I am loading an older Model S&W Model 29-2 4" barrel with 20 grains of 2400/winchester brass/CCI300 primers/Hornady 240Gr. HP XTP/ SWAG book velocity is about 1300 fps. I have never shot anything with this load, but understand it is an adequate deer load. Is this load adequate for hogs? I have damage to my hands and don't wish to go with any higher recoil. Is there a better alternative load/bullet for hogs in this recoil range? The 240 hp xtp is very accurate and clean burning with the 2400 and would not like to give it up. Any opinions would be helpful and thanks in advance.

1300 fps is quite optimistic for that load and barrel length, 1150 or so is more like it

I've never seen a wild hog, but I do know that that load is deadly on black bears (~250-300 lbs) at close range

free-miner is right.....your velocity in that 4" barrel with that bullet weight and powder charge, is somewhere between 1100-1150 fps. But even so, that is still a very formidable hunting load. Bigbore handgun cartridges don't need high velocity to kill effectively. They need six things to kill well.....

1. Shot Placement
2. Shot Placement
3. Shot Placement
4. Bullet Integrity
5. Bullet Weight
6. Bullet Diameter

Thank you for your replies gentlemen. I feel a little more assured about my safety while out in the National Forest here in Texas. I have run into "wild hogs" ( feral pigs that have escaped from farms and bred in the wild.) and usually is no problem to let them feed or wander past. I just carry the pistol in case I stumble right into one in the brush. As isolated as the woods can be, it is also possible to stumble into people during illegal activities with bad intentions toward others.

If I wanted a self defense / hunting load for the 4" S&W 29, I'd use 10 grains of Unique for 1000 fps, chronographed from my 629s. I've killed a 750 lb cow water buffalo with this velocity and bullet with no problem. A pig with 250 grain cast SWC at 1060 fps was no problem in a 45 Colt model 25 S&W either. As an exclusive deer load it would be a little "tough" for lung shots, emphasis being penetration. With both pigs, deer, and human predators to contend with you'll have to compromise or carry speed loaders or some such solution. Try some standard JHPs for deer, 180 grain to 240 grain would be fine, but more recoil. The 210 grain Remington JHP is a cheap bulk bullet and would work fine with 11 grains of Unique. 15 to 16 grains of Blue Dot would give you about the same velocity, with some reduction in recoil for the reduced powder charge. I am beginning to appreciate your interest in reduced recoil as I get older and wiser.

As to velocity, I would like to add that more than a few years back some friends and I had the advantage of a chronograph and S&W's in 4", 6 1/2", and 8 3/8" all Model 29's and several of each barrel length. Being avid loaders we found that much to our surprise one of the 4" revolvers was the fastest, and to my chagrin, my 8 3/8's" was the slowest! The loads tested were with Keith 245 cast, and 22 to 23 grains of 2400, and some factory Remington and Norma's. Lord I miss the Norma 236 HP...

Slim, just a fast note - I too have an older Smith a 629-1, I would choose for the sake of wear and tear on both your appendages and your handgun to keep it down below 1200fps. If you had a newer model Smith say the Classic with a full underlug-they can handle the pressure surely but not you're old handgun. Seen them loosen up quite fast with "hot" loads.

Slim
That load should do just fine. Should you desire more penetration just substitute a 240 grain hard cast bullet for the XTP.
Also a 240 cast with 9 to 10 grains of Unique is a good load should you desire a little less recoil.
I have found the Speer 270 SP and the Federal 300 gr Cast Core loads to work well in the 4" 44 S&W as well.

Be sure and carry some Speer shot shells. They work great on snakes as well as small game including quail and grouse.

The 4" S&W 44 Mag is the BEST field handgun.... Bar none.

quote:

Originally posted by Slim_Zippy:
I am loading an older Model S&W Model 29-2 4" barrel with 20 grains of 2400/winchester brass/CCI300 primers/Hornady 240Gr. HP XTP/ SWAG book velocity is about 1300 fps. I have never shot anything with this load, but understand it is an adequate deer load. Is this load adequate for hogs? I have damage to my hands and don't wish to go with any higher recoil. Is there a better alternative load/bullet for hogs in this recoil range? The 240 hp xtp is very accurate and clean burning with the 2400 and would not like to give it up. Any opinions would be helpful and thanks in advance.

About 1970 I had the good fortune to actually meet Elmer Keith. Using cast bullet info & loads he experimented with and wrote about, formed the basis of my reloads and handgun shooting. One of his most notabe loads for the 4" Smith was his 250gr. Lyman 429421, fairly hard cast and 22gr. of 2400. I notice grizz007 expressed concerns of the gun loosening up. Elmer 'pounded' a lot of these loads through his 4" and never mentioned that as a problem,at least not that I'm aware of. I have a newer model, with factory ivory, that I have used that load in and other 240gr. - 250gr. cast bullets with 20 - 22gr. 2400, Winchester brass and CCI 350 primers, no problem. I do however, agree with grizz007 concerning wear & tear on your appendages. Hard on the web of your hand between the thumb & forefinger but a great hunting & long range load.

I suspect Elmer didn't burn as many full-power loads out of his 29's as we do today. One source stated he shot no more than 600 rounds of full power loads a year. With as many .44 Specials and .45 Colts as he owned I wouldn't be surprised that he practiced with some saner loads than the full power .44 Magnums. I like 7.5 to 8 grains of Unique or 5 grains of Bullseye with a 240 grain cast bullet for practice. Only one fault with the 629-1 6" I have, the front red-insert sight. I replaced it with a Wagand replceable serrated ramp sight. The 4" Mountain Gun is my new favorite 629 S&W.

I almost feel bad running a cast performance 300 gr wfngc bullet with 18.6gr W296. Then again, that is through a 6". My experience has been that powders like W296 and H110 have the best accuracy in the mod 29. 18.6gr may be a little snappy, the AA2400 loads seem to be a good balance.

John

Big bore, I use the 320 gr WLNGC with 21.5 gr's of 296. How can 18.5 gr's be SNAPPY? I don't think you should be loading 296 so light either. I would not go under 19.5 gr's with the 300 gr boolit. The stuff can get dangerous by cutting loads too much. 2400 would be wiser.
I admit not knowing the lower limit with the 300 gr boolit, maybe someone here does. 296 and H110 are two powders that you do not want to reduce too much.

quote:

Originally posted by 376steyr:
I suspect Elmer didn't burn as many full-power loads out of his 29's as we do today. One source stated he shot no more than 600 rounds of full power loads a year. With as many .44 Specials and .45 Colts as he owned I wouldn't be surprised that he practiced with some saner loads than the full power .44 Magnums. I like 7.5 to 8 grains of Unique or 5 grains of Bullseye with a 240 grain cast bullet for practice. Only one fault with the 629-1 6" I have, the front red-insert sight. I replaced it with a Wagand replceable serrated ramp sight. The 4" Mountain Gun is my new favorite 629 S&W.

Your statement on the number of rounds may well be correct but in our discussions with him on the subject, I got the impression it was considerably more. Looking at his gun and the degree of wear on the sides of the barrel, it got a lot of use. For lighter loads, he did say he liked 5gr.s of Bullseye for gallery loads or 8.5gr.s of Unique for target. As most of my shooting these days is outside the number of light loads I use in any calibre are minimal. Instead, I tend to shoot a smaller calibre. Modifying the front sight is something that is on the 'agenda' but I haven't got to it yet. I was thinking of replacing the red insert with gold or a hybrid cross between a Keith long range front sight and a ramp front sight. I'll probably go with the latter. In addition, I lucked out a number of years ago at a gun show and acquired a set of what appear to be S&W factory ivory Magna grips. Heaven forbid, but if I could only own one handgun, this would be the one I'd keep.

quote:

Originally posted by 376steyr:
If I wanted a self defense / hunting load for the 4" S&W 29, I'd use 10 grains of Unique for 1000 fps, chronographed from my 629s. I've killed a 750 lb cow water buffalo with this velocity and bullet with no problem. A pig with 250 grain cast SWC at 1060 fps was no problem in a 45 Colt model 25 S&W either. As an exclusive deer load it would be a little "tough" for lung shots, emphasis being penetration. With both pigs, deer, and human predators to contend with you'll have to compromise or carry speed loaders or some such solution. Try some standard JHPs for deer, 180 grain to 240 grain would be fine, but more recoil. The 210 grain Remington JHP is a cheap bulk bullet and would work fine with 11 grains of Unique. 15 to 16 grains of Blue Dot would give you about the same velocity, with some reduction in recoil for the reduced powder charge. I am beginning to appreciate your interest in reduced recoil as I get older and wiser.

What bullet are you using with 10 grs of Unique?
Cast or Jacketed if Cast what Bullet Mold? I am also looking for a comfortable load to shoot out of my Dan Wesson 44mag.

The Doc told me I had Rheumatoid Arthritis no wonder my wrists hurt when I shoot a Mag Handgun I have got to tame it down pain just aint no fun.

Swede, I am butting in here, but for a long time I shot the Lyman 429421 in front of 11 grains of AA #5 in my 629 Classic. It was a load recommended by the late Finn Aagaard, and it is about as pleasant a .44 load as you can find.

Time has pretty much taken me away from the range now, but the last load I shot in my 4" Model 29 was 9.7 grains of Unique and the same bullet. It is fairly comfortable, to the point my daughters can shoot it offhand. You might want to start with the 8.5 grain load and work up

My only gripe with Unique is that it is still dirty (at least to me), but that may be because the pressures aren't up where they need to be for a clean burn...

Doubless: Thanks I will give 11 grains of AA #5 a try.