Garret Hammerhead & Buffalo Bore 300-320 gr NON +P 44 Mag safe in my Mod 29-2???

[saturno_v]

Hello folks

My hiking trip in Alaska is approaching and I'm looking at some decent 44 Magnum wild protection loads for my pinned and recessed S&W 29-2 with 8 3/8 barrel.

Both Garrett and Buffalo Bore advertise their +P over 300 gr loads as specifically NOT for S&W revolvers, that is very clear, stay away from these.

What about their non +P rated 300 gr loads?? They claim that these loads are within SAAMI specs and can be used in any 44 Magnum revolver in good conditions.

Are they safe in a 29-2??? Would I ruin my gun??
I do not plan, of course, to shoot this kind of loads all the time but at least few here and there to make sure I can be proficient and accurate with it.

Sometimes it get confusing...if I buy a gun of a given caliber I should expect that gun to work well and not being overstressed with ammo developing pressures within that given caliber SAAMI specs......I should be able to shoot ammo at SAAMI limit all day long (so to speak) without breaking my gun.

So the old S&W revolvers were not holding up very good even with ammo within pressure limit for the caliber?? Smith & Wesson wasn't doing endurance tests with them???

Thanks!!!

 

[batmann]

I believe Buffalo Bore has a reduced recoil load that will be much easier on you and the gun. The load you are looking at is a high pressure load and not needed IMHO.
The reduced recoil load was developed for the Sc frame .44 M S&W. It should work.

 

[saturno_v]

Both Buffalo Bore and Garret hammerheads are advertised as within SAAMI specs, except for the +P version (one each)
So they are not high pressure...well they are not overpressure...

 

[batmann]

Sorry about the term high pressure,
I like you terms better. They are within SAAMI specs. Not "over pressure", I like that!

 

[saturno_v]

Well.....maybe you uncovered some of the ambiguity from the part of ammo manufacturers!!

The 44 magnum IS an overall high pressure cartridge (38.000 CUP) compared to other rounds (for example the 45 ACP), but when a particular load is advertised as "High Pressure" doesn't mean much...it is over or within SAAMI specs, that is the relevant info.

Same for guns manufacturers....when they label a gun "44 Magnum" to me that means I can shoot the crap out of it as long as I shoot stuff within SAAMI limits.

So if my S&W 29 cylinder start rotating backward or crack, the frame start falling apart, or the whole thing getting sloppy after few rounds of, let's say, Garret Hammerhead advertised at SAAMI spec load, it is one of 2 things:

1) The ammo manufacturer lied and that load is beyond SAAMI specs

2) The gun manufactuer lied and the gun is a 44 Magnum but....sort of....you should regularly shoot only loads way below specs....maybe has been tested at SAAMI specs but only for 3 rounds or so....

IMHO, a gun manufaturer should test their design at max SAAMI level for that cartridge for thousands rounds in several test guns not just for couple of shots.

 

[batmann]

Very well said!

 

[RON in PA]

Sometime in the early 1990s S&W recognizing complaints and problems with the model 29 did some modifications to strengthen that model, especially the cylinder lock-up. These complaints came from users who were engaged in long range silhouette shooting with heavy loads. Looking at the age of your revolver I'd stay away from anything hot and heavy.

Also, if I was the one hiking in Alaska I'd leave the revolver home and carry a shotgun with slugs or a .375 rifle.

 

[saturno_v]

But these loads used by the silhouette shooters were beyond SAAMI specs or within the limit??

If they were within the limits means that S&W didn't proof tested their revolvers appropriately...IMHO

 

[sheephearder]

If the loads are with in saami specks they should be safe to shoot in a gun that was manufactured for that cal. HOWEVER! shooting maximum loads will accelerate wear (example S&W mod 19). I personally load all my amo on the light side and only use full power loads to sight in and to carry in dangerous situations. My 357s and 10mm are shot with light loads and loaded with max loads for back county use, they are rated for the hot loads but will last longer and are more fun with the softer loads JMHO. Bill

 

[Drail]

Sheephearder is correct, the chances of catastrophic failure (i.e. the gun fractures or blows up) is not the same as the damage to the precision mechanics of the action from repeated poundings from any magnum caliber. S&W are finely tuned revolvers designed many years before the Magnum craze. If you beat it hard enough and long enough it will wear out. Moderation in all things, as they say.

 

[Gordon]

Bear protection or target shooting? A cylinder full or two is not gonna hurt the gun.I loaded my own 320 WFP for years in my 29-2 'swith 296and H110 and the few hundred blue pill whistlers never 'jumped the bolt'.