[skippie]

Just got a new 340PD as a bug and am going to the range on monday ( have to work this weekend, what a bummer). I am looking for some lead hollowpoints as a carry load. Anyone no what the stock number for the Federal "Metro Load"??:p

[Jim March]

Federal's last version of the "Metro Load" was the 158grain Nyclad hollowpoint. It wasn't very good, both because of Federal's wimpy powder charge and the plastic coat appeared to screw up expansion.

Winchester and Remington still make what you're looking for. Both are pretty good; the Remington is reputedly a tad hotter but the Winchester is a LOT easier to find and ain't at all bad.

Both go by the following code:

158grain LSWC-HP +P

("Lead Semi-WadCutter HollowPoint")

[Greybeard]

Skippie -

I'd suggest not buying too many of any load until you have tested each (a warning likely still in instruction manual). I did quite a bit of such testing after purchasing 340. Over 50% "jumped the crimp" to one degree or another. Non-jacketed bullets may be particularly problematic. FWIW, with .357s, I settled on Federal Classic 125g JHP.

I have no regrets after purchasing 340 quite some time back. But ... after your first range session, I suspect you may be looking to get rid of that little bitty factory grip that does not cover backstrap. :eek:

In the event you've not followed, a search here should reveal quite a bit of pertinent poop on the 340. Good luck with it.

P.S. You may want to doubleup on hearing protection. ;)

[ChristopherG]

Greybeard's right on about the grips. If I'm planning on shooting much (i.e., any) .357 from mine, I put on a pair of Pachmayr Compac grips, which cover the backstrap, give a little pinky room, and spread the considerable impact of recoil over a bigger piece of my hand. For ordinary carry, it's often in my pocket, and carries tiny little Spegel boot grips.

Do sample ammo, but don't let people get you too worried about things. It won't be hard to find ammo that reliably shoots well. The only one of maybe 20 different rounds that's actually moved enough to lock my 340 up was Winchester Silvertips, which weren't real pleasant to shoot anyway. Mine shoots 158 gr. more accurately and more to POA than 125, but some of the lightweight mid-range .357 is a good balance between power and pain. Remington Golden Sabers and Federal's moderate load 130 gr. Hydrashock both do pretty well, though they're not near as fun as .38s. Get yourself a few boxes of moderately loaded .38s and have fun getting used to it before you punish yourself with megaxplosions.

cg

[skippie]

Good advise on lead bullets, (part of the reason I went with the .357 and not .38, a little more cylinder length for the .38's)I think Murphey likes me...
Has anyone had any good luck with wood grips, I want something that does not stick to the garments as much??:D

[Jim March]

If you're going to skip the leads due to pulling (something I'd check first, but is most definately possible), I'd consider the Winchester Supreme 130grain +P JHP. The hollowpoint cavity is enormous, and it's been documented as expanding well out of 2" tubes.

I've found the recoil in my 17oz snubbie to be very mild. Grouping is fairly tight too, but of course you need to test that in your gun.

Assuming your gun shoots 'em well, these are a top choice.

[JCM298]

I'd suggest that you use shooting gloves when you sight-in the "beast". Take some bandaids with you, but don't worry, the blood washs off the Scandium very easily. (I'm not really joking).

My 340SC has 225 rounds through it with no problems. I've had good luck with Federal 130gr PD loads. For practice, I use my 158gr SWC lead re-loads, with a light load of AA#2. I've had no problem with bullet pull.

Good luck,
John

[skippie]

Well, after reading all of the posts about life ending recoil that would stop a train, I went to the range with a preconcevied notion or two about recoil, so I warmed up with a few rounds out of my .454 taurus, I must say that the recoil with 38's is not bad at all...(I did not have any .357 mag ammo with) I see no reason that I would not be able to qual. for work...I like this gun:D