Shooting my PC 629 Light Hunter. 100 yard group.

[John3200]

629 Mag Hunter +. 44mag, Leupold 2x.

I'm not experienced enough with long range handgunning to know if this is a good group or not but you know what? I had fun and I'm happy with it. I plan on using this 629 for deer hunting this fall and it may go with me to Alaska next fall.

Load was my handloaded 44 mag Hornady 240gr XTP. Distance 100 yards. 10 shot group from a rest. This is right at a 4 inch group. I bet a better shooter would have tightened this up a bit but this is deffinately minute of deer.

Sorry about the picture quality, with the white paper plate the contrast was off.

 

[Robert Finegan]

I think you had better practice saying ..."Deer Down"

Best of luck hunting this year, I think you are in good shape.

-Robert

 

[youngda9]

Good enough for deer. You'll also do better if you have something more precise to shoot at. Could be as simple as putting a solid dot or square in the center of the plate. Interesting gun you have there...very neat.

 

[oldtimer]

629 deer load?

What is the load you have in the round?

 

[John3200]

Good enough for deer. You'll also do better if you have something more precise to shoot at. Could be as simple as putting a solid dot or square in the center of the plate. Interesting gun you have there...very neat.

I actually tried using a 3 inch bullseye target but with the 2x Leupold I was basically covering the whole thing up at 100 yards. With the paper plate on a dark background I felt I could quarter the plate up with the crosshairs fairly well.

 

[NE450No2]

Well I am going to give you some Good advice...

Have a Sharp knife, you will need it.

That is good shooting.

 

[Dragon88]

Nothing to worry about with that group, some guys couldn't do that with a rifle. Nice shooting and good luck.

 

[John3200]

What is the load you have in the round?

This was really just a "Plinking" get to know the revolver load. Winchester brass, WLP primer, 22.8gr of H110, Hornady 240gr XTP bullets. I had 2 other 5 shot groups just like this at 100 yards before this one as I was getting the scope centered.

 

[John3200]

From 2 years ago. 35 yards. S&W 629, 6in barrel. Nosler 240gr JHP handload.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Good shooting and a beautiful revolver.

 

[NE450No2]

Nice deer, well done.

 

[m657]

"Back strap ON!!"

Now....who has the grill, we better get ready....

 

[TheGerk]

I'm not experienced enough with long range handgunning to know if this is a good group or not but you know what? I had fun and I'm happy with it. I plan on using this 629 for deer hunting this fall and it may go with me to Alaska next fall.

Load was my handloaded 44 mag Hornady 240gr XTP. Distance 100 yards. 10 shot group from a rest. This is right at a 4 inch group. I bet a better shooter would have tightened this up a bit but this is deffinately minute of deer.

Sorry about the picture quality, with the white paper plate the contrast was off.

Nice shooting!
When I started handgun hunting I was lucky to find the plate much less hit it!

Something you can consider, it may tighten up your group
Try loading up some 300 grain bullets for the revolver
The 300 grainers allowed less "drift" in my groups at that yardage
Things really tightened up to about ~ half of your current group size.

You will also benefit from much more "retained" down range energy if you find you have to make a long yardage shot.
I like the Sierra 300gr. JSP (Bullet # 8630)

For top velocities with the 300 grainers 296/H110 (19.5grs is my accuracy loading)
Top accuracy with this bullet in most of my Smith Magnums is using 18.2grs. of AA No.9
Good Luck

The Sierra #8630

 

[John3200]

Thanks for the advise on the 300 grain bullets. That is actually something I'm planning on working on. Since an Alaskan moose may be a possibility I want to try out some bigger bullets. For our Nebraska whitetail 240s are plenty I think but a caribou or moose or as protection from bear 300s are looking like a much better choose.

 

[TheGerk]

Thanks for the advise on the 300 grain bullets. That is actually something I'm planning on working on. Since an Alaskan moose may be a possibility I want to try out some bigger bullets. For our Nebraska whitetail 240s are plenty I think but a caribou or moose or as protection from bear 300s are looking like a much better choose.

My point John was that you make "one" load that is more accurate down range for "anything" that the 44 Mag is capable of taking….That's all
Good Luck

 

[John3200]

My point John was that you make "one" load that is more accurate down range for "anything" that the 44 Mag is capable of taking….That's all
Good Luck

I get ya. That makes sense too for this revolver. One load for everything. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Nightowl]

I really llike the looks of that .44. I have a few, but if I could find one like that, I would have another.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I really llike the looks of that .44. I have a few, but if I could find one like that, I would have another.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Mule88]

At 100 yds, I say your shooting is just fine. Goodluck on the deer this season. I have the same revolver but it has the iron sights, one of my favorite .44's.

 

[John3200]

One or two on Gun Broker.
Smith Wesson 629 Hunter Plus RSR NIB : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
The box for mine says the modle is 629 Mag Hunter +. It was from RSR in about 1996. I believe I've seen reference to at least one other distributer having the same gun a little later, not sure if they called it the same thing though.