180gr from a 3" 357?

[ValorsMinion]

I'm thinking of picking up a 180 grain WFN mould from NOE for use in my 3" model 66 that I recently inherited from my father. Any idea how these will preform from a 3" barrel?

I tried my normal load which is the lee 358-158-rf over 15.5 grains of H110 for a surprisingly slow 1150fps. I'm wondering if going heavy would be a better option from a short barrel? Toughest thing it might be used for is a hog at 50 yards or less.

[Tatume]

I've been having good results with RCBS 35-200-FN in a Model 686. Velocity is 1015 fps, accuracy is excellent, and recoil is mild.

[Bigslug]

I know from experience that a Lyman 358430 is good for 18+ inches of FBI Jell-O at only 600fps. I like where you're headed.

[harley45]

I'm have the same gun and the NOE 180 been thinking it may make a good woods gun load against hogs and humans.

[Bzcraig]

I just ordered this mold myself to shoot in my Gp100 3". Will load with 4227 & 2400 and let you know how I faired.

[Catshooter]

I worked up a load with surplus H110 (WC 820?) that gave my Lyman 358429 about 1,240 fps out of my 2.5 inch 686. Measuring the case heads showed less than half the expansion factory 125 grainers gave. Very accurate. I can't comment on recoil as I'm not all that sensitive to it in short guns.

I can comment about the sound level though. This was to be a field pistol, so I tested it once without muffs. I dang near dropped the pistol as the ice pick in each ear hurt to a shocking level. :( Sold 'em both.


Cat

[osteodoc08]

Please dont beat up your fathers 66 with heavy loads. No need to do so.

I have an MP 360-180 mold that casts a very nice WFNGC design that has been, overall, very accurate in my 357 Mags.

[GP100man]

In my experience with revolvers is the 66 will not be comfortable at all with the heavies & usually starts a flinching complex , especially after firing a few unprotected shots as Catshooter commented.

& lets face the facts in a hunting/SD situation a second shot should be on the ready ,but most likely most shots will be in dim lighting & the flash from a short barrel is basically happening at the end of your arms, so a qwik follow up will be delayed a bit.

I use a 6" GP100 when the opprotunity presents itself with 160-180 gr. boolits push em to 1100 fps , I`ve yet to recover a boolit. I feel if ya use a good 158gr. swc or a wfpn design in the 1k fps range it`ll do the deed on animals 200# or so & you & the 66 will be happier.

GP

[happie2shoot]

I shoot a LBT 187fngc, the original version, seated to 1.635 OAL at 1450 to
1500fps from a 6'' gp100 with wc820, h108,h110. Would not shoot
that load in a mod, 66.

[TMenezes]

You might want to try Accurate #9. I am with the others on not beating up a beautiful S&W model 66. The #9 will give plenty of velocity for 180gr solid to penetrate people or piggies at 50 yds or less without having to be loaded to the max. It also has allot of flash suppressant for low lights in short barrels. I believe it was my Speer 14 manuel that showed it as the best performing powder for short barreled snobbies. I'll check in a bit.

[cwheel]

I've got a 2 1/2" model 66, carried it for years as a woods gun. Although it will handle the heavy weight bullets, recovery for the follow up shots are a issue for the heavier boolits if fired at full power loads. Even with better grips, this thing is hell for recoil. I also have a 686 that makes the same rounds seam like they are a 22 in the larger gun. In my 66, I found the 125 gr. full power gave almost as much on the target but allowed for faster follow up shots. A ammo maker that's no longer around, SuperVel made some great .357 SD ammo in 125 gr. and so did S&W at one time, neither is still available, all of mine are gone. Sure you could load up some and end up in the same place. Simple test before you put to much effort into it. Get some factory 125 gr. and the same brand in 158 gr. and do a test. You will know the answer before the first 6 rounds of each are fired in that one.
Chris

[canyon-ghost]

I going to say it out loud now, the heavy bullets have a higher arcing trajectory, meaning that they will shoot very high at close ranges (15 yards) when loaded for distance (100+ yards).