Author Topic: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629  (Read 1357 times)

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Offline streak

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Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« on: April 20, 2011, 12:12:22 PM »
Any pros and cons on which diameter cast bullet should be used in theMod 629!
?
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Offline StrawHat

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Re: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2011, 01:23:23 AM »
A lot will depend on your revolver.  What fits the chamber mouths?  If a .429 passes through but the .430 doesn't I would start with the .430. 

That is the quick and easy answer as this is a topic that has generated many posts on many forums.
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Offline streak

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Re: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2011, 12:53:45 PM »
A lot will depend on your revolver.  What fits the chamber mouths?  If a .429 passes through but the .430 doesn't I would start with the .430. 

That is the quick and easy answer as this is a topic that has generated many posts on many forums.
Thanks StrawHat!
I have just ordered a new Mod 629 and had read somewhere that these prefered the .429 dia. cast bullet.
I will try your suggestion beacause I have some .430 FP`s in 255 gr that I will try!
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Offline inthebeech

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Re: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2011, 11:09:01 AM »
Drive a soft slug of lead through the barrel and measure the groove diameter (multiple times with a vernier mic).  There's no point is loading any diameter bullet if it will not be at least .0005 larger than the groove.  You are more likely going to run in to excessively large throats however which has no easy fix. Ideally, if the groove is A, the bullet should be A+ .001 and the throat should be as snug around this bullet as possible with a slight interference hurting nothing, about A+.0005.  So it's Groove dia, then Bullet dia., then Throat dia.
Welcome to the world of cast bullet shooting.
The only other piece of advice I have is to make sure you are using/ buying the highest quality lube available.  With less-than-desirable dimensions in one of my own guns, I worked up countless loads with variations in other variables (bullet hardness, shape, forcing cone dimensions, powder type and charge, and countless bullet diameters) with poor results (We are talking about both accuracy and freedom from leading) - all with Lee liquid Alox.  When I went to a high quality, traditional lube, life got much better even with an oversized throat; not great, which I have achieved once in my life with a K-38 that has perfect cast bullet dimensions. So I know it's possible but not wiothout that dimensional relationship I described.  Of course, gas checks will cure much.

Online Graybeard

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Re: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2011, 01:06:10 PM »
I've owned a LOT of S&W M29 and M629 revolvers. I've never yet seen one that wasn't very accurate with cast bullets. I'd not worry about oversize throats on a S&W. If it were a Colt or Ruger then yeah you might have that problem but S&W? I've yet to see the problem on a gun of their's I've owned.

I've used both .429" and .430" in mine with no problems. If you are casting and sizing go with .430" but I'm betting .429" will shoot just fine also.


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Offline streak

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Re: Cast bullet.429 or .430 in Mod 629
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2011, 06:04:45 PM »
 Graybeard,
Right after I bought my Mod 629, I ordered some of the .430 cast bullets in the wfn 250 gr from Beartooth bullets and he said almost exactly what you did about
the mod 629`s.
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