S&W 360, .357 mag. Airweight, Can it handle 180gr cast?

[sigbear]

I have a S&W model 360 Airweight .357 mag with 3" brl. My question is, could this 12 oz. titanium revolver handle 180 gr. cast round?

I know the recoil would be brutile, but could the gun handle it?.

I have carried this gun backpacking loaded with 158 gr. wadcutters, and have shot 50 rounds through it, harsh recoil, but, accurate enough. Would the 180 gr. cast round recoil be much worse?.

Sigbear

 

[Majic]

Everything would depend on the power level of the 180 grainer, but if full power the little revolver could handle it (as long as the round fits the chamber) though you might not want to pull the trigger too many times.

 

[FranklyTodd]

****

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I would be concerned about the recoil acting like an inertia bullet puller and unseating the bullets, which would stop the cylinder from turning. It would take very little movement as the rounds would almost certainly be longer to start with.

 

[jaydubya]

The Lone Haranguer said: I would be concerned about the recoil acting like an inertia bullet puller and unseating the bullets, which would stop the cylinder from turning. It would take very little movement as the rounds would almost certainly be longer to start with.

+1. With anything moving 800fps or more, bullet pulling might become a problem. Certainly your hand will hate you. My 637 Airweight has no problem with +p 158gr LSWCHPs, but I do. That's why I shoot just five of them at the end of a range session.

Ask yourself why do you want to do this?
Cordially, Jack

 

[Mike 3-4]

I carry a Ruger sp101 on the trail with 180grn. Fed (cast core)and they only have 1000fps. velocity from that short barrel. I realize it weighs more than your Airweight but I think the recoil is easier to handle for me than the 158grn. Hydra Shok and the bullet to me is better for a trail cartridge.