Corbon 110 357

[CCantu357]

As a Model 19 shooter I often love to shoot the 110 grain 357 loads from Rem. and WW as a mild, easy on the gun 357 load. However, I have noticed the Corbon 110 grain is much hotter, over 1400 fps. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this load, and how it might affect a K-frame, as the hot 125s do. Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[Martya]

If you believe the reports and rumors, the magic number in my opinion is 158g and 1250fps. Any combination of lighter weight bullets or faster bullets in 357 in a K frame are going to eventually crack your K-frame forcing cone at some unknown round count.

Now before anyone argues, let me clarify that from all the internet posts I have read, and 99.9% have been opinion with one or two photos of actual forcing cone cracks, my guesstimate of the safe 357 in K frames is 158g and 1250fps.

If you say you have thousands of rounds of 110g 1500fps through your M13 or 14 or other K frame and say it is safe I would not argue with you; and if you think my guesstimate is too aggressive I wouldn't argue with you either. There is rare evidence of actual cracked forcing cones, and no precise correlation to the true cause.

I have paid a lot of attention to these posts as I have a 13-1 from 1977 with the flat spot under the forcing cone and I know I cannot replace the barrel if it cracks. When I shoot it I shoot 38 and 38+P at the range and keep it in the bedroom with 158g 1150fps JHP rounds.

Someone gave me a few boxes of Winchester 110g 1295fps and I won't shoot them in my 13-1. I have a 60-10 for those...

I have one box of 125g 1495fps Remington JSP and I won't shoot them in anything I currently own.

YMMV

 

[Nevada Ed]

In a M19 I view the 1450 fps 110 and 125gr ammo as if it were +P ammo in a non steel J frame 38 Spl. You can shoot it but there is a chance that too many might finally crack the weaker bottom part of the barrel.
The lighter bullets have to "Jump" from the case to the barrel, while the larger bullets of 158gr will be entering barrel with support from the magnum case,and not have to bang into the cone, if the cyliders are true and not out of allinement.

110gr and 125gr will work for SD but for every day shooting a bullet at the velosity of 1290 fps is a lot easier on the forcing cone and your 19 will thank you for it.

 

[CCantu357]

I would maybe only shoot 50 of these a year, if that. I just ask because everyone talks about the hot 125 and mild 110 loads, but I have not found much info on the hot 110 at 1500 fps.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The 110gr JHP is realy not a great bullet unless you are shooting Jack rabbits or "Yotes" since they are too distructive if you are tring to save meat for the table.
As a hunting bullet they blow up on contact with bone and offer minimal penetration to get to the vitals of large animals
but can work on the frail human body if not wearing a Navy Pea Coat.
The old 38 Treasery load had a velosity of 1300fps or less depending on the gun and barrel length. 1500fps was ok in the old days before we knew better of shooting them in the K frame but the better built frames could handle this load however it was soon to die out with better bullet designs coming out.
1290fps had enough energy in a magnum to work for a SD load
and that was what the companys now load. If more energy is needed you need to go to a heavier bullet. Even the 125gr JHP at only 1290fps is a good medium velosity SD load, it does not have to go 1450fps to work.............

 

[kaaskop49]

If K-frame .357 Mags are more susceptible to wear from certain hotter loads, why are we even using these loads beyond familiarization? I love CCI Blazer 158 JHP .357s. Not as hot as other 158s, but not a creampuff either. One would swear the holes in paper targets are bigger than .357" in diameter. I also understand the FBI used W-W 145 grain Silvertips (for those who qualified) in their Model 13 revolvers. IMHO.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Back in 1935 when the 357 first came out the 158gr lead bullet had a muzzle velosity of 1500 fps !! This was probably out of a 8inch barrel...........the pointed Jacket lead bullet was around 1440 fps, designed for the LE to be able to penetrate car bodys,back in the day of the "Gangsters",driving those hot rod Fords.
S&W wanted something better than the 38 Super and the 38-44 and this was the round that they came out with.
This was just shown on a tv show about making a load that would penetrate for the LE when all the crooks and robbers were getting bold and trigger happy.