Titanium gun cant shot light loads?

[AttackTurtle]

I was reading some material and am confused as to why somelight weight guns should not shoot light 357 rounds. Just what could happen?

 

[Pezo]

I asked a similar question before as I am planning on picking up a smith and wesson model 327 soon. Some have said that the lighter rounds may "jump the crimp" under recoil. meaning the bullet may skip out of the casing enough to interfere with the rotation of the cylinder. bullet sticking out of cyliinder and hitting frame. Also, Im not sure but it may also have to do with forcing cone erosion from lighter bullets traveling faster.

 

[abelew]

IIRC, it has more to do with really heavy .357 mag loads, because the recoil is not tamed by heavy weight, so the gun moves rearward with enough force that the bullets, if not crimped, or your having a bad day, will slide out of the case enough to bind the cyllender, preventing it from rotating.

 

[care-less]

Actually, I believe it is the heavier bullets that will jump the crimp under recoil. The very light weight bullets seem to cause a lot of wear on the forcing cone with their high velocity.

 

[BillCA]

Interesting thread here.

Lightly loaded .357 Mag rounds won't require the heavier roll-crimp to retain the bullet that a hotter load requires. Since the round is lightly loaded, a heavy crimp may cause pressures to build too quickly since it'll be harder (with the lower volume of gasses in a light load) to push the bullet past a heavy crimp. The result could be a KaBoom!

Add to this your S&W 327 is a lightweight frame so it's rearward acceleration is much higher than a steel L or N frame. Combine a fairly heavy bullet (e.g. 130-158gr) with a light crimp, sudden rearward acceleration along with serious vibration of the discharged round. The result is could be like having a Scandium S&W bullet puller! In actuality, the bullet in an unfired chamber resists rearward movement due to it's weight (physics, re: inertia) meanwhile the cartridge case does move rearward with only the light crimp pulling the bullet along for the ride. Repeat this four or five times and you'd see the bullet "walking" out of the case. With a .38 special's shorter length, this doesn't pose too much of a problem but the .357 case is longer so the bullet's nose can "poke out" of the end of the cylinder, preventing rotation.

If you want to shoot "light" loads from your 327, look into using standard .38 special loads instead. Or use a lightweight magnum loaded bullet, like 110gr JHPs.

 

[AttackTurtle]

Are we talking about damage to the handgun? I dont think I am understanding the concept Are we talking about a bullet getting stuck while still in the cylinder?

 

[Gabby Hayes]

From "Smith & Wesson Revolvers Owner’s Manual" available online at: http://customersupport.smith-wesson...ontent/00/01/31/06/03/userdirectory53.content

AMMUNITION WARNING for Ti, Sc, PD Series Revolvers

Before placing any of these reduced weight revolvers into service, perform the following test to determine the suitability of the ammunition you intend to use. At a gun range or other suitable and safe location, prepare your revolver for firing by fully loading its cylinder with the ammunition to be tested. While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, fire all but the last round. Remove the empty casings and the last loaded round from the revolver’s cylinder.

Carefully inspect the loaded round to determine if its bullet has started to unseat (move forward) from its casing. If it has, you should not use the tested ammunition in your revolver. Chose another projectile weight or brand of ammunition and repeat this test until you find one that DOES NOT UNSEAT under these test conditions. When you are finished, fully unload your revolver and secure it safely.


AMMUNITION WARNING ALL SCANDIUM REVOLVERS FIRING MAGNUM AMMUNITION
(Example: All model 340’s, 360’s, 386’s)
To reduce the possibility of premature cylinder erosion, do NOT use Magnum® loadings with bullet weights less than 120 gr.

 

[workin_ike]

(Example: All model 340’s, 360’s, 386’s)
To reduce the possibility of premature cylinder erosion, do NOT use Magnum® loadings with bullet weights less than 120 gr.

Why is this, I recently bought the 340 PD. Is remington 125gr. 357 mag.'s safe?

 

[AttackTurtle]

Yes because it is heavier than 120. Why though will a grain of 120 or less cause more face erosion and isnt face erosion on teh cylinder going to happen anyway?

 

[Pappy John]

Let's see....too light, increased erosion....too heavy, bullet pull. They sound a might too fussy for me. One of the revolver's strong points is supposed to be bullet flexibility, neh?

Yeah, yeah, I know..they carry great.

 

[BluesBear]

The only reason to use a lighter buller in a .357 magnum is for increased velocity.
Increased velocity means heavier charge of faster burning powder.
Which translates into more flame cutting.

And as well all know, lightweight alloys are easier to cut with a blowtorch.

Which is why they don't make scandium gun safes for apartment dwellers.