Max loads in .44 mag S&W?
- Thread starter Dundgren
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I own and shoot a Smith Model 69, Combat Magnum in .44 Magnum. The load you describe, like ALL near max .44 magnum loads, especially with 240 gr weight bullets will generate HEROIC recoil. The gun weighs 43.1 oz., fully loaded, according to my wife's kitchen scale five minutes ago, about the same as a Model 19 .357; it also speaks volumes about its recoil potential. By way of contrast, my Smith 629, with 5" full muzzle-length under lug, fully loaded, weighs 50.4 oz...and is still a handful with near max loads. Note the difference, nearly a half pound, and it still HURTS when you touch one off.
That "L" frame M-69 gun is a joy to shoot with 1000 fps 'Skelton' type loads however and it carries well on the belt. It would probably be my first pick if age and eyes would still allow me to follow the Colorado elk herds of my youth. A big bore side arm was always comforting after the kill, back then, especially when packing out...and not carrying a 9+lb. elk rifle. (Packing out quarters of fresh killed elk meat, at dusk, in bear country, unarmed; is a recipe for the 'willies', believe me. So is seeing fresh bear tracks crossing your outbound trail as you head back to the butchering site, for another load a dusk).
My personal load for deer, using 240 gr Hornady XTP's, uses Winchester 296 powder 1.0 grain short of max according to Sierra's Infinity Reloading Manual. It is superbly accurate, cutting very close to an inch for 5 shots over open sights at 25 yds. But it is also about as comfortable as having a MLB player beat your palms with a Louisville Slugger. And I don't care what sort of grip you slap on it...it HURTS. But for KY white tails, out of a stand, it's just the ticket out to 50 yds, and I'll live with the one or two shot pain levels.
As to longevity of S&W N frames in .44 magnum, I'd say they're a lot stronger than your wrist cartilage...neither the gun nor you is going to last forever if you shoot "thousands" of rounds with full house .44 Mag loads. The problems with shooting loose arose when silhouette shooters loaded to max, shot 50 rounds every Saturday, and did it for years. But to those who enjoy that sort of shooting, more power to you...hope you have a good orthopedic surgeon on retainer, 'cause you're going to need him.
Hope I've not offended you "he-men" who claim to enjoy launching heavy lead SWC's at 1400-1500 fps. But it isn't a game for me. Rod
That "L" frame M-69 gun is a joy to shoot with 1000 fps 'Skelton' type loads however and it carries well on the belt. It would probably be my first pick if age and eyes would still allow me to follow the Colorado elk herds of my youth. A big bore side arm was always comforting after the kill, back then, especially when packing out...and not carrying a 9+lb. elk rifle. (Packing out quarters of fresh killed elk meat, at dusk, in bear country, unarmed; is a recipe for the 'willies', believe me. So is seeing fresh bear tracks crossing your outbound trail as you head back to the butchering site, for another load a dusk).
My personal load for deer, using 240 gr Hornady XTP's, uses Winchester 296 powder 1.0 grain short of max according to Sierra's Infinity Reloading Manual. It is superbly accurate, cutting very close to an inch for 5 shots over open sights at 25 yds. But it is also about as comfortable as having a MLB player beat your palms with a Louisville Slugger. And I don't care what sort of grip you slap on it...it HURTS. But for KY white tails, out of a stand, it's just the ticket out to 50 yds, and I'll live with the one or two shot pain levels.
As to longevity of S&W N frames in .44 magnum, I'd say they're a lot stronger than your wrist cartilage...neither the gun nor you is going to last forever if you shoot "thousands" of rounds with full house .44 Mag loads. The problems with shooting loose arose when silhouette shooters loaded to max, shot 50 rounds every Saturday, and did it for years. But to those who enjoy that sort of shooting, more power to you...hope you have a good orthopedic surgeon on retainer, 'cause you're going to need him.
Hope I've not offended you "he-men" who claim to enjoy launching heavy lead SWC's at 1400-1500 fps. But it isn't a game for me. Rod
The Smith &Wesson 44M will take what the load Manuel call for. You can load the max if you want to put wear on your gun fast!! I load in the middle and that is most likely to be a target load. A hunting load is the max load for the bullet. Save your powder by loading lighter loads so you can shoot more. Good shooting OH do not use 300 Gr bullets they are for rifle loads.
Stats Shooter
New member
Nope, no more offended than "gamers" shooting noodle wristed powder puff loads because they can't handle anything more than that.
Friend of mine had this issue (barrel unscrewing) with his 629 (8") in 81. Sent it to S&W, gun came back with the barrel straight, and S&W saying "nothing wrong". He then sold it.
He only had the gun for about 6 months, and the majority of loads shot were NOT heavy magnum loads.
My personal opinion was that it happened because S&W had stopped pinning the barrels not long before, and hadn't yet figured out how to properly crush fit the barrel to the frame.
Guggmeister
New member
I have loaded 44mag with 20.5gr of vv110 and magtech 240gr sp bullet. Radar gave 437m/s average velocity from a 7” ruger blackhawk.
no problems with 9.5” s&w29, didn’t chrono that.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
no problems with 9.5” s&w29, didn’t chrono that.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Wow, that's very specific. Thank you.
disseminator
New member
That's a good load. I am using 22.3g vvN110 with a 240g Speer DCHP (Gold Dot) and that's about 1500 fps (457.2m/s for our metric friends) out of my Model 29.
It hasn't exploded yet, and the Pachy grip will take the sting out of the recoil for you sensitive types.
Wildernesshunter
New member
Great info here and thanks for posting.
I am the new owner of a Taurus Tracker 44Mag and the RCBS dies, bullets, brass etc... have been ordered and are on their way.
I actively reload for several long guns, but this will be the very first pistol load I will have ever done. My big decision will be which powder to buy. I really don't want to experiment with several 1lb purchases..... I want to make the right purchase initially and stick to one powder for my loads for my 4" barrel.
I am the new owner of a Taurus Tracker 44Mag and the RCBS dies, bullets, brass etc... have been ordered and are on their way.
I actively reload for several long guns, but this will be the very first pistol load I will have ever done. My big decision will be which powder to buy. I really don't want to experiment with several 1lb purchases..... I want to make the right purchase initially and stick to one powder for my loads for my 4" barrel.
If those loads are going to range from light to heavy, then a medium rate powder is your best choice. Unique would be my choice.
4" isn't enough barrel to get full power from magnum loadings, no matter what powder you use. The slow powders MAY get you an insignificant few fps faster (at max levels) from a 4" but their advantages don't really "kick in" until you give them 6" or more barrel to burn in.
And, the slow powders are notoriously poor choices for light loads. The Fastest powders hit max pressures before reaching the highest velocity (compared to slower powders) but this may not be a factor for you, with your 4" gun.
The fast powders (Bullseye, 231, etc) also have an increased risk of having a double charge slip past you un-noticed during the reloading process, because of the small amount of powder used.
A fast powder will have a max charge in the 5-6gr range, a medium powder in the 10-12gr range, and a slow powder in the 20+gr range.
Wildernesshunter
New member
I am going to be shooting the 240gr Nosler jacketed soft point and I want a tick over 1,000 fps out of my barrel.
I think you're going to want a very fast powder if you want them that slow. Have you considered .44 special?
Wildernesshunter
New member
The local shop where I buy my powder has the best supply of Accurate powder on hand.
Anyone use Ramshot True Blue?
Anyone use Ramshot True Blue?
disseminator
New member
For range and plinking fun, try out a 240 SWC with a max load of Trail Boss for about 900 fps.
They're a blast.
They're a blast.
buck460XVR
New member
I say if you want to shoot Buffalo Bore .44 Mag +p+ outta a Smith 69, go ahead. Odds are the gun is gonna last a lot longer than your wrist.
the model 69 isnt very big, originally beefed up to shoot 357. i shoot 1100 to 1200 fps max in the 69. the super redhawk gets a full dose at 1430fps. recoil feels the same. my 69 is getting a bit of flame cutting too (strap is much closer to the gap). both are fantastic revolvers. s&w wants .429, ruger wants .431.