Folks, I know this has to have already been asked but I can't seem to locate it. Most in here reload. What I need is a recommendation for a wild pig load in a S&W 629 5" loaded by factory. I won't be shooting it much, only when accidentally coming upon a pig. How much can the Smith handle and how much is needed for the pig? Thanks!

Mike

Federal loads Swift A-frame in 280 gr .They will certainly work .Corbon DPX will also [Barnes all copper].These I have used.
There are good lead bullet loads too such as Buffalo Bore and Garrett Cartridges, and Federals 300 gr 'cast core'.

Haven't shot a factory loaded cartridge in my .44s since, I can't remember. All the above listed loads would all work fine. My preference being a hard cast bullet such as the Federal Cast Core.

Grizzly Cartridge has some great offerings as does Double Tap.

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure if those heavy loads were appropriate for a Smith 629. I assume they are ok?

They should be okay in moderation.

For my old M29 I'd only use the lightest loadings of Garrett or Buffalo Bore.Make sure they [Buffalo Bore] are SAAMI loads.
While a well constructed bullet of decent weight is needed remember that bullet placement is the most important thing ! Said by someone [ me ]who has never been charged by a grizzly. The close up black bears have been as close as 8' but ignored me ! Don't look like a ham sammich !!

Mike,
If your 629 was made prior to the use of the “endurance package” on these guns, you may have problems with the really heavily loaded ammo in your gun. Mine would recoil so sharply that the cylinder would come unlocked and there would be a second, lighter strike on the primer from the hammer bouncing. An ordinary, garden variety, 240gr soft point, or similar hard cast should be fine for your needs. I can’t see why you would need the nuclear powered stuff.

It's a brand new 629 w 5" barrel. Do they all have the "endurance package" now? (?)

Yes, they do. If you open the cylinder and look at the frame, you will see the model and “dash” number stamped on the frame. The endurance package started with 629-2E.

I would go with the Federal Cast Core load. It is mild compared to some of the others mentioned and will kill just fine. My last hog was very effectively taken with a handloaded 275 gr WFN at 1100 fps. A drill press...

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:
I would go with the Federal Cast Core load. It is mild compared to some of the others mentioned and will kill just fine. My last hog was very effectively taken with a handloaded 275 gr WFN at 1100 fps. A drill press...

Great advice!

Hornady factory load with 240 gr XTPs are very accurate and loaded pretty much equal to my top loads using the same 240 gr XTP. Measured psi's are within SAAMI specs. I Wouldn't hesitate to use them on pigs out of my .44s.

Larry Gibson

If you go the Hornady route, the 300 grain XTP load is a good one. I have found them extremely accurate and despite the fact that they are hollow-points, they tend to penetrate well. I would lean towards the heavier loads as I have seen too many lighter bullets fail to penetrate well, and you may come across a big boar with a thick gristle plate and you're going to want to have all of the penetration you can get.

I XTP'd this 200-lb hog last year.......

Whitworth,
it's plain to see why your bullets may be over expanding, you'r shooting them out of rifle barrels ! How long IS the barrel on that gun, 2-3 feet ?

That is a 10.5-inch barreled SBH......that load still doesn't develop a whole lot of velocity as it is on the mild end of the .44 mag spectrum. That revolver acually belongs to bfrshooter......... Personally, I like 'em shorter, but that dang thing is REALLY accurate.

That gun makes my guns look like derringers . I was just hooraw’n you a bit, not surprised it’s a shooter. Nice hog BTW.

To the list add Speer Deep Curl ammo especially the Deep Curl Soft Point 270 Gr. May be a little more difficult to find .

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
That is a 10.5-inch barreled SBH......that load still doesn't develop a whole lot of velocity as it is on the mild end of the .44 mag spectrum. That revolver acually belongs to bfrshooter......... Personally, I like 'em shorter, but that dang thing is REALLY accurate.

Thanks! I realize that! I personally don't have any revolvers with barrels that long, but that Ruger is a real shooter!

I should clarify things a bit.I've seen on a number of forums the statement that the Speer Deep Curl is the same as the Gold Dot --NO !! My friend picked up some Gold Dot Soft Point [GDSP] and the dealer said it was very popular for deer.That may be but that bullet is not the Deep Curl. The Deep Curl Soft Point [DCSP] is heavier construction and designed for heavy game .

Or did Speer change the name ???
The Speer website is confusing !! I hope some of you do a good comparison test for the GDSP vs DCSP.But the DCSP is for max penetration.

I have sent an email to Speer .

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
I should clarify things a bit.I've seen on a number of forums the statement that the Speer Deep Curl is the same as the Gold Dot --NO !! My friend picked up some Gold Dot Soft Point [GDSP] and the dealer said it was very popular for deer.That may be but that bullet is not the Deep Curl. The Deep Curl Soft Point [DCSP] is heavier construction and designed for heavy game .

Or did Speer change the name ???
The Speer website is confusing !! I hope some of you do a good comparison test for the GDSP vs DCSP.But the DCSP is for max penetration.

i dont know in all cases, the .475 400gr deep curl is exactly the same bullet as the golddot

I handloaded some 270g GDSPs pretty warm for my 44 mag Ruger SBH. Tested them w/ phone books at close range. They held together VERY well and lost little weight.

i have used the gd 400gr .475 in my 470 AR.. at about 2700 fps.. about 2550 impact vel... didn't recover bullet, but went through ~150-160# hogs spine (facing me, his head down) and made a decent exit wound.. performed FAR better than rem 405s... bc they are plated and thick plated, not a cup and core bullet

Response from Speer!!
"This is a name change only from 'Gold Dot' to 'Deep Curl' "
That solves that confusion .

kaboom.......mine is a SS 629 CLASSIC and the # on the crane says xxxx-5 so i guess i got one of the weak ones?

They're all weak....... -- LOL!

You'll be fine in moderation. I believe your has the endurance package they later equipped them with. That said, I still wouldn't give it a heavy diet of heavy bullets, but again, in moderation you should be fine. I really like the Double Tap 320 grain offering. Shot a big sow with that load recently and it worked exceedingly well.

All of the above recommend loads are good ones.

However here are 2 good ones that you might be able to fine locally.
First is the Speer 270 factory load. I have shot some pigs in the head wioth it and ti always gone all the way through. It is very accurate, i have shot grlouse out of some tall trees with it, they were out of Speer shotshell range.

Anotyher good load, I would not hesitate to carry this load in Brown Bear areas, I have carreid it in Grizz country, is the Federal 300gr Cast Core.

These loads have a little less recoil than most of the other loads mentioned, but still have plenty of "thump".

In fact I feel they kick less than most factory 44 Mag 240gr loads in my 4" S&W's.

quote:

Originally posted by john c.:
kaboom.......mine is a SS 629 CLASSIC and the # on the crane says xxxx-5 so i guess i got one of the weak ones?

The Classics are late production guns and should be fine at normal 44 mag pressures, even with fairly heavy bullets. You may or may not like the recoil. Personally, I won't shot the +P stuff in my 29 DX. I have used the 270gr speer to take a 6 1/2 ft black bear.