quadra Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 Has anyone done any experimentation with handloads for the S&W 646 .40S&W with Ti cylinder? For best results the loads need to be lighter than regular 40 S&W loads, because a revolver does not need to cycle as does a semi-auto. Also the OAL can be longer in that there is a lot of space at the front of the cylinder and it seems to make sense to cut down on some of the bullet "jump" to the forcing cone. What are the loads that 646 shooters have developed? Brass? Bullets?(round nose work best with the moonclips) Powders? Grains? OAL? Crimp? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quadra Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 I'm continuing experimentation with this revolver. One load that works well is Berry's 155 HBRN n340/5.2 gr. OAL 1.30 Crimp .420 This load shoots accurately with light recoil. No signs of being too light(the cases seem to seal well in the chambers. Extraction is smooth and easy. Note: this load is 1.2 grains below the minimum load suggested by VV. Just loaded the following: Berry's 155 HBRN AA#5/6.0 gr.(Accurate recommends a minimum charge of 6.8 gr.) OAL 1.40 Crimp. .420 I will let the 646 users know how this load works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFoley Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 Zero 180 grain JHP (or Zero 180 grain TCFM) New Starline Brass 4.6 grains Vita Vhouri N320 Federal Gold Match 100 Small Pistol Primers OAL 1.14325 .418 at the crimp Extreme spread in a 10 shot group was only 4! Makes 165 power factor in my 646, but powder lots, barrels, and presses vary so you may want to try 4.7 or 4.8 to start. Recoil is lighter than factory, extraction is smooth and positive, and ignition is 100% with a lightened mainspring. Accuracy is awesome! This is probably due to the consistency of the load, yes ES was 4 from a 10 shot group. I couldn't believe it, so I tested it in my Edge and Trojan, and the ES was 8 and 6 respectively with almost the same power factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 I have used 3.4-3.6 gr. WST with the 155 & 180 gr. LTC's for a extreemely accurate light load. Similarly have used 3.6-3.9 gr. WST behind the Star 155, 165 & 180 gr. FMJ's with outstanding results. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 Tony - what power factor are you getting with that load? Also, what gun & make of barrel? Thanks, C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted July 30, 2005 Share Posted July 30, 2005 Carlos, The 155 & 180 gr. LTC's were shot in a S&W646 and chronographed as follows: 155 gr. LTC 3.4gr WST=80s fps SD10 3.6 gr WST=831fps SD8 180gr. LTC 3.4 gr. WST=778fps SD17 3.6gr WST=798fps SD8 The Star jacketed bullets were chronographed from a CZ-40B as follows: 155 gr. Satr FMJ 3.6gr WST = 756fps SD16 3.9gr WST=829fps SD9 165gr Star FMH 3.6 gr WST=757fsp SD11 3.9gr WST=815fps SD16 180gr Star FMJ 3.6gr WST=724fps SD9 3.9gr WST=778fps SD14 All the above date were with the Federal oprimer as I use them for plinking/IDPA/Steel loads in the SW646. They are supperbly accurate in both my S&W646, S&W610 and the CZ-40B. The 3.4 gr. LTC loads and jacketed loads also shoot very accurately in my PO16-40 with Wolf reduced weight recoil springs. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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