smith 329 bear loads?
I live in Alaska and spend some time in the bush, I have been packing a Ruger Birds head 45LC and using corbon loads for Bear protection. I've been looking at the smith 329 for the weight but was just wondering if it will handle the hot loads. The recoil does not matter, I don't plan on shooting the gun unless I have to.
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The Smith 329 will handle any .44 Mag ammo. For protection from bears I would load it with a heavy and hot load, 240gr soft or hollow point bullet minimum.
Since it has the Scandium frame it will kick like a mule, but recoil not being an issue for you that, would be my suggestion.
I have not shot the 329, but I have handled it and I liked the feel of the grip design.
Joe
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
The 329 will handle any load within commercial (SAAMI) ammo max. pressure specs.
While Contenders are my main passion ... S&W revolvers are a VERY close second. In fact my first revolver was an S&W that my grandfather gave to me quite a few years before T/C came on the scene, and I still have it. Anyway all of this is leading up to my suggestion, contrary to my bias toward Smith's, that you pick up the new Ruger Alaskan ... that way you have a wide range of ammo that you can shoot in the revolver, and the top end will definately have more "bear smack" than the 329 at max. load.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I have a friend that just retired from S&W after 35 years with them. He spent 33 of those in the basement as a test shooter of the revolvers. He has told me that out of all the revolvers he tested over the years, including the 500 S&W, the 26 OZ 329 was the most brutal he ever fired. He would have a plexi-glass shield in front of him when test firing and the 329 is the only revolver to come back and hit that shield. If you still decide to get this revolver, do not load it with 240 ammo as that will be a poor choice. Shoot the heaviest ammo with a hard cast bullet that you can handle and I would start that process off with 300 grains being the minnimum weight. I too live in Alaska and would never use 240 grain bullets from a 44 mag as bear protection.
AlleninAlaska
Delta Firearms & Supplies
http://www.galleryofguns.com
aglore@gci.net0 -
Not sure if this applies in this instance, but I'll add my 2 cents for what it is worth. Besides the brutal recoil and muzzle blast
being a given, you may want to check for what is approved fodder for this beast. A friend of mine has the .357 scandium framed (can't remember model). Anyway, S&W warns against certain bullet weights.
I think it has to do with "walking" the bullets forward out of the
unfired cases(cyl. lock). In his case, I believe it is the lighter ones. Wouldn't hurt to check before you drop the cash on it. Also, check the dealer cases and gun shows as a few of these are showing up slightly used, greatly discounted after the former owner was slapped silly. You may as well save the bucks on what someone else couldn't stomach.0 -
north 65....allechalley makes a good point.
Very light guns like the 329 under heavy recoil may experience unfired bullets in the cylinder slipping forward in their cases. I would make sure your ammo has a good strong crimp.
I once had this happen in my 6 1/2" model 29 with PMC ammo. It is a heavy gun, but PMC failed to properly crimp the ammo at the factory, and I had several bullets separate from the cases in the cylinder.
Joe
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
I'd buy some 325gr LBT-LFN, "Buffalo Bore Ammunition", heavy 45 colt+P loads. (safe in Ruger large frame guns, pre '05 models) Stuff em in that nice Ruger and be done with it. Not cheep at $55+ per 50. 0
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