357 ammunition

[roaddog28]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know what grain weight of ammunition were S&W revolvers designed for? I know revolvers that are 38 specials were designed for 158 grain ammunition. Would this apply to 357s?

Thanks,

 

[roaddog28]

Hi everyone,

I would like to know what grain weight of ammunition were S&W revolvers designed for? I know revolvers that are 38 specials were designed for 158 grain ammunition. Would this apply to 357s?

Thanks,

 

[Spotteddog]

I believe you are correct.

 

[photoman]

I'm not sure it's that simple. My later Model 64's shoot POA/POI with 125's.

 

[john traveler]

Unless things have changed at the factory, all .38 Special and .357 Masgnum revolvers are sighted for point of aim/point of impact with 158 grain factory ammunition.

Photoman, at what distance does your M64 shoot POA/POI using 125 grain ammunition?

 

[JacMac]

The 357 started out as a field gun, "The Registered Magnum", then the 357 Magnum, then the Model 27, etc. So the original loads were quite hot for field use. Today we can find factory loads as hot as 1700 fps in a 125 gr. bullet (corbon). So you really can go the limit on this one; but stay with a N or L frame gun; the K frame is really a 38+P gun and can not withstand the higher loads.

 

[roaddog28]

Originally posted by JacMac:
The 357 started out as a field gun, "The Registered Magnum", then the 357 Magnum, then the Model 27, etc. So the original loads were quite hot for field use. Today we can find factory loads as hot as 1700 fps in a 125 gr. bullet (corbon). So you really can go the limit on this one; but stay with a N or L frame gun; the K frame is really a 38+P gun and can not withstand the higher loads.

Thanks everyone for your help. I have a 686-3 4inch revolver. So I am sure will be fine shooting 357s with any factory loads. Its great that there is so much knowledge on this site.

Again thanks,

 

[DonD]

"Designed for" isn't the correct phrase IMO. The "typical" slug weight for the .38 Special was 158gr but that mostly reflected the limited range of commercial ammo available at that time.

Reloading wasn't even remotely as common as today. The typical slug weight these days is more like 110-158 for the .38 and 110-180 for the .357 in barrels longer than snubbies. Don