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#39595 - 11/18/08 09:18 PM

Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights

Lucien
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Registered: 11/15/08
Posts: 24

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Hi all, I am new to this forum and I do have a question that I hope that someone can help me out with. I am not new to handgun hunting in any way nor am I new to the 44 mag round as I have owned MANY over the years. However, I am new to an older smith N frame and my plan is to hunt deer with it this year but I worried about the strength of the revolver. I would NEVER use the higher pressure loads in it that I use in the Ruger and Freedom arms but I am thinking a Keith 265 grain HC and driving it at about 1000 fps or perhaps using Buffalo bore lower recoil loads which is driving a 265 at 1265fps. I love my "new" old Smith but I am, as I said earlier, worried about damaging it. Does anyone have experience with the 29-2's and their strength or perhaps their lack of? Will the Buffalo Bore loads be too much for the old gal? Thanks in advance!

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#39599 - 11/18/08 09:31 PM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: Lucien]

jamesfromjersey
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Registered: 01/18/04
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Lucian, I`am not familiar with the Buffalo Bore loads ,however, your 265gr Keith at 1000fps will be OK in your older Smith.
Keiths 44 Special load of a 250gr bullet over 18.5grs of 2400 was hitting almost 1200fps in the old Smiths and your load is 200fps slower.Good luck.....

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#39600 - 11/18/08 09:41 PM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: jamesfromjersey]

Lucien
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James, thanks for the info and the help. I have just heard so many stories of cylinders going out of time with the old smiths and other issues when people would hot rod them or even shoot them with just regular loads. Although, atmittedly, I am not sure how true those stories are. Thanks again!

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#39609 - 11/18/08 10:05 PM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: Lucien]

H2OBUG
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Registered: 02/13/08
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Loc: Louisiana

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I shoot a 240 XTP with 18.5 gr of 2400 and a cci 350 in my older S&W's It shoots great and is easy on the frame. It should do fine in your older gun

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#39611 - 11/18/08 10:10 PM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: H2OBUG]

Lucien
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Registered: 11/15/08
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H2O, thanks for the information and the loading data. I have never used the XTP by Hornady in anything that I own believe it or not. I have always used hard cast, well, for the most part anyway. Not that I am opposed to a jacketed bullet just got used to the old school thing. Will it expand reliably?

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#39619 - 11/19/08 07:07 AM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: Lucien]

Mikewin
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Registered: 04/01/08
Posts: 117
Loc: Stockholm, Sweden

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Lucien,

the XTPs are wonderful bullets, regardless of the weight. Great precision, and I have never had any problems with expansion. You have to choose your game though, since e.g. wild boar might be too tough for the bullet to exit.

BTW: I use a customized 29-2 with 300gr bullets for hunting. The barrel is a very heavy 11" Lothar Walther, which adds tremendously to the shootability of the gun. The recoil is almost inconsequential even with 300-grainers sizzling away at 1350fps. I've used it the whole summer with that kind of load and no problems at all with timing etc. With the stock light 8 3/8 barrel this would have been pretty painful, though...

Edited by Mikewin (11/19/08 07:14 AM)

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#39634 - 11/19/08 12:28 PM

Re: Smith 29-2 and related bullet weights [Re: Mikewin]

Lucien
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Registered: 11/15/08
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Thanks you for the info. I do not have a long barrel in the 29-2... it is 4"! yeah, I know, a tad short but sight radius is in ones head as far as hits, although admittedly, velocity is not an illusion. I think that I will give the XTP a go and see what I see on paper first and then try it in the field. Thanks again!

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