Would you shoot 125 grain jhp through a 586

[Zaydok Allen]

Well worded ^^^^^^

The lighter the bullet, the easier it is to get it to start moving, and the more powder can be put in the case without exceeding the pressure specification

So hotter/more gas release due to earlier release, between the barrel cylinder gap as the bullet makes the jump faster and earlier than a heavier bullet. This causes the flame cutting of the top strap.

And, the light bullet moving faster than a heavier bullet, slams into the forcing cone and engages the rifling at higher speed, causing the erosion over time. Correct?

So it's just that lighter bullets can be loaded hotter than heavier bullets due to increased case capacity.

So, if you are using factory loaded ammo, you should be fine as most modern factory ammo is not very hot. If you are rolling your own, just don't load them to max preasures, and it should never be a problem.

 

[Pete D.]

Ah.

Baltimore: Thanks for that reply. I was thinking something similar. The actual bullet is of little consequence.
The load itself - mainly the choice of propellant and the amount used is more of a factor. Perhaps the concern is whether one should use hi-intensity loads at all in the 586 or K frames in general.
Pete

 

[mavracer]

And, the light bullet moving faster than a heavier bullet, slams into the forcing cone and engages the rifling at higher speed, causing the erosion over time.

Bold added for emphasis.
This is the key factor, a couple rounds isn't going to do visable damage.
Another key ingrediant in the amount of damage done is heat, if you're shooting 50 yard groups and letting the barrel cool between shots far less damage will be done than repetably doing Bill Drills firing 6 rounds as fast as you can.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Yes but the S&W M586 is not the Ruger SP101, the L frame will be just fine even with 110gr bullets.

The main problem with the 125gr bullets in the K frame was velocity. The older 125gr ammo was pushing the 125gr bullet to a screaming 1500+ fps and the forcing cone of the K frame was not designed to absorb that type of punishment. The SP101 is a small revolver, the M586 is not.

I respectfully disagree. If it was a stainless GP100 it'll showed the same signs of erosion. I mean that only a more erosion-resistant steel could have done a better job. If you say "the 586 has a more erosion-resistant forcing cone than the Ruger" and you can prove it then I'll agree.

 

[Lj1941]

Evidently some x-tra heavy loads of Blue Dot with 125 grain projectiles was one of the guilty loads. I ended up pulling > 100 rounds of this load after reading Alliant's warning. My model 19 had at most several hundred of these loads without any visable damage. A good friend was not so lucky and now has a stainless barrel on his blued steel weapon.

 

[Drail]

The barrel I ruined was on a GP 100, so it really doesn't make any difference what the make of the gun is. The steel they use is not all that different. It only took me about two months to trash a nice gun. I can see no good reason to subject a .357 gun to 110-125 gr. magnum loads. All of my handloads today are heavy bullets moving about 900-1000 fps. They seem to have all the destructive power I will ever need and I don't see any gas erosion at all. If I want more velocity I pick up a rifle.

 

[kilibreaux]

Of course...why would anyone not?

 

[Ky Larry]

I've heard this discussion for the last 30+ years. I've finally figured out the correct answer is, "Depends who you ask." Light bullets probably don't cause a problem loaded below insanity levels. If in doubt, have a competent gunsmith check out your revolver. I have a Model-19,a -686, a Black Hawk, and a Python. For .357's, they get 158 lswc's for plinking and 140gr jhp's for social work. My .38spl's get 158gr lead and 125gr jsp's plus anything else I find. Probably isn't necessary but, when it comes to my guns, I like to wear a belt and suspenders.

 

[Comrade Mike]

If you're that scared, buy an N frame. Try and break it, I dare you.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The 586 L frame will totally be fine with a moderate amount of full-power 125 grain .357 rounds!

 

[PJSprog]

I've been feeding a steady diet of 125gr bullets through my 686 since 1989. It's my favorite load. No sign of any damage so far (25 years). Load them up, and send them on their way, horsemen61.

 

[gamestalker]

^^^^

gs

 

[oldbear]

I would if that was my only option. I prefer a 158Gr. bullet for the .357 Magnum revolvers. For 38 special ammo I shoot lots of 125Gr. bullets as they appear to be very common.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'd grow tired of all the roar and kick before the gun gave out.

One of the reasons for the introduction of the L-frame revolver, of which the 586 is one, was to avoid the forcing cone cracking problems of the K-frame when shooting those kinds of loads.

 

[PedalBiker]

I shot mostly gas checked cast lead bullets from my Security 6 and the forcing cone is noticeably eroded. I mostly used 2400 as a powder and hefty amounts of it. I gave it to my mom and it's relegated to 38sp loads and should have plenty of life left.

My guess is that it's not only the powder charge, but how much combustion happens on the way out. Since the powder contains it's own oxygen source it could easily be burning the steel as it vents. It's amazing revolvers hold up as long as they do. My Security 6 must have at least 10,000 rounds through it. I used to cast bullets by the thousands from scavenged wheel weights when I was in college. It's supposedly not a good idea, but I recycled car batteries I found in the woods. I also recovered bullets from my own backstops and any other sportsman's club that allowed me access. My cast bullets were all 158g and I did on occasion skip the gas checks which is supposed to erode the forcing cone pretty badly.

 

[Nathan Detroit]

Some years back a fellow on rec.guns reported the he kept track of how many factory 125s he put through his 586/686 (don't recall which he was using) but his forcing cone finally cracked after 11,000+ rounds. He figured he got his money's worth out of that barrel.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

The 125 jhp is downloaded from ammo of yester year by about 10K psi from what I have read. Shoot it like you stole it.