Bought a 19-3 in Dec. 2011. I loaded some mid range 158 cast lead. They shot wonderfully but I was also shooting my .44 mag Redhawk with max loads (24.5 g. h110/296 and 240 grn cast semi wadcutter). The .357 seemed so weak and lifeless by comparison, I decided to load some hotter loads. I loaded 158 grn cast lead over 15.0 grns Herc.2400 and mag. primer. 50 of these and 50, same bullet over 14.5 grns H110 and mag primer. About a week ago I joined this forum and discovered that the 19-3 may suffer with hot loads. Should I pull these loads or is it OK to go ahead and shoot them? I have subsequently loaded another 100 rds but this time I used 158 grn cast lead over 13.0 grns Herc2400 and std primer. I am assuming these loads will be fine in the 19-3.
Too hot for Mod 19-3?
- Thread starter Ron T. B.
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As I understand it 15.0 Grs' of 2400 is near MAX for the .357 Magnum, and I have been advised that load is best used in N frame revolvers. I currently use 14.5 Grs' of 2400, a 158Gr. LSWC, and a CCI primer. Plenty of snap when used in a K frame.
As there are no new M-19's being produced and decent guns and parts are getting harder to find, I no longer shoot .357 Magnum ammo in my M-19 that's what my L and N frames are for. I do though load full magnum rounds for S/D.
As there are no new M-19's being produced and decent guns and parts are getting harder to find, I no longer shoot .357 Magnum ammo in my M-19 that's what my L and N frames are for. I do though load full magnum rounds for S/D.
WHO CARES
Member
15 gr of 2400 with a 158 gr lead swc is top end. In reality it should not hurt your 19-3 to fire the one box you've loaded. I would not do it on a regular basis though.
I usually load 12.5 or 13 gr of 2400 for the K frame guns. 2400 does not call for mag primers either. The standard primer will do just fine. H110 would benefit from the mag primers.
The K frame guns will stay tight longer and are very pleasing shooters with something other than top loads. Reserve those loads for the L or N frame guns.
ward
I usually load 12.5 or 13 gr of 2400 for the K frame guns. 2400 does not call for mag primers either. The standard primer will do just fine. H110 would benefit from the mag primers.
The K frame guns will stay tight longer and are very pleasing shooters with something other than top loads. Reserve those loads for the L or N frame guns.
ward
Jungle George
Member
I'm in a similar situation in trying to figure out what the fastest load is that I can routinely shoot out of my 19 3. Regular 38s feel almost like I'm shooting a 22 so I feel confident that I can go faster without risking damage but the question is how much faster?
I have a load using 5.9 gn of Unique under a 140 gn cast TCFP bullet. I get 1000 FPS with this load, my regular 38 special recipe gives me 700 FPS. Does anyone have an opinion as to if 1000 FPS is safe to shoot routinely (i.e. 2k rounds a year) or should I back it down some more to get in the 900 FPS range?
I have seen a lot of recipes for 140 gn and 158 gn bullets that are in the 1300-1400 FPS range so I have to think that 1000 FPS has to be considerably easier on the gun, question is, is it easy enough.
Thoughts?
I have a load using 5.9 gn of Unique under a 140 gn cast TCFP bullet. I get 1000 FPS with this load, my regular 38 special recipe gives me 700 FPS. Does anyone have an opinion as to if 1000 FPS is safe to shoot routinely (i.e. 2k rounds a year) or should I back it down some more to get in the 900 FPS range?
I have seen a lot of recipes for 140 gn and 158 gn bullets that are in the 1300-1400 FPS range so I have to think that 1000 FPS has to be considerably easier on the gun, question is, is it easy enough.
Thoughts?
Just me but i'd stick to something around 1000 fps load or under for the
k-frames. And from what i've read here i would also stick to 158 gr.
bullets. I load 7.5 grs. of Unique with a 158 gr. swc Lead Lasercast
bullet for my N-frames for target shooting/ plinking. It is a good,
accurate, very controllable loading. Unique is not nearly as "hot" as say
a 2400. Just MHO.
chuck
k-frames. And from what i've read here i would also stick to 158 gr.
bullets. I load 7.5 grs. of Unique with a 158 gr. swc Lead Lasercast
bullet for my N-frames for target shooting/ plinking. It is a good,
accurate, very controllable loading. Unique is not nearly as "hot" as say
a 2400. Just MHO.
chuck
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JG
If you are shooting that 140 cast load with 5.9 gr of Unique in your 19-3 then yes it should be a very good mild load for heavy use. You are in the area of a 38 +p for pressure and recoil - it should pose no problem to a good condition M19-3. I would regulate the velocity according to accuracy results. A little either way should be just fine.
A 140 to 158 gr cast bullet with a load of 12.5 to 13 grains of 2400 is still a very safe comfortable load to use in a good condition M19.
I don't understand the reference of "hot" when speaking of Unique vs 2400.
ward
If you are shooting that 140 cast load with 5.9 gr of Unique in your 19-3 then yes it should be a very good mild load for heavy use. You are in the area of a 38 +p for pressure and recoil - it should pose no problem to a good condition M19-3. I would regulate the velocity according to accuracy results. A little either way should be just fine.
A 140 to 158 gr cast bullet with a load of 12.5 to 13 grains of 2400 is still a very safe comfortable load to use in a good condition M19.
I don't understand the reference of "hot" when speaking of Unique vs 2400.
ward
michael thornton
Member
my max load with jhp is 14.8 gr of 2400 with my cast bullets i use unique its always worked well for me
Unique is a much faster burning powder than 2400 is what i meant to say. If i want to load a screamer/top end, load out of a .357 or .44 mag i'll typically use a slower powder like 2400.
Chuck
Too keep leading down with my cast bullets, I keep the MV around 900-950.
Jacketed bullets you can push, but as posted a K frame I would not give a constant diet of.
Things tend to wear, come loose....
Jacketed bullets you can push, but as posted a K frame I would not give a constant diet of.
Things tend to wear, come loose....
Mule88
Member
14.5 gn of H110 is just fine in your K frame. One manual list 16.7 gn as max. Im currently loading 16 gn H110 behind a 158 gn Gold dot using a 550 CcI mag primer with this powder. It shoots great in my K frames with no problems. Most problems using mag loads in the 19/66 is the use of light bullets (125 gn etc.) at high speeds. If you keep it to 158 gns you'll extend the life of your gun. Hope this helps and good shooting.
