SW 627 8-shot moon-clips?

[houdinicop]

I just picked up my SW 627 8-shot 357 magnum. I have never used moon clips before but was suprised / disappointed by how loose the rounds fit into the moon clip. Is there a better moon clip out there? I watch the pro's speed load their revolvers with moon clips and i think they must be using a different one than i have or know something i dont! Can anyone shed some much needed light on this subject?

 

[aliveisalive]

http://www.moonclips.com/default.asp

 

[rcmodel]

Moon clips that work are for the auto pistol calibers.

They can be made thicker because the pistol type rim is much bigger, and leaves room for a thicker & stiffer clip.

Also, auto pistol calibers are shorter rounds, and a little wobble isn't a deal breaker like it is with longer revolver calibers.

Rimmed revolver clips are thin by necessity, as there is hardly a place on a revolver cartridge to snap them in to begin with.

Your 627x8 clips are .025" thick by design.
If they were thicker, .357 rounds would not fit in them.

It is what it is.

From TK Customs FAQ:

What brand of brass works best in your .022 & .025 Thick - Full Moonclips?
Starline Brass works the best with the .025 thick Full Moonclips, which fit the 627x8 and the 686x7. They allow the cartridges to have some movement or wiggle so that they will fall right into the chambers once properly aligned. Federal or Remington may work also but, Winchester brass does not work at all as the groove width is too tight/small.

rc

 

[houdinicop]

Thanks for the information! I unknowingly purchased Winchester ammo for my moon clips and maybe that explains the sloppy feel. I appreciate the help very much.

 

[MrBorland]

I watch the pro's speed load their revolvers with moon clips and i think they must be using a different one than i have or know something i dont!

For one thing, "the pros" aren't shooting .357mag (power or brass). And they have many hours of reloading practice under their belts.

Beyond that, RC's recommendation of following TK's recommendations is a good one. The pros listen to them, too.

 

[TonyT]

houdinicop,
Since the 38 Special and 357 Magnum are not designed for semi auto use there is no industry standard for the depth of the grove beneath the rim. Therefore how tight the rounds are in the moonclips depends on both your moonclip and the brass you are using. I use Ranch Products moonclips which are very good and reasonably priced. In those moonclips the W-W nickel brass is the tightest fit followed by W-W brass, R-p & Federal Ni or brass. CBC and PMC brass often do not have a grove and I do npot use them with moonclips. Also Starline brass has a very wide/deep groove and is too sloppy in Ranch Products moonclips.

 

[Owen Sparks]

As I understand it some high end compitition shooters who use .45 revolvers with moon clips actually load the slightly shorter .45 GAP round as it has a little less play in the wobble making it potentially faster to reload.

 

[627PCFan]

I have switched to truncated cone nose bullets for competitions to ensure easy loading under pressure. For fun shoots, I stick with 38 special cases which makes things even easier to load. +1 on the Winchester brass with Ranch moon clips.

 

[mesinge2]

I actually like speed loaders over moonclips for my m627.