Revolver Comparison tale

[glockster157]

Some years back I had 5 357 mag revolvers at the same time.

1. Colt Pyton 6" 3. SW 686 6" 3. Ruger GP100 4" 4. Ruger Speed Six 2.75" 5. Taurus 66 4".

I was loading the Keith 170 grain SWC over 13.5 grains of 2400 as all around mid range load(still do for that matter). Anyways, I picked up a new pound and made a batch. When I got to the range I shot the 686 first. Cases stuck in the cylinder. Showed some signs of pressure. Being a lot younger and dumber back then, I tried some more and same results. Curiosity took over from there. I tried some of the loads in the GP100. No problem. I did not even have to use the ejector rod. just hold the muzzle up and the cases fell out. I tried 1 round in the Colt and it stuck hard. Tried one more in a different chamber with the same results. Same for the Taurus 66. Went home and got got the Ruger Speed Six as I did not have it with me and tried it. Same as the GP100. Just fell out. Got my bil's Security Six, same results.

After pulling some bullets and weighing charges there was nothing wrong. I tried some other loads with JHP bullets and hit trouble again. Got another pound of 2400 and things went back to normal. Just goes to show that powder can be different from lot to lot but I think this stuff was bad.

What I learned was the SW was pretty strong but it was not Ruger strong. The Python might be smooth but it could not hang with the Ruger or the SW. The Taurus was an earlier model and it ws kinda klunky anyways.

One other thing, if you pick up any older cans of Hercules powders, be careful. I also hit trouble with some Blue Dot before they were taken over by Alliant.

[Guest Straight Shooter]

I told the story here a few days ago about the THREE S&W 686's I went thru before I got one that would fire more than 2-3 rounds before locking up. A few years later S&W had a recall on those guns due to undersized chamber holes. Could this be the case with your Smith I wonder?

[Garufa]

I believe the 586/686 series up to "-1" were recalled for cylinder binding using magnum loads.

[glockster157]

I told the story here a few days ago about the THREE S&W 686's I went thru before I got one that would fire more than 2-3 rounds before locking up. A few years later S&W had a recall on those guns due to undersized chamber holes. Could this be the case with your Smith I wonder?

No, I shot several thousand of those SWC loads with 2400 powder. That pound of powder didn't work right with any of my loads. I had to throw it out and get a new bottle. The cases stuck in the cylinder chambers equally. I could get them out with a hard push on the ejector rod. The cylinder was not binding at all. Overall, I was pleased with the 686's performance and those I have had since. I currently have a 4" no dash and it shoots that load fine.