Minimum Bullet Weights for 642

[skrazo]

Is it OK to shoot 110 gr +P loads in a 642? There is a paragraph in the Owner's manual that addresses Ti, Sc, and PD revolvers(says not to do it)............I don't know what a "PD" is! Being a 'newbie', I know this has probably been discussed before, but I could not find it.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Yep! You should be fine.

The warning is for revolvers with Titanium cylinders, which all of those models listed have.

For Titanium, the results are NOT pretty. But, you have stainless cylinder. No worries!

 

[kaaskop49]

PD = Personal Defense. Will someone please tell me what P&R means when describing a used revolver? Thanks in advance.

P.S. One day I'll com up with a list of abbreviations regularly used here that I do not understand. For today, P&R will do.

 

[Boogsawaste]

P&R: Pinned (as in the barrel to the frame), and Recessed (as in the cylinder so when rounds are inserted they don't stick out of the cylinder at the rear). I'm sure someone will chime in and show some pics.

 

[eveled]

Yikes! TusconMTB, That is pretty ugly, how long does it take to get that kind of damage?

 

[TucsonMTB]

Yikes! TusconMTB, That is pretty ugly, how long does it take to get that kind of damage?

Found the article written by the guy who did this. 34 rounds!

Titanium cylinder erosion in revolvers (page 2) - Technics - Tecnics - Articles - all4shooters.com

The original poster Mr. Artu44 in this thread Disappointed with the 340 scandium said "After a couple of sessions he realized cylinder start to disappear as it would have been melted . . . " and posted that picture along with one other similarly alarming picture.

 

[kaaskop49]

Pinned and Recessed... Serves me right. Answer practically staring me in the face. Got several P&R's, Boogs, no need to send pics. Still working on that list... P&R sounds like a railroad, doesn't it?

If the Scandium J-mags have a fault besides the mind-blowing recoil, it is the inability to shoot all .357 loads. I've always found the 110gr factory .357 loads to be milder than the heavier bullet loads (factory ballistics tables seem to bear this out). Logically(?) they should be ideal for these guns. Nope. They are the most harmful. Go figure. I well remember that thread. Incredible damage.

 

[Boogsawaste]

Pinned and Recessed... Serves me right. Answer practically staring me in the face. Got several P&R's, Boogs, no need to send pics. Still working on that

I actually didn't look to see who even posted that question about p&r before I responded! That's why the definition and request for pics. Sorry about that.

 

[David R]

Well, thank you I learned too. My 637 has a stainless cylinder.

David

 

[eveled]

It just shows to me that load is wasting powder. If that much is still burning after the bullet has left the chamber it is not pushing the bullet just going up in smoke. Am I right? Ed.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn eveled

eveled, if I remember the original thread from 2013 correctly, that extreme flare you see in the photo is NOT unburned, wasted powder as you describe it, rather the actual metal in the cylinder burning (proper term?) off.

 

[eveled]

Thanks, I understand the sparks are from the cylinder. For it to be burning means that there are a lot of hot expanding gasses being wasted that could be pushing the bullet along. Too much powder behind too small of a bullet.

You can use the same bullet weight with less powder, or the same amount of powder with a heavier bullet without an issue.

To me it is obviously not a good combo, even in a stainless gun. Pretty interesting stuff. Ed.

 

[snubbiefan]

I shoot baskets full of 110-grain LSWC poured from a Lee 105-grain mold. They all come out weighing in at 110-grains. My "wife-loads" are as low as 2.4-grains of BE, but I do load them up to 5-grains BE, which is right on a +P load for 38-special. I have a neighbor that takes that loading on up close to 8-grains BE and shoots them in 357-mag loads.

All my guns are real steel or stainless....stay away from the exotic junk and you'll be fine.

 

[eveled]

The manual says it is just the magnum loads with the 110 grain bullet that is the problem. Your +p's should be fine in a titanium cylinder? Although probably border line.

I'll stick with the heavy bullets, and really I see no need for magnums in a j frame anyway. Ed.