180 gr hard cast lead in taurus 605?

[jhomich]

Is it safe to fire 180gr Federal Vital-Shok cartridges in a 2" .357 snub-nose revolver?

The ammo box says 1250 fps muzzle velocity, but the taurus manual says that the maximum load is 158 GR 1450 FPS.

[knight0334]

158 @ 1450 is the theoretical designers spec for the .357mag.

The 180gr Vital-Shok ammo is 180gr @ 1060fps/449ftlb from a 4" barrel. A 2" will probably be about 950-1000fps.

I'd say yeah, it'd be safe. However the overall cartridge length might be too long. (not know either the cylinder's or the cartridge's measurements)

Of course with any unjacketed slugs - you'll be faced with leading of the rifling.

http://www.federalcartridge.com/ball...&bulletwgt=180

[jhomich]

Thanks, the overall length seems to be ok. It's actually a touch shorter than the 158gr Speer gold dots.
I guess I'd just have to watch for bullet creep.

[jhomich]

I tried them out today, they worked fine.
Didn't kick as hard as I thought they might.