Reloading 40 S&W for the 646

[keithhagan]

Does anyone load hot 40 S&W for their personal 646?

Ordinarily, I'd assume that any cartridge destined to be shot through a revolver can stand to be near the bleeding edge. However, given that S&W didn't chamber the 646 in 10mm, when it very easily otherwise could have, gives me pause. That they avoided chambering the 646 in 10mm implies that average factory-loaded 10mm power was too much and a brightline not to be crossed.

On the other hand, at the time 10mm was not nearly as popular, chambering the 646 in 10mm would risk cannibalizing some 610 sales, and one of the goals with the 646 was to create a moon-clipped L-frame for competition that could make major (which the 40 did, so no need for 10mm).

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I don't doubt someone has loaded 38 Special brass with 357 magnum loads, and, in an N-frame, that might work out OK...? (Can you hear me, Elmer?)

Loading hot 10mm loads in the 40 S&W case might work in a N-frame 610 as well...?

But the gap between the 10mm and the 40 S&W has narrowed, certainly as far as some (most?) factory ammo is concerned: my question would be why, and to what goal?

Frankly, the Buffalo Bore 40 S&W Heavy loadings ought to be good for most game and... Situations? Supposedly safe in your everyday 40 S&W caliber pistols: why would anyone risk a gem of a 646 and subject it to possible damage by uploading beyond the 35,000 psi design?

Oh, yeah... I know. "Because it's there!"

Cheers!

P.S. Is a Ti (alloy?) cylinder stronger than the same sized steel cylinder?

 

[dla]

I know I can run 155gr HiTek coated lswc at over 1300fps using Longshot and Hodgdon load data. 4" barrel M&P40c. That is 40sw bumping up into 10mm territory.