Rocket-scientist
Member
I recently purchased a 329PD. It's my first Smith, 1st DA revolver, but based on how much I like it it won't be my last! I was recently faced with an ammo shortage so I put together some loads with what I had laying around. Load was 10 grains Unique, meister bullet 240 grain SWC, and Winchester large pistol primer at 1.60 OAL. When shot these loads were difficult to eject and 2 showed gas leakage at the primer. I fired some loads at the same time that were the same bullet, primer, case and length but charged with 21 grains of 2400 (leftovers from my last reloading session) with no issues and great accuracy.
I thought, "hey this load isn't good, don't do it again" and went home. Today I was shooting my 7.5 inch super black hawk hunter and had some leftovers of the Unique loads and tried them out. Very accurate, low recoil, easy to eject and no signs of primer leakage. Same load, same lot, different gun.
Ive read that the titanium cylinder can't be machined as smooth as steel but the heavy loads of 2400 ejected easily so I don't think that's it, plus it wouldn't explain the primer leakage. I guess the 329 may have a tighter forcing cone or smaller cylinder gap but then the exact same bullet over 2400 had no problems...
Any ideas on why this load showed high pressure in the pistol? Either way I'm sticking to old reliable loads from now on (21 grains 2400-240 grain LSWC-WLP primer) and the weak skin on the web of my shooting thumb will get tougher
I thought, "hey this load isn't good, don't do it again" and went home. Today I was shooting my 7.5 inch super black hawk hunter and had some leftovers of the Unique loads and tried them out. Very accurate, low recoil, easy to eject and no signs of primer leakage. Same load, same lot, different gun.
Ive read that the titanium cylinder can't be machined as smooth as steel but the heavy loads of 2400 ejected easily so I don't think that's it, plus it wouldn't explain the primer leakage. I guess the 329 may have a tighter forcing cone or smaller cylinder gap but then the exact same bullet over 2400 had no problems...
Any ideas on why this load showed high pressure in the pistol? Either way I'm sticking to old reliable loads from now on (21 grains 2400-240 grain LSWC-WLP primer) and the weak skin on the web of my shooting thumb will get tougher
