Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 4,523
Original factory loadings of the .357 magnum were a good bit hotter than today’s loadings propelling a 158 grain bullet faster than todays 125 grain loads.
The factories toned them down a good bit since then.
Why?
Was it because the first .357’s, the Smith and Wesson’s were built on the heavy “N” frame that could handle more pressure?
Did they lighten the loads to make them compatible with “K” frame model 19 when it first came out? *
Should those of us with heavy frame revolvers attenuate our loads to comport with the modern loading data that is designed not to over stress the weakest small frame .357’s made?
*The model 19 and its stainless steel counterpart the model 66 have both been discontinued because they could not handle a steady diet of modern .357 loads.
The factories toned them down a good bit since then.
Why?
Was it because the first .357’s, the Smith and Wesson’s were built on the heavy “N” frame that could handle more pressure?
Did they lighten the loads to make them compatible with “K” frame model 19 when it first came out? *
Should those of us with heavy frame revolvers attenuate our loads to comport with the modern loading data that is designed not to over stress the weakest small frame .357’s made?
*The model 19 and its stainless steel counterpart the model 66 have both been discontinued because they could not handle a steady diet of modern .357 loads.