Author Topic: 629 Good Enough for the Hot hunting Loads? (Read 1020 times)

Lawful Larry · « **on:** November 14, 2004, 11:50:16 AM »

Are the hot loads for hunting okay to shoot in the .44 Mag. SW 629? I mean the heavy loaded 300 gr bullet loads? Can the gun take the high pressure and not hurt you or itself? :grin:

44hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2004, 01:55:09 PM »

If you don't exceed the maximum published load in any commercial load books you should be ok. If you want really hot loads you will need a Freedom Arms, Dan Wesson or Ruger.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2004, 02:05:02 AM »

Lawful - the newer Model 29/629 is built to shoot the heavier loads but the S&W M629 is not as heavy a revolver as some of the others - ie., Ruger, Freedom Arms. My older Model 29 handles the heavy 300 grainers, just not on an all day, every day diet. It's not my wrist that starts to bother me with those loads, it's the inside of my thumb where the grip smacks me or where the seam from my shooting gloves leaves the permanent imprint on the web of my shooting hand (lol). And, this near 30 year old revolver still shoots just fine. HTH. Mikey.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2004, 03:42:19 AM »

Quote from: Mikey

Lawful - the newer Model 29/629 is built to shoot the heavier loads but the S&W M629 is not as heavy a revolver as some of the others - ie., Ruger, Freedom Arms. My older Model 29 handles the heavy 300 grainers, just not on an all day, every day diet. It's not my wrist that starts to bother me with those loads, it's the inside of my thumb where the grip smacks me or where the seam from my shooting gloves leaves the permanent imprint on the web of my shooting hand (lol). And, this near 30 year old revolver still shoots just fine. HTH. Mikey.

The load I am using is 18.0 grs of WC 820 (H108). A stiff load, but not one that will rattle your teeth. The avg. vel. is around 1305 fps at the muzzle. My 629 is a -3 so I am not sure of the age. She is in great condition and think I can shoot the 300 gr bullets for deer hunting. Here is the little stinker:

She shoots to about .563" at 50 yds. and about 1.235" at 100 yds. She has a very impressive performance record and I would love to try her in the woods.

Think I will take her into the woods this week. Wish me luck. :wink:

palgeno · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2004, 12:00:48 PM »

Larry---looks like you have a load in which you have confidence. I am using a 310 gr hard cast lead wnfp gc over 20.5 gr H110 in my 629 for pigs---definitely a stout load----for deer I have had excellent results with a 240 gr Hornaday XTP over 24 gr H110----very accurate in most 629's and well matched to deer--- a heavier bullet may be more than necessary for deer---depends on bullet construction. Your load appears to be accurate so you should do well. Good luck----shoot a big'un! pg

S.B. · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2004, 04:53:00 PM »

LL, who made the grips on your pistol?

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2004, 02:30:09 AM »

Larry - I used a similar load to the one palgeno used without any ill effects at all in my older 29-2. My load was a 295 gn hardcast Keith style semi-wadcutter over 20.5 of H110 - not all that bad to shoot, either. So, I think your 29-3 will do just fine, and that is one nice lookin' handgun. Good luck, have fun, be safe and let us know how it goes. Mikey.

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2004, 02:32:11 PM »

Hey there Lawful,

S&W said in their own ads that the "new" classic 29 was made to handle a steady diet of .44 ammo.

The point is, go with a Red Hawk and have no such worries.

The 310gr. cast LBT bullet ahead of 19gr. of AA #9 is the "regular diet for my RH. The same load gave problems with the cly. pin keeper on a Black Hawk, but the RH is one tough Gun.

Keep em coming! :wink:

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2004, 05:39:47 AM »

Quote from: S.B.

LL, who made the grips on your pistol?

Sorry to get back to you guys so long. I was in the field hunting. Hunting was good and got a second, though much smaller, six pointer and helped my buddy get a bear.

Now as to the grips. I bought them from a guy at our local gun show. The company that makes them is in Germany. The company is called Nill-Griffe. If you want I can send you an email or PM for the guys name and number that sold them to me. Those grips cost me about $105, and they were worth every penny. Had gun in the woods last week and it was very comfortable to carry and shoot. The recoil is completely radiated through-out the grip, not like the exposed back strap grips which concentrates the recoil in the web of your hand. Very comfortable to shoot all day with the heaviest of loads. :wink:

S.B. · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2004, 07:21:22 AM »

Larry, I've got a pair of Herretts ordered for my 629-4 Classic. Made to my hand and cheaper than the Nils as long as I supplied the wood. By the way, congratulations on the deer.