LIGHT AMMO OKAY FOR TAURUS 85?

[Brian678]

I just recently purchased a Taurus model 85 as a back up. I bought several different defence loads to test, one being COR-BON 110gr JHP+P. But after reading the owners manual it says for safety use only 125gr to 158gr. I know that some gun manufacturers set extremely low capability limits for their guns(probably for liability reasons). I was wondering whether or not it would be safe to shoot aa 110gr load in this gun and if not why? Any knowledgeable info would be extremely helpful and appreciated! If this load in my gun is not safe then I do not want to shoot even one, but if it's not going to damage me or the gun, then I would at least like to try a limited amount.

 

[atlctyslkr]

It is a stainless 85 or an alloy? I have a stainless 85 and I have put just about everything out there through it even 110gr CorBon. The problem (supposedly) is that lighter bullets can come unseated due to recoil. I have a S&W 649 chambered in .357 and the manual says not to use anyting below 125gr in the alloy version but since I have a stainless I don't worry. I have never had a problem with 110gr Corbons in 38 or 357. They are pretty well made rounds.

By the way the best defensive round I have found for my 85 is Federal 129gr Hydrashoks. If you can get those you'll be happy. They are tough but accurate.

 

[cookekdjr]

I had a Taurus 85 in titanium. It would digest anything, including 110gr +p loads from GA Arms. It shot everything well.
-David

 

[Brian678]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

My TAURUS 85 is stainless not alloy. So I went ahead and shot the light loads and they worked perfectly fine although I found the heavier winchester 125gr to be more accurate. I'm positive I will be trying many more different types of ammo in the future and it's good to know that all is okay! Thank you guys very much for taking the time to respond to my question as it is much appreciated!

 

[makarovnik]

My wife has an all steel taurus 85 we bought about five years ago. It didn't say "+P" on the barrel so I checked their web site. Check out the link below. In short they say that any ammunition loaded higher than SAAMI regulations voids the warranty. I believe all +P ammunition IS loaded within SAAMI specs just higher pressure than regular ammunition. Then they go on to say that +P ammunition might have an adverse effect on the life of the gun and may be dangerous but they don't say it will void the warranty. Personally, we don't shoot +P in her gun. If we want to do that we'll get her a .357 magnum or maybe a Ruger SP101.

http://www.taurususa.com/safety/ammoguide.cfm

 

[Snowdog]

My steel-frame Taurus 85 has seen a few boxes of Winchester Ranger 110gr +P+ JHPs, which in my opinion are the hottest this little handgun can handle. I wouldn't recommend this diet for the inexpensive Brazilian revolver, but I can testify the condition of mine remains in solid after 150 round of the Rangers and hundreds of other +P hollowpoints.

 

[MCgunner]

I've fired several hundred rounds of white hot +P handloads that put up around 270 ft lbs out of the two inch barrel of my alloy Ultra Lite. It's +P rated and 15 ounces of alloy/stainless. It's still tight as a fiddle string. I think what they're worried about, maybe, is the 110 grain stuff backing the bullets out of the crimp tying up the gun. That's a common warning with the little titanium J frames in .357. I've never quite figured out why a 110 grain load would do this before a 158 grain load would, but whatever. I put a good, heavy roll crimp on my ammo to avoid this possibility, but I'm also shooting 140 grain and 158 grain +P loads, not the 110 grain stuff. My gun throws light bullets really low. I prefer the heavies in .38 +P anyway.

That Taurus "warning" is a typical CYA thing. I reckon there'll always be handloaders trying for .357 pressure levels out of a .38 and ignoring the manuals. I'd not worry at all about factory +P ammunition, but I wouldn't put a high round count of the stuff through the little gun, either. I MIGHT have 200 rounds through mine over the years, fire a few now and then to stay familiar with the slap in the hand. Mostly, I shoot standard pressure handloads for practice.

 

[bakert]

In my steel frame 85 I use regular loads most of the time for practice and +Ps just for carry. Maybe a cylinder full of the + P occasionally during practice and I've shot most bullet weights with no problems but why stress this little gun more than you have to. It's not a particularly fun to shoot with those small grips anyway but a danged nice little gun for real concealment . Use a bigger revolver for constant shooting with heavier loads.