I have been reloading for many years, but I wonder if anyone has loaded revolver wadcutter loads with the bullet seated long so that the front of the bullet was fully supported by the chamber forcing cone. What were the results on accuracy? I am considering trying this with a Smith and Wesson model 19-2 using a 148grDEWC. Such a load would only be used in this revolver and would be strictly a target shooting round.

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Originally posted by stans:
I have been reloading for many years, but I wonder if anyone has loaded revolver wadcutter loads with the bullet seated long so that the front of the bullet was fully supported by the chamber forcing cone. What were the results on accuracy? I am considering trying this with a Smith and Wesson model 19-2 using a 148grDEWC. Such a load would only be used in this revolver and would be strictly a target shooting round.

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Stans, There is a little confusion in your terms, the "forcingcone" is in the bbl and youcouldn't shut the cly if they were that long, as for the long loaded wc in the cly the lack of bullet "grip" and misalignment would cause varied pressure jumps and this would probaly override any advantages of less "jump" to the forcing cone area, I have seen wc
bullets loaded out long but not in winning shooters guns, this is from years of reloading, working at a commerical reloading venture and years of ppc competition with custom/factory guns shooting wadcutter ammo and rn lead bullets..but I don't see any problem with trying it for yourself in your gun but don't expect any fantastic results and be sure to stick with lower/target type loadings, have fun and good luck and good shooting!!!

Thanks for the response. The premise of my idea was that the round might be held in the chamber with more stability, much like a rifle round that has been neck sized. I really don't know if accuracy in a revolver could be improved, it was just a thought. In measuring the length of the chambers in several of my 357 revolvers, I have found variations, even among Pythons. My idea may very well be half-baked.

I think you will find that you very best results will come from slugging the cylinder throats and barrel, finding the correct bullet diameter and using partial resized 357 magnum cases. I have data somewhere with powder charges, I'll see if I can't find it.

DOC

The other problem, or rather issue with loading long is you increase the case capacity, which totally changes how the powder burns. The small loads used in wadcutter rounds work well in the small combustion chamber provided by loading the bullets flush with the case mouth.

As Doc mentioned, partial sizing the cases will improve your case alignment.

The powder column issue totally escaped me. I know shorter, fatter powder columns generally result in less finiky rifle rounds. I am sure it is the same with pistol cartridges. I think I will stick with standard seating depth, maybe play around with the sizing die.