Sounds low, from an automatic shooter’s standpoint, but that’s the goal. I’ve only fired this gun about 400 times in total, which I’m a bit ashamed to admit as it gets frequent carry. I’m going to load some minimal powder rounds with HS6. (i have a pound of it lying around)
have some 125 grain plated bullets coming from midway, along with shell plate, dies etc.
Hopefully between this and dryfire i’ll reach somewhat of a proficiency plateau.
I commend you on this, Im sure your hand and fingers wont forgive you for some time. This is really a tough pistol to put alot of rounds through, but that why dryfire is so key. If only I could find cheap .38spc rounds.
I’m gonna hopefully be able to cook up something low recoil on the reloading press… I was shooting some HSM and “american tactical” ammo, 11 bucks a box, and the recoil was absolutely brutal.
No better way to get good with it than getting out there and working on the fundamentals with your J frame.
I bet you will be a heck of a lot better J frame shooter around March 1st !
This reminds me that I need to load up some practice loads for mine too. 148 grain wadcutters make some nice clean holes in papers 
Doing 125 a week or something like the whole 500 at once?
125 a week. i don’t need nerve damage. :eek:
love carrying this gun, gonna learn to love shooting it by god. :o
Which J frame? I have a 340 and I’d rather get kicked in the junk repeatedly then shoot 500 .357 rounds through it.
I bought a 340pd as a “want” and sold it to put more money towards “need” guns but it was definitely no joke with recoil firing .357. I doubt many people here will put the effort into their j frame that you are.(Skyugo)
I shot two cylinders of Hornady Critical Defense out of mine shooting pretty fast with a reload, and thought I broke my hand. Had a large dark purple and black bruise on my palm. 
I still love it, my little noisy cricket.
I went through 15 rounds of the same ammunition, not rapid fire, but all in succession and it definitely made my hand feel like I fouled off a high inside fast ball off an aluminum tee ball bat.
Here’s my 642 after 150 rounds back in November.
My thumb healed a few weeks ago, but it sure was a fun time and I learned a few things.
Beware of a couple of things. Don’t use jacketed bullets for light loads. Plated are OK. A jacketed bullet can decelerate in the bore and the core can leave the jacket behind, in the bore. I have seen this. If the loads are too light the bullet can stick in the bore. If you are shooting fast you may pull the trigger again even though you noticed the lack of recoil.
Why don’t you get a J frame 22?
I can see that easily enough if its in the 38 special range and not something like full power 357 mag. Only have had mine for little more than a month and so far have done 100 rounds of 158 grain 38 special in a trip and for the most part just felt it solidly thumping my palm with some tenderness the next day so I wouldn’t have any probs doing that.
I’ve been an active snub shooter for 30 years and fire double action only. The j frames are accurate revolvers, and after you learn to shoot them, your proficiency will surprise yourself and others. Remember to have a toothbrush handy to clean under extractor star to prevent dragging caused by debris.
Wow, 500 rounds.
I can only stand 15 or 20 rounds in one j frame session.
Let us know how it goes.
I’ll admit, I SUCK with my 357 and really need to step up the round counts. The cost of ammo has held me back and I rarely carry it anyway. Its more of a nightstand / glovebox gun. However… I am the proud new owner of a Hornady LNL press so hopefully I’ll be shooting it a lot more soon. Sure am glad Ive been saving the brass:)
It’s a 642, so DAO, 38 special, stainless cylinder/alloy frame. So maybe the softest shooting airweight available.
I’ve done a 135 round range session before. I used some PMC and independance brand ammo, 125 grain jacketed i believe. Fairly soft shooting.
I have some 110 grain hornady critical defense i’ve fired a few of as well, being the lighter bullet they don’t kick too badly…
The cheap ass 158 grain “american tactical” and HSM ammo is just brutal. I bought it for the low price, and honestly I think it’s loaded well outside of SAAMI specs. ouch.
I have 500 rainier ballistics flat point 125 grain bullets ready to go. I’ll be loading with CCI #400 primers and HS6 powder. With any luck I’ll begin this weekend (guess that makes it not technically a february thing)
The plan is basically to work through a few cylinders of low ready to fire single shot
low ready to double/triple taps
then do some pocket holster work.
probably all inside of 20 feet or so at 1/3 scale IPSC guys.
Anybody have a good video on pocket draws?
cool… yeah it seems like a tight little gun really. the frame is very rigid, and it locks up pretty nicely. I’ll bring my USGI cleaning kit brush with me.
Maybe wear some batting gloves?
Will you be cleaning during the 500 rounds? I’m wondering how crud build up will affect the barrel/cylinder gap and trigger pull/function as a result.
yeah it’s a freqently carried gun, it will be cleaned after every range trip. I feel no need to “torture test” devices that my life may someday depend on.