megatronrules
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Can you shot lead bullets in this gun and if no then why not thanks?
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Can you shoot the 158GR. LSWCHP out of the 342?
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ChristopherG
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It's likely that the soft lead bullets would jump--or rather scoot a little bit at a time--out of the case under the recoil of heavily loaded +P bullets. If they scoot out far enough, you could potentially get reduced accuracy; but more seriously, the bullets could slide out to the point that the cylinder can't revolve, and viola: gun won't work.
Whenever you choose a defense load for your 342, you need to test the bullet--of whatever type--for this phenomenon. Load the cylinder, start shooting: each time you shoot a round, open the cylinder and look for 'creep' from the other bullets. Then put them back in place and keep going. If you can get all the way through a cylinder without noticeable creep from the fifth round, you're doing good. To make even more sure, take the fifth round out and make it the fifth round in the NEXT cylinder--so you'll be able to examine it for creep after 9 shots.
More generally, yes: you can shoot lead bullets, no problem. Standard velocity 158's or Wadcutters should present no problem and shoot just fine in my 340PD.
Whenever you choose a defense load for your 342, you need to test the bullet--of whatever type--for this phenomenon. Load the cylinder, start shooting: each time you shoot a round, open the cylinder and look for 'creep' from the other bullets. Then put them back in place and keep going. If you can get all the way through a cylinder without noticeable creep from the fifth round, you're doing good. To make even more sure, take the fifth round out and make it the fifth round in the NEXT cylinder--so you'll be able to examine it for creep after 9 shots.
More generally, yes: you can shoot lead bullets, no problem. Standard velocity 158's or Wadcutters should present no problem and shoot just fine in my 340PD.
nitesite
Member
I agree with ChristopherG about being concerned with the Airweight® and Ti/Sc® revolvers and possible bullet jump or pull. You should check it out.
My experience has been that the very light bullets do not have enough length to have a sufficient base for the case to grip. The heavier (and longer) the bullet, the more gripping surface in utilized between bullet and case wall. So bullet jump may, in fact, be less with longer and heavier bullets.
That's why S&W etches "No Less Than 120-gr. Bullet" on the 340PD® and others.
My experience has been that the very light bullets do not have enough length to have a sufficient base for the case to grip. The heavier (and longer) the bullet, the more gripping surface in utilized between bullet and case wall. So bullet jump may, in fact, be less with longer and heavier bullets.
That's why S&W etches "No Less Than 120-gr. Bullet" on the 340PD® and others.
JohnBT
Member
I haven't had any problems with any of the LSWCHP+P I've shot in my 442 Airweight. YMMV of course, especially with the lighter guns.
John
John
Jim March
Member
These various "lightweights" came in *different* weights. The lightest S&W 38snubbies are around 10.5oz; at that point, I'd be willing to bet a plain lead hollowpoint 158 +P is going to jump crimp.
Some are in the 12.x range, others up into the 14/15oz category. As they get heavier, your odds get better.
One bit of good news though: Speer claims their new 135 Gold Dot +P "snubby special" is engineered not to "jump crimp" and is a good round too. I'd still test that theory in my gun of course, but it's a promising alternative.
Some are in the 12.x range, others up into the 14/15oz category. As they get heavier, your odds get better.
One bit of good news though: Speer claims their new 135 Gold Dot +P "snubby special" is engineered not to "jump crimp" and is a good round too. I'd still test that theory in my gun of course, but it's a promising alternative.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Whenever you choose a defense load for your 342, you need to test the bullet--of whatever type--for this phenomenon.
I'd say that applies to every load in every carry gun: a life-threatening emergency is no time for ugly surprises from firearms and ammunition.
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