180 grain LSWC 357 magnum Buffalo Bore in a 3" model 65 K frame?

[sgc]

A while back I read about a guy carrying 180 grain hard cast LSWC 357 magnums by Buffalo Bore in his 3" model 65 K frame while in bear country. He said it chronographed at 1304 fps (Buffalo Bore says 1400 fps). Do you think a model 65 3" revolver would be OK with this load?

 

[SAFireman]

Depending on the stocks, it will probably be a hand full. I would think that the gun will OK for limited amounts of that ammo....as with any heavy load, it will work to accelerate the wear and tear on the action.

 

[Jingles]

I've shot it from my 4" Model 13 with no problem, but it stings a bit. Too hot for me for EDC but in bear country probably a good load.

 

[DevilDog72]

I carry this load in my 19-8 4" in bear country. It does have a little pop to it. Would not use it for self defense in an every day fashion.

 

[Rpg]

Hot ammo won't make your 357 into an adequate big bear gun.

Of course , few of us need a genuine big bear pistol.

I'm satisfied with the 45acp 1911 I carry with handloaded 200 hard cast swc (H &G #68) at 1000 fps for anything in the Colorado Rockies.

There's adifference betweeen a vivid imagination and on the ground experience.

I've shot some large animals with the above load.

I'm satisfied I have no need for more.

 

[JK-linux]

A while back I read about a guy carrying 180 grain hard cast LSWC 357 magnums by Buffalo Bore in his 3" model 65 K frame while in bear country. He said it chronographed at 1304 fps (Buffalo Bore says 1400 fps). Do you think a model 65 3" revolver would be OK with this load?

Ouch! Sounds painful. Also sounds like a self regulating activity for most people, meaning it would be tough to muscle through shooting the volume of them likely needed to break a small 65. I'm not volunteering to try.

 

[TAC]

A while back I read about a guy carrying 180 grain hard cast LSWC 357 magnums by Buffalo Bore in his 3" model 65 K frame while in bear country. He said it chronographed at 1304 fps (Buffalo Bore says 1400 fps). Do you think a model 65 3" revolver would be OK with this load?

I wouldn't count on it for bear, especially from a 3" barrel.

 

[sgc]

Thanks for the input.

 

[sgc]

Rpg, - What if you shot the 180 grain hardcast 357 out of a 4" 686 (1400 fps)? It's only 20 grain less than the 200 grain you're comfortable with in bear country out of the 45 1911. Just curious, thanks.

 

[DumpStick]

Oh mercy me.
I've got a 3" M65, and I wouldn't want to shoot ANY heavy hot loads thru it. Ouch.

I usually load it with 38 Spl +P when using it as CCW.

I have fired standard 158g 357Mag loads through it, just as practice, but when I want to shoot alot of .357mag I have other, larger handguns from which to shoot it.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Like we always say , " it's all about shot placement " whether it be a 357 loaded hot and heavy or a 500 Linebaugh . The grips you currently are using will make quite a difference on the recovery time for a 2nd shot .

 

[sgc]

As a rule of thumb then, is it safe to say, in the model 65, anything I find that's under 900 fps would not be considered a HOT load?

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Thank goodness! Time on with out a bear killer load would be "un-bear-able"

 

[sgc]

What constitutes a hot load for this gun? thanks,