The effective range is the distance that you can put every shot you shoot into a paper plate. I find the 240 gr. bullet in either a hard cast semi-wadcutter or jacketed soft point or hollow point to be good. I use Alliant 2400.adding to this question is the LEVERevolution ammo ok to use in the New model SBH? I just picked one up too and can't wait. Also, noob question, effective range of 7.5" barrel .44 Mag?
I have a few S&W 29's. All of them prefer the 180gr. Shoots much more accurate. The 240gr and 300gr shoots much larger groups. Every gun made will prefer some grain of bullet for accuracy.