I just picked up my 1st .44 Mag (5" Smith & Wesson M-629) and am looking for some good handloads. I ordered some 275 grain and 300 grain bullets to try and develop a heavy load with. Thanks in advance for the help!

For full power loads, H110 & W296 are hard to beat. Check you loading manula, these two powders should not be loaded down much. For a plinking load, I like 240-250gr Lead anythings over 8gr Unique.

I would suggest using H-110 as it seems to have a better pressure to bullet ratio. I think you should definitely get a good manual or two and start at the minimum charge as every gun is different. I would suggest that you do some dummy loads as the S&W cylinder is rather short for the heavier bullets. I usually use an as-cast bullet that weighs around 265 gr depending on the alloy. I've reloaded a bunch of rounds for friends to try a long time ago and what was accurate in mine wasn't in theirs. Either bigger cylinder throats or barrel throats in theirs. There's a lot of factors out there in getting a good cast load. Sometimes you get lucky before you get into the absolutely max load. Don't be impatient as that'll get you a $700 paperweight. Good luck in finding a good load or two.

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Originally posted by MHC_TX:
I just picked up my 1st .44 Mag (5" Smith & Wesson M-629) and am looking for some good handloads. I ordered some 275 grain and 300 grain bullets to try and develop a heavy load with. Thanks in advance for the help!

"The world has turned over many times" since Elmer got his first .44 Mag. out of S&W. But my favorite load uses his bullet, which comes from my old Lyman mould at 268 grains, and the same old 22.5 grains of Alliant 2400 to push it. A heavier bullet might do a little better, if you intend going to Africa!

I would not push your Smith with top end loads they just are not as strong as the rugers and others. I use a max load of H110 with a 310 gr cast lee bullet for 1300fps out of my redhawk. This load is very accurate in my pistol.

Another powder that is overlooked is VihtaVuori. I shoot a lot of cast bullets and not as much jacketed bullet but have very nice loads with N 110 and N 340. These are very clean powders with low muzzle blast. V V powders like mag primers, and say so in there manuals.

I don't like 2400 because it gives so much unburned powder residue. H-110 is a clean burn

275's:
H-110 From 18.5 grains to 20.5 grains
CCI-350 Primer

300's:
H-110 From 16.7 grains to 22.5 grains
CCI-350 Primer

I have been loading for the 44 mag for over 40 years now.I have been trying cast bullets mostly. I tried the Keith bullet 429421 with 8.5 grains and was mildly succesful. 2400 powder leaves too much unburned powder in the barrel.Finally found the load that is a tackdriver in my Blackhawk and Redhawk. Lyman`s 429215 bullet with gas check over 9.2 Gr of AA # 2 with a WW regular Large Pistol primer.It should give 1150 ft/sec from a 7 in. barrelThe only problem is you have to cast them yourself.