I picked up a new Python 6" a couple of months ago and have an issue I am curious about. After many years of BR rifle shooting and my typical SD practice I decided to get into 38/.357 revolvers about 3 years ago. I have a couple of GP100s, a 686 and 586 S&W. I have found what I would call moderate .357 loads with coated cast that run well in these. Now I took the same exact load and ran it in my Python and got flattened primers and hard to extract casings. On the same day, same exact load out of the same exact box, my GP 100 has perfect extraction and primers look fine. I don't want to get into measuring chambers etc. but are the chambers tighter on these Colts in general? Opinions please...
New Colt Python 6" Loads
- Thread starter JDeere
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Rat-Man
Member
My 4.25 barrel length Python chambers and bore are definitely tighter than my 6” 686.
Extraction isn’t what i would call hard, just more drag when ejecting them especially when the chambers are a little dirty from shooting. The primers are almost always flatter than the same load in the 686.
Of course mine may not be quite as hot as your loads, a little seems to make a bigger difference.
Extraction isn’t what i would call hard, just more drag when ejecting them especially when the chambers are a little dirty from shooting. The primers are almost always flatter than the same load in the 686.
Of course mine may not be quite as hot as your loads, a little seems to make a bigger difference.
Colt always had the reputation of tighter barrels. I don't know if tighter revolver barrels mean anything for case pressure as there is this gap for gas to vent. However, measuring chamber throats is easy, get a dial caliper and measure the diameter in the front. I have pin gauges. My S&W M629-4 has tight chamber mouths, apparently made tighter than normal for that production run. This pistol is exceptionally accurate but loads have to be cut for it. Because it is so accurate, I can live with that.
What's your load?
14.0 gr of 2400 spp and 158 swc coated. I guess I will drop it some for this pistol and keep them separate and see what happens...
beag_nut
Member
Just me, but maybe the Colt chambers are looser, rather than tighter than the GP100? My GP has no problems with any load, whatsoever.
brutus51
Member
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13.5gr of 2400 with a 158gr SWC is a pleasant and very accurate load in my Colts.
Interestingly my 1978 6" Python shoots these loads about a 100fps slower than out of the new Python and the 4.25 barreled King Cobra Target. If only the new ones were as accurate.
Interestingly my 1978 6" Python shoots these loads about a 100fps slower than out of the new Python and the 4.25 barreled King Cobra Target. If only the new ones were as accurate.
I use 13.5 grains 2400 with a 158 Lead. Just cut your loads by a grain and see what happens. Can't hurt.
UncleEd
Member
I'm a handloader myself but I wish
the reports on guns, especially
new ones, also featured factory
loads. It's what the manufacturer
used/intended. And by factory
loads I don't mean any super/duper
hot specialty stuff from a few
ammo makers.
the reports on guns, especially
new ones, also featured factory
loads. It's what the manufacturer
used/intended. And by factory
loads I don't mean any super/duper
hot specialty stuff from a few
ammo makers.
I see what your saying but personally I have 0 rounds of commercially loaded .357 mag and don't intend to purchase any. I have commercially loaded 9mm and .45 acp and that's only because I run those for self defense. Everything else I shoot is hand loaded and has been for many years.
I'm going to drop the charge to 13.5 gr and see what happens. I will just keep separate loads for the Colt. I appreciate the input from you all.
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