627 Longevity shooting 125gr JHP's

[ShrinkMD]

I may have to change over from lead to jacketed rounds, which makes the 44 a bit much to shoot as much as I want to. If I change over to shooting JHP's in 357 Magnum, how much extra wear and tear on the forcing cone and barrel will I put on the gun?

My likely load is:
Montana Gold 125gr JHP
2400 16.5 gr
Starline Brass
CCI Small Pistol Standard Primer

I will be shooting them through my 627 V-Comp. I just don't want to prematurely burn out the barrel or ruin the forcing cone. My original plan was lots of lead 158gr swc's, but the indoor range is about to ban lead due to the smoke factor.

Any rough estimates on differences in wear on the gun? If this becomes my preferred platform the gun could easily see 800 rounds a month. Although as the weather gets better I will be shooting more rifle outdoors...

I am also using the new Redding Dual Ring sizer, so I'm hoping for max case life despite warmer loads.

 

[snowman]

Sir,

You really don't need to be concerned a bit. I have 686s, which are L-frames, and I shoot the 125 grainers exclusively, with 16gr. of vv N110 and a magnum primer. There hasn't been any noticeable wear on these guns. You have an N-frame, which is a stouter gun. When wear does occur, it won't be in the barrel or forcing cone; more likely end shake in the cylinder.

JMHO. Shoot away, my friend.
Andy

 

[nipster]

The N frame 357's should have no issues shooting anything.

 

[UDR2]

The N frame 357's should have no issues shooting anything.

What about flame cutting?

 

[nipster]

Shouldnt be an issue.

 

[colt_saa]

It is hard to tell since no one has worn one out yet


I have been shooting 125s over 21.6 grains of H110 for 30+ years now

 

[roaddog28]

Your 627 can handle the 125 gr full power "flame thrower" round better than just about any revolver. Personally, I don't care for the round and seldom use it. It punishs any revolver. I did not use this round in my model 28 or my 686s. I use 158 gr rounds. Its easier on the revolver and me.
Of course the choice is yours. But if I had a nice 627 like yours I would stick with the 158 gr rounds.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[CWH44300]

Your 627 can handle the 125 gr full power "flame thrower" round better than just about any revolver. Personally, I don't care for the round and seldom use it. It punishs any revolver. I did not use this round in my model 28 or my 686s. I use 158 gr rounds. Its easier on the revolver and me.
Of course the choice is yours. But if I had a nice 627 like yours I would stick with the 158 gr rounds.
Good luck,
Howard

That sounds like good advice, never mind the oddball bullet weights

 

[UDR2]

There are factory .357 loads that are fun to shoot and do not punish the gun or the shooter. Golden Saber 125 gr. and Winchester White Box 110 gr. are two such examples. The 110 gr are the easiest non-hand loads I've shot in 357 magnum.

 

[ShrinkMD]

The 158 gr jhp cost quite a bit more than the 125's do. I'm still annoyed by my range objecting, since they originally said you could shoot any kind of ammo. Hmmph.

 

[UDR2]

The 158 gr jhp cost quite a bit more than the 125's do. I'm still annoyed by my range objecting, since they originally said you could shoot any kind of ammo. Hmmph.

I here you, friend. It would make me angry as well.

 

[Stainz]

I've shot thousands of 125gr JHP Montana Gold bullets - some were copper colored, too. Mine are wimpy - 4.2gr Titegroup in .38 mixed cases - a whopping 4.5gr Titegroup in .357 Magnum cases (Starline or Remi). Yeah, my 627's, etc, will last a while...

I found the 125gr JHP Montana Gold bullets for ~$7/bag of a hundred some time back... I bought a bunch! I have fun from 870-950 fps - it punches holes in paper, pings steel plates, and even drops/flips steel plates quite well. I've just never loaded a real '.357 Magnum' load. I still have fun.

Stainz

 

[ShrinkMD]

"I here you, friend. It would make me angry as well."

Yeah, luckily I have other guns to shoot, and it isn't that much more expensive switching over to the 125 jhp montana bullets, but in 44 magnum it will really cut down on my shooting. I've worked my way up to being quite accurate with a 240gr lswc over 19gr 2400. I am able to keep almost all of them in the black at 15yds. Of course, after about 100 rounds or so I'm pretty spent concentration wise. My wrist is holding up, but I need shooting gloves because then the skin near my thumb cracks open and blood on the range isn't cool.

Although figuring the extra gas to the outdoor range vs cost of jacketed for indoors, it is probably even.

 

[627 city hunter]

I bought a 627 to shoot.

That will include any .38/.357 round I can purchase or load. That's why I bought a N-frame S&W. Which of course has the lifetime warranty to the original purchaser.

My home loading system will be on it s way next pay period. Will have tons of questions for you gun wizards then.