but it was just too big to hide and carry while fishing. I think I need to go to a hard cast bullet and back down from my max load of 296 just a little. With a Speer bonded FP 300gr. over a max load of 296 I can shoot four quick double action on target, but when I shoot number five and six I have a pretty good shake. I don't think the skaking hand will get any better when there is a bear in front of me. As soon as I find some WLPs I'll start working on the load.

 

[David Sinko]

You do not need 1100 FPS with a 250 gr. bullet to have an effective load against bear. Even 900 will get the job done, provided you're using a flat nosed bullet that is hard enough to penetrate. Of course shot placement is what's important. My last revolver purchase is a 629-2 Mountain Gun (actually, it's called a Mountain Lion) and I can attest to the fact that the recoil is violent and painful. Use whatever powder charge you can effectively with a hard cast 250 gr. SWC.

As for your issues with double action control, do not fall for the myth that you need to wrap your finger around the trigger and use the crease to pull. The most effective DA shooting is done with the pad of the trigger finger. I install grooved triggers in all my revolvers so I have proper feel and the finger does not slip. If you really like that X Frame grip (I have never tried one so I can't comment) give it another shot with a grooved trigger and it might just work out for you.

Dave Sinko

 

[myanof]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. As far as the folks who have recommended a 250gr HC you are probably on track. I communicated with Wayne Bosowicz of Foggy Mountain Outfitters the other day. I emailed him because I read Wayne carries a MG while guiding for bear hunts. He told me he carries a 41 Mag MG with a 210gr SP factory load and he has killed a ton of blackies. That load travels at 1300 fps from a 4in S&W. If his 210 gr 41 works, I'm sure a 250gr will be just fine.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by David Sinko:
You do not need 1100 FPS with a 250 gr. bullet to have an effective load against bear. Even 900 will get the job done, provided you're using a flat nosed bullet that is hard enough to penetrate. Of course shot placement is what's important. My last revolver purchase is a 629-2 Mountain Gun (actually, it's called a Mountain Lion) and I can attest to the fact that the recoil is violent and painful. Use whatever powder charge you can effectively with a hard cast 250 gr. SWC.

As for your issues with double action control, do not fall for the myth that you need to wrap your finger around the trigger and use the crease to pull. The most effective DA shooting is done with the pad of the trigger finger. I install grooved triggers in all my revolvers so I have proper feel and the finger does not slip. If you really like that X Frame grip (I have never tried one so I can't comment) give it another shot with a grooved trigger and it might just work out for you.

Dave Sinko

Good idea about the X Frame grips and grooved trigger. 90% of my shooting with the MG is single action anyway. I just want the ability to shoot DA while a bear is in the process of tearing my other arm off.