What ammo for a PC 629 carry comp?

[MikeChandler]

Anybody have recommendations for ammo for the PC 629 carry comp? I'd like to find good defense ammo. The gun is ported with fixed sights, 3" barrel.

 

[kwselke]

Just about any .44 Magnum ammo is going to be good defensive ammo. Muzzle blast and flame signature are probably your greatest concern, especially with a three inch barrel. I hand load, so have no specific brand recommendations.

 

[MikeChandler]

I reload too, but I don't carry reloads for defense ammo, I only carry factory ammo. I was hoping somebody had some insights into what would work well with this particular gun. After I find a good ammo for it, I'll do some loads that mimic it for practice.

Usually there's some bullet weight/velocity that works well with a particular fixed sight gun.

 

[kwselke]

I reload too, but I don't carry reloads for defense ammo, I only carry factory ammo. I was hoping somebody had some insights into what would work well with this particular gun. After I find a good ammo for it, I'll do some loads that mimic it for practice.

Usually there's some bullet weight/velocity that works well with a particular fixed sight gun.

I did not mean to come across as condescending. The only factory loads for the .44 Magnum that I've seen marketed as personal defense loadings are 180 grain JHPs at about 1,500+ fps, or the 220 grain Winchester Silver Tips also marketed as suitable for hunting. These are full power loads in my opinion, which may cause undue flash and muzzle blast.

If you take a 240 grain LSW and launch it at .44 Special velocities out of your .44 Magnum you should have an effective defense load.

Literally you should be able to use any .44 Magnum load as an effective defense load, the worst you'll end up with is equivalent to a .44 Special.

Finding a load that works with your particular gun and shooting style will take trial an error on your part.

If I were going to use a 3" .44 Mag for defense, I'd look for a 225 to 240 grain lead SWC at 1,000 to 1,150 fps. My belief is that any .44 Magnum ammo you used will be suitable for defense.

 

[MikeChandler]

I did not mean to come across as condescending. The only factory loads for the .44 Magnum that I've seen marketed as personal defense loadings are 180 grain JHPs at about 1,500+ fps, or the 220 grain Winchester Silver Tips also marketed as suitable for hunting. These are full power loads in my opinion, which may cause undue flash and muzzle blast.

If you take a 240 grain LSW and launch it at .44 Special velocities out of your .44 Magnum you should have an effective defense load.

Literally you should be able to use any .44 Magnum load as an effective defense load, the worst you'll end up with is equivalent to a .44 Special.

Finding a load that works with your particular gun and shooting style will take trial an error on your part.

If I were going to use a 3" .44 Mag for defense, I'd look for a 225 to 240 grain lead SWC at 1,000 to 1,150 fps. My belief is that any .44 Magnum ammo you used will be suitable for defense.

I didn't take it as condescending, and on re-reading that I do sound a bit terse, and apologize.

The 240gr SWC seems like a winner to me, I loaded it starting load for 2400, and am going to try it tomorrow morning. If it's too hot for me, I'll try some 44 special loads next.

Thanks!

 

[kwselke]

I didn't take it as condescending, and on re-reading that I do sound a bit terse, and apologize.

The 240gr SWC seems like a winner to me, I loaded it starting load for 2400, and am going to try it tomorrow morning. If it's too hot for me, I'll try some 44 special loads next.

Thanks!

I guess I should not be giving .44 Magnum ammo advice because I believe that 23.5 grains of W-296 under a 240 grain JHP is the perfect target, hunting, and defense load out of my M-629 6.5". An equivalent factory load would be Hornady - XTP. I've set that load off in low light many times in hunting situations, it is impressive out of 6.5" and 7.5" barrels. If the load works for stopping wild hogs it will work stopping wild people.

 

[MikeChandler]

True, but it would be a handful out of a 3" barrel. I'm aiming for lower power magnum loads.

 

[358156hp]

Look at the 200 gr Blazer 44 Special JHP loads. The one I have are pretty hot. They're quite spirited in my 629 MR. Buffalo Bore offers some 44 mag stuff too, but it's mostly lightweight bullets at about 1500 FPS. However, there is a nifty looking wadcutter load I might try to copy.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=75

 

[crofoot629]

I carry this round from Corbon
I call it "44 Magnum Light".

It's very easy to shoot with light recoil, but I hope has good terminal ballistics. With any handgun round I can shoot well, I realize it's still a handgun round and don't expect miracles downrange.
A quick look at Corbon's web sight shows this load as having more foot LBS of energy than their 125 Grn .357 Magnum and more energy than their 165 Grn 10MM.

Corbon gives Leo's a price break. I see your are US Army. I'd guess they would give you a better deal too.

I call Corbon and order directly from them.
I hope you find this helpful.

44 Rem Mag 165gr CORBON Self-Defense JHP | COR®BON/Glaser Self Defense | Dakota Ammo

Emory

 

[MikeChandler]

I carry this round from Corbon
I call it "44 Magnum Light".

It's very easy to shoot with light recoil, but I hope has good terminal ballistics. With any handgun round I can shoot well, I realize it's still a handgun round and don't expect miracles downrange.
A quick look at Corbon's web sight shows this load as having more foot LBS of energy than their 125 Grn .357 Magnum and more energy than their 165 Grn 10MM.

Corbon gives Leo's a price break. I see your are US Army. I'd guess they would give you a better deal too.

I call Corbon and order directly from them.
I hope you find this helpful.

44 Rem Mag 165gr CORBON Self-Defense JHP | COR®BON/Glaser Self Defense | Dakota Ammo

Emory

Thanks for the tip - they look like a winner! I'll clock them from my carry comp and post results, when I get my mitts on some.