Reloading for the S&W 340PD?

[Ron3]

I don't have one but have considered getting an alloy or scandium snub for shooting .38's from.

I recall that the 340PD models call for jacketed bullets of at least 125 grn. This is probably to prevent bullet pull.

But is that really necessary when one can load their own?

I've loaded a few hundred .38 Colt Shorts with soft 145 gr bullets to avg 615 fps from a 3" barrel. The crimp is mild but I could crimp more next time.

Would these really be a "pull" problem in a scandium snub?

[studenygreg]

I believe the bullet weight guidance is for .357mag. Not an issue for .38 sp. I could be wrong though

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[Ron3]

I believe the bullet weight guidance is for .357mag. Not an issue for .38 sp. I could be wrong though

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That could be.

[tn1911]

I believe the bullet weight guidance is for .357mag. Not an issue for .38 sp. I could be wrong though

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I’ve owned one for years, ankle carried it as my BUG when I was a cop, now I pocket carry it.

Mines in .357 but I normally carry 158gr GD for CCW.

You’re not gonna put many hot .357 mags thru it, your wrists will hate you.

Great little carry gun.

[Ron3]

I’ve owned one for years, ankle carried it as my BUG when I was a cop, now I pocket carry it.

Mines in .357 but I normally carry 158gr GD for CCW.

You’re not gonna put many hot .357 mags thru it, your wrists will hate you.

Great little carry gun.

Nah. Not into killing my hands. I want to shoot and delay arthritis for the long-haul.

I did fire one many years ago. 125 gr sjhp Federals IIRC. I know I fired it until empty but the owner may have only put 3 rounds it. Or it was 5, I forget. But I was very glad when it was over. and knew by shot 2 I'd never fire full .357 from one of these again in the future.

I would be concerned of actually tearing issue / breaking a bone in my hand. The question would be is there a hollow point with weight & velocity that is tolerable.

A soft 160 gr LHP like from GT bullets at 850 is, but I'd have concerns regarding bullet- pull, being lead.

[tn1911]

The question would be is there a hollow point with weight & velocity that is tolerable.

In .357?

I never found one. But I don’t reload so I can’t say if someone has come up with a home brew recipe that’ll work.

[Ron3]

In .357?

I never found one. But I don’t reload so I can’t say if someone has come up with a home brew recipe that’ll work.

Hot .38's / mild .357 was ok in the LCR 2" .357's I had and in my 3" King Cobra.

But I haven't fired an alloy J-frame in awhile and I may find hot .38 to be too much.

There are some hot .38 loads that can expand a little and penetrate well from a 2" barrel. But once you get down to standard .38 pressures there aren't and SWC's, WC's, and HP's you know aren't going to expand become the carry load. .380 performance.

Then it's in competition with .327/.32 mag / .25 acp pocket guns I already have.

[G woody]

Nah. Not into killing my hands. I want to shoot and delay arthritis for the long-haul.

I did fire one many years ago. 125 gr sjhp Federals IIRC. I know I fired it until empty but the owner may have only put 3 rounds it. Or it was 5, I forget. But I was very glad when it was over. and knew by shot 2 I'd never fire full .357 from one of these again in the future.

I would be concerned of actually tearing issue / breaking a bone in my hand. The question would be is there a hollow point with weight & velocity that is tolerable.

A soft 160 gr LHP like from GT bullets at 850 is, but I'd have concerns regarding bullet- pull, being lead.

Yep, if you have ever had a FIRECRACKER detonate in your hand, similar feeling !!!

[Ron3]

If S&W's were better-made (durable) I may have bought one.

But I've been checking reviews and they have their share of problems. Too bad.

As a backup I'd rather carry a .38 LCR with a boot grip (15.5 oz loaded) or what I already have, a Beretta M21a .25. (14 oz loaded) 8+1 and reloads (gee, what a bad day) easy to carry and faster to use.

Easier to shoot well, too.

[SeriousStudent]

Yep, if you have ever had a FIRECRACKER detonate in your hand, similar feeling !!!

I can also save people a lot of money. Go put your hand in the space between a car door and the frame. Slam it really hard five times.

You know know what it's like to shoot a Gold Dot out of a 10-ounce scandium pistol. And I just saved you $800.

You're welcome.