.44 Mag Target Loads

[Bill Steele]

I just bought a gun I have been missing for decades. My Model 29 will be out of jail in about 10 days, so it is time to start buying components.

I am initally interested in reasonably soft shooting target loads that provide good price performance.

Right now I am leaning toward 240gr LSWC's as they seem to be reasonably priced from vendors like MO Bullets.

I have some Accurate #7 that seems to fit OK. But I am pretty sure there are other powders that might fit the value/performance picture better.

If you have a favorite setup for target work, I would really appreciate your input.

[f4tweet]

AA-9

[vico512]

You'll get lots of replies on this...

My favorite is 200 gr or 240 gr LSWC with Trailboss powder. Shoots well & you can't overfill the case. This powder is very popular with the Cowboy Action gang.

[Maddog5150]

my 240LSWC load is with universal clays.

[Black_Talon]

Make sure you mike the throats on your 29. Depending on when it was made, many, many of them will run around .4325-.4330". Your gun will not shoot it's best unless you run your lead bullets at around that same size. It's not too easy to find commercially cast bullets any bigger than .431". Dardas bullets does offer a .432" 240 LSWC. These shoot quite a bit better in my M29-2 (with .4325" throats) than any typical .430"-ish diameter lead bullets.

[anothergunnut]

I use two different combinations, both utilizing Bear Creek moly coated bullets. I use a 185 gr LRN with a very light charge of Bullseye which gives practically no recoil. I also use a 240 gr LFP with Unique for a mid-range load.

[Two Shots]

If you don't reload, 44S&W are fairly light loads in a 29

[Twinspool]

What Black Talon said... but typically Rugers have more slop in them.

My 629's throats are 0.4285, so .429 bullets work great.

[Bill Steele]

Guys, thanks for all the feedback. I will check the throats after I get her home.

Gunnut, do you have a phone number for Bear Creek Bullets, I went online and most of the sources that popped up on Google were out of stock. In searching the threads, it appears the guy that runs Bear Creek is a "call him and order" kind of guy (which fits my skill set real well).

I have a short list of some powders to try, I think I will buy a pound of each (9 oz. in the case of Trailboss) and feel my way along.

Anybody using W231?

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it.

[chickenfried]

I've used 5.5 grains to 9 grains of 231 with a 240 Missouri bullet Co. LSWC . I settled on 5.8grains as my target load.

[Bill Steele]

Cool thanks.

[bruce381]

5.5-6.0 ww231 works well BUT watch for double charge

[Bill Steele]

Famous last words...

5.5-6.0 ww231 works well BUT watch for double charge

Yeah, I guess a half cc of powder in that big old case could be an issue.

I think I have devloped a process that pretty much ensures a double charge can't happen. The "pretty much" part is as much superstition as anything.

[jyo]

240 SWCs over 7.5 grains Unique powder and standard primers, .44 Special cases---I have used these for over 30 years---shoots well in every Special or Mag revolver I have tried. About 950 FPS.

[Bill Steele]

240 SWCs over 7.5 grains Unique powder and standard primers, .44 Special cases---I have used these for over 30 years---shoots well in every Special or Mag revolver I have tried. About 950 FPS.

I was waiting until after the show to place the order online, just in case, but I have a pound of Unique on my shopping list. What OAL do you load those Specials?