29 classic

[swiftman]

My brother has a model 29 classic with 8.5 inch barrel. He says it will only keep two out of 5 shoots on a piece of typing paper at 50 yds. He has tried 7 or 8 different loads and from  180gr to 250 grn. bullets. He is about ready to trade it of for a Ruger.   He can hit better with  his high standard victor off hand than he can with the smith over his knees. Any suggetions?  He has had 3 0r 4 differnt 29s. His fist was when they still sent them in a wooden box and it would shoot circles around any smith he has had since. He had a 10,5 inch stanlles ruger that would out shoot all his smiths but he keeps getting the trading bug and won't keep the good ones.  He is wanting to deer hunt with this gun but  his bow is alot more acuret than this gun at this moment.   I told him to try some 300 grn. loads but don't know how well they shoot in smiths..

[Boogie]

I've been hunting with the same 629 for eleven years and it took me months to find the right load. My S&W seems to digest 300 grain XTP's the best. I can consistently make 3 inch groups at 100 yards from a rest. Not spectacular I know, but good enough for deer here in TX.

[swiftman]

Thanks Boogie
 I will suggest it to him. I used to own this gun but never shot it a great  deal.  It seemed to shoot ok when I had it but never shot it much past 25 yds. I have a ruger 45colt new model with a 4.5 inch barrel that I wear most of the time out at the farm. I load it with 250grn at around 1200 fps. The smith was to exspensive and to long to pack around while working. I never got around to using it on deer.  I loaded it with 200grn xtp's and a stiff charge of ww296 since at that time we could only use hand guns on anterless deer in a special season 3 days in the second weekend in Januray. I figured that a 200grn would take out most any does with a good lung shot.  We can use pistols during the regular deer season know but must be a normal pistol cartrig no bottle knecks or rifle style stuff.  I never could bring my self to trust my life on a semi auto, because if it does not go bang for some reason when you need it most you are screwed. My old single action just has to be cocked again for a new round.  A double action smith would serve well to.