New 329 PD Range Review/Added Chrono info

[thomasinaz]

I recently got a 329PD, which I was going back and forth on getting due to it's big magnum caliber and very light weight. I have a couple of 629s, from 3" to 6" and shoot them occasionally. I read some internet info on these titanium 44 magnums, most of which warned of pain, suffering, and possible blood loss if shot with anything but super wimp loads. Well, a good deal sprang up on a 329 so I said what the heck and pushed the buy it button. I got it and played with it some, and am happy with the fit and function. One small issue: When shooting double action, 2 of the cylinders have some stacking at the end of the stroke, which messes with accuracy in slow double action. Hopefully this will even out with more dry firing and shooting.

For this first range trip I made up some moderate 44 magnum rounds, in the 950 to 1100 FPS range with 240 Grain bullets. Not super wimp loads or super magnums, but respectable. Also changed the grips to my old favorite Pachmayrs, because the handsome wood grips didn't look like they'd soak up much recoil. I brought along my 4" 629 for comparison, but ended up shooting the 329 more, and actually enjoyed it. A little trigger finger sting from firing both, which is normal for me due to some old nerve damage. But recoil wasn't near as bad as I had anticipated.

This 329 is pretty accurate, if the first shooting session is an indication. The group in the picture is double action from 20 yards while I was dialing in the sights, after every 3 or so shots, so not much of a group. It's with the 1100 FPS load. The potential is there for some good groups, but I ran out of time on this trip. I got to shoot about 50 rounds through the 329, at targets and just plinking to get a feel for it. I only put two cylinders through my 629, because I was really having fun with the lightweight.



Overall I'm impressed with this gun. Accurate and not near as brutal as I thought it would be. With minimum weight and a powerful caliber this should make a good hiking revolver. I'm going to continue to up the velocity until it's not fun, and then back off slightly. Although I have a feeling the 1100 FPS load is close, I'm hoping 1200 FPS will be relatively comfortable. I think a 240/1200 FPS level makes a good all around 44 magnum load. Bullets I used are LSWC and FMJ, and I found some in the decomposing granite backstop. They held together well.

 

[Paul105]

I've had three 329s, still have two. One was my all day, everyday carry gun for eight years or so. Shot them a lot when I first got them - 8,000 + rounds of 240-270gr at a chronographed 1,050 to 1,300 fps. Mine were equipped with the S&W 500 Houge X Frame grips. Finally got to the point where they were too much of a good thing for casual shooting.

Still carry them but only shoot occasionally.

If you have access to a chronograph, I would love to know loads and actual velocities.

Good shooting!

Paul

 

[thomasinaz]

Thanks Paul. I do have a chronograph, but forgot it today unfortunately. The next session will have some speed readings.

 

[Paul105]

One of the few times I put it on paper (cardboard). This was single action at 25 yds. Always felt that I shot it better double action, but never verified this on paper.

I always felt that the "V"notch rear and fiber optic front was perfect for this gun -- up close and personal, low light, fast acquisition, defensive application.

 

[reerc]

Respectable indeed! Thanks for the review.

 

[balin]

Great choice, it is my favorite woods gun!

 

[Shuz]

I love my 329PD. It is THE gun for lots of carry with the .44 magnum. I carry mine more than I shoot it, but mine has been shot enuf to have it sent back to Smith twice to have the top strap shield re-placed. I have recently found a load that I like and now shoot a lot more, that is 7g of Trail Boss and a 225g cast boolit. Velocity is about 900 fps, and that load, out of a Winchester 1894, went right thru a small whitetail last week. Bang flop. For those that may wonder, the velocity from a rifle with a 20" bbl is only 1050 fps.

Good luck with your 329PD--you'll love it!

 

[thomasinaz]

Chrono Readings

OK, I took the 329 and the chronograph out this past week to see what the previously mentioned loads were actually doing. I know that reloading manuals are usually optimistic in their velocity and I used their projected speeds in my original post. That led me to believe this 329 was almost amiable when I shot it for the first time. Well the speeds weren't as fast as I thought, so I'll have to rethink what my goal will be for a comfortable shooting load in this. A 240 at 1200 FPS probably ain't gonna happen.
The stacking that I mentioned in the OP, in two chambers, did go away after some more dry firing and shooting.

The 240 Grain bullet velocity range I thought was from 950 to 1100 FPS was actually from 810 to 980 FPS. Still respectable, but not as fast as I thought...

The loads tried are as follows *: 13.0 Gr of AA#7 is going at an average of 810 FPS; 8.5 Gr of Universal is at 980 FPS; and 8.0 Gr of Unique is at 850 FPS. I brought along a new load of 14.9 Gr of AA#7 also, which was moving at an average of 1025 FPS. This load was about at the top of what I consider comfortable in this lightweight revolver. I'll see if I can take it up something in the 1050-1100 FPS range, but won't go any further in this lightweight. As a side note I tried the 8.5 Gr Universal load in my ported 3" 629 and it was about 50 FPS slower at 930 FPS.

*Disclaimer: If you try these loads yourself do so with the guidance of published reloading data, and not from my information.*

 

[Paul105]

Thanks for following up with the velocity info.

240/250s at 900 to 1,000 fps should be completely adequate and a lot more fun to shoot than higher velocity ammo.

Velocity isn't necessarily your friend in the 329. Increases in velocity seem to increase recoil disproportionately (at least, that's my been my experience).

The load in the above pictured target (19.1 A2400, 240 Rem JHP) chronoed right at 1,200 fps on three separate occasions from two different 329s, all at 65 deg F.

Remington Factory 240gr JSPs chronoed right at 1,250 fps, the one time I tried them. Again at 65 Deg F. in the 329.

Hope you continue to enjoy your 329.

Paul

 

[thomasinaz]

Thanks for following up with the velocity info.

240/250s at 900 to 1,000 fps should be completely adequate and a lot more fun to shoot than higher velocity ammo.

Velocity isn't necessarily your friend in the 329. Increases in velocity seem to increase recoil disproportionately (at least, that's my been my experience).

Paul

Good advice Paul...

I took the 329 out again today, with a warmer load. A 240 gr LSWC at 1125 FPS. Too much of a good thing for me. I checked after 3 rounds fired and found bullets pulling out of the remaining 3. Not enough to tie up the gun yet, but after firing 1 or 2 more probably would have. These bullets were tight in the cases and heavily crimped. Anyways, I'm going to settle on a 950 to 1000 FPS load for the 329, which is plenty potent for me.

 

[shootbad]

i'm jealous really nice piece. enjoy!

 

[KAT]

329PD

I have had a 329pd for about 4 years. Love it now, three trips back to Smith finally fixed it. Bad cylinder, etc. I put X Frame grips on it and now shoot either 8.5 or 9 grains of Unique with a 250 grain Keith bullet. Fun to shoot and don't need 44 specials. Perfect carry gun, Center of Mass holster, excellent. I plan on working with some CFE pistol soon. Enjoy

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I have one.

I do not shoot it a lot. But I am very happy with it. It has been up and down about every trail in the Blue ridge mountains at least once. And a few rivers as well.

In an El Paso Saddlery tanker rig I can carry it all day long with no discomfort.

 

[yfdcap]

Good advice Paul...

I took the 329 out again today, with a warmer load. A 240 gr LSWC at 1125 FPS. Too much of a good thing for me. I checked after 3 rounds fired and found bullets pulling out of the remaining 3. Not enough to tie up the gun yet, but lafter firing 1 or 2 more probably would have. These bullets were tight in the cases and heavily crimped. Anyways, I'm going to settle on a 950 to 1000 FPS load for the 329, which is plenty potent for me.

I find this to be a real issue when shooting anything over 1000 fps or so in my 329. I have tried several different crimps. Lee FCD seems to work the best.

 

[BUFF]

My first trip out with my -329 was with Federal 240 grain JHP factory loads. The gun came with the smooth wood stocks on it and the rubber ones in the box, so I shot the first 6 with the wood stocks. Big mistake! Recoil was such that, with a very firm Weaver, my sneakers slid backwards through the pea gravel. One box of 50 magnums was plenty for me for the day. I'm not afraid to admit that my -329 will live it's life as a .44 Special, even if I reload for it with Magnum brass. A cast 250 grain SWC at 900 feet per second will shoot through anything I will ever need to shoot around here.

It sure carries well on a belt, though.