Model 66 options

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As the owner of a Model 66-2 who has trouble resisting shooting at least a cylinder full of magnum loads on each range trip, I ask how many rounds would you estimate you fed your Model 66 in that "steady diet"? My Model 66 probably gets to the range a half-dozen times a year at best.

For clarity, I have a Model 19 not a Model 66.

At the time I cracked the forcing cone on my Model 19, I was shooting IHMSA silhouette competition so my gun saw alot of hot 357 Magnum loads. I'm afraid I cannot say how many hot rounds I put through the revolver but I was shooting for a year or so, maybe a bit longer before the forcing cone cracked. The range I belonged to had matches once a month during the warmer months and I practiced frequently in between.

After cracking the forcing cone on the Model 19 and while it was off at S&W being repaired, I bought a 10" 357 Magnum Contender for shooting silhouette. The Contender was eligible for production class at the time but, obviously, not revolver class. As an aside, I ultimately bought a Super 14 barrel chambered in 7mm International Rimmed for the Contender for unlimited class.

When the Model 19 was returned, I continued to enjoy shooting mostly warm 38 Special level ammunition loaded in 357 Magnum cases (158 gr SWC loaded to 900-950 fps). I'm not concerned shooting a cylinder or two of full power 357 Magnum ammunition in the Model 19 once in a while.

These days, I have several 38 Special K-frames revolvers that I enjoy shooting with 38 Special ammunition. If I want to play with more power, I have a couple L-frames to use. And if I want wrist snapping, 427 big block busting recoil, I drag out the 460 S&W Magnum.

Bottom line, heavy use of 357 Magnum loads in a Model 19 or Model 66 will probably result in a cracked forcing cone. Enjoying a cylinder or two of hot loads a few times a year will probably not hurt your revolver for many years.

I hope this helps with your questions.
 
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As the owner of a Model 66-2 who has trouble resisting shooting at least a cylinder full of magnum loads on each range trip, I ask how many rounds would you estimate you fed your Model 66 in that "steady diet"? My Model 66 probably gets to the range a half-dozen times a year at best.

As an aside, the forcing cone of my Model 19 cracked a day or two before a match when I was shooting to confirm sight settings for a silhouette match. I pressed a S&W Model 25-5 chambered in 45 Colt into service for the match. To hit the 200 meter rams with the slow moving 45 Colt bullets, I had to aim about 20 feet above the 200 meter berm. One of the rams that I knocked over during the match was on the bounce from the bullet hitting the dirt in front of the ram and then hitting the target.

Kind of impressive what a slow moving, heavy bullet can do.:)
 
Finally got around and decided to go ahead and shoot it just to get some rounds through it.

So I went out in the woods on my favorite hunt.....a pizza box at ten yards.

Some stray observations .38s are really mild out of this guy but .357s even at cowboy loadings have a nice bit of pep.

The HSM cartridges I used are fairly dirty nice little puff of smoke but not black powder level, but I think I'll try another brand once I'm through with this box.

Accuracy at least in single action is really nice. Need some more time with double action though and a good sized brick of .38 specials
 
Pictures not shooting for groups but not the worst shooting I've ever done. More ammo more practice but the Herters loads were very nice for cheap fmjs
 

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