Cartridge overall length for 5 shot S&W .357?

[Fluxed]

What is the longest OAL that will fit in a 5 shot S&W .357?

Thanks in advance.

[John Boy]

357 S&W Magnum COL is 1.59
Source: Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions, page 433

[GP100man]

I do like the usps , "If it fits ,ship it" !!!

But on the smaller 5 shot revolvers recoil can be quite snappy ,so heavy boolits have to be sinched down tite !!!

This is why there`s 125-135 gr defensive loads .

[Fluxed]

I don't have the 5 shot gun yet, but I'm thinking about a new mold that I'll use for everything .357. I know what will fit in the .357s I have now. I want to make interchangeable ammunition that will work in everything I own.

So, what OAL will work with the 5 shot S&Ws?

[jmort]

I have two five shot .357s - a J Frame and a LCR. Wanting to get a "universal" bullet. I am of the big/slow camp as opposed to the small/fast contingent. Right now I have settled on this http://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-170T-D.png Tom at accurate informed me that this bullet seats so nose length is at exact SAAMI spec. I figure at around 800 fps it will shoot through one or two "targets." I'm intending it to be my "universal" .357/.38 bullet. Here is email response:

"#36-170T has a nose (crimp-to-tip) length of .300”, if crimped in the top groove.
This is SAAMI spec maximum for 357 magnum.
In other words, it produces the industry standard maximum length, same as factory ammo.
This is not true of many cast designs, and many designs are indeed too long to fit some guns.

Thanks
Tom"

[GP100man]

The 358429s are notorios for being too long .
I have 357446 & it fits all my snubbies & does good in the 357
But the 357446 likes the gas stepped on !

The older IDEAL works better at lower pressures though. I believe it`s the difference in the front band. The heavier front band is able to survive the forcin cone .

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_0489.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/102_0489.jpg.html)

[LUCKYDAWG13]

for what its worth the Lyman 358477 shoots well in all my 357

[I'll Make Mine]

I want to make interchangeable ammunition that will work in everything I own.

While this is a reasonable desideratum in terms of labor saving, you're unlikely to find a single load that will shoot well in all your .357 chambered guns. That said, the S&W 5-shot revolvers will surely accept the SAAMI max OAL just like every other revolver chambered for this round, so why not make your rounds to that length and not worry about it?

[km101]

If you are looking for an absolute number, you would have to measure the cylinders on your handguns. Using the shortest dimension,(yes there is variation) you would add the rim thickness of the .357 case and you will have your MAX overall length. However as noted above, the recoil could cause bullets in the cylinders to move slightly under recoil, so I would subtract from this figure to allow for a safety factor. Also you should remember that the crimp groove on cast bullets or cannelure on jacketed bullets may not line up when seated to fit this overall length. This would decrease the reliability of the crimp and the ability of the crimp to hold the bullet in position, especially with heavier bullets.

In short. it may not be worth the hassle!!!!!!!! :Fire:

[Fluxed]

Thanks for all the answers, but I really just need what I asked for.
I'll restate the question:
How long is the cylinder in the S&W 5 shot .357s?
or
What is the longest cartridge length you've found to work in one of these revolvers?

Thanks

[jmort]

1.59" - same as SAAMI spec

[Rodfac]

Fluxed, I just measured my S&W M60, .357, 5-shot. It's the 5" barreled model several years old. Here are the numbers:

Cylinder length: 1.600"

Cylinder length with a seated R-P Factory 125 gr JSP cartridge: 1.650" (the thickness of the rim (0.050") adds to the overall cylinder length since it's not rebated.)

The R-P 125 gr JSP afore mentioned sits 0.080" below the cylinder mouth.

Conceivably, you could load most any bullet out to just clear the overall cylinder length plus rim (a total of 1.650") with no problems so long as your crimp holds up and there's no bullet jump in recoil.

I don't seat my cast bullets out that far for just that reason...bullet jump if the crimp lets go. I'd say that if you maintained overall SAAMI lengths, 1.590", you'd be on the conservative side.

HTH's, Rod

[Fluxed]

Thanks Rod!
That's the answer I needed.

[Rodfac]

Your welcome...BTW, that 5" barreled Model 60 is a sweet trail and camp gun...quick, light, and good for most things in the lower 48 woods.

Best Regards, Rod

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii64/Rodfac/Handguns/SWM60-18a.jpg (http://s261.photobucket.com/user/Rodfac/media/Handguns/SWM60-18a.jpg.html)

[Fluxed]

I didn't know they made such a thing!

[km101]

Yep, they make it in 3" & 5" versions with adjustable sights.