I have a 296 as well. Recoil is not that severe in return for what you are getting. I chronographed several loads from mine and settled on the Triton 165 grain QuikShok which is moving out at about 1100 ft/sec. Accuracy is fine out to about 15 yards which is as far as I've tested this gun. By the way, mine will chamber .44 MAGNUMs. You might want to see if yours does, too. I notified S&W and they didn't seem too concerned. I don't intend to fire any! S&W, as you noted, says not to use bullets over 200 grains. I loaded it up with the old, slow, 246gr LRN at about 750 ft/sec. Sure 'nuff, the fifth round's bullet worked itself foreward in recoil until it protruded beyond the cylinder face, jamming the revolver. It seems that the crimp on lead bullets is not sufficient to hold the bullet in place. No such problems occurred with lighter jacketed bullets that produced even more recoil. Hope this is of use.