Got a new 360 PD, Chief's special. Opened it up, removed that stupid integral lock 'safety'. Now my only remaining question is why does it say on the barrel 'do not shoot ammo smaller than 120 grain'?

Someone told me because recoil on the smaller rounds is too much for the titanium cylinder. But it was my understanding that a smaller grained round usually recoils less than a larger grained round.

Anyone have an answer?

The combination of a very light for caliber revolver and a light for caliber bullet (with reduced bearing surface for the cartridge case to grip and high recoil speed) can cause bullet jump where the bullet(s) of unfired cartridg(s) slip forward under recoil in the case(and cylinder) preventing rotation. Also the light bullet loads have a reputation of increased top strap erosion (a la .357 125 grain loads in K frames)

Short answer: it tends to tear up the gun.

Gas cutting and forcing cone cracking are the main issues.

Suggest you try the Speer short barrel load.

Ah, thanks for the good explanation 44!

As far as using ammo made specifically for short barrels, the way I see it, it's a .357, and unless warned by the manufacturer against certain loads, it should be able to safely discharge any .357 ammo.

That said, I will rarely shoot .357 ammo through it. It will be my defensive load, so i'll shoot just enough of it to know I can handle it accurately (5 rds a shooting session should be fine) and I'll probably look into some short barrel loads.
Thanks for the advice!
_Rab_

quote:

As far as using ammo made specifically for short barrels, the way I see it, it's a .357, and unless warned by the manufacturer against certain loads, it should be able to safely discharge any .357 ammo.

Didn't mean to confuse you on this. The short barrel ammunition is not to save the gun, it is to save your hand. My 180gr .357 hunting load with slow powder (made for long barrels)won't hurt your gun, but it will hurt you and produce an incredible muzzle flash....

Ah, got it.

Is there any ammo that you wouldn't shoot through the 360, or similar firearm for fear of damaging the gun? Other than the small loads previously mentioned of course.

The minimum 120 weight applies to 357 only.
According to Smith & Wesson,
any weight 38 is OK to use.

Lighter than 120 gr. .357 loads will gall the front of the cylinder. I've seen pictures of guns fired with 110 gr. .357s and they look like someone took a rasp to the cylinder's face.

I use Speer SB .357s in my 360 and they're perfect loads for scandium .357s IMO.

BTW, heavier billets will "pull" much easier than lightweight bullets. The issue is gas cutting with the scandium guns.