Loading question for new Model 27

[inutero1212]

Recently traded a Charter .327 Mag and became a proud owner of a S&W Model 27. I receive 200 rounds with it as well. It is chambered in .357 Mag. One of the boxes says the rounds inside are loaded 150 gr JHP and 9.0gr of Unique. I know nothing about handloads but want to make sure these are safe. Any info would be great thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

Judging by online data and Speer #13, I would say those are quite hot. That and the fact you don't know for a fact it is what it says it is, I would pull them.

Alliant data link

 

[243winxb]

DO NOT SHOOT THEM. To much powder. To hot. You can check loading data here http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx You type faster walkalong, tho i did go in the basement to check more data.

 

[Steve C]

That load is a little over maximum by about about 5% with current data and about maximum with older data. I had to go back to a Hornady manual printed in 1973 to find loads using 9+ grains of Unique with 158gr bullets.

Hand loaded ammo from another person are always suspect, esp one you don't have first hand knowledge about their abilities and safety habits. You also have to ASSUME that what they wrote down was truly what they are loaded with and the charges where correctly and uniformly measured. You can't even assume that the original owner ever tried that load out in the gun unless the box is only a partial.

Personally I don't shoot strangers hand loads in my guns and am suspect even of commercial re-manufacturers due to some second hand stories of ruined guns. The 27 is a good heavy duty pistol but they're quite expensive now so understand that there is greater risk using those hand loads than a factory load. Whether you want to shoot them is up to you.

If you decide not to use them they can be disassembled for components if you ever decide to reload or if given to another hand loader.

 

[inutero1212]

Well, the loads are from my uncle. He is known to be a hot loader. His mentality is always bigger is better. I have had a few of his '06 casings crack on me at the neck after a mere 2 or 3 reloads. I myself don't load, but I read up a little about it here and there. While 9 gr didn't seem terrible, it seemed a little high in general. Hence why i have come to the board to check it. Any idea what a model 27 in about 85% is worth? I could post a few pics, but i guess that is for the wheelgun thread...

 

[inutero1212]

turns out I am the owner of a Model 28-2. Sorry not wise in the way of the wheel gun yet. Too much bringing up in a tactical mind set has only recently allowed me to embellish on fun guns

 

[Walkalong]

The "Highway Patrolman". Great guns. The working mans version of the Model 27.

You'll like it! You certainly "traded up".
.

 

[inutero1212]

I think so too. the charter was much less refined.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

For an idea on the value of that sweet gun go to www.gunbroker.com. There are several up for auction. Look at completed auctions, not the buy it now guns.

I have a friend that stretched several N frames with hot loads. It takes a little time and is usually noticed by timing problems. It's a way to destroy a good gun.

 

[inutero1212]

Well, I did a few things to update you guys. I took the ammo to a friend who reloads and he said that some of the ammo that was 158 was loaded to max spec or close to, but the box that was really in question, the 150gr with 9.0 gr of unique must have been an old box and label b/c the ammo was all over the place and loaded sloppily. My Dad seems to recall picking up a box of ammo a long time ago from a gun show...might be it I think. Past that I got some .38 Special reloads and took a box of the stuff that my Uncle loaded that got the OK and proceeded to zero the gun starting at 5 yrds to get it started. This gun was too easy. I got nice little nickel sized groups standing unsupported, took it to 15 to zero for what I had intended and was pleasantly suprised to see the groups didn't really open up too much. I shot the group with the support of my padded gun case and got half dollar groups with all loads, .38 and .357. Stood up and shot free hand and kept a fist sized groups when I did everything right. I feel if the target hadn't been a red bullseye or the front sight was a different color I could have gotten tighter groups still. Having a target and front sight post that are the same color sucks... Very happy with the gun and looking forward to experiencing more with my newfound love for the wheel gun! Next on the list is the need to start hand loading myself...