Cast bullets and S&W 9mm/.38 Super revolvers

[David Sinko]

I have been getting very varied performance in S&W 9mm and .38 Super revolvers. My 627-4 8x.38 Super was so bad that ALL cast bullets shot out of it would hit sideways at 5 yards and nowhere near point of aim. It did this with all diameters from .356" to .358". I was so disgusted with this revolver that I got rid of it and it's the primary reason I have no interest in ever buying another new S&W revolver.

My 940 is a different story. Accuracy is very good out to 50 yards with the cast 124 gr. RN and they make nice, round holes but the cast 124 gr. FP will often tumble.

I never slugged the bores of either of these but I figure the problem with the 627 was likely a .357" barrel with smaller cylinder throats. That would explain why it wouldn't work with anything at all. As for the 940, I don't understand why one shape of bullet works well and another does not, given identical weights. Of course the 940 has only a 2" barrel, and that might have some effect too, but I'm not sure.

Does anybody have any similar experiences?

Dave Sinko

 

[TSQUARED]

I have shot a S&W 686 in 38 Super with plated and jacketed bullets. I get 2 inch groups at 25 yards with bullets of 0.355 and 0.356 inch diameter - that it the limit of my holding ability. I do not use cast lead bullets in the 38 Super. I just received my S&W 627 in 38 Super and am eager to try it out.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Don't have one, so I don't know.

I have shot .355" bullets out of my M586 and M686 both have 6" barrels. The bullets I shot were 90grLRN designed for the 380 I think.

I loaded them pretty hot and shot them in cold weather. 2 liter bottles with water that was allowed to freeze. Needless to say, the results were dismal. I don't think they even went into the bottle!

They were accurate enough to make the bottles dance but other than that I have had no experience with what you are requesting information on.

Wish I could help but...................

 

[TSQUARED]

I have been getting very varied performance in S&W 9mm and .38 Super revolvers. My 627-4 8x.38 Super was so bad that ALL cast bullets shot out of it would hit sideways at 5 yards and nowhere near point of aim. It did this with all diameters from .356" to .358". I was so disgusted with this revolver that I got rid of it and it's the primary reason I have no interest in ever buying another new S&W revolver.

My 940 is a different story. Accuracy is very good out to 50 yards with the cast 124 gr. RN and they make nice, round holes but the cast 124 gr. FP will often tumble.

I never slugged the bores of either of these but I figure the problem with the 627 was likely a .357" barrel with smaller cylinder throats. That would explain why it wouldn't work with anything at all. As for the 940, I don't understand why one shape of bullet works well and another does not, given identical weights. Of course the 940 has only a 2" barrel, and that might have some effect too, but I'm not sure.

Does anybody have any similar experiences?

Dave Sinko

Usually when bullets tip out of the barrel onto the target the velocity is too slow for the twist rate of the barrel. With lead bullets you might expereince the same when they are pushed too fast and either lead the barrel or do not engage the rifling (soft bullets).

 

[RidgwayCO]

Funny you should ask...

I loaded up some Dardas .356" 125gr LRN bullets just yesterday to test in my Beretta 92FS and two S&W Model 547s (3" and 4"). I plan to chronograph them later next week. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[David Sinko]

If you are good with a micrometer, it would very interesting and revealing to slug the bore and cylinder throats of the 547 and 627. I could never take the measurements accurately enough.

All the cast bullets I shot out of my 627-4 were very hard and shot over a wide range of velocities. Results were always the same.

The 940 shoots the cast RN very well. The FP seems to shoot well at the closer ranges and seems to tip at around 20 yards or so. Most will still hit the paper at 50 yards though obviously accuracy suffers. This leads me to believe that this particular bullet may not be conductive to longer range shooting out of a 2" barrel and that the revolver may be dimensionally sound after all.

I'd be thrilled if owner of 9mm and .38 Super revolvers could slug the barrels and chambers and post the results. This could be quite revealing.

Dave Sinko