New to the game HELP!

[Northtogladwin]

So I have a 327 2 inch snub nose in 357 magnum, I’m thinking rounds will be moving around 1000 fps. With modern hollow points hydra shocks gold dots and others will they be expanding??
Also I got a new 329pd 44 magnum most 4 inch barrels I see move bullets around 1100 FPS, will my bullets have enough velocity to expand reliably.??? Some people say not at all but some tests show good expansion. I’m using 240 grain xtp hollow points. Remington sjhp in both guns
Thanks for the help

[Reloadron]

As to the 357 you may want to give this a read: Speer Gold Dot 357 Magnum 158 Grain Clear Gel Test.

With any bullet things are not always ideal in that expansion is a function of velocity, bullet design and very importantly the material the bullet is penetrating. In the case of other than ballistic gel which can also vary in density,, for example human or animal soft tissue another problem comes along in that organs do not have the same density and if a bullet strikes a bone then all bets are off. Then as to velocity it depends on your load data to get higher or lower velocity for a given load including case, primer and more variables. For self defense use a proven quality bullet and load and hope for the best results. I just don't see a simple answer to your question.

Ron

[Northtogladwin]

I’ll start to load my own soon. Thanks for the info

[Old 454]

A .327 federal magnum or a .357 magnum ?

[hounddawg]

327 is a S&W model #, 8 rounds, .357 mag. Bet that is what he is referring to

great wheel guns

[Northtogladwin]

.357 magnum. It’s the model 327 snub nose

[cw308]

S&W revolvers aren't designed to shoot full magnum loads all the time , I carried a S&W 3" heavy barrel 357 K frame , that not me saying that it was S&W customer service . If you plan on shooting it alot shoot 38 specials and finish up with a few full cylinders with mags . Or endshake and timing problems will develope sooner then later. I love S&W wheel guns , that's all I own 36 chief , 65 and 29 great triggers shooth actions. Baby them.

[mikejonestkd]

A 327 is a performance center N frame, it can handle 357 full house loads all day long.

[Northtogladwin]

It runs full house loads well. Best pointing gun I’ve ever held but will the velocity be good for a jacketed hollow point to open at 1000ish FPS

[44 AMP]

S&W revolvers aren't designed to shoot full magnum loads all the time ,

The K frame won't
The J frame won't
The N frame WILL

[burrhead]

You didn't mention a bullet weight. I'm loading 125 gr Win JHPs with a stout load of Unique for my 2 1/2" 686. Chronos right around 1,200 fps which should open those puppies up and at least leave a nasty bruise.

[Northtogladwin]

Heavier 158 for the semi jacketed hollow points and 135 grain gold dot short barrel

[std7mag]

Generally speaking, most pistol bullets are designed to expand about 800 fps.
I said most! And Generally!

I still am an advocate for the LSWC for carry.

[buck460XVR]

Many manufacturers now make SD bullets designed for short barrels handguns with reduced velocities. Most always made SJHPs/JHPs designed for expansion at .38 special velocities. Iffin you can get 1000fps outta the gun, at SD distance, you should have no problem with expansion.

[big al hunter]

The 240 grain XTP for your 44 mag is designed to expand and perform well between 700 and 1500 fps. I don't have any in 357 bullets to compare, but I do have 2 weights of 45 Cal that are rated the same. When you go to the store to pick up the bullets, Hornady is kind enough to put the recommended muzzle velocity on the box.

[Northtogladwin]

Thanks for all the help guys means alot

[T. O'Heir]

"...moving around 1000 fps..." Depends on the ammo. A hot jacketed 125 grain bullet can get to 1,000, but a 158 will not. Difference isn't enough to matter though. In any case, velocity is not as important as accuracy with either factory or reloaded ammo.
Doesn't really matter if a .44 Mag expands or not. Big things going fast tend to, um, disrupt things they come in contact with. Trick is being able to make 'em contact. If you're new, you need training and practice anyway.
Rummage around here. These guys do actual tests and publish the results.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/index.html

[Northtogladwin]

New to revolvers, I have been shooting extensively for a few years moderate competition. I can do my part most of the time

[cw308]

I had a 4" 44 Mag mod 29 N frame had to send it to S&W for a endshake and timing problems . CS told me not to feed it a diet of full loads only . I now have the 44 Mag 29 with a 8 3/8 barrel scoped , great revolver but I do baby it , with the wood grips even with the longer barrel the checkering will burn my hands alittle . Maybe getting soft in my older age , it's still fun to shoot though .

[74A95]

The velocity and expansion question might be answered in the data here:

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/

[44 AMP]

I had a 4" 44 Mag mod 29 N frame had to send it to S&W for a endshake and timing problems .

It happens. Use anything at full bore and it wears. About how many rounds did it take?

CS told me not to feed it a diet of full loads only .

They do that to extend the life of your gun. Your speedometer might go to 120+ but if most of your driving is at 70 or less, odds are you'll get more miles out of your car before it needs work.
Remember the origin of the .44 Mag, and the model 29. And the idea of the era that full house .44 Mag loads weren't for regular use. The N frame would handle the .44Mag for what was felt a reasonable amount of rounds, in those days. So they put the new .44 in the N frame, becoming the model 29. Unlike some newer guns designed around the .44 Mag to begin with, the 29 came about because it would work, not because it was purpose built for the .44 magnum from the start. The 29 has been improved over the years, to enhance its durability, but its not, and never was something like a Ruger Redhawk.

I now have the 44 Mag 29 with a 8 3/8 barrel scoped , great revolver but I do baby it , with the wood grips even with the longer barrel the checkering will burn my hands alittle .

the factory checkered wood grips on the model 29 are the WORST possible grips you can use for full house loads. SMOOTH wood grips are better (no "cheese grater" in your palms) and for me Pachmayr rubber is the best.

I have a Contender 10", a Desert Eagle, a Ruger Super Blackhawk and a S&W 29-2 6.5". Have shot them all with the hottest stuff, and different grips. I limit my 29 to 240gr at 11-1200fps or less for comfort, and that's with the rubber grips. If I want to push harder, I use a different gun.

Made the mistake of shooting a stock 8 3/8" 629 with full house loads over sandbags, with the bags too close to my hand. The combination of that pinched my hand between the gun and the bag during recoil and the cheese grater checkering of the factory grip actually scraped some skin off my hand, giving me a superficial wound that was irritatingly painful, for a couple days.

The standing joke about S&W grips was that whoever was responsible for putting those grips on their guns must have owned stock in Pachmayr!

[cw308]

44AMP
I can't recall how many rounds it took before I had it repaired it was around 30 years ago . What I did notice on my 8 3/8 the cylinder locking cut outs are different , supposedly the change was to give a stronger lockup . Haven't had any problems but I do practice with light loads . Haven't shot it in two years , just wipe it down and run a few patches through the barrel . It still looks brand new .

[RC20]

I got to shoot the 357 in 6 shot N Frame 100 years ago at the trooper academy.

They had wadcutter loads (before they realized you should practice with the type of ammo you carry)

What a sweet shooter. I had a 41 mag in N Frame so was right at home. Shot the lights out on the PPC they were running. Like a 22 with the 38 wadcutters.

8 Shot would have been something really special.

Still have the 41 and with the EyePal I can shoot it again, great guns. Not a Python of that era but a good solid gun with a good trigger.

[cw308]

RC
If I remember right it was a 4" mod 27 , now I'm into 1911's
Be Well.

Chris

[Geezerbiker]

With that short barrel, I would use a 110g hollow point like the Speer Gold Dot since the short barrel wouldn't get heavier bullets up to speed...

Tony