2400 Powder Type

[phill]

Fine Ball powder.

Good stuff. I load/shoot oodles of it through 44mag. 22gr w/ 250gr SWC (classic "Keith" load) CAUTION: *** preceding is OVER PUBLISHED MAXIMUMS***

We have loaded and shot buckets of this load through a Ruger Flat Top. At the time we started reloading this was the published load. Over the years they have backed down the recommended loads in most calibers. With that said it is still a romper stomper in the light guns. With hard cast SWC 255gr. bullets it will shoot through a 49 Buick end for end.
As you can probably tell when we were younger this was our favorite load.

[L T C]

[QUOTE=Bruce;1151229]

There are a lot of 'candy-butt' shooters who just can't take 'full house' loads in the (somewhat) lighter frames of the Smiths (well, when compared to Rugers, anyway). They complain that their wrists hurt and that they can't get consistent groupings with their throbbing elbows - their follow-ups being for crap because of severe muzzle-flip and excessively bright muzzle flash... *pansies*.

Of course, I really like really loud noises out of my firearms - and I enjoy 'mastering' difficult recoil. But, that's just me - I guess I'm just masochistic that way.

Well, that's a different story; to each their own.

If someone wanted to shoot only standard pressure .38 Specials through their .357 Magnums, or only run .44 Specials through their .44 Magnum, there is nothing at all in any 'rule book' (official, or otherwise) anywhere that says that one can't.

...And if some Arrogant Prick like me calls such a person a "pansy", then they should tell him that he's... well, an Arrogant Prick.


I couldn't agree more.

Muzzle flip, muzzle flash, ...didn't even notice. Heck, as long as there is somebody around to put me back in my wheelchair after I blast some full house handloads downrange, I got no problems.

I thought heavy loads would shoot a Smith "loose", just from what posts I've read have said.

I'm just sayin' ;o)

[brian]

[QUOTE=L T C;1151549
I thought heavy loads would shoot a Smith "loose", just from what posts I've read have said.

I'm just sayin' ;o)[/QUOTE]

what model?

[Flash]

what model?

I have 3 Model 19's and a Highway Patrolman that have had THOUSANDS of "full-house" 357 Magnums through them, in nearly 40 years worth of shooting. (Nothig wrong with a Model 19). They are still as tight and well timed as they were when new. Of course, having their triggers worked by a professional when they were new helped their long lived good triggers.

However, I have shot mostly 157 grain bullets (SWC, JsWC, JHP's) in them. The people who have problems were those unenlightened souls who favored the 100-110 grain bullets. Those were the ones that precipitated the forcing cone-cracking.

Flash

[Bruce]

[,,,] However, I have shot mostly 157 grain bullets (SWC, JsWC, JHP's) in them. The people who have problems were tose unenlightened sould who favored the 100-110 grain bullets. Those were the ones that precipitated the forcing cone-cracking. [...]

Those are ridiculously light bullets for a .357 Magnum (they are even light by .38 Special standards).

My personal (non-gunsmith) opinion is that poor cleaning (a 'fouled' forcing cone / barrel) is more to blame for the "forcing cone" issue, but I am willing to concede that 'part' of the problem (cracked forcing cones in K-Frame Smith .357 Magnums) might be a "combination" of dirty barrels and light bullets (such as the highly revered 125gr. SJHP).

I own both a Model 13 and a Model 65 (both are K-Frame S&W .357 Magnums). One had the dreaded 'forcing cone' issue (my Model 13) - and I attribute it (mostly, if not entirely) to very poor cleaning habits; I got way too lax for about six months (maybe longer). I literally *purge* all my firearms of any trace of fouling (lead, copper, "whatever") after every range trip now.

Also, just to be on the 'safe side', I'll only load bullets 140gr. and over now for those two.
.

[brian]

Those are ridiculously light bullets for a .357 Magnum (they are even light by .38 Special standards).

.

and out of a 6" N frame at ludicrous speeds, there is almost no recoil.

[Bruce]

and out of a 6" N frame at ludicrous speeds, there is almost no recoil.

Out of a 6" N frame .357 Magnum, there's almost no recoil - *period*, IMHO. ...Remember, I shoot 4" K-frames.
.

[L T C]

what model?

It's a 629 Classic, 6.5".

Originally bought around '94. It's a 629-4.

[brian]

It's a 629 Classic, 6.5".

Originally bought around '94. It's a 629-4.

that will handle, without issue, any non-ruger loads you wish to put through it...and do it happily, for a long time.

[Bruce]

I've never owned one personally, but it is very well known that Smith N-Frames can handle an awful lot of abuse - especially if they're stainless steel.

If you keep the loads within SAAMI maximum pressures, it'll give you lifetimes of trouble-free service.

Now - just what the heck is a "non-ruger load"?
.