Range Report...sort of....

[Tequila jake]

Took out a new S&W 340PD and a new S&W 637 this weekend. Fired the following loads:

1. Federal Low-Recoil Hydra-Shok 110 gr
2. Winchester White Box 125 gr JSW
3. Winchester White Box 158 gr LSW
4. Winchester version of the FBI load (+P 158 gr LSWHP)
5. Remington 148 gr Target WC

Fired only at the LE silhouette targets, so no info on penetration, expansion, etc.

Results:

Firing at 7 yards, only the 158 gr loads fired to POA. POI of the others was mostly high (4 or 5", depending on the load) and to the right (about 3 or 4", depending on the load). This surprised me, since lighter loads generally hit lower.

Recoil from the two 158 gr loads was somewhat more noticeable than from the other loads, which is what I expected. However, it was manageable. I had expected the recoil from the FBI load to be quite "substantial," and while it was somewhat greater than the non-+P 158 gr load, it wasn't disturbingly so. The main difference was a "torquing" or twisting effect which was, however, controllable.

Based on this I'm considering making the FBI load my carry load. I will have to practice with it to control the recoil and "torquing" effect, but I just can't see carrying a load that doesn't hit to POA.

I'll have to see how my wife handles the recoil--may have to find something else for her.

How does this compare to results you other folks have had with loads fired from the J-frame S&Ws?

Tequila Jake

 

[Jim March]

Ok. You have a wee bit of a problem here.

First, of the various versions of the "FBI load" out there, the absolute hottest are the old-stock Cor-Bons and the Buffalo Bore - those are just monsters, often hitting 1,000fps from a 2" barrel. Recoil will be pretty wild.

The next step down are the Remington and Winchester versions. The Remington is fractionally hotter and appears to be a softer lead alloy - I would strongly recommend the Remmie over the Winnie. The felt recoil difference will be close to non-existant.

The Federals are no longer in production, which is good because they're junk.

Next problem: given how light the gun is, I would be worried about the rounds "pulling" under recoil. That gun is so light, rounds not yet fired can get yanked clean out of their cases. If it's only a little it may reduce ammo performance (lower pressure), if it's bad enough they can poke out enough to tie the gun up solid.

To check for this, load five of a prospective round, shoot four, examine the 5th carefully. Do this a few times with any prospective carry load for your gun!!!

Lead is slicker than copper. I would expect the FBI load to "pull" easier than most. A difference in the factory crimp, maybe even a difference in same between two batches from the same manufacturer may make a difference here.

One other load you might try is the Speer 135gr JHP - the same projectile is loaded as a 38+P and a "short barrel special, underpowered" 357 about 150-200fps faster, still well short of "real 357 performance". Both were meant for use in lightweight snubbies and tend to resist yanking under recoil.

(My recollection is that the 340PD is a "357Mag" - if it's a 38, never mind the 357 version.)

 

[Tequila jake]

Jim,

The 158 gr +P LHPs were Winchester. O.K., now I understand why the recoil didn't seem that strong. I'll try the Remington versions next time.

The 340 PD is the super-light (12 oz), scandium framed version in .357 mag. A number of shooters have warned me about the bullets pulling when fired in it. I bought it for my wife because of the light weight, not for her to fire .357mags, or even .38 Spl +Ps. I was just trying them out to see what it felt like.

I guess I'm going to have to trade the thing for an Airweight (aluminum/stainless steel) version of the J-frame. That will ameliorate the perceived recoil somewhat and eliminate the danger of the bullets pulling.

The other problem with with the 340 is the extremely heavy trigger pull. I don't have a scale so I can't measure it, but it's heavier than any other J-frame I've ever tried and I've had several of them. I've cycled the trigger at least 600 times with snap-caps, hoping that would lighten the trigger pull a little bit, but it hasn't helped at all. The other J-frame I fired (the 637 or "Bodyguard") is the aluminum/stainless steel version and the trigger pull is noticeably lighter.

As soon as I can find some I'm going to try some Cob-Bon 110 gr +P DPX and some Cor-Bon Powr Balls as well as some of the Speer 135 gr +P Gold Dots.

Tequila Jake

 

[Hutch]

Jake, be sure to post the 340 on the "for sale" boards here. Smiths sell well.

 

[Tequila jake]

Hutch,

Will do....probably soon...

Tequila Jake