Recent content by MrEarl

Two votes for 55

Similarly crazy - I know Smith has the 4" .357 Mountain Gun barrels available for ~$137, but they're of course stainless also.

Montana Bullets sells diameters up to .454 in .001 increments, and in two hardnesses (BHN 15 and 22.) Pretty spendy, but good bullets. Leadheads (https://secure25.securewebsession.com/proshootpro.com/order.htm) lists .452-.454 but you can't specify diameter. I wish the manufacturers would...

My work is in extractive metallurgy. Dilute acetic acid (vinegar) shouldn't be a corrosion problem if exposure is limited to a few minutes, and cases are well-washed (three washes gets >99.9% removal) afterward. I would beware of adding salt (NaCl), as hydrochloric acid (HCi) will form and...

I load for both 44 Special and 44 Magnum, and IMHO the absolute best reference for Special handloads is Brian Pearce's piece,"Handloading the 44 S&W Special" in Handloader #236, August 2005. He lists three sets of data categorized by pressure (<15.5K PSI, <22K PSI, and <25K PSI), and then in...

If the chamber throats are tight, that could be a factor in accuracy. They should measure at bullet diameter, according to Hamilton Bowen. If yours are less than .450, you might consider having them opened up. I had Bowen do a .45 Colt (SA) cylinder, the cost was $75.

There seems to be lots of second-hand anecdotal info on the interwebs about 696s suffering split forcing cones. Anyone have FHE with this?

PM sent regarding .357 Mtn Gun

This is a great forum, I've been reading lots of posts here and finally decided to join. Never owned a Smith, but in the market right now. Finally came around!