I've tried Corbon's DPX all copper and Federal's Swift A-frame Both successful on deer - good performers.
Finally shot some Speer 270 Deep Curl hunting bullets .Much hotter than the other two !
Since my M29 is an old one and in excellent condition I decided it's not for me. I gave it to a friend for his Marlin rifle .

You must be a really good friend. Your friend must be very appreciative. What a great gift!!

The AMMO was not for me ,I gave it to my friend to use in his Marlin. My M29 I've had too long it's not for sale or trade ! Many a metallic silhouette match and a bunch of deer .I'm very comfortable with it .Last two deer I took shooting standing ,50 yds ,about 2 seconds to raise , aim and shoot -one shot kills.

mete,

I believe your chain was getting pulled on that one. Although the way you worded your post, it does appear you gifted your friend a nice old M29

Mete,

Yeah, I read your post too fast and was thinking that you gave your M29 to your friend. That would be a fabulous gift. However, there is nothing wrong with ammo. I know from first hand experience how fast a Marlin 1894 can digest a box of 44's.

I killed a 200+ pound whitetail buck with Winchester Super X 240 gr JHP. It chronoed at 1325 fps out of my 6" S&W mod. 629.

The first shot at 45 yds was a little low in the chest, behind the front leg. I tracked him about 125 yds to where he was down but not out. Finished him at 10 yds. Bullets were complete pass through and MUCH bleeding.

I shot some jacket bulls in my 44 ok. Then I brought a lee 315gr mold and never looked back.

mete

Can you give us a little more info on the performance of the two different bullets, ie penetration wound damage?

What was the weight of the DPX bullet?

Did you recover either of the bullets?

Thanks

Thanks.

I was culling some red deer at a preserve .One with DPX and one with Swift A-frame. Both were about 250 lbs at 50 yds .Taken with M29 ,standing ,raise aim fire within 2 seconds .No scope or rest .Us seasoned citizens aren't finished yet.
DPX smashed through rib, holed both lungs ,glancing blow to vertabre [dropping back half of deer], smashing through rib and stopping against hide .
A-frame cut half round hole in rib ,went through both lungs ,a bit of the liver , cut half round hole through second rib and exited .
That deer ran a short distance in a circle and collapsed.
These are bigger than most white tails and heavier bone structure .I was very satisfied with performance .
I assume the Speer Deep Curl would have easily done as well .With a newer M29 or Ruger it would considered though recoil is significantly higher .
DPX is 225 gr though performance can't be thought of the same way as jacketed lead. They are accurate and very effective.

K'm surprised at all the wistful good comments on the M29 Smith. I know it is just my biases, but I sold both my 29-2s for $300 each just because I so much prefer Rugers in the .44 Mag chambering. What I kept are an original 1st year Ruger SBH 7-1/2" (without the conversion) and a Redhawk from 1982 in the same length barrel.

I've always used the same load for the last 30-odd years...22 grs. 2400 and 240 gr. jacketed HPs in all four guns, and just found the Rugers much kinder to my knuckles...rubber grips on all of them.

Not knocking the Smiths, just surprised at so many folks lusting after them....