W 231 in 2 1/2" 629

[sunday bill]

Finally found time to mess around a little with loads for my short 44.

I recalled Skeeter's old 7.5 gr. of Unique with a 250 gr. 429421 solid in 44 Special brass as being good in my longer barrel guns. Although I can't remember if he specified barrel length, he wrote that this load's velocity was "about" 950fps. Out of my 629's 2.5" barrel, Skeeter's load averaged just under 850 fps, 10 ft. from the muzzle. Very little recoil and accurate, but not quite what I was looking for to carry while feeding at night in an area with an increasing black bear population.

Scrubbed the chambers and went to Mag brass and 9.9 gr. of W231, same bullet. This was a favorite medium load for me in longer barrels, back before I started pondering 45s and their loads half my waking hours. Hodgdon data shows 11 grains of W231 clocking 1300 fps with a 240 gr. cast bullet. My short barrel turned 1045 fps. This velocity is more in line with what I desired. The accuracy appears to be in the ballpark with the Special load and recoil is not bad, even when firing in a hurry, double action.

Haven't tried slow burning powders in this handgun, although I certainly ain't opposed to giving'em a whirl if anyone knows something I don't.

Please advise if you know of a reason to go to 2400 or H110 in this barrel length.

Thanks, Rich

 

[fredj338]

Finally found time to mess around a little with loads for my short 44.

I recalled Skeeter's old 7.5 gr. of Unique with a 250 gr. 429421 solid in 44 Special brass as being good in my longer barrel guns. Although I can't remember if he specified barrel length, he wrote that this load's velocity was "about" 950fps. Out of my 629's 2.5" barrel, Skeeter's load averaged just under 850 fps, 10 ft. from the muzzle. Very little recoil and accurate, but not quite what I was looking for to carry while feeding at night in an area with an increasing black bear population.

Scrubbed the chambers and went to Mag brass and 9.9 gr. of W231, same bullet. This was a favorite medium load for me in longer barrels, back before I started pondering 45s and their loads half my waking hours. Hodgdon data shows 11 grains of W231 clocking 1300 fps with a 240 gr. cast bullet. My short barrel turned 1045 fps. This velocity is more in line with what I desired. The accuracy appears to be in the ballpark with the Special load and recoil is not bad, even when firing in a hurry, double action.

Haven't tried slow burning powders in this handgun, although I certainly ain't opposed to giving'em a whirl if anyone knows something I don't.

Please advise if you know of a reason to go to 2400 or H110 in this barrel length.

Thanks, Rich

I just got a 3" M629-1 early this year & enjoy shooting it w/ midrange loads. It is surprisingly accurate out to 50yds, about as far as I need to shoot a snub. I like Unique & WSF in it under a 245gr LSWC or 270grLHP, Your original load was just too light. Try bumping it to 9gr. Accuracy is extremely good pushing 950fps. Since W231 is quite a bit faster than Unique, I'm surprised you would not just bump the Unique load You can get some great vel. out of the 2400 or H110 but a lot more muzzle blast too.

 

[Skip Sackett]

You don't need to go to a slower burning powder, but.......

Going to a slower powder has been proven to give better velocities from sorter barrels too, not just the longer ones.

I'm not a big fan of the shock and awe you get from H110 and it is really bad from a shorter barrel. 2400 is some better in that regard but if you want higher velocity I would go with it or AA#9. I am working on a load for a Marlin 1894 using Lil' Gun. Not sure what it will do in a handgun yet.

Maybe this weekend I'll get out with it. I'll let you know.

 

[m657]

Any comments on HP 38 and a 4" 629 pairing? Specific recipes solicited. Desire mid-level accurate loads, not bear medicine.....

 

[RidgwayCO]

HP38 is the same as W231, so their reloading data should be interchangeable.

CorBon used to make a .44 Magnum self defense load using the Hornady 180gr HP/XTP bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1200 fps. It was very accurate with light-moderate recoil, and it was easy to make followup shots as needed. This performance is easily reproduced with the faster pistol powders.

I've used Accurate #2 with very satisfying results, and it performs similarly to HP38/W231. My Accurate Loading Guide #2 shows a range of 10.0 to 11.1gr of #2 with a Hornady 180gr JHP bullet in .44 Magnum. My tests show that 9.6gr of AA #2 behind a 180gr HP/XTP (Starline brass at 1.275", 1.600" COL, CCI 300 primer, and moderate roll crimp) produces 1200 fps (575 ft-lbs). The powder only fills a little more than 40% of the case, but burns completely before the bullet exits the 4" barrel of my 629. QuickLOAD estimates the pressure at less than 22k psi.

YMMV

 

[sunday bill]

Fredj338, Are you recommending 9.0 gr. of Unique in Special or Mag brass? My initial loads were in Special cases.

Smith crazy, I have a few pounds of 2400 and a pound of Lil Gun. I'd be very interested in reading your findings.

Thanks,

Rich

 

[Skip Sackett]

New fangled powder anyway!

(I read your byline! )

I really like Lil' Gun. It seems to shine in the carbine rifle taking full advantage of the longer barrel.

I have run some tests a while back. That data is available now!

(Just gotta find it! )

 

[fredj338]

Fredj338, Are you recommending 9.0 gr. of Unique in Special or Mag brass? My initial loads were in Special cases.

Smith crazy, I have a few pounds of 2400 and a pound of Lil Gun. I'd be very interested in reading your findings.

Thanks,

Rich

SOrry Rich, I missed that little important piece of info. I saw M629 & jusr assumed mag cases. Yes, that is w/ mag cases. I stopped loading 38sp & 44sp along time ago, just prefer using one type of brass & not resetting my dies. Like Smithcrazy, I also prefer 2400 in 4" & shorter guns. The muzzle blast is less severe & it's all the buck & roar I want from a short bbl. gun. Using 17.5gr under a 270grLHP, the little 3" gives me 1070fps & breaks 1 1/2" @ 15yds for 5 offhand.

 

[sunday bill]

Fredj338, I own some 44 Specials and keep a toolhead set up for each case length.

231 groups weren't jaw droppers (rested for chrono-ing) at 20 and 50 yds., but the culprit may be the little non-adjustable sight/my tri-focals. The load appeared to be about an inch under the top of the front sight at 20 yards and I decided the bullet was striking about 6-7 inches high at fifty yards. Does that sound anywhere close to where they should be impacting for 1045 fps. out of a 2.5" barrel?

2400's next on my list.

Smith crazy, I've owned a couple 24" Marlin 44 CBs. Let a friend shoot the most recent one. He really showed off with it and asked what I'd take. I foolishly priced it, although higher than what I thought it was worth. Recent increases considered, my selling price now seems "piddling".

Needless to say, my remaining Cowboys, although none in 44, aint fer sale.

Rich

 

[fredj338]

I have no idea about your POI. My 629 has adjustable sights so I am on @ 15yds & a bit high @ 25yds. The only shooting I've done @ 50 is clay birds & can hit them more than I miss. I'm shooting tomorrow, maybe I'll bench the little brute @ 50 & see what it will do.

 

[sunday bill]

Stuck in a PD session in Nashville
With a 44 on my mind.

It doesn't involve trains, gambling or my-gal-done-left-me, but surely some of these songwriters around here can write a country hit from my current situation.

Rich

 

[m657]

In recent possession of a 4" 629, I anticipate trial loads of Tite Group, HP 38 and Trail Boss very soon.

I've had great results with other calibers in these loads; don't know what to expect from them in Mag cases.